AMUSEMENTS AND MEETINGS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19840, 14 May 1927, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS AND MEETINGS

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. Two well-known writers have their books showing in picture form to-night at His Majesty’s Theatre. The fame of Mario Corelli’s novel “Thelma,” read and re-mad by countless thousands' throughout the world, has made the photonlay version of the book one of the really outstanding achievements of the year in f]-. e realm of the cinema. It serves as a starring vehicle for beauteous Jane Novak. The picturization has adhered religiously to the original narrative and lovers of the famous novel will see all their old friends of the book spring into life again when “Thelma” is shown to-night, Monday and Tuesday. A virile, highly dramatic photoplay, sot in the stern, snowbound Canadian nnrthwoods, is the second attraction. The picture is “Prisoners of the Storm,” by James Oliver Curwood, and House Peters, as forceful and dominant a personality as over, is the star of the production. Rich with colour and atmosphere of the locale in which the story is set, and filled with drama and action, the picture leaves nothing to be desired in the way of entertainment. His Majesty’s orchestra will play:—Nocturne, Tschoikowsky; Mazurka, Moszkowski: La Graviata, Verdi; Serenade, Little; Legendc, Wienawski. Four character waltzes, Coleridge-Taylor; Serenade, Drdla: Orpheus, Offenbach; Rosamund e, Schubert. and a selection from “No, No Nanette.” “The Black Pirate.” With the news that Douglas Fairbanks’ latest. screen offering, “The Black Pirate,” will be the feature attraction at His Majesty’s Theatre, starting on Wednesday next, comes the added word that this picture is entirely in colour and ranks as one of the most elaborate cinema spectacles of the year. Fairbanks is as usual the romantic adventurer achieving no end of thrills through his hazardous, always inimitable, and frequently amusing “stunts.” His ingenuity and athletic prowess are big factors in his struggle to win a captured damsel from a shipload of blood-thirsty pirates. This situation forms the drama of the play as well as the backbone of the story. Never before in his career, in the opinion of critics, has the star appeared in a photoplay vehicle that has given him such splendid opportunity for histrionic and interest compelling art. The fact that the picture is in colour has made possible splendid atmosphere besides. ‘‘The Black Pirate” comes heralded as presenting everything for general audience entertainment —high adventure, appealing romance, gripping melodrama, and mystifying intrigue. Plans open on Monday, and there is a special matinee on Wednesday. W.C.T. U. The monthly meeting of the Wanganui East Women’s Christian Temperance Union was held in St. Alban’s Church on Thursday afternoon, when Mrs Duxficld The devotional exercises were led by Miss Sanson. Correspondence was received from the area headquarters of the Now Zealand Alliance and from Miss Joll, and an apology for absence was read from Mrs Brown. Satisfactory reports were received from Miss Sutton (cradle roll), and from the canvassers with the petition. Mrs Duxfield reported the holding of enthusiastic meetings at Marton, Turakina and Fordell. One new member was initiated and the benediction brought a bright and encouraging meeting to a close. ART EXHIBITION There is now on view in John Coull’s sale room a collection of original oil paintings and watercolours by British Continental and colonial artists, many of whom have exhibited in the Royal Academy and Royal Institute of Painters in Water-colours. The pictures show a wide range of subjects, seapieces, landscapes, figures, street and Venetian scenes rich in colour and well painted. Besides this feast of cultured art, thero is a display of original etchings, mezzotints and Stopple engravings, introducing some of the most celebrated artists of these branches of the arts. The collection has been brought here by Mr M. McCormick, who is acting as agent for the different artists represented and who is giving exhibitions throughout the Dominion. ROLLER SKATING The Drill Hall, Wanganui is open each Saturday afternoon and evening as the Regal Roller Rink. The big floor and good skates assure every one an enjoyable evening. A beginners’ class is held every Saturday between 5 and C p.m. Saturday next will be the first novelty night of this season.