AMUSEMENTS AND MEETINGS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19841, 16 May 1927, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS AND MEETINGS

THE GJLAND THEATRE A large audience witnesed the first screening of Norina Talmadge’s latest picture “Kiki” at the Grand Theatre on Saturday evening, and judging by its hearty reception it is .safe to anticipate crowded houses for tho rest of the season. On seeing “Kiki” one’s first impression is of a cameo of extreme beauty, both a material anrA, an emotional beauty, for the story, a gay and gallant battle against an unkind fate, a battle that is waged by little “Kiki” with no weapons out the bash of her tongue and her wheedling ways. There is no farce about the comedy of this picture, for in farce the element of sad ness is never allowed to enter, and in

“Kiki” there is first a note of sadness amidst all tho pure spontaneity of its mirth. “Kiki” steals one’s sympathy with a cunning hand, evoking laughter at the same time, anrlj to bo capable of stirring such varied emotions there must be in the picture a touch of genius, and this production has certainly been conceived by a master brain. It has required a vast amount of experience and experiment to evolve such a character as 4 ‘Kiki.” To appeal wholeheartedly to the public tastes, she has to be a composite blending of laughter and tears, of reserve and uncon vention, an enticing little creature who would captivate the heart with her first flashing smile and her first “ bonmot” Norma Talmaid-gc brings her to the screen in all her April moods, whether trailing disconsolately the Paris streets, or selling her papers with witty cries, or delighting the Parisian public on the coveted stuge, she is an irresistible imp of mischief, hiding an aching heart and a despairing soul I behind her mask of bravado. That is where the genius of “Kiki” appears. It is life, because life is a comedy tragedy that it is best to laugh at. “Kiki” is presented on a lavish scale. Gorgeous sets representing the opera, the boulevards of Paris lend interest and reality to tho picture, and the frocking of the principals is all in the most approved French style. Ror.ald Colman is Aliss Talmadge’s leading man. “Kiki” is a picture that nil the advance reports have been confirmed an entertainment of the highest of order, that ranks with the best pictures screened this year. On the same programme Richard Talmadge ap.nears in “Tho Broadway Gallant,” a picture with interest and fast moving st unis, which keeps everyone on tho edge of their sat from start to finish. Special matinees will be gven to-day. to-mor-row and Wednesday for this programme. Seats may be reserved for to-night, to-morrow or Wednesday at the Grand Theatre. MUNICirAI. PICTURES “Beau Gestc,” P. C. Wren’s romance of the Sahara which created such a sensation when it appeared on the bookstalls has been produced by Paramount into one of the biggest films in motion picture history, and there is not the slightest doubt that the picture has created even a greater sensation than the book. Tho picture will play a season of five nights at the Alunicipal pictures to-morrow, Wednesday, Thursday. Friday and again on the following Monday. Air Albert Petri late of the Queen’s Hall and Gaiety Theatre London will appear in the prologue ami will feature special songs of the French Foreign Legion. “Beau Gestc” is a story of three brothers whose love for one another proves stronger that the fear of death. Ronald Coleman plays tho part of Beau Geste, and Neill Hamilton and Ralph Forbes are the other two brothers. Other well-known names I —Alice Joyce, Alary Brian. Noah ] Beery, Victor AlcLaglen, Norman Trevor, and William Powell, are also •in the cast. A box plan for the entire season is now open at H. I. Jones and Son’s.