AMUSEMENTS AND MEETINGS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19847, 23 May 1927, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS AND MEETINGS

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE The programme submitted at His Majesty’s Theatre on Saturday was acknowledged to be one of the finest shown for some time. Interest was maintained throughout the whole of tho two and a half hours’ screening and a very satisfied audience left the theatre. “The Call of the Wild,” a Jack London story, was very popular, the fine acting of the principals, with that of a magnificient St. Bernard dog, plus the snow settings of the Klondike regions, making perfect entertainment. This was set off by a breezy comedy-drama entitled “The Denver Dude,” and features Hoot Gibson. one of the best pictures of this artists, and in the role of a disguised cowboy, he creates roars of honest laughter. The first of the series of the “Classic Music Masters’ w r as also givj en, and embraced scenes in the life of Mendelssohn, showing the source of inspiration of some of his most popular numbers and these scenes were synchronised by music specially set and arranged to go with the picture. It was a splendid effort, both the picture and music being enthusiastically received by all present. This programme will repeated again to-night and Tucs- “ Sparrows” Nine of the roost remarkable child actors in pictures are seen in Alary Pickford’s “Sparrows,” tho United Atrtists’ Corporation picture, which comes to His Majesty’s Theatre on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of this week. The young stars were chosen from almost 500 children who responded to a call from Miss Pickford before the picture was started. They were chosen because of their wistful, sad faces, for all are supposed to be orphans or abandoned children on a baby farm. Every one proved to be a real “trouper”—a willing and capable worker .before the camera. They got great fun out of their work and 'were faithful and attentive responding willingly to direction at all times. Their wardrobe did not contain a single article of children's wearing apparel. The clothes they wore in the picture were the cast-off clothing of grownups, gleaned from second-hand • stores in Los Anjeles. The children were outfitted by Tom McNamara, a wellknown artist who draws children’s comics, and who aided in the direction of the picture. Baby Muriel McCormac, well-know r n child star, is one of the group. Billy Butts is another Monty O’Grady proved to be a “find” and will be heard from in the future. Others in the cast are Billy “Red” Jones, Jack Lavine, Mary McLane, Florence Rogan, Cammilla Johnson, Seessel Anne Johnson, Sylvia Bernard, and Alary Louise Miller. The latter two are but babies. There will be a special matinee on Wednesday at 2.15.

THE GRAND THEATRE Novelty of plot and variety of emotional appeal that ranges from light comedy to pathos mark “Ladies at Play,” a sparkling comedy-drama from First National, -which is the feature offering at the Grand Theatre, to-night. Doris Kenyon and Lloyd Hughes are with a cast of strong supporting players among whom are Philo McCollough, Louise. Fazenda, Virginia Lee Corbin, Hallam Cooley, John Patrick and Ethel Wales. A fast-developing plot deals with the inheritance by the heroine of six million dollars with the proviso that she marry a man who meets with the approval of her two spinster aunts. Inasmuch as the latter were expecting to share the fortune themselves, they de termine to make the heroine’s task of finding such a man a hard one. To solve the situation, the heroine deliberately compromises herself with a man who unwillingly becomes her accomplice. The aunts however, do not insist that she marry the man; they think such conduct should be punished by disinheritance! The supports include a fast moving Western drama entitled “bear Hannon,” featuring the daredevil rider Yakima Canuth, a very amusing comedy. “The Jelly Fish,” Topical Budget and Trurelouge. The Grand augmented orchestra will provide an excellent musical programme. The box plan will be open at Grand Theatre office. Next Wednesday’s Attraction “Summer Bachelors,” Fox Films version of Warner Fabian’s sensational novel, exposing the frailties of the modern husband will have its first showing at the Grand Theatre next Wednesday evening. Directed by Allan Dwan and with a cast of stars in the principal roles, including Madge Bellamy, Allan Forrest, Charles Winninger and Matt Moore, this is one picture that is calculated to please every taste. It is not often that one sees such a swift-running story as this, nor one more starred with dramatic as well as comic situations. There is a light,, airy insouciance to this story that flows spontaneously, infectiously. The director must have imbued the cast with that spirit, for they have it In full measure; and the audience is certain to be inoculated with the same pleasant microbe. The plans are now open at the Grand and crowded houses