ENTERTAINMENTS.

Waikato Times, Volume 96, Issue 15356, 3 October 1923, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

A BARRYMORE TRIUMPH. The great ability of John Barrymore, best of living actors, allied to the inventive and literary genius of master craftsman Conan Doyle, whose fasoinating crime investigator, "Sherlock Holmes,” together with the up-to-date adjuncts and attributes of the motion picture art, resulted in the presentation at the popular Theatre Royal la,st evening of a solid, satisfying ■photo-play, that stood conspicuously forth as something far in advance of most picture dramas. John Barrymore was impressive indeed as "Sherlock Holmes,” and Gustave Yon Seyffertitz was responsible for an impersonation of the arch-criminal "Professor Moriarty” that must be seen to be appreciated. Carol Dempster and Hedda Hopper were excellent as Alice Faulkner and Mrs Larrabee respectively, and the supporting cast was made up of more notable actors* than the writer has-seen previously in a motion picture. ‘.‘Sherlock Holmes" is something worth while. Another very fine picture, "The Morals of Marcus,” was shown with May McAvoy making pronounced success*. This play in stage form was one of the big hits of the famous Brough and Boucicault repertoire some years ago. Seats should be reserved at Paul’s. “Sherlock Holmes” will be shown also at Frankton to-night.

THE BTRAND THEATRE. Last night, at the Strand Theatre, Tom Mix took a firm hold on his audience, and swept it through a constant whirl of action and romance. This Fox picture, “For Big Stakes,”

tells of Arizona, plots and adventure, of deeds worth doing, of one man in

particular and of the girl he loves. The personal work of Mix throughout is up to his'highest level. There are many strikingly forceful points in the progress of the story, but that which Impresses- itself most strongly is the line direction shown in the handling of /t prairie Are. Rarely has a fire scene been so well done. Tom Mix does

some remarkable shooting, some skilful roperthrowing, and riding' of the finest sort. The appeal of the story is almost universal. An excellent comedy and the big Goldwyn drama, “Poverty of Riches,” a a picture with a universal appeal, featuring the popular Richard Dix, completed a really good and entertaining show. Seats may be booked at Lewis R. Eady and Son, Ltd., or by theatre 'phone 1422. .THEODORA COMING ON FRIDAY. It is difficult to remember when two

more realistic characterisations have been seen in a motion picture than those of Theodora Augusta, Empress of the East, by Rita Jolivet, and Gorgia, Chief Executioner, in charge of the torture chamber in “ Theodora,” the great Italian screen spectacle which opens an engagement at the Strand Theatre next Friday. Not one cf the 40 lions who are turned loose on 25,000 men and women in the great hippodrome scene looks half as fierce as Gorgia. It would appear that Guido

Marciano, who plays the part, was born especially for it. There are mere ' flashes of the torture chamber. But many persons have remarked that those fleeting glimpses and that grim and terrible figure of Gorgia stick in the memory. If there ever has been an executioner that looked more like the real thing than this Guido Marciano, who flourishes -his. two-handed sword, or fondles his silk strangling cord with apparent relish in this latest and most phenomenal of Goldwyn’s successful releases, critics certainly have overlooked him. Seats should be booked without delay at Lewis R. Eady and Son, Ltd., as the demand on Saturday is bound to be -heavy.

‘SHERLOCK HOLMES’ AT FRANKTON The great John Barrymore and a wonderful cast will present the remarkable prcturisation of Sir Conan Doyle’s world famous “Sherlock Holmes,” at the head of a splendid programme to-night, at ordinary prices'. “Sherlock Holmes” should not be missed. There will be a complete change to-morrow.