ENTERTAINMENTS.

Waikato Times, Volume 103, Issue 17384, 21 April 1928, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS.

STRAND & FRANKTON THEATRES. Tom Mix. Fox Films star, add& another feather to his cap in "Silver Valley," which opened last night at the above theatres. Cast as the flying cowboy, Tom Is given plenty of opportunity to display his spirit as a dare-devil aviator. Having conquered everything in the way of horseflesh, Tom handles the stick in the airplane in a way that would make any aviator's heart sing with joy. Fast fighting, laughter, thrills and a very fine love story go a long way in making "Silver Valley" one of the best Mix pictures of the year. On the same programme Harry Langden appears In the comedy-drama, '■Three's a Crowd." Commencing on Monday. In the well-known story "Quality Street," against a background of old rural England, Marion Davies brings to life again the "Phoebe Throssel." Heryoung womanhood, the loss of herlover, her ten years teaching school tothe village youngsters, with its pity. scandal, and unconscious humour, and the return of her lover when Phoebe battles with her aging appearance and manners —all are told with great artistry, engrossing interest, and Marion Davies' delicate personal charm. As Doctor Valentine Brown, Phoebe's lover, Conrad Nagel gives an inspired performance. THEATRE ROYAL.

*' The Magic Flame " will be shown for the last time to-night. The picture contains all the time-honoured traditional acts, lacking which no circus would be worthy of the name. In addition it is the greatest romantic love story Ronald Colman and Vilma Banky have yet brought to the screen. The opening seauence shows Ronald Colman as Tito, the clown, and Vilma Banky as Bianca, the tight rope walker. Such a clown, and such an acrobatl When Colman 'first makes his entrance, it is as the clown and there is no suspicion in the minds of the audience until he doffs his makeup that underneath the pipe clay exterior is the Romeo of Romeos. As this was the last picture Vilma Banky made before her marriage to Rod La Rocque it is hardly surprising that she found "The Magic Flame" and brought a new atmosphere to her love-making.

"THE RINGER" AND "THE TERROR."

Mystery dramas, by that master of sensational fiction and pl3ys Edgar Wallace, and interpreted by a specially selected J. C. Williamson Dramatic Company, headed by the famous actor Maurice Mosrovif.rh, are coming to Hamilton, and the first presentation, that, of "The Ringer." will be given on Monday evening, and on Tuesday "The, Terror" will be played. Of "The Ringer" much has been written. It has been described as one of the, most grippine plays ever presented to a London audience, and that it- will be equally acceptable to New Zealand theatregoers would appear almost a certainty. The quality of the acting is on a par with that, of the play, for the various characters have been most carefully allolted. and in some cases, notably that, of Dr. Lomond, the weird Divisional Serpeant of Scotland Yard, played so convincingly by Mr Patric Curwe.n, the artists have been specially engaged from Condon. Moscovitch as Maurice. Meistef, the "crook" solicitor who makes friends with the denizens of the underworld, and robs and betrays them in (he most callous manner, has never hnnn seen or heard to better advantage. His acting throughout is of the highest order and in some of the more dramatic scenes he rises to flights rarely touched by the world's greatest, actors. Moscovitch is supposed by a particularly stronc company, including Mr Patric Curwen 'from London), Nat Madison. Bepinald Newson, Hal Percy, Miss Mary MacGregor, Miss Bertha Riccardo. Miss Kinre King, George Blunt. Guy Hastings, Carleton Stuart, Richard Webster. Jack Dunne, and Asbton Jarry. The box plans are rapidly filling.