ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2904, 17 October 1916, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

"PEG 0' MY HEART."

Again last evening in the Grand Opera. House Miss Sarah Allgood, as "Pag o' My Heart" delighted a largo audionco, and- it is not surprising that tho more that is seen of her the more 6hc creeps inlo tho affections of hor audiences. Tho Irish temperament is very faithfully portrayed in her... presentment of Peg, tho temperament that will do anything for a kind word or a smile, but cannot be driven, tho laughter that is ever close to tears, tho warwardness and the warmheartedness that can novel; pass by distress. "Peg o' My Heart" ■ needs to be seen moro than once, so strong an appeal does it make. Miss Allgood was well supported by the other members of tho company.

'THE! BATTLE Oil THE SOMME." No war pictures over ahowu in England created such a sensation, as tho official films of "The Biff Push," as the Battlo of the Somme is called. A writer in tho London "Weekly Dispatch" of .August 27, estimates that nearly a million Londoners attended the screenings of theso pictures during tho first few/'days they were shown. The enthusiasm and; interest displayed in England is apparently to bo duplicated here,' for at each presentation of the picture at tho King's siiice Saturday last thd theatre has been filled to overflowing with audiences who view tho grim war drama with all its tremendous realities. There are momenta when the audience ijurst into excited applause and continued clapping—such a ane is that in which the troops are seen to spring from tho trenches for the long-awaited tussle wfth the enemy, or such of him as is left in the front trenches, sifter the frightful hammering the big guns have given him. Nothing quite like these films has been previously seen here, and they will undoubtedly serve more than anything that has been written to bring homo to the people a sense of the difficulties that confront our -men, and a realisation ofthe war as it actually is. Mr. Lloyd George had no doubt this in mind when he issued the instructafor to the War Office—"See that this picture Teaches everyone." This picturo pays a special war tax on its export from England, and thus those who see it are indirectly contributing to the war funds. Supporting tho ma\n attraction at the King's is an interesting industrial picture and a new copy of the Bathe Gazette. There will be a daily matinee at usual prices till Friday next!

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. "The Bartered Bride, or the Market of Vain Desire," is fee title of the star feature doit being screened at Everybody's. It is a Triangle production, and features B. B. Warner, who was such a success in ."The Raiders," and who plays an exceptionally fine part in this picture. A beautiful heiress contemplates marriage with' a man whose only recommendation is his title. of count. A young minister determines to frustrate this union, and the revenge of the count,' the duplicity of the girl's mother, who would have sold her daughter, and the subsequent discovery of the right man are factors in the development of a most interesting story. The official war' pictures, showing the British army in France, the Gaumont Graphic, and the Port of Salonika are the supporting ite;«is.

EMPIIBSS THEATRE. ' "The Pawn of Fato" continues a big success at the Empress Theatre, whero delighted'audieimcs are kept in high expectation' as the play unfolds. Seldom has any'production contained so many dramatic surprises as "The Pawn of Fate." The hero is a simple Normandy peasant, who has a natural inclination ' for drawing and painting. His pretty wife thinks her husband is a talented person till a fashionable Parisian artist comes to the village. Tho wcpian's beauty entrances tho artist, and he tries all in his power to win her, but the innocent village girt fails to see the meaning of the artist's ..efforts. It is only after she and her husband arrivo in Paris that her eyes are opened to ,the intrigue and follies of the, gay world. But again her innocence prevails, and she finds peace and happiness in her husband's arms. A splondid supporting .programme assists the star subject. OVERLAND FILM. Wellington people have taken advan- 1 tago of the opportunity to see, per tho | kinema at the King's and Star Theatres, how automobiles aro built in tho largest motor-car factory in tho world, and tho largo audiences at theso theatres follow the picture witlj keen interest. Tho huge drop-forging machines are seen to advantage as they hammer molten metal into crankshafts and other with the greatest ease. In the views of tho 'assembly room a' car framo moves along on an endless conveyor, and Tear axles, engines, steering gears, etc., are fitted into place quickly. Each man-in the long lino has just one diffv to perform, and each operation is timed to tho minuto. Tho result is that the chassis is built up piece by piece as tho frame moves along. The minnto it is complete • the body is lowered on to it. Another squad of men em-round the car, and m a riiqmcnt the. bonnet, hood, seat cushions, and floor mats aro in place—another Overland is born, and loaves on its own power. An inspiring featuro is tho, aeroplane picture of tho mammoth buildings of the Willys-Overland Company s plaut, that has a total floor space of 103 acres, and in which 17,000 people aro employed. '

DAKCY-SMITH - BOXING CONTEST. A Tery fine film is tho unanimous verdict of thoso who have seen tho picture of the recent contest between Les Darcy and Dave Smith for 'the heavy-weight championship of Australia, now being show nat the new (Alacmahon's) Theatre. This picture gives an excellent •idea of a stronuous and interesting . glovo contest.; It is ..clear and free from flicker, and lias nob been taken too fast. The contest can therefore be followed'very closely.. "While the contest lasted Smith put up a great snowing, and' all lovers of .boxing will no doubt make a point of seeing this contest. 1 "Tho Fatal Curd," 11 melodrama taf pioneer standing, featuring John Mason and Hazel Dawn, is also showing. ' These two star features will be shown at each session until Friday nest. . -

PETER PAN BALLET. Miss Estello Beere's decision to produce Sir • Jas. Barrie's lovable child play, "Peter Pan," in ballet form, in tho Grand Opera House ou Friday and Saturday next should moot with-great success. The features of "Peter Pan" will bo the Torch Dance of the Red Indians, solo dances / by Indian Maid, "The Call of the Wild" Shadow Dance, "Peter"; "Tinker Bell"; Pillow Dance, "Lost Boys"; Eccentric Danco and chorus, by Captain Hook and pirates, tho Combat, Lost Boys and pirates, and the building of the houso. Among the many nvjmbers in. which dramatic and emotional expression is depicted are the "Dying Swan, "Belgium's Appeal," and "Indian Temple Banco". Then there are the national folk dances of Ireland, Russia, Holland, Polish and Mexican, also a charming song and dance duet, "My Little Dream Girl." In addition to 'Tctcr Pan, "Wild Flowers." a beautiful phantasy, invented and arranged by Miss Beere, will also bo staged: In this all tbo principal parts are taken by children representing flowers, and some very striking dancra and tableaux aro introduced. A. spocial ma'tineo is being given on the Saturday afternoon. The box plan is now open at tho Bristol.

PAUL DUFAULT BETURNING. Mr. Paul Dufault, writing froim Adelaide, states that business'has been very big everywhere ho has been in Australia. In Melbourne tho Auditorium was packed at each concert, and on the last night crowds had to to turned awav, ll* will bo interesting news -to many to learn that Mr. Dufault has mado arrangements 'to revisit Now Zealand before "returning to America; and will leave Sydney for Wellington during tho last weok in October. Mr. Dufault will lcavo for Vancouver next month. Mr. P. Shipman writes to tho effect that tho intention is to give farewell concerts in Wellington, Auckland, and. two, I other, place?, in the North Inland,

"IT PAYS TO ADVERTISE." A ten nights' season of Amoricfln comedy successes will bo inaugurated, at the Grand Opera House next Monday night by tho j. C. Williamson organisation. Tho occasion will servo to introduce tho celebrated comedian, Halo Hamilton, tho original "Wallingford" in New York and London, and the creator in those cities of star comedy roles, in which Fred Niblo established his popularity throughout Australasia. Tho opening production, "It Pays to Advertise," will bo staged for tho first four nights, ;md will be followed by "The Boomerang," which has met with rennarkable success in Sydney aud Melbourne. This will be staged for three nights, and tho last thrco nights.of tho season tho much-discussed ."Twin Beds" is to be submitted. Halo Hamilton will bo supported by Miss Myrtle Tannohill, who was previously tho leading comedienne with 'Geo. M.' Cohan at the Astor Theatre in Now York, also from the Garrick and Drury Lime Theatres, London. The company includes four other noted newcomers in Donald Bowles, Mildred Warren, Marion Marcus Clarke, and Ohas. Wheeler, in addition to Maurice Dudley, Edwin Lester, Leslie Victor, John Do Lacy, and Nancy Stewart (daughter of Nellio Stewart). "It Pays to Advertise" islmtid to be full of excruciatingly comic situations calling for clever acting, which every member of the company is said to deliver with charming naturalness and easiness of manner. It will be impossiblo to extend the season, which must definitely close on November 2. The box plans will open at the Bristol on Friday morning at 9 o'clock. '

« THE CROWN* THEATRE. The Crown Theatre feature for tho week is a drama by the Fox Corporation, "The Great Scandal." The scene of the story is at Madrid, and the personages are all of the highest rank, moving in the most exclusive circles of society in that city. An elderly man has a very beautiful wife, and the two are devoted to each other.- The husband takes into his household a handsome, and wholly admirable young man, and he and the wife become very much attached to each other. A villain who is the lad's enemy because of an old grudge against his father, spreads foul eulrmmies about tho wife and the _ young man, and in the end all Madrid w ringing with the infamous lies. At length tho husband hears, of them, tries his best net to believe them, and ends by being in doubt. In the end he fignts a duel with Alvarez, the villain, and receives a wound which later proves fatal. The young man also fights Alvarez, and the Slanderer and accomplished duellist meete his match, a sMled swotdsman with youth and nerve< Exit Alvarez. Before 'ho dies the husband makes his peace with his wife and his young ward, and there the tragedy ends. This film is a marvel of good. production. The drama is one requiring very much of tho principal actors, and tK?ir work attains a degree of excellence very uncommon. The play is full of action from beginning to end, and the plot is a very absorbing one, well conceived, and adroitly presented. Other films on tho programme were two scenic series by Patlie, and two Kcystono comedies.