ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 194, 6 May 1918, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS

ALLAN WILIUtI SEASON. ; There whb a very large audience at the Grand Opera House on Saturday evening to witness ilic final production of "Seven | ( Days' Leay:." To-night Jiessrs. lieu, and i John Fuller will present for the Jirst time I in Wellington Walter Howard's hue play, , "Tho iStory of the Jiosary." This play is | ouilc new to New Zealand, having mado ; its initial appearance in Auckland only n l fortnight ago. There has been much con- j fusion over the similarity in the title to ; a play known as "The Itoeary." "The I Story of the Itosary" is in no way con- '■ nccted with that play, and was written l only two years ago. Speaking ol the , production of "The Story of tho Ilosary, i the Auckland "Herald" says:-"The ro- i mance of a Serbian regiment of dragoons : and of its most popular'officer is told in . Walter Howard's melodramatic pjny. Mr. | Allan Wilkie and his fine company made j an excellent impression on a large audience in this piece. Opening quietly, the story develops into one of many stirring situations in an atmosphere of war. There are glimpses of battles in the Balkans, one scene in which a shell is realistically launched into a hnildmg with destructive eil'ect . . . episodes in the lives of courageous soldiers, and several other exciting features. Good construction and heart-interest also characterise 'The Story of the Itosary.' " Mr. Wilkie appears m the leading role or Captain Paul Homam, a man of heroic deeds. He is supported by Miss Marie Key in tho role of Princess Tcnelia. Mr. Vivian Edwards appears in the character of the ftno spirited soldier, Karl Laroae. and it is stated that Mr. Edwards has done nothing more forceful. Mr. Walter Hunt is tho villain of the piece. Mr. Henri Dore and Miss Adele Inuian hare light comedy parts; and Mr. Herbert Leigh appears as an old priest. Tho remaining parts are in capable hands, and the play is said to be beautifully mounted. It will be repeated each night this week with a matinee on Saturday next at Z.M. ! THE KING'S THEATRE. It is on record that D. W. Griffith, the producer of "Tho Birth of a Nation and "Intolerance," regarded Mae Marsh as a moving-picture actress who had hoforo her a future something akin to brilliant. And there is no miestion that the -work of this actresß in the Griffith masterpieces mentioncd and in other pictures was of the kind that is not soon forgotten. The great characteristic of tho art of Mae Marsh is a naturalness that is wholly charming and unaffected, yet underneath this is a subtlety that is not easily defined, These qualities are emphasised in the Goldwyn picture, "Polly of the Circus." which was screened for the first time at the Kings Theatre on Saturday. This attraction resulted in record business for the theatre— indeed, at the afternoon sessions as well as in the evening the management liaii to refuse admission to some hundreds of would-be patrons. The story of _ "Polly of the Oircus" has the merit ol originality. Tho opening scenes depict the arrival of a circiiß in a small American town. Included in the performers are Nanette, her little daughter Polly, and o, clown (Toby); and interested spectators at the show are two boys-one the minister's son, Jimmy Douglas, and the other, "Skinny,' the "noWy's child" of the township. At tho performance Nanette haß a fall from »a wire, and dies from her injuries; but Toby has promised to care for tho child, and the circus departs-having lost Annette, but having gained "Skinny, who had "run away with the circus. rue years pass, and the circus arrives back in tho same township.' Polly is now, an accomplished bareback rider, 'Skinny is a head man on tho circus stall, while Jimmy Dougla3 is installed in his father s pulpit. The ertswhile "bkinuy, or course, is head-ovtr-hcels in love with Polly, but Fate intervenes: Polly lieb a fall, and is taken to the minister s hou«, while the circus moves on. The convalescence period finds the parson in love with the circus girl and the circus girl ' with the parson-a happening which shakes the "society" of the village to its foundations, but eventually love overcomes every obstacle. Apart from tho story proper, which is excellent in every reject the various-scenes aro an entertainment in themselves. There are some nnioue views of a circus performance, as well as of the inside of circus life that the public rarely sees; a very exciting ' hor«e raco is also another fine feature A further instalment ot "The Neglected ' Wife" is also screened. i Tho first six ba.bins in .the TJ«o Jersey > competition will bo shown to-night.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. Margery Wilson is starred in a Triangle masterpiece, entitled "Flauios oC Chance. • screened this week at Everybody's Theatre. It, is a quaint and original story cf a girl's effort at war work and the romanco and tragedy that arose through it. Jcanotte Goutroau, a New York stenographer, anxious to do her share of war worn, writes to three young soldiers in German prison camps, their names having been obtained trom the Rod Cross headquarters. She does not suspect that her employer is a, Germau spy. who is conveying secret messages to the Fatherland on the apparently blank writing-paper she Is using. Oue of her letters falls into the bauds of Harry Ledvard, one ct three prisoners and is Bcorchcd by (lames, and the secret message is thus disclosed, .fcanettc s letters have been much too personal, and whon Ledyard's release is effected and he rcturna to America she iB thrown into, a panic. Instigated by Armstrong ahe disguises herself -as an old lady, and receives him at her home. Lodyard has communicated his suspicions to the Government, and detectives call to investigate while ho is visiting Jeanettc. bedyard claims that he himsclt hud ,vrittcn the hidden message, but later, when facing the chief detective, he makes .known, his real suspicions, and a trap is laid for Armstrong, who is taken off his guard and confesses, and Ledyard discovers thai Jeanctte is ft very charminc girl, and the inovitahlo happens. A Keystone comcrtj, "Tho Dog-catcher's Love, and the i athc Gazette" malic up a very attractive prosix babies in the Red Jersey competition will be shown to-night. QUEEN'S THEATRE. Thobiggeßt film spectacle ever produced by the William Fox proprietary ih now being shown at the Queen s Theatre, havinc been introduced in the theatre on Saturday. The film is called ''The Daughter of the Gods," and it features the splendid Annette Kellermaun. The spectacle is said to have cost a, million dollars in the making, but the sp endoura in it which are the most beautiful, are tho'e of simple wild liature. There are man made scenes in the film, but they are Snt of the be«t of it. It a really a fairy ?a°le, a very remarkable fairy tale, with gnomes and fairies gambolling in the wild with witches' caves and enchanted halls The figures in tho play as it begins are two little children who stray into fairyland. They are both during his and other parts of their lives victims of the Witch of Badness. They drift off '•to sea in a boat, are-helped by the merI maidt and it is from the sea. that tho maiden and the prince emerge to como Su the story again. The Prince returns rtheVaS of the Saltan and as the Sultan is an evil man, a follower of .the Witch of Badness, the unhappy Prince als again under the hateful influence. The Princess is caught by wandering men and dragged to the slave market, thero to he sold f the ni S hcßt bidder. She was bought for the harem o the Si. an, hut hv her great beauty, and her skill in dancing she wins the Sultan's regard. Once more the Witch is active, however, and she schemes the death of the Princess and the Prince. Tho Princess is shut in the Tower of Death, on a lone cliff by the sea and Omar is chained below to Uwait destruction by the rising tide. Here ft fs that the peerless Annette Kellcrmann does her most sensationa feat-a dive o 00 feet from tho tower into the sea. The Prince s (Annette Kellermann) is recap, lured but good fairies aid her and she is saved, with tho Prince, from tho powers of Darkness. Last scene of all is a great battle •between the hosts of the Good People and the Sultan'* forces, the followers of the Witch of Badness, and the Sultan's city i destroyed. This last fight is i wonderfully-conceived spectacle, presented on a magnificent scale. . The picture ™, nroduced in Jamaica, m the woods and sea-caves of tho beautiful coast of the is mid The scenes are of rare charm. ' and "hey do serve to foil in an amazing wav this charming story of those .people of fancy's fiction. The pic lire ■« one ?hat any child would revel in, and one which would delight any grown-up who may wish to recall something of childhood.

EMPRESS THEATKE. A Worid drama, entitled "Gates of Gladness" is the star film showing at the Kmn'rcßS Theatre this week. It is a, domestic story. illustrating the power of a child'B love. Myron Leeds, angered at his father's refusal to permit his uarriago. leaves home, and starts as an artist 1" tho city. Alter several years of hard work he fails to earn more than a bare living for his wife and .laughter let (Madge Evans), and the bir h of Slier child makes the outlook black. I B °b other Koger Leeds (George MQiiar. ric) having succeeded to Ins fathers etate shuts himself from the rest cf the wfw.' When his baby boy dies from exnoßure he becomes harder than even His wife Brieves over this tragedy, and Nerah. the old housekeeper conceives tho Wea of bdnEinY gladness to the home She a nr-als to Myron to let Beth visit lici as her nc tee, to whioh he agrees. -Beth soon melts Roger, and her presence: nets r a tonic to h b wife's nerves. Myion mcikj nTo Roger's house with intent to rob, and Beth awakened, descends the stairs. A «hot from Roger's pistol grazes her arm, nt this slight accident proves to be he eate of gladness, for a reunion of the ?S»5« fninilv follows. The supporting nfofureß in lude "Prairie Chicken;' (Urn; meal Comedy), and the "Topical Budget.

SHOIITT'S TIIEATBE. At Suorlt's Theatre on Saturday there was screened tho Jirst chapter of a remarkable picture serial. "Tho Secret Seven." Wheu tlie Metro firm ottered big prizes in a ■M'jipetitioii for tbo beat serial story Miitablu lor film presentation, a well-known playwright came first among over iwu hundred competitors. Mb siory was ilie "Secret Seven," winch is highly sensational, intensely realistic, ami of absorbing interest. The lauding par-.B are taken by Misß Beverly llayne and ' Francis X. Bushman. The first instalment, shown on Saturday, introduces' tbo audience to a band of clever and unscrupulous criminals, including representatives of "big business," and deals with their first effort to cot possession of the millions that belong by right to the niece (Itiss .Llayne) of a multi-millionaire, who has beconio involved with the Bins. It leaves the girl in an exciting and perilous situation. In addition to the opening chapter of the big serial, the new programme at Bhortt's containß a s>" en-reel i Metro drama, entitled "Bine Jeans. This story, relating the adventures of a winsome girl, who wins happiness fiom misfortune, has helped to place Miss 'Viola Dana among the bright Btars of the film world. Ono of its features : b a narrow escape from n terrible death when the hero lies unconscious on a log that is being ripped asunder by a circular tow. The programme was completed bv n good number of the "Gazette." These pictures will be shown at Bhortt's' during the week. The second instalment of "The Secret Seven," containing one of the J.ost sensational episodes yet recorded by the camera, will be shown for the first time next Saturday.FOR THK PRESS BABY. Pressmen who aro interesting themselves in the candidature of the Press baby in the baby competition have or» ganised a picture benefit for the baby, in the Crown Thcntre on Thursday. The company has kindly lent the theatre free ! for" the evening. The film for tho show is , to be "My Old Dutch." in which Albert Chevalier appears. This has been loaned free by the N.Z. Picture Supplies.