ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 135, 3 March 1919, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

THE KING'S THEATRE. The King's Theatre was crowded on .Saturday afternoon and evening, when a new programme of pictures was submitted. Heading the new bill is Beaumont Smith's .racing drama, "Desert Gold." By special permission of Mr. T. H. Lowry, the famous horse Desert Gold appears 'in the picture as Queen of the Turf. Miss Marie Nev, a Wellington lady, takes the role of Joan, the trainer's daughter. The plot is a familiar story of a man and a woman, with Cupid directing their fate, only the scenes take place in a racing atmosphere in Australia.- The picture suffers in parts from too much detail. The story concerns a youn" prospector, who, with Desert Gold as his only companion, wanders far into the wilderness in search of gold. His efforts meet with success in fame, although disaster nearly overtakes him because of the treachery of Harrington, a sundowner, to whom he has extended hospitality at Iris camp. Becoming very rich, and beine passionately tpnd of horses, he decides to make racing and its thrills Iris particular interest in life, and setting up as an owner and breeder in a large way, he soon finds enjoyment | in everything. His trainer lias a pretty j daughter, and with her he falls in love. Everything goes along happily until Harrington again appears on the scene as a rich bookmaker and owner, possessing m addition the unenviable reputation of bein," a racing "crook." Owing to d:shonesty at gambling..he pets the trainer of Desert Gold into his schemes, mid finally proposE3 mariage to Joan as the only means of saving her father from being compelled to file.lris petition m bankruptcy. A series of dramatic scenes follows, ' including an exciting chase of a railway train to Katoomba, and, incidentally, the prevention of Harrington s marriage to Joan.' Instead she is united to Desert Gold's owner, und the only disgruntled individual is Harrington, who has failed .to.obtain possesion, not only, of Joan, but of Desert Gold also. The ecenic portions of the picture are interesting, the spectator obtaining glimpses of the Blue Mountains and Eandwick K'acecoutrse. There are also some thrilling racing views. The-remaining items,; of the programme are of a meritorious description, but the best.item of all is a little film called "In Action." .This is a most excellent subject, showing actual battle scenes in France. It is brimful of most interesting detail, and must have been taken at imminent risk to ilie life of the photographer. In fact, it is without doubt one of the best little pictures eveir 6een in'TVellington, more especially from the fact that it is genuine, and not wholly made up of photographs taken in what was known in France as the "back areas." Mr. Len. Barnes sang "Heroes Who Sleep Over There," written by; Mr. Sid Bornard, cornet soloist of the King's Orchestra. The entr'acte items for the current week are—(a) "Drum Burbsque," (bl "Lain dn Bal" (Gillet), and bell and xylophone solo by Mr, Charles, Stewart. Tthe incidental music to "Desert Gold" includes a "Feast in Brittany" and "Zampa," also selections from "Paul Jones" and "La Cigale." Tho programme will be repeated to-duy and to-night.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. The story of a little servant who was ambitious enough to want to become a Jo.in of Arc is developed in the stirring Goldwyn jjroduction of "Joan of Plattsburg," now showing at Everybody's

Theatre. Mabel Norniand appears in i the leading role, .of the servant who sees- ' visions and hears voices, and having heard the story of-Joan of Arc, acts on a sudden impulse, and tells all, about ; them to a young American officer, who had previously 6hownhe' r some kindness. As a result she, does her country-an ■ eminent' service which makes a glorious '• climax to a story that is a■ delightful : combination of pathos and fantasy. It is a film that pictures patriotism and loy- . altv at its best, and one is all the better for. seeing'it. Another attraction which may be said to dispute pride of place with ,the Goldwyn drama is the I'athe serial, "The House of Hate," fca- ." hiring Pearl White'and Antonio Moreno. ■ It is an extremely vigorous serial, and those who see the opening incidents will not care to miss any part,of the story. • The great ■ ftin-maker Charlie Chaplin appeal's in "Shanghaied." ~

3 EMPRESS THEATRE. - '.' /" '. Tho Goldwyn studio turns out ninny excellent films, and "Money Mad," now Items; screened at the Empress Theatre, is above the average- It is ■ a strong, exciting drama,, introducing tho mystoriousness of the Orient,-and a love theme runs through.' the "drama in-an engaging ami delightful-way. ■Mae' Marsh is featured in. this-drama;. and' She is gorgeously dressed,,her beautjful dresses -and dazzling jewellery being a special feature of the production Her father, .helped and-influenced' by a Hindu servant, resorts to.'all" sorts'"of devious practices and weird tricks to obtain money. Tho mysticism, of the. Orient, plays, an, important part in the story,"while'the love theme is delicious, and ends very satisfactorily. The . supporting-' programme, which includes comedy and topical subjects, .is excellent, and, well up to the Empress Theatre standard. GERMANY'S DOWNFALL AS A FIRSTCLASS POWER. When'it-is stated that the surrender of her fleet at Scapa Flow, Harwich, and the Firth of Forth reduced Germany to a third-irate Power upon the sea, it convoys something.of tho awful .fall of the Teutonic people among tho nations,, despite anything that may be happening within her borders at ,the present time. The surrender of the fleet to British dominance only emphasises" the sentiment of "Rule Britannia," and those who wieji.to realise to tho full the crash of Germany's naval might cannot fail-to be interested in the official picture of the surrender that is to be shown for the firs.t timo at the Town Hall next Saturday afternoon by.the J. and N. Tait manage7nent. Afteir seeing the long and apparently unending lines of warships coming in like beaten curs, there is only ono conclusion to be deduced, the marvel that a fleet of such strength should have submitted without striking a blow—without firing a shot Some of the Hun battleships who came to heel are just as powerful, and just .as well armoured and gunned as our super-Dreadnoughts, but in they came as meek as Jambs. ' To see the great vessels go by and, drop anchor in the calm inshore- waters must be the deepest depth of humiliation to the German people as it is a disgrace never to be forgotten as 'far as the German .Navy is concerned. One of the views shows .a tiny little launch dash up to the side of a Hun 'battleship, a business-like Britis.li officer, springs on board, followed by half, a-dozen Jack Tars, and as the officer, with his revolver strapped aggressively to hand, orders, his men what to do on reaching the deck, the Hun crew only stand back, sullen but obedient, and are marshalled on the foredeck. There are no friendly; interchanges, no talk. It is just a plain business deal. Box plans open at the Bristol on.Wednesday. CESARONI RECITALS. Arrangements have been made for two weal recitals to bo given by the wellknown Italia i bnsso, Signor Lucien Ce'-aroni, under the direction of Mr. Harold Whittle, on Thursday, March 6, and Saturday, March 8. Signor CesaToni will be assisted by leading artists, and the recitals are expected to prove a musical treat. The plan is now open at the Bristol. Piano Company.