ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 198, 17 May 1920, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

KING'S THEATRE. A packed house again greeted the screening of "The Hoodlum" at -tho King's Theatre on Saturday evening, l'ho picture is advertised as one of 1000 laughs, and it Is well worthy of the title. The main character is Mary Pickford, who plays the part of The Hoodlum to perfection. From a spoiled society belle to a slum Arab, and then again to a dainty bride, the world's sweetheart plays each pnrt in a mapper (hat suggests that she-is at the very summit of her art. The supporting items nro of the King's usual high standard. Mr. W. Gowlie, the popular local baritone, sings his £ongs in a most pleasing manner, aiifl the music by the King's grand orchestra, which plays as an entr'acte selections from "Going/Up," completes a most enjoyable evening's entertainment. Special matinees will be given each day. The plan is Bristol. The management regret that owing to an order issued by tho .Public Health Department children under fifteen cannot be admitted. "THE MIRACLE MAN." An absorbing story 16 unfolded in "The Miraolo Man," to bo screened at the King's Theatre next Friday night. This picture, which was adapted from the stage success of the same name, is declared to be one of the great 6crocn dramas of modern times. The plot deals with the moral transformation of a gang of New York crooks under (lie beneficient influence of a deaf and blind patriarch, who is a healer of proven powers. Coming to him originally with the idea of making' money out of his gift, these four products of tho slums are made miraculously to realise their better selves. Thomas Meighan, Bettv Compson, Elinor Pair and other screen players of unusual ability interpret the fascinating story. The directors of the King's Theatre are determined to cclipse any previous presentation at this theatre, and to this end have engaged 1 Mr. J. V. Mnling. from Australia, to conduct the orchestras throughout New Zealand for "The Miracle Man." Tho King's orchestra next week will bo increased to fifteen solo instrumentalists to play the specially arranged music; also Madame ' Annetto Hay ward, operatic contralto, late of . Carl Rosa Opera Company, lias been engaged. There will be matinees daily from Saturday next. The plan for "The Miracle Man." will open at the Bristol on Wednesday morning. ■ EMPRESS'THEATRE. Picture-lovers have much to talk about in the star picture l "Poppy," which is being shown at the Empress Theatre, in which Norma Talmadge is starred in the role of "Poppy IJeatin." She is introduced on the screen as a friendless orphan, who runs away from home, after being treated cruelly by her aunt. Wandering around sho is found by j! ! "elyn Carson, who takes her to his friend's home, Luci Abinger. Abinger at once realises tlmt she will be a beuutiful woman, and takes advantage of the visii .o:.' a French priest who marries her to Abinger, and Poppy does not realise that she is married, not understanding French. Abinger keeps "Poppy' guarded by locked gates, but one evening Poppy escapes, and meets Carson, who is stricken with fever, and after recovering thinks it is all a dream. Poppy tiien .'earns that she is Abinger's wife, and leaves him to go to London, where she becomes' famous. Later Abinger threatens to expose her, and after much troublo her marriage with him is. annulled, and she finally mar-, ries Carson, tho man who met ner in l the garden. A full supporting programme is shown, which includes the weekly serial,' "Tho Mali of Might." By special notice in the' advertisement no children under- the ago of i 5 will be admitted. ' EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. Capacity business was recorded at Everybody's Theatre on Saturday, when the latest Paralta play, "One Dollar Bid," was screened at Everybody's Theatre. Warren Kerrigan is screened in this' fin.; production. vAccording to an old statute of the State a vagrant may be sold at public auction, the purchaser to have the right of a rear's labour from the slave. Toby is duly offered for sal-?, and the only bid is that of one dollar from a v girl who takes pity on hin\. Then the regeneration commence'; and, winning back his manhood, Toby ultimately marries the girl who bought him for one dollar. An educational film and the Pathe Gazette aro included in this programme. "•THE RED LANTERN." "The Red Lantern" was screened before a very jlargo attendance at the Grand Opera Housa on Saturday. Wellington people h&vjfalready had the opportunity of seeing "the tamous actress Nazainova sustain in magnificent fashion the most varied and the most exacting of voles. Consequently a revelation of Nazimova sufficiently new and startling to dim the lustre of previous revelations iu to be expected only of a drama satisfying the very hghest requirements. If it is not unique among the plays in which Nnzimovn has appeared, 'The Red. Lantern" still possesses considerable power to interest and to impress. The story of Mahlee. the Eurasian girl, despised and rejected by two races, is a pathetic one, and quite a few of the scenes'presented as the plot develop.? (are memorable.' Mahlee's determination to be revenged upon the foreigners who educate the yollmv pwplo but still refuse to accept' them socially, marks tho commencement of the most absorbing part of tho story. Tho young Eurasian becomes enrolled among the Boxers, and is made the instrument of a.daring deception practised upon the ignorant populace of Peking. In order that the Boxer cause may gain adherents, she is presented to the people as the Goddess of the Red Lantern come to drive the white intruders from the land. Of her avatar a gorgeous spentncle is made. Borne upon a great throne, with waving lanterns on each side of her. she comes into view in the crowded street before the temple. Upon her head is a huge spread of peacock feathers, and wrapped about lief are robes of regal magnificence. In that tcene Nazimova is splendid, as she is also in several of the succeeding scenes. Once or twice her movements are nearly akin to dancing, and nt such times she is the personification of. grace and subtle enchantment. An orchestra of eight accompanies the screening; and at an appropriate moment Miss, Eileen Driscoll sings "Shine On, Red Lantern." On Saturday night the song was rccoived with liberal applause. The picture is to run for six nights yet. "THE DANDIES" OF 1920. "Tho Dandies" of 1920, who commenced a season at tho Concert Chamber on Saturday evening, succeeded signally' in brightly entertaining a packed house. Had tiie chamber been twice as large there would still have been people turned away, showing that tho old name still has power to attract. These are tiio Dandies of Mr. John Hopkins, and, though there aro no. outstanding stars of extra 6pecial glitter, the average quality if good, and the entertainment, which i* of the costume -comedy character, runs along merrily to an conclusion.' The company consists of six ladies and fivo gentlemen, and, thanks to good stage management, there wero 110 dull moments. There is the promise of dven a bettor and closer combination in nlfort than was noticeable on Saturday evening. Plenty of good healthy comedy did not prevent a display of talent unusual in such organisations, but the keystono is humour, and iu that respect Mr. Ueorgo Shorratt (who is also stage manager and producer) proved a most divorting imtertainer. Ho has a sure touch, has plenty of "pep," and a taleut for character and burlesque. _ Mr. Sherratt is admirable in conuc dialogue, and in such humorous concerted numbers as "Strafe 'Em," "Hunting," "Nursery Rhymes," "That's tho Stuff, and In tho Future," was in the forefront. Another most valuable member is the baritone, Mr. Ilonn Millar, who sang with good expression "Rose of My Heart, * The Two Grenadiers" (Schumann), and England." Mr. George Street and Mr. Kennedy Black also helped in tho ensembles. In Miss Annetto Lang tlic Dandies _ possesS a bright performer, who can chirrup a lively stavo, and is at home in auv kind of dance. Miss Ling is a clean ctogger, litis a limber facility in the graceful dance, and the national dnncos find in her a lively oxponent, as displayed iu

that jolly number "The International Jubilee." Miss Rosa Walton displayed a dainty finish and point in her songs at the piano, nnd was immediately accepted as a favourite. Her best numbers were "Naughty Little Word," "IV Lil' Lamb," "Shopping," and "Dad,sy and liahsv," ench delicately etflhed by the sinner. Miss Walton, as the accompanist of tlio company, iB a tower of strength. Miss Hazdl Fuller's soprano is on the light side, and her selection of "Iner Nos" was scarcely in keeping with lrer tonal capacity. Though she line a good idea of the song, her vocal lightness and insecurity of tone were not compatible with the note of abyeniic tragedy struck by the song. She was .quite pleasing, however, in the chanson, "No! No! No!" and there were the elements of piquancy in her reading of tho odd little songlot "The Day I Got to Heaven." Miss Wyn Faulkner, a fash-ionable-figured mezzo, will do much better when her nervousness depart?. Sho displayed nice lone—slightly off pitch on Saturday—in "The Beautiful Ohio," a pretty ballad that was given a harmonised chorus, and "Egypt." Miss May Joyce, a talented played German's "Bolero" and the eternally entrancing "Traumcrei" (of .Schumann), and Mis 6 Pauline Brown recited with commendablo drainage purpose "Little i Wild Baby,' and, .in lighter mood, "I Don't" and "Tho T\*> Kittens." The programme will be repeated, throughout '.lie wok. » _ , Sufforers froTh Hay Fever will enjoy , speedy relief by breathing in "NAZOL." a iiirqu'.-, HDvei'-iiiuing remedy. GO doses I Ib. Dd. Use the Nazol Inhaler,—Advt.