ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 160, 2 April 1921, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

“THE WONDER MAN.” All the sporting world is interested in Georges Carpentier, the French pugilist, who is at length to meet a foeman (in Dempsey) worthy of his punch. It was not then the least surprising to find the King’s Theatre filled to the back wall lust evening when the dandtest of all fighters stood revealed as the hero in ‘‘The Wonder Man." As a photo-play generally* “The Wonder Man ’ is not without crudities in production and photography, but as a picture built round a good fifteen minutes’ fight it is vastly interesting. Interesting because it reveals in a hundred poses and several immaculate suits a great identity in the world of fisticuffs. Carpentier is a beauiiful model of a man, exquisitely proportioned, with the dancing foot action of a ballet dancer, and the shoulders of a thoroughbred. With his sad lion-shaped < cs, a nose that has been broadened at the bridge by a lifetime of punches, and ti perfect smile, revealing a sound set ot gleaming teeth, he is good to look upon. As an actor he is of the calm, still order, and the hurt look in his eyes when his sweetheart calls him a quitter is too sad for words, but in action he is human electricity. Why .Dorothy Stoner cal s Henri D’Alour (Carpentier) a quitter is because Allen Gardner (a . dealer m French contracts for American tural machinery) tells the girl that h isuspects D’Alour of having monkeyed with old Stoner’s safe to got possession of certain documents. Henri s mute reception of the news that ho is suspect fires Dorothy into speaking her dear little.mind. A fierce enmity, however, is created between the two men, which culminates in the fight for the boxing championship of the Potomac Club. Gardner is Henri’s opponent, and that gentleman ‘is picturod''giving Henri a terrible ginelling. Between the second and third rounds, however, a note is forced into llensi’s padded hand. It reads: Win fol me.—Dorothy.” Then the tiger comes out in the man. At the gong he dashes for liis man, and with quick flail-like blows he at first dares him, then gets in a straight left lo the jaw, and down goes Gardner. He rises again, fights groggily, *:uid again Henri greets him with a swing to the left jaw-out! This does not settle the feud between the two men. There is anothepfl-obbery at Stoner sand Gardner, fancying that he has sufficient evidence to put the'valorous Henri out of the way, orders his arrest. On the arrival of the chief of police Henri is at once recognised as an eminent member of the French secret service, and inhload of the Frenchman being inarched off to durance vile, Gardner and his conlederate Steven are arrested, leaving Hbnri to find bliss with his beloved Dorothy. "A Hero in Overalls,’’ acapitil farce stars “Snooky,” a wonderfulchimpanzee, who is. human in all save lis genus. His acting with other members of his tribe and also with two or three adorable kiddies, was amazingly 111-v.-lligent and highly amusing. The. programme included the reciting of ‘ A Soldier of Fortune” (Service) ( and ‘The Intro” (from ‘‘The Sentimental Bloke ) by Mr. les Walton, who is , better in the comedy than dramatic mood, the King’s Orchestra played a programme of good music. EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. The power of a child's simple faith to recall men to the right path is tlie theme of the principal picture at Everybody s Theatre this week. ‘‘The Turn in the Road” tells of the redemption-of two embittered souls. A young husband, halfcrazed by the death of his wife in childbed, loses'all faith in divine justice, flees from the society of his relatives and friends, and becomes a vagrant. He can no longer believe in the benevolent pouei that had seemed to preside over .his one happy year of wedded life. In the tragedv of his wife’s death, lie overlooks a priceless gift of the gods-his little HOU, in whom, but for his blindness, he mi"ht have seen his hopes reborn. Six vears go by, and with the passage of time not only his soul hardens, but the soul of his own father, a captain of industry, who, -seeing the young mans w fall, takes revenge upon life by concentrating on one cruel purpose—the creation of millions from the sweat of the poor. In due time Providence brings the child's influence into the two wrecked lives; and love prompts the old grandfather to a generosity that the fear ot death itself was powerless to inspire, while the vagrant father is restored by the simple words of the little one to the faith that he .held in former years. There are some touching scenes in the play, which is likely to be enjoyed by all who love children sincerely. A. comedy, "She Needed a Doctor Cinema Travel Series, and Pathe Gazette are shown in addition to the big picture. I EMPRESS THEATRE. A refreshing story of outdoor life in America forms the basis of an acceptable photo-play entitled ‘"I he Gauntlet, which headed the new bill screened at the Empress Theatre yesterday. The lead is played by,Harry T. Morey, who is very happily cast as a stranger in the mountain country of Tenessee, a country where, according to tradition, -a stranger with no defined work to do is not a welcome visitor, “The Gnu nt let , is a typical Morey feature. He battles his way from the first flash, fighting man to man for the things he believes to be right. Aside from the intense dramatic interest in the picture there is a background rtf scenic beauty. Woodland nooks, mountain vistas, babbling brooks, and the famous “moonshine stills” situated tn mountain fastnesses make the picture a thrilling traVelogue of Tenessee. As the tale unfolds, Morey faces dea.h to defeat a gang of swindlers ami to win the girl of his heart, who in turn is faced with a dreadful alternative to giving him up. ‘“The Gauntlet.” is a. red-blooded prwhteflon and it is replete with many thrills, the whole forming a good hours en erlainment. A full supporting programme is also shown, including episode eight, ot “The Invisible Hand," featuring Antonio Moreno. z

MARIE TEMPEST SEASON. At the Bristol on Monday morning the box plans will Le opened for the six comedies to bo staged by Marie Tempest, Graham Browne, and their Riinijorting company during then fme well season of seven nights, which liegins Rt the Grand Opera House on Wednes-, Xv evening next. The opening nigh will witness a special revival of •\ r " n ’ < * Bennett’s whimsical comedy c mrm Th Great Adventure, which .film.Ld t packed houses during Mi-s Tempest > t an ‘eason here. The second nigh of that delightful comedy IheM. ma e p r<;Hv ” and on Friday ine uum Killieran’kie” will be staged On Saturday "Mrs. Dot" will he P l °d<K’<’d, on Anril 11 "Marv Goes Filat will tic staged, and Tuesday and " bis- two nights of the season., will W d»voted to two special representations of the dramatic sensation "Outcast. Quit n large number of playgoers were, unable to obtain admission io the Gran Onera House, when The (neat Adie X" was first singed here, so a-brief mllinr* of tl’ p story might pio\e accep ■l2 Tta ri,a „f II- '> h « 1 1'11,,,l ,",,elrt.™l«,l Bnnhsli |W»'«. ; „ -I',™" ,«. Im doos eventually explain nobody will believe him. Fie lakes up the career o ihcVnlet „nd whimsical .hvelopnient I . ; m ;,.ri:- :■ -l-y rntho's conn dr. and remarkable human (nterftrt, and incidentally it affords Marie

Tempest and her artistic partner, Graham Browne, the opportunity of two most perfect nieces of characterisation.