ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 208, 28 May 1921, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS

“THE PLEASURE-SEBKERS.”

Miss Elaine Kammerstein, who was introduced to patrops of the King’s Theatre last night in an important Solznick film, “The Pleasure-Seekers.” is one of tho claimants to the title.of “the most beautiful star in filmland.” Her beauty ' is undeniable, and is matched by her grace cf manner and charm of expression. Moreover, she is an actress as well as a beauty, and few of those who see her in this film story will fail to look forward to an opportunity of watching her again. “The Pleasure-Seekers” is a familiar enough story in its essen-

tials, but it is worked out in very attractive and interesting fashion. Craig Winchell is the. graceless son of a millionaire, and while his father wrestles with the problems of business, the boy spends the money in more or less undesirable fashion. On a country trip he encounters the girl, played by Miss ITammerstein, and after some idyllic love-mak-ing under summer skies, he tnkes her to New York ns his bride for the parental blessing. But the father regards the marriage as tho culmination of Craig’s career of folly, refuses to see the girl,

nnd turns the boy adrift to fend for himself. The rest of the story relates to the fight made by the girl first to win over the irritable old millionaire and then to save Craig from drifting back to old ways and old companions. She wins her big victory, but it has to be confessed that the author has left the final issue to some extent in doubt. Craig obviously has the makings of a waster, and an audience may bo pardoned if it regrets that an uncommonly fine

girl is saddled with a husband who will never be really trustworthy. The development of the plot right up to the final scone is well contrived, and the star shines brightly throughout. She has an uncommon gift of facial expression, nnd can save tho producer quite a lot of printed explanations. Incidentally she wears some particularly charming dresses, which set off her own attractions to the very greatest advantage. The supporting films include'a Christie comedy entitled “Wedding Blues.” and a very interesting assortment of news films, compcrising tho latest numbers of iho Coonerative Weekly (American). Gaumont Graphic (English), and the Bathe Review, which ranges wide in its search for events of the day. A pleasant addition to the programme is provided by Mr. Thomas Jenkins, who possesses a tenor voice of good compass and nice quality. Mr. Jenkins, who has recently been studying abroad, sang Inst night “Narvana,” “Tho Yeoman’s Wedding,” and “Mary O’Neil,” and won the entire approval of the audience. Tho strong orchestra that is fi feature of the programmes nt (he King’s gave a number of items, including the "Japanese Ballet’’ (Goublier). The usual matinee is to bo given this afternoon.

“ROBBERY UNDER ARMS.” ' Nothing better than “Robbery Under Arms" has been shown at tho Empress Theatre for a long time. In making Rolf Boldrewood’s story into a photoplay, the Australian producer has achieved something more than mere success. Ho is io be credited with a •veritable triumph. As thousands of Australasian readers will know, the tale of Captain Starlight, of .Dick and Jim Marsden, and of the devoted women who cruelly suffered for the men's misdeeds, contains nothing that can be construed into a glorification of crime: for its theme is the tragedy of wrongdoing and the bitter expiation of lawless acts. Its pathos stirs something seated far deeper

in the human heart than the mere love of excitement, and despite all the glamour of high-handed coups, hairbreadth escapes, and wild rides for life, what remains when the picture is done is pity for those whom circumstance has lured into the way of the transgressor. The play has (he inestimable advantage of having been produced in the only surroundings that could give it the final touch of conviction. Transplanted to otter than typically Australian surroundings it would surely have lost something of its magic. It is only after having seen tho picture, however, that one is forced to a more significant conclusion, viz., that only an Australian director and an Australian cast could have given the same satisfaction. Tho casting is so good as to .seem almost inevitable. Kenneth Brampton’s Captain Starlight is almost perfection itself; Miss Tien Hogue makes an excellent Aileen, and the task of portraying Dick Marsden and Jim is in hands so competent that one could not wish it elsewhere. An air

of complete naturalness pervades all the actions even of Iho subsidiary performers, and every big scone is saved from the curse of being overdone. Splendid men. lovable women, and magnificent horses are before the sjieefator all the time. The last stand of Starlight with tho Marsden hoys is n memorable sight. Trapped by tho police just when they are trying to leave once for all the scenes of their misdeeds, the three mon turn on their pursuers and fight with only the cover of a tree to stave off their fate. On the part of the troopers it is almost a leisurely affair. There is no need for haste when only three men are opposed to a dozen. A trooper creeps into the open, grinning, for an easy shot; but something arrests his progress. and he never moves again. Thon Starlight, already twico wounded, charges. Even now theire is no need for fuss. Behind one of the trees nt. officer borrows a rifle from a trooper, takes steady aim. and fires. Starlight falls; the Marsdens tlirow down their arms. Starlight loved Aileen Marsden; young Jim has a raven-hjiired wife, who woke a few- days after marriage to find him fled because of the troopers’ approach : Dick was to have, w'edded sweetheart who will now wait long years while he drags out a dreary existence ip prison. There is nothing worth having that crime ean win, and the story give" point to the moral A supporting programme cf average quality is billed along with “Robbery Under Arms." Episode 2 of “The Silent Avenger” is included.

EVERYBODY’S THEATRE "Li Ting Lang,” the star film screened at Everybody's Theatre yesterday, is the picturisation of a powerful drama of lore, intrigue, and revenge. Sessue Hayaknwa, whose unusual talent has won for him a unique position in the screen world, plays the role of a Chinese hero, DoriA Pawn being the "heroine. The early scenes of the picture are set in America, where Li Ting Lung, although of royal blood, is desperately in love with a white girl, the daughter of a wealthy banker. Through a series of dramatic incidents the scenes and the characters swing to China, where I.i Ting Lang, despite his royal birth, becomes a general of the revolutionary forces. Surrounded by enemies who seek the life of the white girl in his custody, Ti Ting Lang battles against sunerior numbers, until the arrival of a detachment of American bluejackets puts an end to the unequal contest. The sentiment of the Occident and the colourful charm of the Orient are harmoniously blended, and the picture is packed with many thrilling incidents and dramatic situations. The picture is a welcome change from the average, and one that should attract the crowds. The supporting films include a Holin special comedy, "Run ’em Ragged,” and the Patlie Gazette. QUEEN’S THEATRE.

There is a good double bill at the Queen’s Theatre. The initial screenings yesterday of "The Way of the Strong” and "Patricia Brent, Spinster,” were witnessed by very large attendances, and the pictures'should attract attention during their season hero. They are entirely dissimilar. “The Way of (he Strong” is drama, of a type that verges on the melodramatic. It: tells of the Yukon, and of the hustle and bustle of the city and is alive with good acting and excellent settings. Anna Q. Nillson, the

versatile Danish-American actress, appears in that always difficult part, a dual role, and she gives the utmost sab isfaction. She is called on to characterise first the unhappy, ill-balanced wife of a prospector in the. Yukon, who has taken her from tho stage of a Broadway theatre to share the hardships and trials of a seeker for gold in the far off northern lands. When the villain enters tho piece, she is ready to hear his advances, nnd together, with the little buy, they leave the husband, stealing the little fortune amassed by years of slaving. Only the little boy reaches the Hudson Bay post, with the tale that his father left his mother ami him to die in the snow. This, of course, is part of the villain’s scheming. . . The scene changes quickly. The husband, relentless against all womanhood, has made a fortune in the city, and, strangely enough, Iho villain of the piece, who lias escaped from the north, has done the same. How the pair meet, and how the husband finds another wife, make an excellent story. ' “Patricia Brent, Spinster.” is an English film, and is the screen adaptation of the famous novel by Herbert Jenkins. It is most amusing, and includes such characteis as in “Candida,” tho well-known Shavian masterpiece. The incidents in the piece are screamingly funny, and the henpecked M.P.. with a. father-in-law quite iho eoual of Shaw’s Burgess, and a typiste'-stenographer as weird as Shaw’s Miss Prossy, convulses those who see tho picture, by his attempts to write speeches. “Pigs are tho backbone of England” is one of his dearest phrases, although his constituents are rather at a loss to know what he means. the supporting programme, is good.

WILLIAMSON’S ANNUAL PANTO. Of the J. C. Williamson 19*21 pantomime, “Humpty-Dumpty,” commencing at the Grand Opera House on Wednesday, June 8, a leading Australian critic writes: “When Messrs. J. C. Williamson and Co announced that this year’s pantomime. would break all previous production records, they issued a challenge that they themselves, with their long list of brilliant pantomime successes, must have found if hard to live up to. If a plebiscite of those who were present at Her Maiesty’s Theatre on Saturday night were! taken, tbero is little doubt that the verdict would 'be m favour of the firm’s cartel. It is futile to.make comparisons in connection with Her -Majesty's pantomime. They aro best described as 'gorgeous stage pictures, glittering pageants, exquisite ballets, nnrtnprovoking comedy, and entertaining novelties. There yon have HumptyDumpty’ in a nutshell. It was not a Humpty-Dumpty whom all the king s horses and all the king’s men failed to 'lift up again’ afjer he had fallen from th* wall. A crowded house carried ‘Humptv-Diimpty’ along with them from the rising of the curtain on 'a nursery in Melbourne’ to the going down thereof on tho gorgeous coronation and wedding. In between you are to picture the Wedgwood Itolunda. with its wealth of lovely tints; Poppvlnnd with its vained-hued beautiful flowers: butterflies and fluttering ribbons; the Blue Lagoon, a marvel of^stagecraft: the Gates of the Desert; tho Ice Plateau; and the Descent to Hades. The children, too, are entered for in a special way, in the final Humptiland scene, tho Punch and Judy Dance, and the Katie Kids.” The box plan will open at tho Bristol on Monday, Juno 6.

"FINNIGAN” AT THE GRAND OPERA HOUSE.

The juvenile revue, “Finnigan,” will lie presented by Mr. Vernon Spencer, for a season of six nights, commencing on Monday, Muy 30, and matinee on King's Birthday. The booking at the Bristol Piano Co. is said to be excellent. This revue, which was written by Mr. Spencer as a vehicle for some clever juveniles, who have been well polished in all branches of stage craft, is stated to be composed for the most part of good, clean comedy, as the title "Finnigan” would imply. Amongst the juveniles whom Mr. Spencer is introducing to Wellington audiences for the first time is Master H. J. Sutcliffe (the singing wonder). Included in the cast arc: The Gray Sisters (tho mighty mites), Garnett Cooper (miniature comedienne). May Omirod (baby balladist), Joy Weston (dainty ragtime singer), George Greene, William Henrys, Ross Norreys, Vernon Spencer (Finnigan). and Miss Molly Hooper, lender of tho ballets. In addition to the revue Mr. Spencer is presenting some vaudeville “turns.” “C A V A LT,ERIA R USTI CAN A Owing to the big advance demand for seats the. committee of the Royal Choral Society has decided to give two concert performances of “Cavalleria Rusticana” instead of one. The dates arc Friday and Saturday. June 10 and 11. The full cast is as follows:—Santuzza, Miss Teresa M’Enroe; Lucia. Mrs. A. L. Maysmor; Lola, Mrs. F. Alexander; Turridu, Mr. Hubert Carter; Alfio, Mr. Hamilton Hodges.

THOMAS MOORE ANNIVERSARY' CONCERT.

Arrangements for the celebration of the anniversary of Ireland’s national poet, Thomas Moore, are well in hand, and the committee have spared neither work nor expense in their effort to give the musical public an opportunity of enjoying a first-class concert this evening at the Town Hall. During the day some ninety competitors will try conclusions for the various sections of the competitions. Solo items will be heard from 10 a.m. io 1 p.m., elocutionary from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., and choral 4 p.m. The competitions are expected to prove most interesting. The winners of the various sections will repeat their test pieces at the concert in the evening, and they will be assisted by the leading local talent. Miss Teresa M'Enroe will sing "The Last .Rose of Bummer,” Miss Mary M’Keowen “The Mid Hour of Night,” Mrs. Prank Crawford “She is Far From the Land,” Mr. Austin Tflackie “Believe Ale if All Those Endearing Young Charms,” Mr. Howard Foster “The Minstrel Boy.” and Messrs. Tom. Touhv and L. Hanlon will also contribute items selected from Moore’s works.

“HTNEMOA.” The first concert of the Wellington Harmonic Society, under the. conductorship of Mr. 11. Temple White, is announced for Saturday next, in the Town Hall. Alfred Hill’s cantata "Hinemoa,” to words by Arthur 11. Adams, written around the well-known legend, ha- been chosen by the society for presentation on this occasion. The title role is allotted to Mrs. J. F. AVoodward, with Mr R. R. Orr ns Tutanekai, Mr. E. J. llill as Tiki, and Mr. AV. J. Robbins ns Hie Tohunga. The choir of 50 picked voices has been practising a'siduouslj, and is expected to give a finished performance. The important flute parts will be plnved bv Mr. Claude Tucker, ami Mr. Harold AVhittle will be at the piano. Preceding the cantata there will be a miscellaneous programme contributed to by Airs. Woodward and Miss Avn Svmons. violinist, as well ns four unaccompanied part-songs by the society. ; The box plan opens at the Bristol on Monday, and scats may be reserved without extra charge.

MALE CHOIR Toe commercial travellers’ male choir, which gave a sample of its quality caili in the week, will give .another concert to-night at the Concert Chamber. The choir will be assisted by Miss Mabellc Esquilant (the contralto). Atr. T. .1. Jenkins (tenor), ami the Melody lour.