ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 30, 29 October 1921, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

KING’S THEATRE. "Straight from Paris” is a little Sromauce which reveals the snobbishness of Now York’s “Four Hundred,” man’s frailty, woman’s strength, and a whola lot of pretty dresses and hats. It brings back to picture patrons Clara Kimball Young, who is always at her best in statuesque drama. "Straight from Paris” is comedy in the pure. In it Miss Young is Mdlle. Lucette, a New York modiste, who in crossing to Paris attracts young Robert van Austen, whose snobbery is only relieved by his priggishness. "Lucette” magnetises the young man, who becomes engaged to her. On the return to New York he does not introduce Lucette as a woman in business, and she makes a really excellent impression, particularly on John van Austen, Robert’s uncle, until n guest, discloses to Mrs. van Austen who her proposed daughter-in-law really is. There is a scene, and Lucette leaves. Uncle John, however, conceives her to be a thoroughbred, and tests her in his own way, and proving, his theory, insists on his sister-in-law consenting to the marriage with Lucette, under pain of losing home and cheque book. Mrs. van Austen swallows her pride a.nd Lucette, and nil goes well until some of Robert’s little pecadilloes are revealed. Lucette .promptly gives him’ his conge, and turning to Undo John for sympathy, finds 1 him quite ready to propose a closer re- | lationship. One of the sub-themes of the comedy is provided by Lunette's drunken grandfather, most, admirably played by Mr.- Thomas Jefferson. Before "Straight from Paris” was screened, a bucolic slapstick farce, entitled "A. Twilight Baby” in which Virginia Ranpe appears, was shown. There is much that Is humorous and audacious in the farce, hut it is rather dragged out. Mr. L. D. ’Austin’s fine orchestra played a selection of "The Geisha-,” and some charming music, including excerpts from Gilbert and Sullivan’s "lolanthe.” QUEEN’S THEATRE. ' Gladys Walton is better than Mary Pickford, or Mae Marsh, or—any of the veteran stars; and the Universal Film Corporation is lucky to have secured her services. Sho is seen at the Queen s Theatre this week in Universal’s latest super-feature, which is entitled "Desperate Youth.” It can be described as one of the prettiest photo-plays that has been screened in Wellington for a very long time. Thq only fault that can be found with the picture is its name. Why on earth Carl Laemmle chose a Wild West title for a charming drama is a matter for conjecture. The title may net in a manner adverse to the success of the picture; but tho picture’s worth Cannot be belittled. Miss Walton’s acting is as a breath of wind in a stagnant atmosphere. People are growing tired of tho conventional commonplaces of those favourites whoso positions are assured. She depicts that most unhappy of people —the "poor relation.” But few of the world’s "rich relations” could long withstand the subtle spell woven by her naivete personality and utter delightfulness. A great advertisement for tho film in which she acts is that it is not "modern.” It does not tell of Broadway eiilxvrets and racing automobiles dliven by young men who look like Green gods. The happenings take place in sunny Alabama, and the'period Just following tho Civil War is the period of tho pFay. As O. Henry, in his inimitable stories has said, a true Southerner is a. great man; but a false Southerner is a thing to be shunned. As events turned out,'’tho poor relation was the true Southerner—tho rest can be left to the Imagination. The plucky little girl was treated as was Cinderella in the days ot fable: but she had a runaway victory over the favourite when it came to Teaching the “Prince” first. Universal Films score another success on the pro-, gramme in a "Joe Martin” comedy This amusing and clever ape, assisted by the remainder of the Universal menagerie (which includes lions and elephants), creates much laughter. The weak spot on the bill was an impossible Aitcralt farce' which wa< without the redeeming featlire of being an ■ "amusing farce. Good music was played by the Queens orchestra.

EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. Sylvia Bremer, the talented Australian film star, is featured in the fascinating photo-play “Unseen 'Force!? screened at all sessions yesterday at Everybody’s Theatre. Miss Bremer takes the part of Miriam Holt, who, when still a child, possessed a remarkable occult perception, and was huown at} ‘‘the girl wild sees round the corner.' ibe lit le inn kept by her father was the favourite haunt of wealthy hunters, and one day Robert Brunton, a New York sportsman, comes to the inn, bringing with him his little son Clyde. _ A “calf love springs up between Miriam and Clyde, and there is much grief when the bttje fellow returns home. Years later Clyde returns to the inn, and the lovo of his boyhood is rekindled. Clyde prepares to return home, and at the last moment ho goes back to the inn, and sees Miriam in the arms of Joo Simmons, a distant cousin, and ho leaves for home heartbroken, not knowing that the scene he had witnessed was not one of love, but of suffering, its Miriam’s father had just died suddenly. Believing that Miriam was lost to him, Clyde marries another girl, a spoiled, shallow young woman, whose one ambition is gratified by her husband's wealth. A year after his marriage Clyde again meets Miriam, who has become famous because of her wonderful powers, and learns that she is still unmanned. Clyde’s father _ and his young wife try to brand Miriam as a fraud, but eventually Miriam uses her power, and show's that Clyde’s wife had been wronged by another man. There is a sensational but happy ending to the story. The love interest is powerful and sustained, find the story is brimful of dramatic incidents and thrills, and a tender pathos which runs through it is gripping. The supporting films include a Vanity Fair comedy, entitled “Faint and Powder,” the Bray cartoon, and the Gaumont Graphic. . EMPRESS THEATRE. "The Scarab Ring,” featuring Alice Joyce, is the star attraction in the new programme screened at the Empress Theatre yesterday, and billed for the week. The film is based on Harriet Gaylord’s famous novel "The Desperate Heritage.” All the ingredients for making a great photo-play are there —love, mystery, intense interest, suspense, beautiful settings, and above all there is the human'pulsating reality. The scarab is a large black beetle found in Egypt, and in pre-historic times this insect, was regarded as a symbol of resurrection and immortality: The ancient Egyptians made scarabs of stone or a medieval pottery, with an opaque glazing. In this great picture Alice Joyce is seen as Constance Randall, the elder daughter of John Randall. Constance promised her father when he was dying that she would keep his secret from her sister Muriel, even at the expense of her own life. The father, who had been a bank president in the United States, made one false step, and in order to cover his crime, paid a cashier to assume the gilt, and the payments were to be maintained by the daughter. A man about town, Hugh Mhrtin, obtained possession of the letters written by Randall and his daughter to the cashier. Martin desired to marry the younger girl, a girl ninny years his junior, but Constance objected, and Martin threatened to give the letters to the dailv papers. Instead of the vindictive headlines, the sisters read in the next day’s papers of the murder of Martin. A scarab was found near tho body of Martin, and that was the only clue the police obtained. Investigations showed that the scarab fitted the setting vt Constance’s ring oxactly, and she was arrested ami charged with the crime. Tho trial disclosed tho fact that tho scarab

might have been one of a hundred similar antiques, and Constance was acquitted. This should be the finale, but the story takes a new turn, and the results are surprising and thrilling. "The Scarab Ring” is an excellent picture story, and one that should draw crowds. The supporting films are all good. SKATING BINE. , The thousands who have enjoyed themselves at the Skating Rink of late will regret to hear that the Rink is about to be closed down for tho summer season. Many are making the most of the time left. The following are the results of the competitions held on Thursday evening:—Best fancy dressed lady (judged by Mr. J. A. Simson), Mrs. Wiggs ("Salome”), 1; Miss S Mizracki (“Siamese Princess”), 2. Potato race: W. Preston, 1; C. Forrest, 2. Musical chairs: C. Forrest, 1; 11. Austin, 2. Fancy skating, couples: H. McDonald and Mrs. P. H. Cross, 1; Mr. W. Preston and Miss G. Ross, 2. Most humorous character: Mr. A. W. Beale, 1; W. Preston. 2. Tan. dem race: W Preston and Mrs. P. H. Cross, 1; *R. Whittington and Mrs. T. Duncan, 2. Hockey match: H. Greenbank’s team and W. Preston’s drew, two goals each. The season will conclude this evening, when the prizes will he presented. "JANE.” Mr. A. Stanley Warwick will give an invitation performance of the most laughable comedy “Jane” in the Town Hall Concert Chamber on November 16 and 17. The cast includes Alan Fuller as William; Hazel Jeffery as Jane; Vernon Oswin as Mr. Kershaw; and A. Stanley Warwick as Charley Shackleton. Cards of invitation can be obtained from Mr. Warwick or Mr. Ernest Palliser, Nathan’s Buildings, Grey Street, and scats can be reserved at the Bristol. This performance will servo to introduce an entirely different style of work to that which Mr. Warwick has hitherto produced in. Wellington. ELGAR CONCERT. The second of tho series of three concerts to bo given by the Society of Musicians in the large Town Hall on Monday, November 14, should appeal to lowers of good music. It will be devoted to tho works of the great British composer, Elgar, and will be in the hands of Mr. C. W. Kerry and Mr. H. Temple White (vice-president). The programme will include a fine selection of part songs by tho Harmonic Society, a choir of sixty picked voices, who are now at their best. Songs by Miss Mabelle Esquilant and Mr. Reginald Blow; pianoforte duets by Mr. Gordon Short and Mr. C. W. Kerry; and violin solos by Miss Laurie Anderson. The Harmonic Quartette will render a number of part songs for male voices. Details of booking-will be found hi, our advertising columns. MOZART RECITAL. The box plan for the Cesaroni Mozart recital will open on Monday at tho Bristol. A very attractive programme has been arranged. SUNDAY ORGAN RECITAI,. The following items will be played by Mr. Bernard F. Page (city organist) at tho Town Hall to-morrow evening-. Largo in G (Handel); Bach’s Pastorale; Chant Sans Paroles, by Lemare; Mendelssohn’s Sonata No. 6 and Psychological Poem "Le Genie ot la Mort,” Op. 11 (No. 6), by Rebikoff. "THE GEISHA.” The Wellington Amateur Operatic Society’s performance of “The Geisha” at the Grand Opera House continues’to attract enthusiastic audiences. Last night’s performance was well worthy of the pronounced applause which it aroused from time to time. Mr. Tom Pollard has returned to Christchurch. Mr. A. W. Newton is now in charge of the stage. The season is to close this evening. SCOUT BENEFIT CONCERT. A well-attended concert, the gross proceeds of which are to bo handed over to the new playing grounds fund of the Torrace School, was held in St. Peter’s Schoolroom last evening. The promoters were the Kelburn Boy Scouts, ami they are to be congratulated upon the good programme which they had arranged for the Occasion. Of particular Interest were the tfiSieaux, with which it opened, in which the Scouts were displayed at .reveille, general assembly, at the Royal’ salute, the first dinner call, the first post, and “Lights out,” all of which were excellently carried out. Another interesting display was a knotting demonstration, also by the Kelburn Scouts. Songs were sung by Mr. Herbert F. Wood, Scout B. Wright, Mr. T. It. Lawson, Mr. G. S. Clapham, and Mrs. Connor. Miss Whitehouse gave a humorous recitation, Miss Phyllis Adams a musical monologue, and Miss Hazel Jeffery a recitation. Encores were numerous, ’and the! programme was brought tb an end with a song'and chorus, "Oh! By Jingxi!” by the Kelburn Scouts, and the singing of the National Anthem. The ao contpanist was Mrs. C. E. Fordham, and Mr. Eric Lawson was tho stage manager. The stage had been very effectively draped by the D.LC. C.T. CHOIR CONCERT. The Commercial Travellers’ Malo Voice Choir, which gave such an enjoyable concert on Thursday in the Concert Chamber of the Town Mall, will repeat the concert this evening.