AMUSEMENTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 June 1927, Page 1

AMUSEMENTS.

EVERYBODYS’ PICTURES

“ 'i'l lK SON OK TILJr] SHEIK ” —TO-NKUIT.

Starring in a lavishly produced sequel to the screen story which brought him his greatest fame, Rudolph Valentino comes to the Princess Theatre tonight, in the picture which metropolitan critics have hailed as hi.s greatest. It is •' The Son of the Sheik,’’ a fiery, love-mad opus of the desert, with Vilina Hanky, Montague Love, Karl Dane, George Fawcett. Hull Montana, Agnes Ayres and other noted players supporting Valentino. Love, life and adventure are not sugar-coated in tins screen version of the E. M. Hull romance; instead the makers of the picture, according to reports, have given the original twentieth century sheik a vehicle permeated with realism and replete with daring situations and thrills. Valentino does many things other than make love and ride Arabian steeds in “ The Son of the Sheik.” He rescues pretty girls from the hacks of runaway horses, leaps from balconies onto swinging chandeliers, battles desert brigands with sword, pistol, and lists—in short, the sheik, or rather “ The Son of the Sheik,” is mixing athletics with his amours. Photoplay-goers who witness the return of Valentino to the desert lover role will see him in a story which has been widely praised as authentic by world travellers familiar with picturesque Algiers. Portraying the impulsive son of “ The Sheik,” a powerful desert ruler, Rudolph falls in love with a dancer (Vilma Hanky), daughter of a renegade Frenchman. She is the chief attraction of a travelling hand of mountebanks, who resent the attentions paid the girl by the rich young sheik and lure the youth to torture one night when he goes to keep a tryst. Finally rescued by bis own henchmen, he believes the dancer lias tricked him. and he burns for revenge. The disappointed lover’s first step is to kidnap the girl. From then on the story unfolds to the sensational denouement. John \Y. C’onsidino, .Tr., produced “ The Son of the Sheik ” Tor roiled Artists. George Fitzmauricc directed the Valentino lilm. 'i’lie prices to-night are: Circle 2s, stalls Is (id, children as usual.

On Friday the world’s greatest dog in the world’s greatest story: Strongheart in "The White Kang”; also the latest chapter of “The Ace of Spades.”

K ARNO’S ROYAL PUNCH AND JUDY PANTOMIME AND MONKEY CIRCUS ZOO.

A special performance of the above will he held on Saturday next at 2 o’clock sharp in the Soldiers’ Dali. Monkeys from all parts of the world will he -shown, including Denis the Comedy Monkey and also the Old Favourite Punch and Judy Panto, will be given in Hokitika, and patrons are advised to c >me early ax a bumper house is assured for this unique attraction. A monkey parade with the animals dressed in costume will 1>: held on Saturday morning, leaving the Rail at 12 noon, and will traverse the main streets.

MARIETTE.” Hokitika theatregoers are promised a rare treat on Wednesday niglit next when “Mariotte” will he staged for the first time at the Princess Theatre, by Holder-Conway Productions, with a caste of forty local players. Apart from the worthiness of the object to which the proceeds are to be devoted, the show itself must “ draw ” a. packed house on its merits as a theatrical production alone. Here we have in our midst a small army of enthusiastic amateurs of no mean talent, who not only have the advantage of two well-known and ex pericneed performer-producers to coach them in the various parts, but actually have the author playing with them. This must surely instil a great amount of confidence in any timid performer, if such there were, hut there is not, all being most confident, so wonderfully Is Hie company organised. The story itself is novel and original. Never once does the dialogue or “ businesy. ” descend to the “ questionable ” or vulgar; never once are local identities mentioned to cause, maybe, a laugh at some local person’s expense. The author. Air W. Graetne-Holder, author of many stage successes here and in England, has given his artistes an interesting and clever plot to interpret, and they, realising its value in this respect. have rallied around him in a truly remarkable way. \\ ithoul fear of contradiction " Marietto ” can he said to he one of the cleverest musical comedies over staged. Moreover, entirely new scenery is used, characteristic of the place mentioned in the story, and not some resurrected relic of some defunct touring company. The total value of the properties and wardrobe used in the ■■Marietto” production would well exceed £SOO, and all are brand new. A strong caste, chorus and ballet, and an augmented orchestra, should make “ Mariotte ” a show too good to be missed. Prices tax’., and the box plan is now open at Misses Mclntosh’s. Be wise: lie early and secure a sent.