ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 20080, 18 January 1927, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

CIVIC PICTURES. LAST NIGHT OF “THE SEVENTH BANDIT” AND “IT’S THE OLD ARMY GAME.” The last opportunity of aeeing this programme is offered at the Civic to-night. Breezy laughter is in evidence right through the first half, which opens with an amusing comedy featuring three fat men, all excellent mirth-provokers. The first star picture “It’s the Old Army Game” features W. C. Fields, a newcomer to the screen, but wellknown as a stage comedian. The chief character is one of the most unconventional seen on the screen for a long time, and the story, suiting itself to the east, proceeds along equally original lines. Originality is the keynote of the picture, not an originality which repels with any suggestion of the absurd, but one which fascinates while it amuses. A big feature is the pantomime of Fields which is the brightest and most enduring aspect of the picture. He is a composite mixture of genuine comedy and pure burlesque, and he uses all his gifts of comedy and “gags” to keep the merriment moving all the time. This he does with hilarious results. The other big feature sees the welcome return of Harry Carey in a Western picture, “The Seventh Bandit,” one that is full of speedy movement and thrilling action. David Scanlon (Harry Carey) joins a bandit gang in order to find a mam who murdered his young brother. Aided by a girl doctor (Harriet Hammond> whom David meets during a stage hold-up, he learns that Goring (Walter James) is the guilty man. There is a terrific battle between David and Goring at. the climax. Well acted, containing a logical plot, and filled with thrills, this picture will please 100 per cent. The Boy Scout serial, “The Radio Detective,” is also shown. Norma Talmadge, usually associated with dignified, romantic roles, has turned comedienne in her latest First National picture, “Kiki,” which comes to the Civic to-morrow. Miss Talmadge enacts the role of the devil-may-care waif who wants a taste of life —and gets it with a vengeance. As a laugh provoker “Kiki” is said to be in a class by ite»»’f in its appeal to all classes, old and young. The situations are strictly of the 1926 vintage—that is, up to the minute. The lovely Norma’s new leading man is Ronald Colman, who, as a wealthy Paris theatre manager, takes “Kiki” into his heart, but discovers he has befriended a human paradox. There is sure to be a rush to &-e this picture, which is supported by another good one—- “ The Wilderness Woman” featuring Aileen Pringle and Chester Conklin. ALBION THEATRE. LAST NIGHT OF FRED THOMSON IN “ALL AROUND THE FRYING PAN” AND HOOT GIBSON IN “THE MAN IN THE SADDLE.” ... Sparkling with touches which are fast comins to be associated in the public mind with Fred Thomson productions alone, “All Around the Frying Pan,” the latest picture featuring the western luminary and his wonderful horse, Silver King, is being screened for the last time to-night at the Albion Theatre. The Alturas Round-up, one of the most famous cowboy rodeos in the country, was filmed as the background for part of the action of “All Around the Frying Pan,” and Thomson was an actual entry at this event, competing with some of the greatest riders in the world. The picture is a strong melodrama heavily loaded with comedy, and the Round-up scenes make it really two big shows in one. Fred’s exhibition of bucking on Silver King (and how that horse can “sidewind,” “sunfish” and “swap ends!”) is a masterly piece of horsemanship and certainly ranks him high in any equestrian league. Another . highly amusing and wholly entertaining picture with that popular screen star, Hoot Gibson, in the featured role, is being presented also for the last time to-night. Gibson again is cast in the type of role that fits him so well—’that of the comedy cowboy, and “The Man in the Saddle” makes a thoroughly diverting picture, without a dull moment from the opening scene to the final fadeout. It is almost entirely comedy of the lightest and mast whimsical nature, with Gibson moving from adventure to adventure with a breezy and engaging manner productive of the highest . type of entertainment. The story is most unusual, both in plot and treatment particularly for a western, and places Hoot in the role of a romantic but misguided young man of the west who is occasionally getting into trouble ' because of his insatiable ambition to be heroic and romantic. To-morrow Lon Chaney, master character and best-known screen star, together with Norma Shearer, and a cast of notabilities will appear in “The Tower of Lies.” Also commencing tomorrow is “Monte Carlo”—where beautiful women and dashing men play in a world of glittering wealth. All the lure of its fabulous fashions, its ravishing beauties and enchanting romance sparkles in this great comedy. The rollicking adventures of a trio of girls who stalked Cupid in Fashion's lair will cram into one short hour more entertainment and happiness than you’ll get in a lifetime. Lew Cody and Gertrude Olmstead co-star in this great production.