ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 February 1919, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"MADAM SPHINX," A TRIANGLE FEATURE. Alma Rubens and Wallace McDonald have the posts of honor in the Triangle feature "Madam Sphinz," which is showing at Everybody's to-night and to-mor-row. It is a rather unusual story containing a murder mystery which the police fail to solve and which the ward of the murdered man, a beautiful young girl, sets out alone to unravel. Hi' only clue is a sleeve link and her search takes her to the haunts of Apaches and other questionable characters, the scene being laid in Paris. The story is very convincing and Alma Rubens makes the part so real that one cannot but admin: the courage she displays in her quest. ; She meets a man who falls in love with her and who to a certain extent fascinates her notwithstanding the fact that he apparently is the criminal. The pace of the plot is rapid and full of action. It contains one notable fight in a cabaret and at the end has a most unexpected turn by which the two lovers are united with no shadows to mar their happiness. Although many of the ac. ios are laid in the Parisian underworld the story is really one with society settings and some of the dresses are very fine. It is a beautiful story from the love point of view and leaves a very agreeable effect in the mind. -HE PEOPLES. WILLIAM FARNUM~IN "THE CONQUEROR." The big eight-reel Fox masterpiece, "The Conqueror," covers part of the career of General Sam Houston, a big military figure in American history. As the ' first curtain lifts the hero is represented as a rough, rather uncouth youth. He is in love with a luxury-girl, who- shrinks from him as she finds he can neither read nor write. But he has ambition, and by devious ways comes a twisted message from the girl telling him to become a constable. He has neither money nor j influence, but he lias a dog. By an ingen- ! ious scheme, selling and reselling a fur ' while the dog steals it again every time, I he achieves money enough to become a constable. Then the girl haughtily him to make his position higher. This he does, too. Then he becomes a Governor, and is married to the girl, whom by now he considered unworthy, and he left j her to the attentions of one Sidney; Stokes, a bad boy, and went afar to live ; an active life on the border. "The Conqueror" is something far beyond the or- ' dinary, both in the breadth of its action and the diversified appeal it makes to tinsympathies of the audience. Just as it ■ combines so many different points of in- j tcrest, so does its scenic settings differ. There is the contrast between poverty i and magnificence, between army and i civilian life, between scenes from country j and town. Humor is sprinkled ail through it, and the emotional forces are all blended. The matinee to-morrow commences at 3.30 p.m. THE DANDIES. Those very popular entertainers "The Dandies" will open a season of three nights in the Empire Theatre next Saturday evening, Commenting on the performance given by the visiting company an exchange says:—"lt is several seasons since the first company of "Dandies" were presented by Mr Edward Branscombe, and by their merits established a reputation which has been worthily upheld by 'Dandies' of more recent' date. And the latest arrivals easily carry on the good work of their several predecessors. It was at once noticeable that 'The Dandies' are an excellent combination. A coterie of clever artists who, while possessing great talerit individually, yet get the greatest re. I suits from their clever and liarmonious ensembles. In keeping with the public demand for relaxation of the light order, 'The Dandies' present a large mea■we of eomodv, and this was submitted in inimitable style, and quite acceptable to the lane audience, who demanded , nion- than (ho printed programmes pro- ! vided for. Encores were the order of j the evening.- arid the de-maud being unanimous and hearty, may be accounted a tribute to the ability of the company." The programmes to he presented locally will oournin feveral of the latest revue successes, while the tuneful and harmonious selociions which are characteristic of a "Dandies" entertainment will provide a plea«ant feature. The ! j plan opens at Collier's on Thursday | morning.