ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 February 1920, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

.j THE EMPIRE.' j "SPORTING LIFE" TO-NIGHT. Love, passion, wicked intrigue, and thrilling scenes in the lives of highly interesting people—th : s meagrely summarises the absorbing contents of the Paramount masterpiece, "Sporting Life," which commences a three-night season at the Empire Theatre to-night. The photo-drama was produced by Maurice Tourneur—an expert in the excellences of screen artistry. Towering far above the ordinary motion play in the vigor 0/ its action and the intensity of its love ftory, "Sporting Life" carries a tremendous appeal, not only to sport lovers, fcut to all men and women who possess developed human emotions. The young English earl who enters the boxingring himself rather than allow an enemy who has drugged his fighter to succeed in dastardly schemes, is rewarded with a throb of compassion from every spectator. The Derby that bears on its rushing tide the fortunes of a manly and lovable, if persecuted, hero, has more in it -than a magnificent picture of Britain's famous race. Threading its way through the mazes woven by vile plotters, the tender sentiment is ever there to brighten the screen with hope. And there is a touch of the deeply human in the trials and triumphs of the principal characters than enlist the sympathy and awakens delight. To miss "Sporting Life" is to miss an event. The box plans are now open at Collier's. EVERYBODY'S. LAST NIGHT OP FANNIE WARD IN "INNOCENT." In 'The Cheat," her most famous picture up to the present, Fannie Ward played the part of a matured woman; in "Innocent," George Broadhurst's compelling drama, she lives the part, but first she lives before your eyes, a young girl in China, ignorant of the -.Vorld, and in whom the first clamorant call of youth is being felt. Her work as "Innocent" entitles her to rank as a very fine star of the front rank. "Innocent" shows finally at Everybody's to-night and the programme also includes the second episode of the "Further Adventures of Stingaree." THE PEOPLE'S. BILLIE BURKE AND MACK SENNETT. To-night's big new double star bill presents the charming and lovable Billie Burke in Clare Kummer's wonderful stago success, "Good Gracious, Annabelle," a high-spirited comedy ideally suited to the rare talents of Miss Burke. "Good Gracious, Annabelle!" was written by the famous Clare ICummer, and was presented some years ago in Australasian cities as a stage play with Marie Tempest ia the leading part. It will be remembered that the comedy thus presented was rapturously received, and tlie announcement that it is to be shown on the screen with Billie Burke is certain to prove a big draw. Billie's leading man is none other than the famous Herbert Rawlinson, and the east in-' eludes Frank T.ossee and Billie Wilson. The programme, includes the big rollicking Mack Sennett comedy. "The Foolish Age," a riot of joy in two reels, and latest gazettes also. THE KIWIS' VISIT TO NEW PLYMOUTH. A rare treat is in store for patrons of high-class entertainment with (he visit of the Kiwis' Soldier Concert Party to New Plymouth on Friday r-nd Saturday next. Fresh from a series of triumphs in the Old Country, this excellent, combination of All-Soldier artists returned from England just six weeks ago, ex S.K. Arawa, and are making their initial liow to a New Plymouth audience, not any member of the party having appeared here previously. With such a strong personnel, it is no wonder the Kiwis are successful, and quite in order that press and public alike are loud in their praises of this happy combination. Their clean, wholesome comedy, their concerted numbers, with originality and tuneful ditties a feature, an.l the excellent impression created by the high standard of the vocalists, are responsible for the Kiwi/ instantaneous success everywhere, for with only four weeks of their tour over, (hey have become as popular hero as in the British Isles. The press of the North Island alike are agreed upon the excellence of the Kiwis' performance, congratulating them for the entire absence of anything likely to offend the most fastidious tastes. Aa an entertainment everybody should see them. both young and old. The .Auckland Observer states: "That smart crowd in soldier entertainers. 'The Kiwis,' who have been appearing in the Town Hall before crowded and enthusiastic audiences. put up such a splendid show that they have become immensely popular. Large numbers of the items are perfectly novel, and have not been seen or heard in Auckland before. Each of the members of this happy band of entertainers is a specialist, in his own particular line, and there is plenty of fun, dance,' sketch and frolic." For their New Plymouth season the box plans are now open at Collier 1 !. J