ENTERTAINMENTS,

Taranaki Daily News, 17 March 1921, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS,

EVERYBODY’S. *A MASTER STROKE.” a “A Master Stroke,” showing at Everybody’s, is intensely dramatic. There is an element of suspense that grows to fever heat and keeps the spectator riVeted to his seat, breathless, with eyes fastened on the screen, while he fears that the worst will happen and the hero will meet defeat. “A Master Stroke” was written by Frederic Van Rensselaer Dey, who is thoroughly conversant with the subject of Wall Street, and he has woven his knowledge into a most pleasing fabric of love, intrigue and suspense. Earle Williams has the role of a careless, ne’er-do-well who has come to the end of his ropes. It is the type in which the star shines, THE EMPIRE TO-NIGHT.. COOEE. “’POSSUM PADDOCK.” ’ At the Empire Theatre to-night and to-morrow there will be screened Kate -Howard’s version of the great Australian drama, “ ’Possum Paddock,” a thrilling human story of life in the great outback of Australia. Young folks will want to see it, because all the world loves a lover and there are some lovers in “ ’Possum Paddock.” The old folks will want to see it because it is an epitome of their own lives and struggles. The song of the birds, the scent of the bush, is the symposium of this marvellous picture. It is a happy, fragrant and wonderful story of bush life teeming with the countless incidents that constitute true Australian atmosphere. Only the pioneers of the the great outback can fully realise the hardships and disappointments of the men and women on the land in the never-never country. When you see stern, resolute but lovable Andy Me* Quade and his dear wife overcome these hardships and disappointments and triumph in the end you can well understand how the sons of these sturdy settlers stuck it and won out in the end of the great war. The picture is proving a wonderful attraction for moving picture patrons in Australia, where the play by the same title proved such a huge 'success, and promisee to repeat its Australian success in the Dominion. Seats for either night can be reserved at Collier’s. THE PEOPLE’S TO-NIGHT. MAY ALLISON IN “THE CHEATER.” May Allison has become famous in many of her late film releases, but she has never scored a greater success than in “The Cheater,” the latest screen classic special which shows to-night and to-morrow at the People’s. “The Cheater” is a picturisation of Henry Arthur Jones’ powerful drama “Judah,” which electrified British and American theatre audiences- May Allison appears as Lily Meany, the daughter of a fakir, in a ‘role that is fascinating in its grip on the emotions. The climax of this powerful drama is described by leading critics as one of the most unexpected and thrilling ever devised for the screen. The supporting programme includes the eighth episode of “Elmo the Fearless,” which failed to arrive for last week’s screening. THE EMPIRE SATURDAY. “THE FAMOUS DIGGERS.” That wonderful combination of artists, “The Diggers,” are announced for a return season of three nights at the Empire Theatre commencing next Saturday. Their many friends and admirers will remember with pleasure the sensational success of this brilliant company of artists on their previous tour through New Zealand, when they “took the country by storm. “The Diggers” will present entirely new programmes and many new and novel features, which should cause a riot of mirth and laughter. Commenting on “The Diggers” performance in France, The Chronicles of the N.Z.E.F. states: — “The performance goes with a businesslike hit and swing from the first tap of the conductor’s baton to the grand finale, and there was not a dull second in the whole performance.” “The Diggers” are brighter and better than ever, and their extensive repertoire of entirely new numbers will appeal to all the-atre-goers. Included in the company are Tano Fama, comedian, Gus Dawson, ragtime exponent and dancer, George Proctor, tenor, Donald Sturat, comedian, Don Wallace, character vocalist, Colin Cameron, lyric tenor, Frank Perkins, baritone, Len Walker, dancer and light comedian, and the inimitable Stan Lawson, “the misleading lady.” An orchestra of ten members will be a special feature df the entertainment. Bernard V. Cottier is the musical director, and Tano Fama producer. The box plans for Saturday’s performance open at Collier’s this morning. LONDON GAIETY PLAYERS. The London Gaiety Players completed their three-nights season at the Empire Theatre last night. A complete change of programme had been arranged, and the items were all well received, particularly the clever and intricate ballet and acrobatic dances. The singing of recent song successes, especially Hiawatha’s Melody of Love” and Little Mister Baggv Breeches” were enthusiastically encored. The company are appearing at the Theatre Royal, Waitara, to-night, at Inglewood to-morrow night, and at Eltham on Saturday night.