ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 May 1922, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THE FAMOUS iN.Z. DIGGEKS. j EMPIRE THEATRE—TO-NIGHT. Great folk are only human after all! Earl Haig, Commander-in-Chief, said, when he saw the famous Diggers at Montreuil, Trance: “i have been highly amused and entertained.” Thousands of people have endorsed the eminent soldiers remark, this remarkable company has gone on improving until now they appear as a very high-class show indeed. Readily recognising that, although sentiment helped to bring big patronage ion their 'fir.st tours, they must now expect to stand entirely on their merits as entertainers, they have secured some very fine talent from other parts of the world. Amongst these is joe Valli, a Scottish comedian and eccentric dancer who was, until recently, appearing at the Palladium, London, in his own sketch, “Tickets Please,” which he will produce in the present Diggers’ programme. Another Digger is Frank rerryn, who contributes largely to the show, in song, monologue and comfedy. Another comedian is Frank Moran, a New Zealander, who, since the armistice was signed, has been successfully touring England with various companies. The voices in the troupe this time are far superior to any in the past, and include Bernard Beeby. late baritone with J. U. Williamson’s “Maid of the Mountains” Company. lhe revue, in which the company appears, was purchased from Hugh D. Mclntosh, of Tivoli Theatres, Ltd., Australia, and is a screamingly funny one, besides encompassing some very beautiful scenery and dresses. The show still sticks to its motto “Clean Humor,” which has made the company pre-eminent as a family show. The 'popularity which the company enjoys makes it necessary, in order to secure comfortable seats, to book in advance. The Famous Diggers’ Orchstra is still as good as ever, and many people regard this part of the performance as a treat in itself. The old Pierrot form of entertainment has been superseded by a more elaborate show, and the revue will give far more scope than hitherto. The costumes have been all designed and executed in London. These young theatrical intrepences work on the motto that nothing but the best will suit their patrons, whether they be in town or country, and their big successes have proved its wisdom.

E VERY BODY’IS. LAST DAY OF "THE OLD SWIMMI'N’ ( HOLE.” Charles Ray will appear again this afternoon at the matinee, and finally at the night session in the First National feature “The Old Swimmin’ Hole.” This picture, adapted from the poem, gives Kav some of the best opportunities he has had yet. He excels himself in the role of the country youth who is always in scrapes and mischief, and would rather spend the day at “The Old Swimmin’ Hole” than go to school. The picture is one that furnishes delightful entertainment for both old and young. The fifteenth episode oi “The Lure of the Circus ’ also shows on the programme. “BITS OF LIKE” “Bits of Life,” the Marshall Neilan production, sets a new milestone of progress in the silent dramatic art. It is likewise a triumph in acting as well as conception and direction, 'lhe outstanding merit, however, lies in the new idea which Marshall Neilan has injected into motion picture-making. In "Bits of Life” he has combined the efforts of four noted authors, and made one photo-play of it. The stories, which are divided into episodes, are taken from •;The Bad Samaritan,” “The Man who Heard Everything,” “Hop,’ and “The Strange Adventure,” and each of these stories is cleverly linked up by one main theme. Melodrama, comedy, satire and farce are ingeniously pieced together to provide an entertainment wnich is packed with interest from beginning to end. Lon Chaney gives a magnificent characterisation as a Chinain the episode based on “Hop.” It is indeed one or his finest contributions to the screen. Others who contribute their histrionic talents to this unusual screen attraction are John Bowers, Noah Berry, Wesley Barry, Harriet Hammond and Kockliffe Fellowes.

THE FEUPLE'rf ‘THE MAN OF SIVNE” TO-DAY. Commencing at the matinee this afternoon and showing again to-night will be a new Selznick programme, headed by "The Man of tStone,/ with Uonway Tearle in the leading role. The picture is replete with action and local atmosphere. Hundreds of aesert characters, camels and Oriental paraphernalia literally saturate the scenes with their color, 'lhe spectator actuady wakes up startled to find himself back in modern surroundings at the close of the st(sry. The picture develops its theme logically and steadily to a very fit and surprising climate. Much there is that can be said in praise of the excellent selection and portrayal of the scenic background for this picture. It is realistic to a degree. There has been a lavish attention to detail, too often slurred over or faked in pictures of the kind, and the film shows it. The story is very much worth while and deserving the pains that have made it another Selzmck “bull’s-eye.” There is an excellent supporting programme.