ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 October 1922, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS.

EVERYBODY’S. LAST NIGHT OF “KISMET.” A GORGEOUS PRODUCTION. “Kismet,” the super-special picture, starring Otis Skinner, which opened at Everybody’s Theatre last night, is the wonder film of the age. A wonderful story, wonderful star, wonderful cast and wonderfully produced. From the enthusiastic manner in which the audience received the photo-play last night, the two-night run will be al] too short. Louis J. Gasnier, who directed “Kismet” has attained a perfection of detail that could not be improved upon. The cost of making this production must have been tremendous. The scenes of the old Turkish city of Bagdad are perfectly presented and carry an atmosphere that transports the audience from the theatre to the Orient. The desert scenes with the picturesque Arabs and their fleet steeds, are superb. The picture has been well named the "Thousand and Second Arabian Night.” Gorgeous in setting with its magnificent Eastern Palaces, its seductive harem dances, the beauty of ancient Bagdad at the bathing pools--it is a never-to-be-forgotten picture. The story tells of Hajj, the beggar who sat on a stone—the heritage of his forefathers — and dreamt his dreams of a hoped for glory. Then came the day when all his hopes and desires were to be fulfilled. He was appointed high in the office of the Caliph, his daughter was to marry a great one of the land—then with the setting of the sun his magnificence and glory was shattered like the Apple of the Desert, which, though beautiful in appearance, crumbles to dust at touch. Interwoven is the of Kut-ul-kulub, the wife '‘f wives of Mansur, the Wazir of Police, who is seen in intriguing and alluring moments in the harem amid other voluptuous beaaties, whose chief occupation is to gladden the eyes of their Lord with their charms. Many world-famous models take part in these scenes of the dreamy sensuous Orient.

THE PEOPLE’S.

DOUBLE FOX PROGRAMME TO-NIGHT. Screening at the People’s to-night is tb r William Fox double-feature programme, “Money to Burn,” starring William Rus sell and “Very Truly Yours,” with dainty Shirley Mason in “Money to Burn” Th' rugged and popular star, William Russell, once more gets away from Western hills and ranches, and is found in a Wall street, office, in the role of a young speculator whom fortune favors at every turn, despite any invitation his adventurous spirit gives for a wallop at his bank account. The story is a fascinating one, as every one will recognise who has read Sewell Ford’s “Cherub Divine,” on which the picture is based. The love theme is most cleverly developed, and the photoplay should prove an unequivocal success on the local screen. In the second feature, “Very Truly Yours,” the charming littie star, Shirley Mason, is seen as a pretty hotel stenographer who longed for a "Prince Charming” and a cosy home, and of her extraordinary matrimonial experience when her said Prince Charming happened along. The prices of admission are advertised as usual.

ALLAN WILKIE SEASON. It will be with pleasurable anticipation that the public will hear of the proposed visit to this town of Mr. Allan Wilkie, the eminent actor-manager, in a revival of the plays of Shakespeare. Mr. Wilkie, supported by Miss Hilda Dorrington and his talented company of over thirty-five Shakespearean players, after appearing before capacity houses in the principal towns throughout- the Dominion and Australia, intends to visit New Plymouth for a three nights’ season, commencing on Thursday evening next with “The Merchant of Venice.” “A Midsummer Nights Dream” will be staged at a special matinee on Friday afternoon at 2.15 p.m., and "The Taming of the Shrew” will be staged at the evening performance. The season will close on Saturday night with “Hamlet,” in which Mr. Wilkie will be the melancholy Dane and Miss Hilda Dorrington “Ophelia.” The box plans for the season will open this morning at Collier’s.