AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 301, 19 December 1911, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS.

OPEBA HOTJBB. There was a large attendance at the Opera House last night, when the former scene of vaudeville attraction was used for the first "time as a picture theatre. The big attraction bad been .the announcement chat the "Kinemacolor" films, for whiea 'Messrs. Fuller and Sons have the sole New Zealand rights, would be shown for the first time. These films were supposed to have come to hand by the Maheno, hut Mr. John Fuller announced to the audience last night that for some reason not yet available the films had not arrived. He was, therefore, ■regretfully compelled to state that only one kinemacolor film could be shown, and K i was the one which 'had been passed round ': among the operators to practise on. Mr. ; Puller promised, however, that more kinemacolor films were ordered front Wellington, and would arrive In thne to be shown in to-night's programme. The film shown last I niglrt was not a very clear one. but in spite j of a hazy indeftnlteness of focus it gave a good idea of the possibilities of the new style of film in the way of realistic colour effects. For the rest, the programme was interesting and well assorted. "The largest Abbey in the World'" proved to be The immense Carthusian Abbey of Pavia. known for its magnificent sculpture and marble arcbrtectnre. "The Moonstone'* was an interesting adaptation of the story of that name by Wilkic Collins. HPDDERSFIELD BELLRINGERS BAND. A unique combination Ls the above band. who open at the New Town Hall on Bosing night for a short season of six nights, under the direction of J. and N. Talt. composed almost exclusively of working men who devoted their leiCTre time to the eultiTatlon of this Intricate art. The Rand has achieved remarkable success, having now altnlccd the honour of being champions of Britain, which practically means the whole world. Imrinp their season here the hand's programme win include the following items:—"lves Panrrigs," "Charrrolon." "Grenadiers." "Friendship," "Callph-dl-Bagdad." "Halleiujah Chorus." "Kyrie and Gloria," "Lead. Kindly bight" "Nearer. My God. to Thee." "Sailor's Life." "William Tell.'" *lu My Cott.-vge," "Tip-1-Addy." "IJarrlgan." and selections from well-known operas. The band, we are told, r-or.lrn! , iri."". bells, ranging from L'oz !■> 2.">lhs. and from reports to hand tie music is mod! remarkable. Several well-known K.nclish ' artiste assist the band, so they should draw packed houses here. Popular prices are to ; be charged, and seats may be reserved at , I Wildman and Arey's, and day sales at I Martelli's. LYRIC THEATRE.

The programme screened for the first time I last night at the l_>yric Theatre, Upper Sy-uionds-street, senea to introuuee to patrons I the lit w colour scheme of lathe ijios., which is called colour-matograpby. Jt is iu I a. flower study entitled "Cnrysanlheiiiums'' j that tnc results of rhe new process are most ettectively seen. The glorious flowers arc bodied fonJi on the screen in colours, i wiiose approximation to tints is so close that the study is one of ueiight to j those who are intiinale with the haunts. habits, and hues of the flowers. The old opulent wealth of colour in its lavishness charmed the inexpert multitude, but this dignified restraint and versiniilitude of nature fills the eye of the horticulturist, and makes the study of real. Talue as an ' educative factor. The artistic eye is also charmed with the application of this process to other subjects, and lady pa-trons Should not miss the film entitled "Costumes of All Periods." which portrays the outlines and colours favoured by the fashion leaders from the early Greek days down to 1911. with, of course, special attention to the fashions during the days of the last French royalties. A splendid industrial picture is that showing th» making of cycles on a large scale, while patrons get a plenitude of delicious thrills in the tragic quasiNapoleon story, "A General"? Fate." In The Diamond Gang" <a right up-to-date American detective experience l , and the Wild West tale "AriKma Bill." Comedy in all its gradations is provided for. 'Too Many Burglars" and "Winsome Winnie's Smile*' being most excellent sketches of their class. The programme will be repeated to-night. KING'S THE AT KB. The bl-weetly change of programme screened at King's Theatre last evening attracted a large audience. The pictures were well up to the high standard expected at King's, and those present we.e not slow in their demonstrations of approval. Mr E. J. Burke's talented orchestra played appropriate musical selections throughout the evening, and the new mechanism on the cinematograph practically does away with flickering. The picturesque County of Derbyshire was visited in an excellent film, "A Ramble Through Derbyshire," and a number of places which go to make up the "bietory of tie FnpUsh nation were reproduced. An impressive pir-ture revealed Finland in the depth of -winter. Weird moonlight effects are produced from the shadow* of the gaunt black pines on the snow which covers the ground in a frozen mass to the depth of three to four feet Occasional glimpses are got of Ice-bound rivers, with, air-holes at wliich the forest animals get water. In Pathe's weekly gazette the most Interesting scenes in topical events are shown in short bright pictures. The picture of the evening related an episode in the life of that famous Scottish chieftain Rob Roy. By kind permission of the Duke of ArgyJe the picture has been produced in tie Macgregor country, where Rob Roy spent his w-n-llko carreer. The construction of a bicycle is followed in detail In an industrial film entitled "Making a Bicycle." "At Jones' Ferry" was a Wild West drama introducing Irfe In the lumber camps. A selection of One comic subjects Included "The Metdnnalter" and "A Delayed Proposal."

PALACE PICTURES. Lerjre audiences attended the Palace Theatre at the various sessions yesterday, when a new and' pleasantly varied programme •was screened for the first time. "Women - of the West" pave a vivid impression of the serious side of life out west. A numfcer of women are reduced to ■the extremity of defending their lives and their home against tie attacks of Indian desperadoes. The house is in flames, and the Indians are Just about to smash in the doors when a hastily summoned patrol of cowboys appear on the scene and disperse the attacking- force. The wonders and possibilities of the aeroplane are Hlustrated in a startling yet amnsing picture. "Aerial Anarchists." Mrs Henry Woods' novel "East Rynne" successfully dramatised was Shown in a fine picture that met with the warm approval of the audience. The latest happening of the world were shown In "IJie Australian Gazette." Laughter raiser*, with a dramatic touch, were "Senoritfl"s Concraest" ard "Bcraker*s Invention." The programme win be repeated this evening.

OTHER PICTCRE ENTERTAIXME-XTS. To-night will witness the last of the current series of pictures at the Royal Albert Hall. The prosramme has proved most entertaining, and has been highly appreciated by West's many patrons. The usual weekly change will be given to-morrow afternoon at a.30. The Tripoli Pictures, which provide the star item of the new programme at the Queen's are attracting much public attention. These pictures may be seen any time of fhe day or evening during the currency j of the programme. Large patronage Is being accorded the ; picture and music attractions of the Empire Theatre (Windsor Hall), and the current programme will be repeated to-night. The current series of pictures at the ; Addphi Tkeatre (Star Pictures). Newmar- j ket, continue to draw big houses, and the excellent programme will be screened again tills evening.