AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIII, Issue 181, 30 July 1912, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS.

■ .] "MM. __cSW_-_N_r_;- ' 1 Those who hare not seen "Mrs. McSweeney" take her lesson in golf or have ' her photograph taken, will only have two more opportunities of doing so, as the ' season closes to-morrow evening. This amus- J ing Iris—woman, who makes Australia her . adopted home, has made many people laugh . since she landed in Auckland, and de- , serves a good send-oft, ( i "THE DANDIES." The popularity of "The Dandies" in- ' creases as the season lengthens, tie Town Hall Concert Hall being well flUed last evening, when a change of programme was . submitted. The company appeared In new burlesques, quartets, comic Bongs, and other items, and every artist was recalled. The , comic selection, 'The Simple Life," given , by the male quartet, was extremely _rol', and well merited the liberal applause bestowed on it. One of the best items of the evening was tbe &._recrow dance by one of the comedian-, his representations of this : handy adjunct to the vegetable plot being most realistic and grotesque. For an en- . core, he sang "'Months and Months and Months." his antics In conducting the chorus being amusing to a degree. All the other items were bright and entertaining, and the -whole programme whs of a very high. standard throughout. "The Dandies" will appear again this evening. KING'S THEATRE. The pictures included in the i-tange of programme presented at the King's Theatre last evening were of general excellence, and the audience that tilled the big theatre in every part was not slow to express Its complete approval of the fare provided. Th e subjects _.u~-_ltlc<l hud been Judiciously chosen; there were pictures serious and gay and also a doe proportion at travel studies and industrial subjects. Mr. K. J. Burkes orchestra provided suitable music, the selections played including the overtures "Zampa," "Diabola Dance Masquerade.'* and the popular "Arcadians." The exploits of that daring highwayman Dick Turpi" were reproduced by a clever group of artists. The picture Is set in the midst of typical Knglish country scenery. Dick Turpin is seen to carry out some of his most audacious crimes, but in spite of his villainy, he meets with the sympathy of the onlooker by his gallant bearing. A. splendid travel scenic presents sonic line views «n the coast of the Adriatic. An impression is gained of the interesting nature of the . sea front, and the little villages are seen nestling cosily behind the crags in the more sheltered inlets. A plot worthy of Sherlock Holmes in his more brilliant moments Is introduced in an exciting and absorbing story of tile secret service, "The Forgotten Clue." The methods adopted under skilful police organisation form . very Interesting study. A novel story of an Irish-Jew love match provoked much laughter. Isaac, tlie father, objects to the choice of a handsome Irish boy, but his prejudices are eventually overcome, and the happy pair nre united in wedlock. -'The Baby" Is a story of coster life, and gives an Insiiiht Into the lives of these curious people. "An Actor of the Old School" is proclaimed unsuitable by the leading lady, but after many trials, it Is found that his place cannot be -dcq_ately filled, ami tlie management ask him to re-turn. The latest I'aumont <!raphJc Included a number of pictures of present interest- Other fine pictures were "The Dost Dog" and "Tricked Into Happiness." The programme will be repeated this evening. KING GEORGE THEATRE. The change of programme at the King George Theatre last night was much appreciated by a large audience. The opening picture. "Klre at Clifton Terrace, Wellington," is very realistic and exciting. "At Jones' Ferry" Is an exciting Western drama, I the scene being laid in the logging camps of N.W. America. "The Two Sides" Is a very tine drama, splendidly acted, in which some exciting situations are shown. It Is a pourtrayal of the two sides of life—the rich and the |ioor. The Gaiunont Graphic Is, as usual, full of Interesting topical subjects. "On Panther Creek" aud "Dad's Girls'* ore both dramas of unusual interest, the plot and denouement being followed with a! .orbing interest. "The Runj away Lorry." "A Handsomer Man." "A ! Hurried Renovation," and "Tweedledum [ and his Tricks," represent the comic sub- : jects and create roars of laughter. The I programme will be repeated to-night and to-morrow. TALACE THEATRE. A large crowd visited the Palace Theatre, Newton, yesterday, and viewed the new selection of pictures. Tbe programme was one of varied interest nnd uniform merit. A dramatic story. entitled "Ills Mother." was the leading Item of tbe programme. It portrayed the departure of a son from his home, his mar: x .ige In New York, bis mother falling into poor circumstances and leaving the old home to And her son. How she is lost In the great city and is accidentally found by her son makes an interesting story. 'Lieutenant Hose and Chinese Pirates" ls a stirring naval story and very exciting. "Poisoned Finnic" is "a Western drama full of exciting incidents. The scenic pictures are highly Interesting. "Pictnresqne Switzerland." "Motoring over Heu Nevis," and "Kerka Falls," giving plenty of variety, and there was a good selection of amusing and high standard comic and comedies. The programme will be shown to-day and to-morrow. ! LYRIC THEATRE. At the Lyric Theatre, Pymonds Street, i last evening the programme presented was enjoyed exceedingly by those present. Tinpicture of the evening was a coloured art drama entitled '-The Tragic l_ive of Mon a Lisa," carried out with infinite realism, and particularly Interesting m view i>i u .ie I-.- I cent disappearance of Leonardo da Vinci's famous picture of that name—the painting of which is one of the chief elements of the story— the Louvre ut Paris, ljoonardo da Vinci falls in love with Mona Lisa, known as "La Uioconda," but she is also admired by Francis 1., King of France, and is not unmoved by him. His presence at the sittings brought to her face the smile whicii the painter has immortalised. The King's former favourite, jealous of her rival, hctr ys her to the secret eounci. j of ten. ami she is arrested on a charge ot heresy. The artist Implores the King to! Rave her. and he promises to do so on con- i i dltlmi that he receives- the picture, which he hangs In his apartment. In tbe mean- ' time, Mona Lisa has escaped, and makes j her way to tie apartment, where she takes [ the place of the picture which has been | ! secretly abstracted by da Vinci. "hen j i the King and the favourite are in the room slip points an accusing finger at the latter, who has already made one or two attempts to mutilate tlie picture. Not to be denied this time, she stabs at it. and Mona Lisa I appears from behind the frame and shortly I dies. Other dramas arc "A Lodging for tbe . Night," the adventures of a writer at a ! Mexican inn, where he is searching for loci' colour. He wins a lot of money at cards, and two tramps determine to get it. Tindetermination they show in their quest an.l the luck with which he avoids their murderous attacks would he laughable hut for the fact that at one time they get fie wrong victim. Another element of comedy is introduced by his protection by a Mexican girl, who sits on guard outside his door all night, while he is doing pre I clselv the same Inside. The best of the -omic portion is "Tils Mo Mi In-Law," with j Mr. John Runny in the chief rolea sure | rnar-_tee of entertainment. Other good j Hem." are "C-apt.-lhi King;* Rescue.-' "Curlmis DfTects of Vibration, "Review by the Tsar of Russia. "From Reg to Spit," and the latest edition of Gaumont Graphic. CONCERT AT VETERANS' HOME. The Onehunga Glee Club visited the Veterans' Home last Friday night, and entertained the Inmates with a minstrel concert, consisting of songs, recitations, glees, and Instrumental items. Mr. S. Rreeze acted as interlocntor, Messrs. K. and It. Sutherland, I). Wilding and N. Sims being cornermen. The accompaniments were ably played by Messrs. H. Clegg and .1. Russell. Major Carpenter thanked the visitors on behalf of the veterans, for their kind and welcome visit. SKATING RINKS. The long-expected and eagerly-awaited fancy dress and poster carnival will be held nt the Royal Rink. Khyber Pass, to-night. The entries are very large, and great preparations have been made with the costumes. During the evening competitions of various kinds will be held.

OPERA HO USB. _3ie ■__>__& House -was filled in every part •last ai*_-hf. —rtle— -he new vaudeville pro-gram-tie lor Uie wees was submitted for tite first time. The entertainment was bright alii- cheery, and -was apparently very keenly appreciated by the large audience. For the most part, it was made up of new items by ____ly-ostabl___ed favourites. Mr. Courtney, for instance, the quaint American monologue storyteller, who keepon uuep-s'.ngly, luvperturl.able, whether the audience sees the point of _is jokes or not, was given a paritculurly warm welcome back to Auckland, after an absence of several weeks. Mr. Courtney has several new things to say, and he very easily held tiie undivided attention of his audience. The two exceptionally clever acrobats, Phil and Phlora— they call their mm -silent comedy"again met with a cordial reception for their skilful and humorous work. Miss Hilda LJKht. who mad.- her tii-st appearance in tiiis country last night, immediately created a favourable impression with her dainty and tuneful rendering of "The Pipes of Pan." and, in response to an encore, sang "Shadows and Moonlight" with even greater success. Quite one of the features of the programme was the contribution by Mr. Herbert Clifton am, Mr. John Fuller in "The Misore" duct, and the veteran vocalist was given an ovation when his irrepressible partner Insisted uikui his taking the call to the footlights. Mr. Clifton is an extraordinarily gifted young lady, with all the vivacity and charm and vocal fle-irillily of any vaudeville star. Johnson and Wells, coloured comedians and wonderfnllv expert dancers, appeared in n ww turn, and were as popular as ever. For the rest, the programme Includes bright contributions by the other members of the. company. OTHER PICTURE ENTERTAINMENTS. The new programme which was introduced at the Queen's Theatre yesterda' was repeated last night and to-day with continued success, "The World Against Her" being the item that has created most interest in the current series. At the Windsor Theatre to-night the notable picture-play "She" will be screened for the last time. The current programme of West's Pictures at the Royal Albert Hall, which embraces a wide range of interesting subjects, will be screened for the last time to-night, and the tine picture '-The Traitress" should not he missed. A star film, entitled "The Sergeant's Daughter," will be presented at the matinee to-morrow afternoon, and the drama is said to be exceptionally attractive.