AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 11, 12 January 1918, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS.

"THE SPY SYSTEM," The initial' performance in New Zealand: of the latest William Fox super production. "The Spy System," took place at Hta Majesty's Theatre this afternoon. "The £py System" is a war play which, sets away from the usual empty noise and blatant melodrama so commonly associated with productions of this kind. The thread of the story is concerned more with th» intricacies of international relations and the revelation of diplomatic episodes with which the public is unfamiliar. Two performances will be given daily, at 2.30 and 8 p.m Th». plan is at Wildman and Arey's. "ROBINSON CRUSOE." The matinee at the Tivoll Theatre thhl afternoon was marked by the first presentation in Auckland of the spectacular fivereel photo.-play "Robinson Crusoe," an adventure film that is based on Defoe's famous book. "Robinson Crusoe" is one of those rare tales of adventure that millions have read with the greatest pleasure Everyone has formed a mental picture of this great hero, and the wild life he led from the time he ran away to sea tfTJ b« returned home twenty-eight years afterwards. It is the aim of the picture to gtve "Robinson Crusoe" a material form m the minds of the thousands who already know him In the abstract, and right weR does this beautiful production carry out its object. Everything is depicted in a vivid manner. Spanish galleons laden with treasure are there, and pirates, and cannibal feasts—ln fact, everything of which the book has told. "Robinson Crusoe** win be presented at a matinee every afternoon tfR the next change, but the programme each evening will be entirely different. The feature every night will be "The Call of the East," an enthralling Lasky film In which the well-known Japanese actor, Bestme Hayaknwa, takes the part of a typical Oriental character. The plot of the story is powerful, and the varying: scenes are as interesting as they are beautiful. A good supporting bill and excellent musical Items are ln evidence. THE PRINCESS.

A fine five-act picture of true love and deeds of daring Is what drew the crowds to the Princess Theatre this afternoon. The picture Is a Metro, and Is called "The Trail of the Shadow." It has a really fascinating plot, and the Incidents that mark each stage of the story are all of much merit. Emmy Wehlen. the beautiful young dramatic star. Is playing in the role of the heroine, a girl named Sylvia, who lives alone ln the mountains and supports herself by making beadwork. Henry Hilllard. a yonng Easterner, falls in lore with her. Under cover of darkness. Jack Leslie, an outlaw, crawls to her home and demands that she hide him from the border police. He pretends to be wounded,', hot, aa soon as the men have passed, he treacherously attacks her. She falls unconscious, nnd'he escapes. Believing herself bo longer worthy to accept Henry's love, she refuses to marry him. Finally he learns the reason, and follows the outlaw Into the desert to avenge Sylvia's wrong. ' After a dramatic struggle. Leslie is mortally wounded. His last words are a confession of his love for Sylvia, and an acknowledgment of her innocence. The, happy ending completes a story of tenderness and power. ■ THE QU BUN'S. The changed bill at the Queen's TSieatr* this afternoon brings to the notice of the people a distinctly unnsoal picture. It 1» "An Alabaster Box." a fllm that cam-bines a moving plot with a great doable romance, and introd-nces a surprising climax. The heart Interest of the story lies In the effects of gossip and scandal on a -woman's reputation, for a girl who Hves alone with her father tries to clear his name by the use of her own fortune. All she gets for her efforts is the gossip of other women, and a situation of surprising intensity is brought about The dramatic thrills current in this tale are equalled only by the love scenes and the pretty Incidental effects. Miss Alice Joyce is the heroine. and she plays her part well. The Keystone comedy, "His One-Night Stand," is an extremely interesting laughter-raiser, and the supporting hill includes n good scenic and s recent issue of the Topical Gazette. OPERA 'HOUSE. There was a good attendance at the Opera House Inst evening, and the numerous items were well received, particularly good being the 'bright music and choruses of the Revue. The current programme, which has been so successful during the week, will 'be presented for the last time this evening. The usual matinee will be held this afternoon. EVERYBODY'S. "Bought And Paid For" Is the nam*, of the leading new drama at Everybody's. It' visualises an intense, enthralling, sympa- . thetic story of a young wife, whose husband, starting out on the road, of becomes a dipsomaniac, with disastrous re- ' suits to the lives of two people. The supporting programme is one of merit. ■ ■ THE STRAND. Miss Olive Thomas, the beautiful American girl-actress, ha? come in image again to the Strand. She appears to-day in the first subject of the new bill, "Broadway Arizona," and takes the heart of the crowd by her winsome ways. THE LYRIC.

Every day and night from this .-vfernoon the graphic story of "Robinson ,'nisoe" will be put on the Lyric wn-een, and with the same big bill there is the new Chaplin comedy-, "His Face on the Floor," and a well known serial. THE GRAND. "My Old Dutch," a story that is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful every filmed, takes the: screen at the Grand Theatre to-day. A comedy, "Th* College Girls," and a serial are also being shown. THE GLOBE. The two best pictures at the Gacfce'aro "Man and His -Soul," a Metro study featuring Francis X. -Bushman, and the Marguerite Clark story, "-Mice and Men* THE KING'S. Olga Petrova is the star in the Mietro picture, "The Silence Sellers," which. Is the principal theme at the King's Theatre. Newton, this evening. A good supporting list is in evide!#.'e. THE WEST END. To-day at the West End Theatre the beautiful screen star, Miss Blanche- Sweet, is heroine in the film," Those Witfcorrt SinJ'a pretty tale of great appeal. "Ehe usual news films and comedies are included wltJB the support*. OTHER PICTURE EN"TBSRTAXNaUBNT6At the Arcadia Theatre again to-nigßt the current bill is built up rounii "The Primitive Call," a Fox study. "The -Secret of Eve," a goodj Metr* photo-play, Introduces Olga Petrowa in • thrilling role. The Victoria neadliner is "'The Weaker Sex," a story with Louise Glau_i, -Dorotaj Dalton, and Charles Ray In the stellar roles. "LOOK WHO'S HERE." Something new Is ever acceptable noondays, and in this respect •'•Look; Who's Here," which is to he presented by Mr Jack WaUer at -His Majesty's Theatre on Saturday nest, promises to ibe distinctly acceptable. The production comes h«re with an enviable reputation earned during a twenty weeks' season in Sydney, and latterly at the Grand Opera Book, Wellington, where the company provied eminently successful. Among other Kerns to he introduced ln the programme during the company's local season are "On Board the Pianola," "Ragtime Operas," "One Minute Plays and Dramas," and the famous "1812 Overture," which has created such a sensation wherever performed. In thje "1812" item, no less than four pianos axe 'used. In conjunction with the famous Purple Band, and a prologue Is given, in which Jack Waller figures as Napoleon. The} setting of '-"Look Who's Here" is a distinctly novel one, the colour scheme being carried pot entirely in black and white, and tfce main scene is a "futurist" representation of Pierrot land. There are twenty-five artists In the production, including Jack: WaUer, Wylie Watson, Pred Dennett {the vthree of whom will be remembered by their caph_ rendering of the Hungarian band burlesque), Cecilia Gold, Gregory Ivanoff (the celebrated Russian musician), WRI Hender Ada Smart, Marjorie Sims, Patsie HiU, and Dorothy. Dick, and Leslie White, a trio or dancers who introduce a remarkably clever dancing novelty. Tuesday- nest * the day set down for the opening of the -box plans for-the first four nights of the season, the location being at Wildaonn and „Ui 3 i Ullns °? rts,t oC th * -company presented S6 ° f *«»«»»»* wrBH be