AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 12, 14 January 1918, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS.

"THE SPY SYSTEM." • "The Spy System," a photo-play revealing some of tlie lessons which we, as well as America uud other countries ol! the fentoute, have learut from war preparation, can be well calculated to command attention at present. "The Spy System" was lnitiully presented to large and appreciative attendances at Ills Majesty's Theatre on Saturday afternoon and evening. This wonderful picture, In seven reels, is a cinematograph triumph, timely lv its appeal to patriotic sentiment of the moment, while the theme is propounded ou perfectly rational and practical lines. The strong clement ot drama which permeates the production shows how v yunug American of Boclul rank suddenly realises the grayo danger which menaces his native land, and decides to go to Germany, and, us an attache of the Embassy and diplomatic service, to secure valuable Information for Congress, aud particularly to obtain the book which contains the list of names of spies In German employ In tlie United States. The picture describes his mission very faithfully. The patriot delves Into the Inner aud upper circles of Potsdam — and meets a young German woman who bus becu commissioned to spy upon him. They fall in love with each other, the woman rejects the Kaiser's work, aud together, as man and woman, they defy the wrath aud torture of Pnisslanlsni, and make the greatest sacrifice, after attaining the object ot their intrusion ln the heart of Germany. A most affecting period of the drama is that where the cruelty and utter barbarism of the Uun is displayed, "Where justice pleads In valu and mercy bides ber hand." The tragic story unfolded again impresses upon us the treachery of tho German military power, and the unscrupulous methods adopted with tho aim of aggression aud sheer domination. Pustln Farnum dives a remarkably flue portrayal of the star role, and Is nbly supported by Winifred Kingston as the beroiue. Other leads in the dramatisation of Mr George BronsonHoward's sensational drama are taken by Wm. Burress, Charles Clary, Howard Gaye and Wm. E. Lowry. The staging, dressing and appointments are excellent, the acting realistic and the photography faultless. A diverting comedy precedes the title picture.

OPERA HOUSE. The Fuller management present a new vaudeville bill nt the Opera House this evening, when several new artists will appear, including Brown and Nowmau •(dnucers), and Dozey nnd Doura . (Oriental acrobats). Tho Les Bates Revue Company, which has been retained for a further fortnight, will appear in a new piece, entitled "Fun In a Studio." THE TIVOLI. Tho new star fllm shown nt the Tivoll Theatre on Saturday night was quite out of tho usual order of things of picture plays, and met with a very hearty reception. The title la "Tho Call of the East," and the plot Is laid ln Japan, the leading part being entrusted to the popular Japanese actor. Sessuo Hayakawa. The story Is laid amongst magically beautiful Japanese scenery of coast, mountain and forest, and the plot Is full enough of romantic adventure to satisfy tho most exacting. The hero is a half-caste Japanese-American named Hepburn, who falls ln love with and übducts the sister of a Japanese Count. Matters are complicated by the arrival of nepburn's sister Sheila, who feels the "call of the East" in her blood, and becomes enamoured. oX the Count. The scene of action is transferred to an Island which Hephurn has thought to be a secure retreat, but which proves to contain the count's ancestral castle. The plot naturally thickens, but after some exciting incidents In the castle dungeons matters are satisfactorily settled. The Tivoll orchestra plays some very npproprlato music, including selections from "Madame Butterfly" and "The Mikado." Thcro Is an.excellent supporting programme.

THE STRAND. The fascinating Miss Olive Thomas is tbe star this week at the Strand Theatre ln "Broadway Arizona," a double-title which describes sufficiently the location of the story. "Miss Thomas appears In a role which she filled In real life until her meteoric rise into the film flrmament—that of a premiere danseuse ln a Broadway roof garden. The other character Is a cowboy millionaire, who proposes to the stage butterfly and has a heartless joke played upon him with the assistance of a wily Press agent on the lookout for advertising "copy" for tho star. Tho Wosterncr is a hit too smart for Broadway, as It turns out, and almost beforo she knows It the fair one finds herself abducted nnd dropped down amongst the cowboys, lariats, corrals, mesas, and other features of tho Arizona landscape. Thoro she llnds life rather different from that of Broadway, but not less exciting, and there nre developments of an emotional and ultimately sentimental character, such at the audience has no doubt anticipated. Tho Broadway scenes and the heroine's dresses are on a remarkable scale of mngnlflcencp. Another chapter of "The Secret Kingdom" serial is included In tho programme.

EVERYBODY'S. i "Bought and Paid For," the drama of a mercenary marriage, is the attraction at Everybody's Theatre this week. The film, which t-.i a. "World" production, with Miss Alice Brady and Mr Montague Love In the principal roles, Is based on the highly successful stage play of the name name, in which Miss Muriel Starr gained such n success both in Australia nnd New Zealand some time ago. The action of the piece abounds In dramatic situations. The wife, who has been her wealthy Husband's typist, soon finds that he Is a slave to liquor, and Miss Brady admirably portrays her anguish at tho dlscovory, her steadily greater loathing for the man who boasts that he has bought her, and that she Is only one of his chattels. The development of tho tragic nnlon Is shown unsparingly, and the portrait of the vicious husband is an excellent. If unattractive one. "iRC.B__.SON CRUSOE." Children, and grown-up- as well, will find much of the greatest interest in '\Roblnson Crusoe," which Is holng shown every afternoon nt the Tivoll Theatre. The Mm version does full justice to the famous old story, which is as good a recommendation as can be given It. TUB GRAND. "My Old Dutch," a cosier film-play, with Albert Chevalier, tlie world-famous coster comedian, Ju the principal role, is being shown at the Grand Theatre this week. Ihe play Is founded on a popular song of the same nunc, and Its scenes .are a happy blending of real and the conventional coster manners and customs. The song, with Its accompanying recitation, Is performed twice, each evening by Mr. Alan McElwain, the well-known local entertainer. Included in tlie programme is another chapter of the exciting war spy serial, "The Secret- of the Submarine." also a capital comedy, "The College Girls." THE LYRIC. Two. star ljuns are Tunning at the Lyric Theatre just now—"Robinson Crusoe" each afternoon for the benefit of the little folk, and the World drama "Bought apd Paid For" each evening. The picture version of Defoe's classic is au almost ideal embodiment of the form with which the average hoy's imagination clothes the incidents which make up the story. Tho scenes on the tropical isle 'In actuality the coast of Florida) are wonderfully beautiful, and the historical detnll is all quite correct. "Bought and Paid. For," grim tragedy as it is, makes a strong -appeal to adult members. It is founded upon the play in which Miss Muriel iStarr appeared ,vith m-uch success some time ago. THE ICING'S. A double attraction is provided at tlie King's Theatre this week—-Albert Chevalied ln -the coster play, "My Old Dutch," and Olga d*etrova In "The Silence 'Sellers," a drama dealing with blackmail as practised by certain American "society" papers. Mme. Petrova has -plenty of scope for her talents, and interest is added by the remarkable Ingenuity with which the. plut is developed. THE ARCADIA. A jungle piny entitled "The 'Primitive Cull " Is the principal Hem on the Arcadia Theatre programme to-day. Wild animals are very much utilised in the piece, which ought to make v special appeal .to the children. The eighth erpisode of the serial "The Purple Donilao " ia also shown. i THI. GLOBE. Tlie double bill at the Globe Theatre this week includes "Man and His Soul," a Metro feature drama In which the popular star Francis X. Bushman has tlie leading role. The other drama Is "Mice and Men," featuring Alice Joyce. THE PRINCESS. Emmy Wehlen in the fine Western play. "The Trail of the Shadow." is drawing good houses at the Princess Theatre. THE EMPRESS. •The Foundling," featuring the everpopular Mary Pickford, will be shown at the Empress Theatre lor tbe nest three nights, ...._., v .

THE QUEEN'S. The society drama, "The Alabaster Box," featuring Alice .Joyce. Is the «tar film at the Queen's Theatre thin week. OTHER PICTURE ENTERTAINMENTS. "The Hidden -Spring," v Metro film, starring Harold Lockwood, is the chief attraction at rhe Britannia Theatre, Three Uainps. "The Weaker Sex." a picture with three stars, Dorothy Dalton, Louise Glaum, and Charles Ray. will be shown at the Victoria Theatre, Devonport, to-uight.