AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 149, 24 June 1918, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS.

___ THE NATIONAL PICTURES. The best Fox picture that has been here for quite a while is "To Honour and Obey," :i live-reel offering at the National Theatre. .Miss Gladys Broekwcll is amply endowed with natural ability to picture the more than superliciai emotions of the human heart, and she makes a real human character stand forth, giving it a tense dramalie distinctness. _ "To Honour and Obey" has a swift action that runs past, a clear background. The big thing ill this picture is the story's motion, Its movement. There ure two vision scenes in this lilm. and they are both worked nut clearly and well. In the tlrst. the hero (Charles Clary) keeps looking at his plate, while the longed-for :;Irl he loves takes a seat at table with Jiliu for just a vision's brief moment. At another puiut the girl (Gladys Broekwcll) sees licr husband, the villain (Bertram Crassby), nfter he has confessed to embezzlement. She sees him in a vision wearing convict stripes, and she turns away with horror. There are in the Story Italian] and Patton, villain and hero, who each love Lorrie, the girl. She accepts the villain, and all his Weaknesses combine to make life bad for lier. The plot goes on to show how Hallain, ruined, goes to bis former rival Patton, of whom he is still very jealous, and asks him to manipulate things so that all will be well. Patton does so. and, In place of being grateful, liallain conjures his mind to Hnd nit why P.-itton has done this for him. He linds what he thinks is the true reason, and henceforth his senseless jealousy fastens itself upon bis wife, whom he thinks has u-Iven Patton n price to be merciful to her husband. Of course it is all untrue, all groundless suspicion, but because of it Hallain Is shown up in his true colours, life Is made distinctly unpleasant for both Patton and Lorrie, and several scenes oi tense gravity ruuud off the story to a eon-,lus-lon that is real and human. 1 " Honour and Obey" is interesting rifeht. It-rough, and it has the advantage of 1... ; i,,g no far-fetched Incidents Al that * pictured is eminently "f ,„''".. irehestra. , m __ vou _ To-day and all tut «« M «'^ prouilse ot Liking tue public tho TIVOU will open ""_£"*„*- Sec screening besides the usual evening *-- •rl"S"S."!-S!S''S."""'» th" title o this Pickford picture. IbU heme wad tlrst brought »« u» a no>U then It tried with very muc> ?"""» is a .lay- -"-*•» It has conic along at, lv the movie world, and Mary has been •lven Uie title role. It is with her child roles that Ul« I'ieUford has made not of her reputation and --Rebecca is aTO • ■irl rather restricted lv nor iimm-.vi . amusements by all the worthJ S*>™» * then out into the roads of life. throu S l ' n rough novitiate Into womanhood. RlS» <■ through the film special opportunities are undo to give Miss Pickford a chance to play all those winsome tricks which ■J**" made her so universal a favourite. There hii « -"v -laduess. a whimsical touch that is "pleasant in her work as llebecea aud her tine play <•£ the manners and dreams of a sentimental little >-*<»■*;»£ will surely awaken sympathy. llebc ca of Sunuyj.rook Farm" will please the girts aud delight the matrons. It will teach the youths a good deal they do not know about iove. and it will make the old men dream of the days of their glory. THE STRAND 'ITIFJITRE. . "Empty Pockets," at the Strand, is a lilm that will net the people thinking. in its very first scenes it makes a myster? that seem* all but insoluble. Then It switches back Into earlier events, and traces a. tale which drops several clues that makes this mystery all the more enchanting. It depends wholly upon the wav iv which these little Incidents arc taken as to which of five different redheaded girls is proven guilty of a crime. it Is rather neatly set, this "Empty Pockets" tale, ami In Its scene* are many striking contrasts, going from slum m palace and bark again. Its four principal stars are Ketty Galauta, Barbara Castleton, Malcolm Williams, and Bert Lytell, but there are many other diameters shown In lesser parts, for the talc covers a great many of the deeper human emotions. 'I he title is quite suggestive, too, for all the motives that appear in plot are due to empty pockets and the hope of lucre. This is why a girl Is kidnapped. And that is also why one or the abductors, in the process of prizing money from a millionaire, lets slip the plot, and gives him a chance to rescue the girl. But it is not because of empty pockets that the millionaire meets his death. That Is only an Incident that complicates .natters. As a picture "F.mpry Pockets" Is rather good. It Is clear aim picturesque, and Its plot Is well done. it. is adapted from the book by Unpen Hughes. The other films on the bill Include comedies and topical subjects. OPERA IKH'SK. To-night at Fuller's Opera House a new variety bill wIU be staged. 'Hie llaverley Irish Players are putting on the revue "Murphy's Night Out," which is described as a laughable comedy adventure. The principals here are supported by the Kcwplc Kids, a band of eight chorus, girls who appear in this play with several neat and original ballets. For the other half or | the night's entertainment there is a turn 'by F. 0.11. and partner, evidently a pair who are travelling Incognito, but who put on a rarely good number. THE PRINT ESS. | "The C-all of Her People" is the current j head-liner at the Princess. It Is a special j Metro drama, Willi many a turn aud twist that brings a rare degree of Interest to its plot. Miss Ethel Barrymore has put a great deal of life and vivaclousness Into her part as heroine here, aud she has made it into a realistic 'human study. As the girl in "The Call of Her People" Miss llarryiuore has done by far the best work she ever did. The supports are Interesting. THE KING'S. The mysterious Hindoo magician Omah started, out on Saturday evening at the King's Theatre with a new series of juggleries. He made an escape from a roped and fastened lx>x. He is one of the Merrymakers Company at this theatre, and they are staging each night tjils week an amusing entertainment. 'Besides the feats of the magician, there is a comedy, "The Wrong Man," that is highly diverting. It centres around the awful experiences of an inoffensive little clergyman. Will Beresford, popular baritone singer, is in good voice now, and hue an appreciative auoience. There Is a native dancer, who goes by the name of llqui. .H-ula. She is clever. Miss iMnrlcl Esmond as a sonbrettc, Mise Beryl Taylor as an Eastern dancer. Eddie HSd-inonds, eccentric comedian, and Norman Bassett, Irish comedian, also contribute a j great deal to the enjoyment of the audi-! ence. There are pictures as well, and the vaudeville is rather good. Each evening this week the programme will be In season. THE GLOBE. The Triangle feature "A Gamble in j Souls" 'has pride of place on the current Globe programme this week. Dorothy iDalton has the -big feminine role, and she is assisted by William Desmond. "The Pawnbroker" stars Charlie Chaplin, and is included iv tho supports. THK PALACE. I "Betsy Ross" is an historical talc, with a tense dramatic Interest and many scenes that are beautiful. It is the current Palace head-liner. It Is a particularly good World picture, with Miss Alice Brady in the first part. "Betsy Ross" has to do with American affairs many years ago, and from every point of view it is of the greatest interest. | The supports are very good, and so is the ! music. I EMPRESS THEATRE. There is realism aud almost a glut ot ' thrills In the sympathetic World version of I Larry Evans' story "Then I'll Come Back to You," as screened at the top of the new Empress bill to-night. Alice Brady plays heroine in this romance, which Is i supported by a chapter ot "The .Secret Kingdom" serial. BRITANNIA. i A three-feature programme of pictures commences its three-day season at the Britannia Theatre to-night. "The Dancer's PerU" is a drama by World, with Miss AUce Brady as the star. Mary Anderson is the heroine of "Sunlight's Last Raid," and Charlie Chaplin hops about in his wellknown style iv the comedy "The Woman." OTHER PICTURE ENTERTAINMENTS. Margery WiLsou plays on the West End j screen for the last time to-night in I ■■Mountain Dew." Charlie Chaplin also appears there in "The Fireman." ] Again at the Victoria r.o-nigut Margery Wilson and Enid (Bennett play in -The [ Mother Instinct," by Triangle, j

"COME -INSIDE." 'j On Saturday evening at His Majesty's Theatre the Sydney .fume's New Revue Company, which includes (he popular Royal i Strollers, will present "Come • Inside." It is described as a real up-to-date revue. Every brunch or the legitimate stage,, from I voice trials to grand opera, is cleverly 1 burlesqued. On,, moment it Is melodrama. * followed by vaudeville, comic opera, pan- < tomiiiie. and so on through the whole ' evening, and il is claimed that the result < is hat all tastes are entered for and every- ' body satisfied, (if Sydney James the Syd- ' new "Theatre Magazine" says: "Our own < I'lincli'slon respecting the head of the Royal ' Strollers Is that lie Is the mosl versatile, ' highly gifted comedian-entertainer Alls- ' ' tralia has ever seen." Nearly all of the ' original Strollers are making a return visit, I and the Other' members of the big company ; are new to this country, and come with ' excellent reputations. The Auckland sea- ! son is limited to seven nights, and the box I plan opens at Wildmau and Arey's on j Thursday morning. t BODY'S THEATRE.. i Miss .lime Flvidgo is the star of the I: screen at' Everybody's this week. She is a dainty World player, and her part is i e.'int in the latest World play "The Mar- i riage Market." Not often does a live-part picture show so much life and lire as this one. for the producers have handled a ' wealth of plot material with care and cunning, so that everything is natural. The difficulty of having to,, milch In it plot is . apparent, and it is only by skill —sheer | skill -that the producers can avoid the appearance of forcing with;-, a play such a* . •this. Yet they have dime so. "The:. Marriage -Market" is quite a strong play. ! that Introduces a variety of pleasing scenes. It deals with a bargain a girl makes to save her father. 'Hie father ' dies, thus making (be girls sacrifice «f no avail, but she sticks lo her bargain. Really ,i she has sold herself, and has a harsh time. ; The tale is very interesting, and is ably supported by both pictures and music. THE LYRIC. The headline.- at. the Lyric Is "Empty Pockets." n First National picture with a fine mystery story miming through it. The -lilm is interpreted with unusual clarity, and Its Kt'torv Introduce* a number of types. with many diverse emotions. Its supports and music are good. In aid of the Navy League funds, there will be a matinee shewing at this theatre on Wednesday afternoon. THE (JI'EIWS. "Real Tolks" is a Triangle picture with a winning story, and many scenes of a peculiar Interest. I. has a strong cast, with Barney Sherry at the head, and it is full of "and action. The supports Include a chapter or the Metro serial "The Great Secret.'' THE ARCADIA. In six reels the Mutual drama "Faith" is attracting a considerable attention at the Arcadia Theatre. The lilm. with Mary Miles Mlnter as its heroine, commences its run tills afternoon, and will be in season at both sessions each day till Thursday. It has a pretty story, and has been pictured in an interesting fashion. It is supported by a tlrst-class bill of secondary subjects. THE GRAND. "TheVrc Off," n thrilling play of the races, and a girl's love, features Miss Enid Itemiett at the Grand Theatre now. The play Is by Triangle, and has a spectacular value which Is quite apart from lis worth as a film and the action of Its story. Yet: another on this programme introduces Charlie Chaplin in a new farcecomedy. "■llls New' Job." and in .-111111111.11 to thlK there is an Instalment of the serial drama "The Double Grose."' PATRIOTIC CONCERT. A very successful concert was given in St. Thomas' Hall, New I.ynn, on Saturday evening by the Cniflin' Concert Company in lid of the fundK of the New Lynn Patriotic Society. A crowded audience listened to a 1 splendid programme, many encores being demanded. The following contributed to the programme:— MJtMes Lilils Walker, . Madge Stubbs. Bene Harrison. Messrs Will , Harris. 11. Clarke, Wlglitiiian MeCoiube. I Miss M. Henderson was accompanist. CITY ORGAN RECITAL. There was a large attendance at the Town Hall organ recital on Saturday even- I ing. The completeness of the citizens' line ' Instrument, with its 3272 separate pipes , and accessories,- enabled Mr Harnett to ob--'----tain any effort he desired, orchestral or otherwise, llorowski's "Man-lie Suleunellc," I with lbs telling dissonances and massive j harmonies, -was wolldly performed, and deli- ' L-ately handled was the inner movement. Wolstenholuie's "Question and -Answer" was artistically rendered ou the soft registers, as was also Nevlns* "Good Night" and the reclLilist's "Allegretto." The gamban, volx celeMtes, and harmonic flute, with soft, bourdon pedal, made an ideal combination for the delicate reading which was given of Bonnet's "Clair tie Lane." . Orchestrally treated was Sibelius "Finlaudia": tin- reeds in the eolo organ were 1 heard to tine purpose in the reiterated i chords of the allegro and In the finale, whilst tile clarionets and flutes on the choir organ, coupled to swell diapasons and reeds and the gamlia on the great, with subictave. made effective registerlngs to display the different moods of the music. I Vierne's "Finale" received a brilliant | rending, and full use was made of the ■ splendid pedal organ, the recital terminating -with a majestic performance of l.emmi'iis' "Grand Choenr." Maseheroni's "Where Roses" and Lohr's "I Dream" and '-Star of the South" -were effectively de- . livered by Madam -Ceeile Stephano, Mr Whittaker being the accompanist.