AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 167, 15 July 1918, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS.

'•THE KING DOXS." A packed ■ house witnessed. Saturdaj • night's performance of "The Blug Boys Art L tllere" at His Majesty's Theatre. The 1 whole production is staged on an unusually - lavish scale, and the company Includes such = general favourites as Minnie love. Jack - Cannot, ami Leslie Holland. T3ie revue will 5 be staged again to-night. 3 THE NATIONAL THEATItE. A cast of unusual strength surrounds Miss l Vivian Martin in her latest Paramount pror ducUon, -The Sunset Trail," created bj i Lasky. and showing now at the National , Theatre. Although in the opening scene-' : of this tale .Miss Martin runs about bare--1 booted, clad in overalls, later, on in the l story she wears many beautiful gowns It , has been given out that "The Sunset Trail" I was chosen especially for the winsome star t because it was so appropriate to hei I abilities. The heroine of the tale is Bess i Aiken, a mountain girl whose mother runs i away. She herself longs for the glamour of [ city life, and follows her parent. Then the • two are plunged into intrigue, lor which the . mother herself, an ex-actress, is really . responsible. Camilla is the mother's name. . sue sees love for a particular man growing , in rue heart of her daughter, and determines I to put a stop to it, for it would, if allowed . to go on. probably bring a stop to all her . own intrigues. Therefore she brings about a very unpleasant situation for Bess who . finite herself, quite by accident, in the ; midst of one of her mother's "affairs " She takes blame upon herself in order to shield her mother, ami, then, disillusioned and unhappy, decides to set out and seek her > former quiet mountain home. But Camilla ■ realises the injustice she has done to Bess, : and before it is too lae 2 she makes repara- • tion This Is the kernel of tn story, upon \ which the fllni does not altogether depend. ; *or the very best of the dramatic positions are really extraneous to the primary plot itself, and the settings and general scenery ' leave little to be desired. As a picture. ■ ~lhe Sunset Trail" is beautiful with the I beauty that is always found in Paramount pictures, and as a story it is interesting, I being well acted by a cast who use their several parts sincerely. "The Bell Boy " supporting comedy, has the funman Fatty : Arbuckle as its primary mirth-producer, and 1 there is also a series of topical themes. '■ THE TIYOLI THEATJIE. ' Tiw i ! r> -rh' ara " s the =«"«>• to the • in oil iheatie. This week the famous little . star has vie nrst part of "A JHouiauce or tne Kcdwouds," a aeveu-part Paramount play ,"£ Artcraft. In Its nist scenes there is , sue wn a good deal of natural grandeur, I Aiary is shown lirst as an unspoiled country lassie, wlio has to live practically aioue ; with father and mother, ilers is rather a. wihtlul existence, for hex only diversions I are solitary ones. Then she is transported . into the artuiuiai glamour of the city and there finds things so utterly diitercut that ; she is lost lor a time. But not for long. , Her spirit has been unspoiled, and, though . subject to harsh restrictions, nevertheless she continues to extract a good deal of pleasure out of life. Then she falls in love and is called upon to make heavy saeri- . hces Indeed to save the uaiiffc of her sweet.heart. This she does entirely willingly, though her efforts' very nearly approach disastrous results for herself. But with its pathos, and its many appealing situations, the story as told is surpassingly sweet. It • suits the special gifts of the little heroine, for she has the knack of bringing most of the appealing human things from the clouds of gloom that are so olten present. "A Romance of the Redwoods" loses nothing of its promise in the screening. Its title alone must conjure visions of dainty, lovely , things, and the producers—Artcraft have taken full advantage of their opportunities by surrounding the tale with a romantic atmosphere. THE STRAND THEATRE. • "The Floor Below" is a line story and a fine picture, but this is not the main point regarding it. It is also a Uoldwyn, but > even this is not the most interesting thing. ! What makes a feature of unusual appeal is the fact that Mabel Normand, after an : absence from the screen of nearly two years, reappears to delight Dominion audi- . euces. Her charming work as "Keystone" ; comedienne is vividly remembered, and in ; •'The Floor Below" she comes back with all • her old charm, plus much finer artistry, and in addition proves herself something of -an emotional' actress. ."The Flooc-lielow" is a story of a newspaper's girl who Bets discharged for skylarking, but is given another chance, provided «he can achieve a difficult commission for her paper. What this commission is need not be told. Suffice that it leads her into some very dramatic situations, In which love plays an important part. The story is Rood, ■ holding the interest at a high tension right through, and with sufficient humour to give Mabel full scope in this direction. In the emotional field she proves herself a finished and appealing personality. The picture Is, from all points of view, a memorable one. The other films are In accord with the standard set by the feature. They include all the themes that go for popularity to-day. THE PRINCESS. 'Earle 'Williams, with Grace Darmond and many another brilliant Vitagraph player, comes again before Auckland picture people in "An American Live "Wire," a drama which has pride of place this week under the Princess banner. It is interesting all the way through, and often pretty. The supports deserve attention, too. THE QUEEN'S. "Little Red Decides** is the head name of the feature picture which brings Barbara Connelly before Queen's patrons again. This week this picture will rule the programme, which has such themes as "The Great Secret," Metro serial, among Its supports. THE OPERA HOUSE. Winifred La France is one of the leading lights on the new variety programme due to open at Fuller's Opera House to-night. She has new songs and new scenes in this new act of hers, and is backed by Billy and Tony Wells in tumbling scenes, and by other variety artists. The Haveriy Irish Players are destined to put on the comedy "Murphy Marooned," which, is described as a vivid mixture of mirth. EVERYBODY'S PICTURES. The World studios are represented again this week at Everybody's Theatre, for the feature there has Alice Brady in the premier part, and has itself the title "The Spurs of Sybil." The treatment of the story is more or less novel, and in effect it combines drama with humour and romance. The leading lady has many chances to indulge all her whims in this picture, and she holds her part with much sympathy and insight. The settings lend a pretty atmosphere to the play, which -concerns principally one Sybil Drew, a poor relation of rich folk. She considers it necessary for herself to go out to work and earn her own living, but her good intentions are led wofully and. rather dramatically astray before it is proven wholly to her that her charms alone and not her efforts, can lead her along to happiness. The story is rather well told, and the material for the plot has been fitted in with the settings in quite a brilliant fashion. The supporting pictures are good in themselves, and they cover a wide range of subjects. THE KING'S THEATRE. The amusement provided by' the Merrymakers at the King's Theatre this week is divided into two dissimilar halves. First this merry company present what they call a "yokel revue," and entitle it "Fun in the •Cornfields." It is a clever comedy, with a series of clever scenes that carry interest all the time. With duets, trios and one or two line vocal solos to interrupt the cascade of fun, the playlet was much appreciated by the crowded house. Indeed, the success of this revue during Saturday will surely carry it through the week. The second part of the entertainment consists of varied numbers, just as usual, though, of course, the numbers themselves are new. They include eccentric dancing, vocal and instrumental music, and several neat illusions by Sigmah, another clever magician. The entertainment is" very good. It runs all this week THE LYRIC. The first of the film themes on this week's programme at the Lyric has name "The Spurs of Sybil," and is an interestins dramatic story made ready for screening by World. Its heroine is Alice Brady, who plays with power and charm. She is backed by a competent cast, which works under cleverly-designed settings, and carries interest through a rather powerful plot to a surprise ending. The other pictures are right op to. standard. THE BRITANNIA. Francis X. Bushman is one of the bestknown Metro stars. His part is cast as the hero of "Red, White and Bine Blood," which is now the feature film at the Britannia Theatre. .. . THE PALACE. The Palace Theatre has as headliner "The Woman In White," a splendid strong human story that has been adapted for screen purposes from- the original novel by Wllkie Collins. Florence La Badie, well known for powerful acting, plays as heroine in this dramatic romance. The other picture themes on this bill cover much ground. _ ■

THE GRAND THEATRE. "Sylvia, of the Secret Service." a Pa the picture that combines in stirring style mystery, adventure, drama, love and pretty nearly everything else in the way of motive power, is in. season at the Grand y Theatre now. with Irene Castle as its c versatile star. The piny is presented with c a brilliant flnisli. There is a show of spletiy I did costumes, and there are exciting inclh dents galore. The producers have much k material in this tale, and they have U accepted it aIL. working all the different complications neatly into the general plot. Among th« supporting lilms may be seen "The Double Cross," a mystery serial tunr s is now in its ninth chapter, anil also an 1 instalment of •"The llistorv of the War" " nlui. fj TILE GLOBE. s "Britain Prepared" is n picture which ~ reviews the splendid strength of England's c fighting forces, -both on land and sea, and t it is drawing some popular attention to the .' Globe Theatre, where it runs now tlirougn r a n-.turn season. It shows the new army r in the making, and its scenes of the machines of warfare take the audience ° over a thriUlug review o£ Britain's great Grand Fleet in battle order. c ■ THE EMPRESS. c To-night fche new Empress change makes y its first appearance. Tucre is a line elec- " tion .of interesting subjects, with Mary g Pickford as the Topmost player. This s darling of the people is presented as the ri pretty little kilted heroine of the Scottish r picture, -The Pride of the Clan." This t plot is very Interesting, and its romantic 0 action is backed by settings that are m appealing indeed. The secondary sube jects on this -bill are also good. J THE ARCADIA. r Change day at the Arcadia to-day. a Marguerite Fischer is Ihe new .star. "Miss . Jackie of .the Navy" is the name of her . Picture. ■ this being the hendllner. The aim a is described as a comedy-drama, anil it 1 has seven thousand feet. Its incidents 3 cover a multitude of humorous things, and £ it runs to powerful sensations between Its laughter spasms. In support there are ; topical and comedy items. a VICTORIA THEATRE. ' n 711 ? H lß ' of the sessions picturing Miss ■ Bessie Love as the heroine of the iiead- ■• .I 1 ' ' A ., Siser of six ." occurs at the Vice toria n! Theatre, Devonpbrt, this evening. f The picture is by Triangle, and is well sup--1 ported. Change of bill to-morrow. THE WEST END. Strong supports aid "The Ilopper" to c make its name at the West End Theatre again to-night. "The Hopper" is a tale a of mystery, following the misfortunes of . Sing. successive o,v " «f a Uiystcrioua VAGABONDS' ENTERTAINMENT. I .J I **,?, Va S-Jonds' performance to-night at - the Town Jtiali In am of the Navy League i *£T** t be a f a uuusu ' l ' prosnS: 1 ""* wIU be nc-w to i a,,<1l and uiucJi of the c C "° te . to be Performed by its com- • posers. - As 'Vagabond" McElwain is £ CITY ORGAN RECITAL. 1 irtv^n 0 municipal organ recital was - fuZrnn fcaturuav and attracted a , """icrous auuitiuc-e. It opened with J i'ouikes' "CMUion,"" , which wi's Ü brillU_a? s Sli^r , "V 1 goOd U3e was m:ltl e ol Uie camions. Lyons "Impromptu" was ele- • ganUy rendered, and Borow__'s -i'occaui" ironi his hist suite was given with facility { of linger and accuracy of pedalling. Gull--3 mauts "^"P.^ 1 March" served *-ell to k display the richness of the organ and its , variety of registering, whilst tenderly » treated, was the subsequent "Elevation " j and a clear and concise delivery was a obtained of the same author's Fugue in D 3 Alajor. A Verdi selection, Wely's. "Pastorale" : and Lemmen's "Fanfare" were other pleasingly executed items, Miss Lalla Knight was heard to advantage in SchLra's "Soi;nai," Phillips' "String of Pearla," and "St. 1 Nicholas Day," Mr WhiUaker being the t accompanist. t The Brat of a series of monthly afternoon . recitals In the Town Hall will be given on i Wednesday nest, at three o'clock. The City » I Organist will play organ works by Lyou, > MalUy, and Wolstenholme. Miss Italia _- Knight will be the vocalist. '.Chere will be no charge for admission. [ THE ENGLISH PIERROTS. •ii T he ver musical combination— the Engf lish Pierrots— have toured the • Dominion on several • occasions, are again - announced to visit New Zealand, and will 1 ™. ake first appearance of the season at l the Town Hall on Saturday next Their t repertoire is extensive, and many of the I . , features have been written by the members j of the company—of which there are ten i performers, comprising singers and racon- ; teurs. The male members are as last sea- , eon, including the droll comedian W. P. I ; Turner, Charles Lawrence in his musical - ] monologues at the piano, Leslie Austin 1 (light comedian), Hoy Cooke (basso), David , Lyle (tenor), Louis Mitchell (baritone). The . I ladies Include the popular comedienne, Miss > ] EUa Langley, and Miss Biliie Wilson, in her i ' wonderful child impersonations, and two . I new members, Miss Elsie Rosslyn, soprano, and Miss Rima Young, at the piano. Notwithstanding these times of stress and 1 strain, music, mirth, and merriment are a , necessity, and the Pierrots are doing some- ■ I thing to drive dull care away. Fun and i , frolic and quaint concerted singing are in- ' eluded in every programme. The voices of ■ the English Pierrots have created the most ■ favourable comment, for although the work of the company is mostly .humorous, the vocal standard has been kept v up to a high level, so that in the humorous concerted ; -work not only the lighter vein is touched, ' ', but the musical taste is appealed to as well. 1 i The box plan opens at Wildman and Arey's II on Thmsday next.