AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 245, 14 October 1918, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS.

THE NATIONAL THEATRE. Every scat in the National Theatre was tilled on Saturday eveniug, aud the picture programme there, wilh its two twin features, was well received. "A Branded Soul," the Pox release, in which Miss Gladys Urockwell plays the big part, 111 theme in five reels that hi thoroughly satisfactory both as a story and as a picture. St Cecilia is the character upon which the narrative is based, though iLs heroine is not the saint herself, but a pretty little girl who has all the gentle characteristics of the notable lady. There is an interesting human record of a dramatic love inserted in the laic, which goes on to show the dilemma with which a loving lady Is faced ami the manner in which circumstances free her. "Miss U.S.A." is a drama set Iv more stirring events. It is a five-reel military story. with a woman again as the central figure. I-'irst there was a yoiins couple They had n pretty little baby daughter, and I lien (hey died. Tbe uncle of the little baby hired a nurse lo lake it away and kill it. but the nurse has a heart, and simply hid the child in theslums. When Ibe baby grew inlo a woman she fonnd out about all these things, and also discovered that her wicked uncle was plotting against her country- The story is often left for what may be called sideissues- but. never could (he audience I"* other 'than pleased because of them, for they bring i;i nil sorts of thrilling military incidents, and throw an illuminating litrht on the mysteries of the German spy system, and the still more mysterious ways by which it is being fooirht. Resides the two features therb is a Mutt nnd .Toff comedy called "Rack i-*rom I he Balkans." The mnsieal programme at this theatre is delightful.

TI VOL[ THEATU'H. The power of the drama -The Keys of I the Righteous," showing at the Tivoii | Theatre, is such that few people will be j able to see it without .-nrrying a-way a ■ vivid memory of its .wonderful imtlios and I appeal. It required an actress of Altogether exceptional personality to take the big part iv this super-drama, iiml wheu the lilmtnakers chose Enid Bennett for the part they acted only after she had fully proved her a-billty t" realise all the pusKilillirlee of the cbara. The story is that of a girl who light:- terrible odds in an attempt Lo bring her l'.ither back from evil, drinksodden babies to a clean life. In the beginning the man runs away from his home ,md parents with a circus Lady. I-ater he ;ont his wife home, and a little girl was born. When the man himself returned to his home he was refused shelter, and htid to go ba-k to the wild life that he Had been used to. Enid iliennett has a peculiar charm of personality, together with the most unusual power of character portrayal, so her interpretation' of the difficult ami hislilv emotional irart is Just right Much of t.he picture is set In very unusual scenes where many striking human types are intrr>duc.-d. The rest of the pro--ramme is entirely admirable. It includes two Paramount G-azettcs-ono Australian •iml the other American -wherein there Is an c-towlinglv interesting budget of news i decidedly unusual and highly amiisiu ~,_,„,,. .-it' X a Great Life. fills In a porlion' of the "Dill. ™c -moll Orcheatra the entertainment.

THE STRAND. -I Want My Children." Tbat is the cry that gives the title for the current Strand headliner, a Triangle picture in wMcJ the principal figures are a husband (William De'mond) aid a wife (Alma Rubens), who begin by having contrary ideas concerning offspring, but after the events of the story heir thoughts upon the question run in harmony. There ia a girl who to to marry a wealthy man. lt is uot a love match merely a "marriage de convenance. line the plans go awry, and Instead the young lady meets, loves and marries a *™P\pminded mining man. The mother of the bride has certain ideas concerning children. This harsh old woman considers they are an unnecessary nuisance, and goes far to imbue her daughter with the same siby ideas She and her husband are at daggers drawn over the issue, for he wants children The attitude of his wife shatters his lofty Id en Is of marriage, and the couple are separated. As the picture continues it is shown how the young wife comes round lo her husband's ways of Thinking, and all ends as it should. "I Want My Children can scareoiv be termed a propagandist pietvre. It tells a story that.Js not rare in real life, and it probes at the question underlying the situation with much delicacy, and a good, clean way of thinking. \s 'an alternative ntle the film is called I 'Master of His House." It Is supported by I interesting themes.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. Al Everybody's The.-tre. "The Moth." a picture with Norma Xalmadge in its leading role, has already been sampled by a generous proportion of the Auekbind public, and has been found very good. "The Moth" is a n.wiotv story by Select, and its interestlng backgrounds are thoroughly in harmony with the sympathetic treatment given its human narrative. Lucy Gillani is a

capricious, heiress who has been pampered and sr>,.il-i. and whoso imagination is so fired by reading Hie oxp'oits of Cleopatra. EnrvpGnn oueen. that she decides to lead

•he same sort of an exotic, bntterfly career. Before the wilful girl gets fairly started on her wav she becomes married to a handsome wnrac man in financial difficulties. He has married her only for the bard cash s-lie hrings to total, for all the time be is infatuated elsewhere. Rut Lucy has some staunch friends, and she tries to flirt with one of them while he is trying to show her the wav to ?.etter things. Then comes a dashing military man bent on conquest, and the voting wife is very, very nearly destroyed like a moil, flickering romol a fire before her two bonny kiddies, a little boy .-in-! a liltle girl, brinz her heart hack t" bedrock. 'Hie picture is a very dainty one indeed thrilling enough for everybody, and telling a really tin- story of wilful ways and dangerous ideas, with the pretty doings of the two little children lightening all the burdens of the wilful woman. The other pictures simply make good background for ibis very fascinating story.

THE GRAND THEATRE. The Grand Theatre this week has another picture that is good, and it is called -Stranded in Arcady." with Mrs Vernon C.-i-.tle arravc.l in all manner of magnificent clothes, the central figure in it. -Srrnnded in Arcidy" is a siory that carries a great weigh! of popular interest, for it has several thrilling spectacles, and the taie is worked up to a d rami tie climax with consummate skill. The sellings arc

fairly good, and all things in 1 lie picture nm 'together to give a hlet 1. h.-rmonlous while. 1" snppcrt \;]? r< ",'"\! "yl Fatal Kins."

TUB GLOBE THEATRE. ••The Greal est Power" is a Metro drama in which Kt.liol P.arrymore is the star. 11 is -the li.adliner a; tlie Globe Theatre Ihis week, and embraces a g I romantic ul-»t with a wealth of interesting incident. I sttiry has been built up In .-ic-onUinee with Hie best of the Metro traditions, and da various problems nil ring true lo life. lns-.mp.--rt of the *?£ r,s«al U ro'und-thVworld U uews and a laughable | comedy picture. THE LYRIC. William Desmond aud Alma Rubens are rhc iwo foremost players In the Triangle feature "I Want My Children,*' which runs now at the bead of the picture programme •it the I.vric Theatre. The film has another title ■Master Of His House.'' and tells rather a powerful story of a difference of oilniou *v young lady is married lo a voting mail. " The husband is under no the"wife Is. tor all the fashions, in word no less than in deed, and thought have been instilled into her brain by the society mother it is her fate to have. When tbe household is s.-t up by this young couple the mother in-lraw practically runs it, and of course her ideas and those ot her sotliii law are as widely different as the polos, -the thinks children are pests. He does noI bnt the "Id woman has influence with her daughter, and so the household splits noou the ,|iiestion. and the husband goes ~a . -k in diM-'iis, to his before- marriage status Ret events so arrange themselves Ilea his beautiful young wile adapts her s.-if to bis own ideas of life, and cm.semiently the breach is healed. But not till the story has taken the spectators through many nn Interesting byway. in support lliere is a "Fatty" Arbuckle comedy.

Till-: PRINCESS. Mary Miles Minter is the bright particular star under the Princess banner this week. She plays heroine in "Barbara Freitchie." n good emotional plctnre based upon an incident of the American Civil War many years ago. The supporting minihers are up to standard, and so is the music.

THE WEST END. The feature of the new hill tonight at the West i-u.I Theatre will be The Whip." tbat stirring yarn of women and horses lhat has been successful wherever it has been cccn. Change lo morrow.

THE . OPERA HOUSE. At Fuller's Opera House to-night then, is to be staged the usual new bill. fjj last of the minstrel entertainments by th» vaudeville troupe that holds the boards („ half the evening will be presented to-nlrtt and during the week, and the remaining porUon of the programme will introduce several new characters. Bessie Lester is a new comedienne, and the Gilfaln comes here with a reputation for their singing and dancing. There arc several other favourites. THE QUEEN - S. "The Interloper" is a World picture that will achieve quite a following at the yueon's Theatre during this week. It i s the tale of a wife whose husband m&a<. clear lo her that he preferred the metnorv of some-body else, bnt the film goes on to show how this order or things was changed Kitty Gordon plays wife. The fourth chars ter of Die serial "The Scarlet Runner," 15 on the same bill.

THE ARCADIA. This afternoon for the first time at the Arcadia Theatre "Countess Charming" being shown. This is a Paramount picture with .luliaii Eltinge. the clever EenUemau impersonator of ladles, in the best part, and it is certain to lake everybody by surprise. There is an admirable blend of comedy and interest in Ibis film, which is made in the very best style of the wortii. famed raramonnt people. Fatty Arbucslc plays in the comedy "Oh! Doctor." THE BRITANNIA. Earle Williams and Miss Grace narraond are the principal players in "An American Live Wire." the film that is causing eon. vulsions of interest at the Britannia. Theatre now.

THB VICTORIA. "Indiscreet Corinne" Is a pretty story rnnning now at the Victoria Theatre, at Oevonport. with Miss Ollvo Thomas, the dainty American beauty, as the society heroine. There will be a change of programme to-morrow evening. THB EMPRESS. To-night the usual change operates nt the Empress Theatre at Newton, and the new headliner is to be called "The Maid of Belgium." This is an interesting pl r . tore with rather a thrilling story, well set and acted with sympathy and skill. Th e supports are well varied. '• FLORODORA." On Saturday. November 2. and on Iho Monday. Tuesday and Wednesday following the renowned comic opera "Florodora" wili be staged by an admirable local company all proceeds to assist the funds of thp recently-founded Returned Soldiers' Hostel in Tppor Queen Street. Rehearsals for this brilliant opera are now well under way and everything poiuts to a successful di* sentatiou