AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 60, 11 March 1921, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

national theatre. ; »-'l. The _? ear: of Hnmanitv," at the Nc-lonal Theatre, is a story written jointly by Olgo Scholl and Mr. Holnbar. to which tbe at-er gave s»ven motitbs ln the making It Is a -war epic of Canada, a pic-; torlal poem of exquisite feeline and sentiment. The sufferings of the Widow Pat-J ma. who sends her five sons and sees one of them return, typify the sufferings o." Canadlan mothers and others. whose ."-nartan courage deserves recognition. The settings of the story are its first claim to special merit, at least first in the order.! for by tbe time The plot Itself gets to moving and the actors get their chance the observer has already succumbed to the . hartn of lake and timber and the Canadian out-of-doors. The Introduction of the widow nnd her sons -John. Paul. Jules. Maurice, and Louis. Is something that will linger In ihe memory. All love the girl. Nanette, but she tnarri-s John, and It is on the very day nf the wedding ceremony tha; the news of war com»-. in dramatic fashion Dorothy Phillips has the role of the girl, while Margaret Mann appears as the widow Patricia. Toxica! films and gazettes complete the bill. HIPPODROME THEATRE. A poem that became popular when it firs: appears,! in printed form, and has remained so ever since is •• Evangeline." he film version of which will appear at the ll.ppodrome to-morrow. Fecuiiar local interest is aroused in this immortal work 01 Henry \\ adsworth Longfellow at this rime by tbe appearance of the picture The beauty, simplicity, and tender pathos of .his famous love epic are its distinguishing characteristics as a literary work, and they have been retained by Mr. Walsh the director, in the production of the work. He has shown his creative genius in the composition of the many beautiful scenes which portray the life of tbe happy Arcadians in Grand-Pre before the deportation edict and tbe wanderings of the barassed and unhappy Arcadians after ihe deportation. For a star the picture shows Bliss Miriam Cooper. Though her art .overs a wide range of characters she is seen at her best in a Madonna-like role in wnich her lustrous eyes and appealing beauty can be fully developed. Such is the role of Evanceiine. Tbe picture displaces i..-night's feature, " Number 17." starring t.eorpe Walsh. PRINCESS THEATRE. The Princess film To-aav has for its title ' Something To Think About." and it lives up to that title in the wealth of beauty. luxury and novel incidents that it reveals It is a romance that It said to scale tbe heights and plumb the depths of human cxperien.-. It is a tale of green lanes and gay ctreeis. of blind youth aud grim reckoning, introducing an entirely ucw combination ot events and players. "With rare technical skill and remarkable human insight which has characterised all his productions. Cecil de Mille has given "c_ome thin:: to Think Ain.ut " a theme different from anything he has ever done before, but. -ike hi- farmer successes. It shows his art of making the best of ail that be has at bis il:s;>n-aj. Under his master hand the story of this picture became not only a powerful end analytical study of the soul but a niassiv? dramatic spectacle as well.. Throughout all th-; multitude of scenes and situations in which tbe story of " Something to "luiuk About " is toid. SI. de Mille has preserved a harmonious balance. The triumph enjoyed by the picture is. therefore, due as mu<-h to his brilliant abilities as to ant other factor. Good supports and special musical selections complete the bill. LYRIC THEATRE. While 'Everybody* Sweetheart" at no t'.nie gets entirely away from strictly conventional situations, there is a rising interest a* the production progresses which well repays watching it. Olive Thomas 13 <-ast in tbe leading role, that of Mary. and it is her work, as with other vehicles in ■which sbp is seen, that makes the real value of tbe picture. Compared with her impersonation there is little else visible. Such drawing powers as this offering presents will. c o doubt, he chiefly due to public interest in Olive Thomas and the people with whom she plays. Settings sufficiently varied to relieve any monotony ■make the background for the bulk of the action. "Tbe -Sporting Chance" run* simultaneously with "Everybodys Sweetbean." and has much of tbe attractiveness of an adventure film. Both films begin their season to-morrow, with the change of programme. TIVOLI THEATRE. Roscoe Arbuckle will make his appearance in combination with Mabel Julienne Scott at tbe Tivoli to-morrow. The outcome would he good entertainment even if l_"*s skilful players were concerned-, but witfi the stars under notice it is undoubtedly a comedy. Its title is "The Round ■up." To be sure there is a mild exposure of selfishness and a mean bit of trickery to contrast the clean-cut endeavours of tbe hero to win his wav to happiness and fortune. It i 5 clearly decided that Mr. Arbuckle should be the idol of 'Miss Scott's heart, hence there Is no suspense in the heart Interest. It will not be through force of story that "The Round Up" will be most to please; it will be for the reason that Mr. Arbuckle and Miss Scott put their best efforts into the swiftmoving circumstances and thereby bring a generous measure of entertainment to apply. A final presentation of "Deer "Waters" trill be offered for this evening. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. The new programme screened at Everytiodv's to-day is beaded by a Metro production entitled "AH Men Alike." with May Allison in the chief role. It is one those entertaining stories of a headstrong, rich young girl who wanted to live her own life in her own way. It is said to be brimful of thrills, and carries a lesson witn it. "Mild Life in the Rockies'- comprises tbe scenic attractions of the bill, wnile n comedy feature adds to the excellent entertainment. Good music Is played by the orchestra at the evening sessions. GRAND THEATRE. Tbe management of the Grand Theatr. announce that tbe programme ruuning a! present, with Violet Hopson In the bead liner. " Tbe Woman Wins," will give place to-morrow to a picture entitled " For a Woman's Honour. This shows Mr. H. B Warner in another of the roles that giv< him 3tnple scope for a development of hi; athletic qualities. QUEEN'S THEATRE. The imprisonment of the hero in a mine as top result of au explosion. hi 3 itabsequen: escape, and his terrific fight with three con *pixators who have wrested his fortnn. from him during his absence in a foreigi country, make np the high lights of "Wolves of the' Night" at the Queen's to-morrow It is a typical Farnum picture in that hi is 'be star, and it possesses the romanc. and .rtii-rlns. action tiiat is synonymous wiM his name. AROADIA. "Behind the Door." featuring Hobart Bo>s ■worth and Jane Novak, and a Charli. Chaplin comedy. "The Mur-lcal Tramp' an •the picture attractions at the Arcadia. BRITANNIA. The Britannia bill includes Viola Dan. ln "The Willow Tree," and "Kiss tl_< Bride," a Christie comedy. VICTORIA. DEVONPORT. Barriers" and -The Bondac. of Barbara" run together on the Victorfa hm - WEST END. The West End programme stars Paultni Frederick in -The Fear Woman with th thl__ episode of the "Dragons Net as tin support express. •The Valley of Doubt." "McocnderS. and "It The Rope's End" are the Emp.es, NEWMARKET. Argus will give a performance at thf Broadway this evening. ORGAN RECITAL. The municipal organ recital will btPJ« in the Town Hal! on Saturday evenly next, when the city organist will play Har wood's "Paean." Weber's overture t " and a charming 'Serenata b. Wo™bofme. a Miss Nat-Ulna McCaUun will be the vocalist. •• DARBT AXD JOAN." Next Thursday. 17-th inst. the "Darb: and Joan"' season will open at ill MaiestV's Theatre. This picture is de scribed as U ins. one of the best Bntisl SStacttons which has yet come to Nev Zealand Sir Hall Came has given us th' iS£_r of "Darby and Joan." and nov throoeh tbe medium of the screen we ca: see the characters live, and the_ story to!, with a fidelity to the author's purpose iTeJUnt J-UUI Came ison of the author and Miss Ivy Close play -.he leading roles The old court' axe seen sitting hand 1 hand in th. twilight of their old age wit] an album on their laps, going over the lif. rhevhave lived since childhood together romance, pathos, hard th% and tragedy play their parts, but toy. endnring through all. carries them finall: w trtSpb -ad I niet content tm. standing at the close of their lives, side by side, o Ihe shores of the eternal, they ue to eat /.rhor unto the end as "Darby and Joan. »S"_. _£reenin_ of the picture Mdlle Trm_T Citron will sing "Darby and Joan ___%_.£ beautiful Emm* * aU - <ia '

IRENE. Tbe romantic musical eomedv "Irene" continues ro impress entbnsiasti-" hntases a: His -Majesty's with the charm and art of : Miss Dorothy South and the general excellence of the other members of the company. It Is bright and spectacular, while the miMic is catchy, producing a happy effect. The dresses, tbe staginsr ana the lighting effects all contribute to the appeal and give added interest to the plot. The play will be staged attain to-night, and will complete its run on Tuesday. There will also be a matinee ro-m-orrow. ENGLISH PIERROTS. The Englt-h Pierrots, a company which incinde-s many prominent artists, gives Its first programme iv the Town Hull to-tnor-row, the title being "Bits and Pieces." This is said to in el ml c a number of new operatic excerpts and humorous comedy -ketches. OPERA HOUSE. Fuller*.- Opera llo__se p:o_r_r_mp. with its contributions from t-everal new artists, has an appeal that should commend itself to rhose who like anything novel and varied. Some of these artists are approaching tbe enil of their season, the anal presentation of tiieir contributions being offered to-morrow night.