AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 282, 26 November 1921, Page 11

AMUSEMENTS.

i XiATKWiAL THEATBB. Tire double programme et the National Theatre —ad an enthusiastic reception when it was presented ftwt β-rentn*. "Tie Beautiful Gambler" to an elaborate production, based upon tne etory by Peter B. Kyiie. Grace Darmond Iβ Uglily pleasing in the principal role, in wfclch ele represents the daughter of a men wfcoee beeettlng eta is gambling. He loeee his fortune over tbe roulette srbeel, and Idlis himself while hie dairanter Iβ marrying rue owner of the gan>b.<.ig hall to cdear her father's debt*. Thee a young man happens lataitf, and ttie stoiy becomes farther Involved in a f&scinTUng miuder myetery, wihich Is only solved in ttie ttnel ecenes. Spectacular photography and excellent ■metropolitan eettings add to the general effectiveness of toe iproductkm. The other fefcSnre of the programme Iβ a Sensnick photo-play entitled "The Astasias Woman." The film is a tense and emotional drama, wich the scenes of action set to. a country home, a hospital, and a gamlbllog saloon. Ruth Clifford is the dharming principal, | and she is cast in the role of a vampire, whose characteristics are that she is good ■wlien slie is had and toad when she is good. The explanation of this paradox is forcibly presented In the course of the ,story. STRAND THEATRE. London is such a vast city ana Its interesting features so manifold that they would require hours to give in recounting completely. Yet the film. "Living London," by judicious selection, gives a highly instructive and comprehensive survey of the particularly interesting portions of the great metropolis within the compass of an honr. last night the film was screened at the i Strand Theatre before a. large and appre- : ciative audience. The spectators were taken I along the well-known thoroughfares on the j top of an omnibus and shown such hts- i ' toric spots as Petticoat "Lane, where the I poorer class collect to participate in the Sunday trading, St. Paul's Cathedral, Ludgate Hill. Fleet Street (the home fo jour- , mil Ism), the Strand, Charing Cross, and a host of other places now familiar to many i New Zealanders. A long trip is taken up i the Thames, past the busy commercial ■ houses and through the locks into the quiet , ' nnd Secluded reaches o£ the famous river. I Here is a striking contrast afforded between I . the crowds that swarm the streets in the heart of the great city and the peaceful country-like, yet orderly appearance of the outlying districts. During the screening , Mr. L. Walton gives explanations that are very helpful to those spectators who are nottso well acquainted with the vast city as are others. "Her Lord and Master." fea- , turlng Alice Joyce, is Included in the supports. PRIXOEES THEATRE. A complete historical record of one of the greatest events in sporting history eiipresses fully the film "The Demipsey-Oar-pentier Fiyht," which was presented to ; h crowded house at the Princess Theatre last uigiit. In the course of the five reels that comprise the film the audience was shown in detail not only the famous ■bout, but the particular preliminary training put in by both the contesting champions. With the aid of good iphotography . and Judicious direction, for which Mr. G. ' L. (Tex) lUekard lias been responsible, a production ha« resulted which affords the : spectator a clear and accurate account of ■the bout, accompanied with all the thrills attendant upon such a momentous contest. Something of the old spirit of Koine, which made the great arenas so papular, is reflected in the sight of tie thousands gathered in the wooden colosseum, from all parts of tile world to witness the modern gladiators, Dempsey and. Carpentier meet , in fLst-ic -eoiniba-t for .the championship. And i some sense of the impreaelveness of the I occasion is derived with the sight of the attention of these thousands of spectators concentrated upon the two fighters, watching every action, and rising in waves from their seats at critical junctures. The scenes of 'the combat snow the performances of the champions witn wonderful clarity. Every move and punch can be i followed throughout the fonr rounds ' which comprised the corhibat, and In the second round particularly the spectator can 'see for himself Carpentier dealing Dempsey the formidable 'blow on the jaw which raised the all-important qnestion ' "Was r>em,psey nearly fceaten?" The film will SS cornel' week* *** aM dUTia S EVEBYBODrS. The principal feature at 'this theatre Just tow Is "ColmMdezHree." a rollicking comedy ■or a well Known and highly-approved American type. The fun centres round Bill Jenfcs, a young ibank clerk, who starts out in life flrmly convinced tJiet "coincidencesare "all ounk." and spends a considerable amount of time in 'being undeceived. How lie tries its luck in New Yori, how he falls in love, loses Ms job, gets a legacy, loees • the money, and, in trying to recover it ■passes at headlong speed throinrh a Ion" series of nerve-wracking adventures ana hairsbreadth escapes—all these things are told on the screen at Everybody's for tbe Robert (Herron. The romantic element is admirably supplied by a young typlste who, like the hero, is a victim of "coincidences " falls in love with Mm at sijiht. shares hie .wrrW escapades, and finally lives happily •wifcn him on the letraey "for ever after" The play goes with characteristic American ■verve ami vim, and. as it is not only amusing but entirely free from any trace of <"osTsenos<! or vul<rarft.v. it provides a most enjoyable e-ntertainment. An alwnrd Irat diverting faroe, in which "Tie Gink- plays ?.< £ ~ part ' and a , travel picture ; A Voynsre on the Canadian 'Pacific Toast " topin} ltems ' make «P a very attractive programme. ', T'IVOLI THEATRE. i fh^!i c T lvoU mfl ™'S*™PiH hare followed m> iSv last "**'« "tor attraction vritb anar.her lxic success in "A "Wise Pool " from 'Sir CMilwrt iPflrker's popufar story, ;' Tlie Money Maker*' , The theme aJone is ■a £nn<l of entertainment, tat combined. ;wWh pood acting a D d setting it to of more J ■•t-hrcn ordinary Interest, ami with rhe knowlotfye 'that it was to be produced in no less ' /than seven reels .it came as m> surprise .yesterday wlien all sesa-.ons were packed, i In short, tare appealing story unfoMed ! shows tow M'nmmon rules a woak man. In ' tlvis instance t.he frail one is Jean .Tjiequps I B:irheHle. who. carried away wWi his rirties. soes close to destroy ing «!l che ■liap-pine'ss that comes his own and his , wife's way. lirto their lives is introduced, 'tragedy and ipathos in a manner tii.i.t gives . rhe .il>sopbhig drajua an ujrpeal wlikih goes | out wWb. grip and tahes Hie audience ; throngili every incident of Hie ftory. That • ■ (Treat srree-n star James KlirUwoml is the ' ■powe.T!fuJ force in the dnuuu. He fci supported 'by a »tron» ciist. To this luas to l>e atMeil one nT dliose tsMe-splitTiiis Ileck iSenneot comedies. QCEBX'S THELVTRE. Patrons to the Queen's Theatre last night were afforded a double treat with the screening of "Why Change Your Wife?" mi<l "Tbe Big Punch.' , The first is a delightful Unmra, ur a nature, threatening to become tragical, but prevented from doing so by the good offices of Pate. The story tells of a youn<r husband, portrayed by Thomas Mel-ghan, whose tastes run in beautiful. t>at somewhat scanty dresses, and ragtime. His wife has a stricter code, and strongly disapproves | of music, and the inevitable; result is that an otherwise happy liome is broken up. The en<l of the aim, however, I has reconciliation in store, and a union is i again effected, strengthened 'by experience. ! I The actinjf of the principii'ls and the sup- \ . porting east are of the highest order, while ' tbe setting is I>oth luxurious and effective ! The other feature of the programme "The ! Big- Punch," is a drama of the West d?pic-! ting 'Buck Jones in a role that -brings out his ji-bhletic prowess, as well as his histrionic abilities. He is cast as a circuit minister, and the manner in which he converts hie brother and kindred associates nonpl-ussers the villain and wins for himself a charming Salvation Army I.a*s. form the substance wf the delightful photoplay. I ME. WALTER IMPBTT'S CCrXICER.T. The programme for the son- and pianoforte rwTtal to be given 'by the students of : Mr. Walter Impett in the Concert Chamber i of the Town 'Hall on Monday eveninc next aprwars in unotber part of this issue. -Some ?« x? numbers are entirely new to Auckland, these in particular representSH^ S< i mc ? r the best worli °f the modern British «cbool. The plan of seats is at Messrs. Lewis It. -Eady and Son's ORGAN' RECITAL TO-NIGHT. The programme for the recital iv the Town Hall to-ni s ht will include a fine work by Tombelle. Martini's fi-avotte, and Quilter s "Moonlight on the Lake." as well ■ as wejl-known works by Bizet and Lemare. i Madame Feather will be the vocalist. ; BENEFIT CONCERT. I A benefit concert in aid "f -Mr. n. Watts, of Devoniport, will be given iv tbe Town 'H-all Concert 'C!lianilier ii&xt Tuestliij* even* Jng. An attractive programme has been I arranged, and includes vocal and instru-, mental items, dam.-ius, aud other aoveiue#.j

TDK HIFPODBOMB. The advent of Tom iiLx means plenty at action, and In "Bldln' Hoiluo," which is attracting crowded hounes to the Hippodrome, the ever-popular cowboy star brings both an abundancy of action and humour. The story of the film tells of a. young lady's father who indulges in an innocent flirtation at the seaside. H&nnted by the possibility that he will become Involved in a breach of promise, he makes a precipitate flight home. He finds that his daughter is holding v birthday party, and to his amazement he also discovers that a young man, portrayed by Tom Mix, whom he has warned oil the ranch, has been invited. In a lively passage poor Tom ie hunted off the ranch. Then the object of the father's flirtation happens aloug, and alter many complications hare arisen she makes the lather allow Tom to marry hie daughter. The story is unfolded in a breezy manner that charmß the audience and hobds them interested to the last. There are a number of excellent supports included In the programme. Last night the management inaugurated a novelty feature in connection with the theatre, whea a canopy of lights was flashed from the verandah root The canopy includes 143 eiectric globes, and the ettect is most striking. A picture of the Denspsey-Carpentier fight is also announced as a feature of the programme. j THE GKAND. The main feature of the Grand programme is ''Twin Beds." Two single beds in the- room of one married couple seem slight affairs upon which to hitch a story, bat wheu there Is taken into consideration two other single beds and another married couple in another apartment of the same house, a jealous tout strong-minded wife, and a verjr flirty husband on the one hand, and a weak wife and a strong husband on the other, ana a mistake as to rooms and beds—then you have a complication out of which much may arise. "Twin Beds"' affords opportunity for comedy, and is entertaining, hut there is much of the ridiculous in it, and many of the situations are too far-fetched and elongated to be real. However, it is extremely, well screened. j FTJLiLiER'3 VAUD'EYIUJB. The current iprograimne of high-riass vaudeville ruling at Fuller's Opera House will be presented- for the last time this evening. Tie items are both varied and entertaining , . The usual change will be effected on. Monday afternoon, when .in equally attractive budget will be sirtrmltted for the delegation of patrons. j LYRIC THEATRE. There ts another fine' programme at the 'Lyric this week, headed by a.seven-reel Pathe special. "Other men's Shoes." This is an exceptionally fine double roll story of two brothers, one a gentleman, the other his scapegrace brother. It is a film of human interest, humour, pathos, and action. , Excellent supports include scenic, comedy, and topical. A special feature' or the entertainment this week is a ufteen-minute preliminary, overture of popular tunes. FXiOILAIi PEZTE. A floral fete in connection with the New Lynn Queen Carnival wiß be held *m the lArondaJ« Racecourse on Saturday, December 10. The pageant will include 30 spectacular events, as well as numerous mdc attractions. A feature of the day will toe a dance festival, in which the prtpßs v>f Miss Cecil Hall and the New Lynn ehiWren will take part. Ihiring the fete the coronation of Queen iMarJorie will *ak« place, and the 1 ceremony promises to t>e a most brifltant one. MB. BARRY COSSET'S A3XXUAU RECITAL. i Mr. Coney's twelfth annual recital will take place on Wednesday, December' T. at the Town Heill. The. high standard ot excellence for which 'Mr. Oooey's recttalfl are noted will be fully maintained, and, in fact, the forthcoming recital bids fair to excel all his former efforts. •ST. AKTOSOWTS DAY CQXEIERT. 1 In celebration of St. Andrew's Day tine St. AndTetv's Society lieu arraoget a <*tt~ cert to take pllace in <tbe Tonm Ball concert chamber on December 6tb. Some of Auckland's leading artists have been engaged, and an excellent programme of Scottish songs and dances will be .preserated. j STPDEXTS' CONCERT. ■ On December 1, in the Town Hall Concert Chamber, a concert will lie given by the pupils of Miss Catherine Sale, L..A.8., assisted by Miss Laura Stone, air. Alan MrEtwain, and tie Lyric Quartet. "OJHE .IiitPOBTAKCE OF HEtXG B.VEXEKT." Last, evening's enjoyable production by the dramatic circle of the Women's Clwb proved that Wilde's I>rilllant comedy wears very well. It aleo proved what, alas, many of us knew already, That toe Coil-' cert Chimvper is not •the.'best place for the playing of li'sht comedy. iWilde's dialogue is too good to be interrupted by the noise Of passing trams. "Tlie Importance of Being lEurncst" has claims to be considered the wittiest of modern £ngltsh ■comedies. The construction of the absurd but very diverting plot is highly ingenious, and the -dialogue is wonderful in its resource of epigram and paradoix. The Dramatic Circle is to be congratnlated on .producing this classic, and and on achieving :i success that was all the more notcworthj* since The prodn<rer.«* handieai>ped themselves (if they will allow us to say ao) l>y admitting no men to the cast. Among the impersonators of men Miss Gladys Frascr stood out for her portrayal of Algernon Aloncrieff—a flever aurl convincing performance. Jiiss Phyllis Bloomfielfl achieved a fair measure of .success as John "Worthing, the second ycaing man. ■Miss .Phyllis ■Boult was charminsr as Cecily Carden. :Mrs. iForsyth, under whoso direction the play was produced, caused ranch amusement as the -formidable Lady Bracknell. iMiss iJlarJorle Cranston was -Gwendolen, -Miss Mamie 'Spacer ,Miss Prism. .Miss Olive Foster. I>r. Chasable, and Misses Marjorie Eobertsoa and EsteUe ' Wallace the two men-servants. The play j vras admirably staged, the setting of rhe ! jrarden scene bein? particularly good. The iperformance, whit'li is to add to the <-lu'b funds emtl the Takairona cottage hospital, • will be repeated to-night.