AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 89, 15 April 1922, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

THE NATIONAL THEATRE. The holiday fare provided by the National Theatre to-day, and for the week to come, is headed by "a Universal Jewel production, entitled "Tho Fox." and with this story Harry Carey is given a new role. Patrons of this picture house on Thursday were keenly interested in the story unfolded by "The Fox." and were yet more keenly enthralled by the mode of "its presentation. In: brief, the story concerns a man who wanders Into a settlement in the middle of the desert as an old and filthy beggar. He is not like ail his kind, for there seems to be something about him that makes peopie regard him ns something of a mystery, and when he takes Fate's chances to _o kindly deeds he is looked upon with the eye of still greater suspicion. Just when this sort of thing begins to give a hint of monotony . the whole idea behind the picture springs to life, and there comes a succession of events, all admirably staged and cleverly presented, bringing out in full the elements'of romanticism and mystery. Evil there is in the picture, but it comes to a bad end, while the good runs to ultimate triumph. "The Fox" is in eight reels, and with its very appropriate scenic effects, together with bright backgrounds and strange intensity of action, it is being pronounce* entlrelv satisfactory by all who have been "to tbe National. The sequence of scenies with story attached is being advanced week br week as secondary films, and they are proving deservedly popular. This change the usual oue of this series, is replaced "by an Interesting film of Ottawa. Canada and the scenery in its neighbourhood. THE STRAND THEATRE. nope Hamilton is not a new screen beauty, but she is sufficiently new to create an interest when she takes a big and hi _lv emotional part. This she does in "Star Dust" which Is the holiday feature commencing at mid-day to-day at the Strand Theatre. The picture Is beautifully presented with a wealth of varied settings that have been well designed to introduce both humble and high life. The story deals with the physical and emotional adventures of a girl who is born amid humble surroundings, and cursed by a gift tbat brings down ution her pretty head the sneers arid Jeers i J faml) y- Sh e leaves her home, determined to carve out a career for herself in th_ great city. For a while all coes strictly as usual in these cases, and she falls more and more under the burden of a despair brought by repeated failures to attain the height of her ambition. A marriage without lovet failure In her chosen career before footlights, and numerous other unhappy things befall ber. but in time her luck turns, as it were, and she begins to Set all the thines her heart has craved \ good picture this, with tears and smiles aptly mingled, and through them ail there runs the glamour of a really natural story it is laid upon a romantic emotional basis mainly, and it is gend, especially with the fine settings First National has arranged about all the scenes. Interesting secondary subjects, with' appropriate musical selections, complete a good holiday entertainment.

There is a beautiful dancing floor at the I newly-finished Scots' Hall, top of Svmonds ' Street, and there tbe first dance of "its Ills- ! tory will be blended with a little high- ! crade entertainment by the pupils of Miss naphne Knight this evening. This will be rhe > n' ?, { , } hree ho »day nisrhts wherein the hall will be used as a new locale for the i Hush-Munro cabaret, for the usual accom- ; modation in Karangahape Road will not possibly be large enough to accommodate the Easter merrymakers. Therefore, RushMunro has decided to run three evenings of dancing at Scots' Hall, and to-night i* To ho the second, and Tuesday ei-pnin- the ,hir. I?, 00 ?* 1, :Lnd Tuesday evening the third will be the time of a special masquerade to which patrons are invited to ?_s_ i_T plaln or fan cy dresses. The three nights are described as an Easter carnival, and if the preparations mean anything, if will be a success. THE NEW LYRIC. All the world knoi-s that Mary Pickford is an accomplished film artist. She must be so, because she is able, in tbe years of her womanhood, to present so charmingly the acts of the delightful naivette of a little girl. She does this convincingly in "Pollyanna," which is her latest production under the name of the "Big Four," and which is delighting audiences at the New Lyric today. "Pollyanna" is a picture of the kind that brings joyfulness. because the portrayal of a gay little girl by the world's sweetheart is so true to life as well as so dcliciously vivacious. "Pollyanna" is a little girl-child whose father dies. Mother has gone before, and she Ls sent to the home of a wealthy aunt. This straight-laced old lady, a prim old maid who is scandalised by anything hut severity and gloom, has nevertheless a skeleton in her cupboard. Pollyanna. strivins to live up to a scheme of things which insist-; upon finding cause for cladness everywhere, struggles against heavy odds in this great gloomy house. Nevertheless, she finds a place in everybody's heart, tbonch to be _re this is not made manifest till events brineing tears ns well as smiles have come. "Pollyanna" 1s a picture that mrst surely bßve been dosie-ned to bring joy and glndness into t>eo,,ie'= henrts. and w>-en t*is nim is allied with the favourite cK-irncter work of such a ,»,„_-,-- artist „ s . \f nrv pjebford. the result is wor+i'v of pH.ie of olnce noon a coli'biv nrngrimtne. T''e musical accompaniments to "Pollyanna" are singularly appropriate. THE HIPPODROME THEATRE. The tale of a sequence of events in tbe life of an adventurous but not very moral sea rover provides a stirring theme that is screened under title "The Devil Within." ] and deservedly takes pride of place at the Hippodrome picture house to-day. "The [ Devil Within." dealing as it does with a strong and sturdy man's outlook upon life, lias many a scene of virile mood, and more than enough of blazing emotion. The action of the film is in keeping with the virility j of the theme, and provides D'jstin Farnum i as the hero with a piece of character work tbat requires all his skill to accomplish, i

Thrills in plenty are embodied in the action. I and the intensity of some of the scenes j bring powerful emotions to light. Romance, passion and many other incidents in the life of a strong man are convincincly por- j trnyed in -The Devil Within." which is supported by orchestral music and by other film themes. TTIE TIVOLI THEATRIC. It is not without reason that "The Affairs of Anatol" is to be continued over the Easter holidays as the premier picture at the Tivoli. In the first place, the theme itself, presenting the entanglements of a I gallant and prepossessing young man, in Itself is sufficiently interesting to attract considerable attention. The film comes from the Paramount picture studios, and the manner of its makinr;. the great care that has been used to get just the right type of heroine for each of this young man's differeut affairs, adds very considerably to the interest the subject Itself creates. The Paramount people have saved the various phas.es of this multi-sided romance from becoming tiresome by bringing to the picture half a dozen of their most successful and popular leading ladies, and each brings with ber a different personality to strike a j new note as the escapades of the gay young gentleman carry him from one beauty to another. The picture has been built alone expensive lines, and the scenery and general settings are as fascinating as the zestful I action going on all the time. j FULLER'" 1 VAUDEVILLE. j The holiday matinee at Fuller's Opera House this afternoon was well attended, and a good house witnessed a programme of clover vaudeville numbers. To-nigbt the usual evening performance will be given. It is marked by the final appearance of Frank and Gladys Alher and several other well known entertainers. The change of bill is due upon the boards at Monday's matinee. MISS ETTA FIEiLD'.S RECITAL. Last Thursday evening Miss Etta Field gave her final recital in ihe Town Hall and sang through an exacting programme in a very successful manner. She opened with Puccini's "One Fine Day." rendering the scena in a style which admirably conveyed the atmosphere of the scene and music. Maschesoni's "Aye Maria" and Zardos' -To the Angels," were expressively given, Mr. Burnett tastefully executing the organ accompaniments. Montagu Phillips" "Sing, Joyous Bird" was delivered with delightful" buoyancy and brightness, whilst other admirably rendered solos were Grieg's "The Swan." Rogers' "The Star" and Elgar's "Pleading." The soprano terminated an enjoyable performance with a telling rendering of Catalini's "Farewell To Mv Home." After each aria and set of sons",, Miss Field was enthusiastically encored, and returned and sang additional solos. Mr. Robert Hell contributed four vocal items, and Mr. Barnett was heard In two organ pieces. Mr. Whtttaker accompanied and played pianoforte solo-* t.v Chopin anci- j Schumann. BOHEMIAN ORCHESTRA. i The Bohemian Orchestra will give the first. concert of its ninth season at the Town | Hall on Thursday. April UT. This is the | first of this winter- .-erics of -üb.-cnption i concert*, and seventy musicians will be j engaged. Subscribers may enrol now at I Robertson's music store. IS?, Queen Street.!

"OVER THE TTTT.T." Rarely does a film come here In which th« story Is really the thing, and still more rarely can it be said trnthfuHy of a picture that the tale it nnfoWa wHI appeal to everybody alike, whether he be a youth at the cigarette smo__e stage or an old man holding a pipe between palsied fingers. This is absolutely so of "Over The Hill," a bookstory and a stage-plot that has been successfully presented between cloth-bound covers arid before flaring footlights. The picture Is being presented before Princess patrons today and to-night, and with ins Infinitely appealing tale of family life, with lv exquisite characterisations of the joys and sorrows that come to everybody wit_ln an ordinary family circle, its appeal is quite •without limits. At a private screening a few days ago many ladies as well as lads and men saw the picture, an* its story was so vividly, so humanly set out that many a handkerchief was surreptitiously called into requisition. Without question this picture calls up memories of everybody's boy- and girlhood. The little mother slaves away at ber household tasks from early dawn" til! long after Dad goes to bed. she looks with a mother's sympathy at the rompings of irrepressible youth, and she interposes herself between the naughty boy and the stern wrath of his (none too good himself! father. And at school the one boy, as always, gets the blame for the misdeeds of his brothers. Then in later life the same lad is labelled the black sheep. 'He can do nothing aright. and he is the object of the sneers and the jeers of his more conventional, but infinitely less generous brothers. In a truly wonderful way does this picture bring to light the joys and sorrows of family life, and when the boys and the girls have outirrown their childhood, the story shows exquisitely how their youthful failings still stay with them, aggravated by habit a little, perhaps, bnc always there. "Over The Hili" may truly b.- rcommeniaed to all. Its season will be a prolonged one.

j EV__YBO_>YTS THEATRE. "Tbe Gay Lord Quex," at Everybody's I Theatre. Is a magnificent six-part comedydrama. Tom Moore is the star, and with bus natural a-etlng is able to fill the role of the nobleman to perfection. The story deals I with a young lord who finds his life Just i one gir.l after another until his dream girl i comes along. Then his frivolous ways l cease, and he becomes a serious wooer. j Naomi Chllders. with her natural charm ! and beauty, enables he r to fill the difficult | role the "Duchess of Strood" to perfection. •On Monday "The Tavern Knight," the new i Stoll masterplay. commences 4 season's run ,of six days. This great film ia from the Uiovel by Rafael Sa'batlnl. and is headed by |>n all star east, including Madge Steusrt. i Cecil Humphreys. Etlle Norwood."and Teddy | Anradell. In this costume play of exquisite | beauty. In which a finely dramatic story ii . telligiblv presented, Stolls have produced an I exceptionally good picture, and an essen- ] tially British one. j THE GRAND THEATRE. " ™ With "The Lotos Eater" as Its first | feature, and John liarrvmore as the leadiuft player. the programme now being j screened at the Grand Theatre is notable. "The Lotus Eater" is one of those out-or-the-way romances that 'builds _> a story round a queer old man's ideas, and follows up the way they work out in pracI tiee. In tills Instance his heir, a bealthv, I happy boy. is sent right away upon a won- | derful yacht, and he is kept out of the way jof women, touring beau'Jful Lslands. until -he has seen twenty-five summers. Then I the Fates rake a hand, and he meets n j woman of his own race—a gortreous--1 creature, who has n dazing effect upon his ! Inexperienced senses. The lady is lookin? for the tangible things she can pet out !of life, and the boy falls a victim to her I charms, but other factors Intrude themselves, tie result being n most Interesting | nnd highly romantic picture. The settings | are unusually fine. In addition to this i film there is another instalment of the i enthralling subject. "The Adventures of Tarzan," and the orchestra has been specially augmented for the holiday season. THE QUEEN'S THEATRE. There are two films that will catch and hold the interest on holiday patrons at the Queen's Theatre Just now. They are, the complete and exclusive pictures of the marriage of Princess Mary to Viscount Lasi celles; and a pretty little romance. "Handcuffs and Kisses." The marriage of the Princess created an extraordinary interest all over the world, and this will present opportunity of seeing the great event as It actually occurred, with close pictures of the bride and bridegroom, the spectacular scenes amongst the hnge crowds, the actual ceremony, and all the wonderful wedding presents the happy couple received. The great bridal pageant in I„_don Is made a special feature of this most interesting picture. Miss Elaine Hammerstein is the heroine of tbe romance "Handcuffs and Kisses," which tells an entertaining story of how a little girl was ill-used because wicked relations thought s-he had discovered their evil deeds. This does not last long, however, for Cnpid comes along in hb= pleasant way. and all ends with bridal wreaths and happy lovers. DIXIELAND AGAIN TO-NIGnT. "Dixieland," which is Auckland's brand new cabaret, opens Its doors again this afternoon and evening to give opportunity to all who like the light and the glitter of gay assemblages. The lighting effects in this cabaret are only a portion of the dazzling novelty of the whole place, and if those who have not seen it yet lust happen to glance in at "the dansant" this afternoon, they will get a good Idea of what this newplace of entertainment is really like. The dancing floor, neatly laid out, is declared to present the best gliding surface in the country, and the appointments are all of the first class. In the afternoons it is intended that discriminating people should ' take afternoon tea there, with a dance or two thrown in : but it Is the evenings that | the full measure of entertainment is available. Monday night will be of special j interest, for a special Easter jollification has been planned. ORGAN RECITAL TO-NIGHT. A popular programme arranged for the recital In the Town Hall to-night will inI chide Lemmen's Fantasia "The Storm," two 1 movements from Tschaikowski's "Nutcracker Suite," and Hern-id's overture I "Zampa." The vocalist. 'Miss Helen Roy. lis a recent arrival in Auckland, who has i had London experience. | SOMETHING NEW. At the Town Hall next Wednesday. Thurs- | day and Friday there will be shown a picture that is novel In many ways. It is not exactly a record, but it is a film story compiled from all the interesting incidents that befel during a tour of the S.Y. Southern Cross. This trip extended over ten thousand miles through the wonderful South Sea Islands, and during the tour a record was taken of interesting events at all the four hundred odd ports of call. The result 'is a most interesting film, entitled "Ten Thousand Miles in the Southern Cross,"' and it will be presented, together with a i verbal story by the liishop of Melanesia, at ! the Town Ilali on the evenings mentioned.