AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 95, 22 April 1922, Page 11

AMUSEMENTS.

THE NATIONAL THEATRE. It is something new to find Eugene O'Brien In one of those racy pictures that periodically come from the Selznick studios. He makes a handsome, clean-built hero, and if a judgment may be made from "Chivalrous Charlie," an action film, only more so than usual, athletics become O'Brien remarkably well. The tale tells of a youngster who Is bnown as Chivalrous Charlie on one side of a continent and as Two-fisted Reilly on the other. He comes •back to the starting-off place, cured, as his wealthy politician uncle thinks, of his weakness of trying to relieve damsels In distress. But he is not. He loses money and other portable personal possessions while helping a. pretty little wicked girl to escape from the law, and the next adventure he strikes is when a blood-bespattered female leans far out from a second-storey window and calls loudly for help. He rushes up. disposes of the big bad man, and the lady turns on him, demanding why he has made her husband a candidate for the hospital. Explanations finish in the police eosrt, and then his uncle determines to cure him by sending him into enough troulble to send a couple of men to an early grave. But not so Chlvalarous Charlie, who Is endowed with more than usually large muscles, and carries |he thing Into real trouble with the limbs of tbe law. Adventure pure and simple is in this film, which Is "backed up by a Universal picture that comes on under the title "False Kisses." It tells where a man marries a girl, and the rejected suitor gives them a Job as lighthouse keepers. The husband goes blind, the rejected lover takes advantage of It, but all ends In tbe usual way of these domestic plots. The" story is somewhat weak,- but it is well produced. The orchestral accompaniments are good. THE HIPPODROME THEATRE. A supersensitive imagination is the theme and wild adventure is the action of "Shame," the finest of the film tales told upon the screen at the (Hippodrome to-day, and to be continued for the usual week.' The film Is by Fox. with John Gilbert, a man not widely known "but with much acting ability, as the hero. In brief, the story is of a young man who comes into a fortune, marries and has a child. All is well until an enemy of his father comes down from tbe North and tells tbe young husband he is a half-caste. He does not believe at "first, tout slowly his vivid imagination grips the facts laid 'before him, ari"d gradually the full idea is-born that he really is a half-caste, destined to bring shame and humiliation upon his wife and baby. He flees to the wild North, his wife, frantic, follows with a faithful servant. And on the trail of the husband seeking solitude they meet with wild adventures. There are strange pursuits and deadly fights, there is a struggle between a man and a wild beast, and, of course, the

proof ultimately comes that the man's sense of shame has built up a shadow wifhout substance. The plot i« well worked out. the action being of an intensely exciting nature. Fast and vivid the varying adventures follow in what seems at one time to (be a series that will never end, but at last all the tangle of cross-currents is straightened out. The film is supported by entertaining secondary subjects and interesting music. PRINCESS THEATRE. 'So successful has "Over the Hill" proved at the Princess Theatre that its session will be extended for a week. The story is one of particular appeal and interest, and its blend of pathos and humour makes it attractive to all tastes. It Is full of clever acting, the work of the old mother, by Mary Carr. being especially fine. The pathos of the story centres around this character, which is played with the utmost

naturalness. The story Is worked up to one of the most beautiful climaxes imaginable, one that stirs the emotions of men and women as they are seldom stirred by stage or film plays. There is also abundant comedy In the picture, and the production can well be said to meet the entertainment needs of every member of the family, young or old. TiIVOLI THEATRE. Last night ushered in the season at the Tivoli Theatre of "Just Around the Cor-

ner " a quality masterpiece, and the companion picture to that noted film "Humoresque." written by Fannie Hurst, and directed by Frances Marion. "Just Round the Corner" is one of those "once in a while pictures." not only becauso of won- ; derful production, but also for its human i appeal. The story is not of an exaggerated ! type, but tends to portray the homely existence of a family that everyday circum- ' stances made sport of. It is a picture or great interest, and In Darts Is very pathetic. There is also one of Harold Lloyd's splendid comedies called "Amongst Those Present.'" and a number of supporting items. As usual', the Tivoli Orchestra rendered a pleasing programme of Incidental music. THE LYRIC THEATRE. "Pollvannn." with Mary Pickford in the title role, attracted more big houses at the New Lvrlc yesterday and last night, and is likeiv to repeat its popularity again

this evening. Another matinee of this story of gladness was very well patronised this afternoon. Mary is so charmingly free from affectation, and plays the part of a little girl so well that it is hard to imagine that she is in reality a woman grown. The presentation of the picture Is so manipulated that even In size she Is girlishly small alongside men and women, and seems always to be just on an equal with tbe unaffected little kiddles that are. for the purposes of the story, her playmates. "Pollyanna" Is a very popular study of the art of being happy, and it is purported by some very appropriate musical selections. THE QUEEN'S THEATRE. At the head of the new programme now being screened at the Queen's Theatre is the six-rpel drama. "When Bearcat Went Dry." Bearcat is the name given to a boy of fearless spirit. He has been in the illicit linuor business, but has been driven from this by minions of the law. returning after a while to his old Kentucky home .md sees his sweetheart with another man. There Is trouble between the two. and when the girl admits that tbe other man has loved and left her the hard-drinking younsrster leaves alone the pleasures of the frothy tumbler until .be can bring back I this man to her side. His search for him 1 ends in n notorious saloon, where he bursts

jin and begins a great light. All the j j patrons of the bar join in. and there is a ! scene of wild rlotousness_ before "Bearcat." himself Injured, makes his exit with his dying enemy. The film goes on to the inevitable romance, and ends with everything ontlsfled —honour, love and all the rest. The bar-fight is a big thrill in this picture, which is well supported. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. Metro pictures are presenting "The Match Breaker" at Everybody's on Monday, so that th<* new week will be ushered in with a play that will be very attractive. Viola Dana is the heroine, and events work out in a most interesting way from the time when, as a schoolgirl, she was able to lure sweethearts away from other girls. When commanded to marry herself she decides to capitalise her charms, so runs away and becomes a professional matchbreakpr. In this role her services are

commissioned liy a. son on account of his father, and by the same father on account of his son. The resultant events are a trifle complicated, but they make most Interesting entertainment. To-rtav and this evening "The Tavern Knight" will end its run. Next week's topical budget at Every body's will show several scenes of Princess Mary's wedding, but the big official picture of the wedding from beginning to end is coming soon to this theatre. THE GRAND THEATRE. Charles Ray is the hero of "The Midnight Bell." an action story that has pride of place at the Grand picture house The whole of this lively and Joyful story I* built up round the supposed activities of ghosts, one in narticular being an expert at ringing a bell at midnight In a haunted lobby. Charles Ray is the hero who starts out on a hunt for these ghosts, and after many joyful scenes and thrilling adventures he eventually lays tb»s all by the *"?'_. , " Thp Midnight Bell" i s full of entertainment, and . its chief support which Is another chapter of the serial storr. "The Adventures of Tarzan " is also highly Interesting. ' IS also BOHEMIAN ORCHESTRA. On Thursday evening, at the Town Hall be Bohemian Orchestra offer to music overs the first concert of its ninth season n Auckland. The programme embraces a IT£? T 1 "V^ 1 ™ 1 « em s by great 0m.2% f_ T>lay , ei L. Dy P°PWar instrumentalists ™ ,fl c hons b . y £he eraml orchestra ire described as a feature of the concert Vocal numbers by well-known singers wili m,,Ji„T y » toter ?P«rsed between the other BlUSlcal items. On account of Tuesday jelng Anzac Day the orieinal arrangement's for roe opening of the box plan have been altered. The plan win now be opened at h„i. * V . M m Mon<la J' morning. Season ciehets for four concerts may be purchased. ORGAN" RECITAL TO-NIGHT. Mr. Maughan Barnett. city organist, will give a recital to-night in the Town Hall, when he w-ill play orjran works by Gullmant and Bach, and "Finland!-." by Sibelius. Mr. Arthur Ripley will be the vocalist.

" THE YEOMAN OF THE GCARD._^_ Three seasons of Gilbert and Sullivan within twelve months Is something to set against barren years. "The Yeoman of the Guard," which was revived at His Majesty's last evening, te musically the finest of the series, and needs to be seen several times to be fully appreciated. Several changes have been made in the cast since last year's performances. The Jack Point last night was IMr. Charles Workman, who. a few years ago was In the first rank of Gilbert and Sullivan exponents in England, as was shown by his being chosen to play lead in revivals at the Savoy. Mr. Workman seemed physically a trifle too heavy for this famous role, but his conception of it was admirable, and his acting and singing first-rate. The way in which he depicted tbe sorrow of Jack Point was tbe finest thing in the portrayal. The denouement was very moving, and tbe audience need not have been ashamed if it made their eyes a little dim. Miss Pattl Russell's fine voice was used well in the music allotted to Elsie Maynard, and her acting was excellent. Mr. Victor Prince was a more light-hearted and facetious Shadbolt than his immediate predecessor. Mr. Howett-Worster's singing in the role of Sergeant Meryll contributed substantially to the success of the beautiful concerted numbers In which the opera abounds. As Phoebe. Miss Walkely deserves a word of praise for her intelligent acting and artistic singing. A fairly large audience received the performance with the favour It deserved..

To-night and on Monday night the company will revive o*lller's well-known opera "Dorothy," which has not been seen here for some years. This opera Is a favourite of some thirty years' standing.' Its music, which includes the popular song "I Stand At Your Threshold Sighing, l ' and such fine •t-m" as "Vnu'll Swear To Be Good and True" and "I Bend My Back and Bow My Head," Is recognised as being particularly brign_, and pleasing. Moreover, tbe opera has a real plot, and is attractively costumed. There will be no performance on Tuesday (Anzac Day). PULLER'S VAUDEVILLE. The variety bill current at Fuller's Opera -House will undergo the usual revi-

slon after to-night's session, and on Monday afternoon the boards will be occupied by a series of new turns. To-night will give patrons a last opportunity of seeing this week's numbers, some of which are described by critics as being very good. Monday will bring a bill that will be completely new. THE PACIFIC ISLANDS. The film of the Pacific Islands, the beautiful scenes and the lives of the Inhabitants there, has been so successful that the season has -been extended for another nlg'ht. Accordingly the picture, which is called "Ten Thousand Miles In the S.Y. Southern Cross," will again be exhibited to-night, in the Town Hall Concert Chamiber. The film is accompanied by a most

Interesting address by . the (Bishop of Melanesia, and In itself It Is a splendid entertainment, besides being a line example of the movie cameraman's art. The film was taken during the yearly trip of the mission •boat Southern Cross, and Includes scenes and quaint customs from many far-away Islands, where the Inhabitants are far removed from -the influences of civilisation. TOWN HALL, NEXT SATURDAY. Next 'Saturday evening a number of wellknown local artists will give a grand concert in the Town Hall, the proceeds of the entertainment being earmarked for the assistance of the Sudan United Mission, and particularly to send 'Mr. Keith Rlmmer to Africa. The artists include the Famous Lyric Quartet, the Albert Symphony Orchestra, the Misses Laura Stone, and Margaret .Salisbury, and Messrs. H. J. Hill, A. HalL T. Harris. G. Poore, Alan McElwaln and Arthur Bree. BROADWiAY THEATRE. At the Broadway Theatre, Newmarket, Tom Mix is the hero of "A Ridln' Romeo," which will be the headllner again to-ni-kt. On Monday "A 'Man's Home" will b> i ••• sented, together with secondary plctu - AUCKLAND PARLIAMENTAR i ASSEMBLY. Under the auspices of this body, -.. s'sr llamentarv debate will be _eld it m. Andrew's' Hall on Monday evening, ana -v. proceedings there should be of no 6n:'' It terest. The speaker 'Will be Mr. W. -v a lace, chairman of the Auckland Hoapi'n.l Board. The Labour government will take I office and declare its policy; the Gover or (■General's speech will be read by Dr. .v IH Horton. and the Address-ln-Reply will j'be moved by 'Mr. P. 'H. Hickey, who w*T! jbe Prime Minister of New Zealand for : ac evening. ELLA SHIELDS RETURN SEAS » Ella Shields, the brilliant Esgii'b comedienne, will open- a return seas ■ -at •His Majesty's Theatre on Monday. Mas This little lady Is a clever and refined male impersonator, and holds the am •-- >- throroughly interested the whole tim•■ is on tbe stage. She has an attractive r sonality, and the gift of character Tuny developed. Her voice Is of pleasing qr- lltj her use of it effective, and her clear c: •. ' atlon adds greatly to the success o b»impersonations. She appears first as £ about town in morning dress, then i swagger London policeman, "the dan;, the force." The British midshipman next, and then "Burlington Bertie "broken-down swell. These are all ,: ■ with real artistic Insight, and form a arresting and enjoyable act. Miss SJ .J? has her own company of hi-h-elass v , '.■• ville stars to support her. Including Mr .<:■' Miss Tree, musical mentalisits: the 'h."-« jacksons. sensational equllbrists: Cahi! r ' "Brooke, in songs nnd melodies: Mai■.->,■•' Sterndale, jazz violinist; Con Moret.l. of pantomime fame, and other well k:.•it artists. The box plan will open on Tucsdas morning.