AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 142, 17 June 1922, Page 11

AMUSEMENTS.

NATIONAL THKATKK. j These days Ihe motion picture ib.ir appeals to the eye alone is in a large majority. The beautiful female star trailing gracefully iv gorgeous gowns and wraps and negligees has been In the ascendancy lor a long time, and as long as clothes hol.i the centre of the floor as the chief interest of women, this tyre' ..f picture will continue to have a following. But Ibe large human public—the sympathetic public—is always grateful for and ready to eiithiisiastba.ly acclaim a photoplay which i* big enough and broad enough to make an appeal lv t.itheart aud mind as well as to the eye. Such a picture is "Down Home," ihe hr.*t independent production to he made by irviu V. Willat. screened at the National Theatre! last night for the first time to a very large ■ audience. "Down Home" is an ad.-i_.itiu ion ; of Ihe Frank N Westcott novel ■-, ..lbin-y J Todd," which has been read au-i enjoyed by thousands since il was puh!._iu il lour . or five years ago. It is a story that e.n- j bodies all the emotions of which human I mind and heart are capable. It makes one laugh, aud perhaps cry. and make.* on.- ihiak ' of the many vicissi.tides life lioliis .'-,r I many, and then it compels us io realise that [ a stepping stone to higher things can be made out of each trial that comes along, if ; tbirgs are tooked ai i_. the rigb; way. The ' supports shown last nigh: include a bright | comedy, ■•(hums." with Baby Peggy .i..ii Brownie, the dog. enacting the mai.i fun- ! making roles, a line clear scenic. "i)til of ibe ! Past," and an International and St Izuick ■ News. The National orchestra as usual ibs- ' penses a pleasing musical program mc. THE HIPPODItOM"-. A new siar. John Gilbert, made hi- up- I ■pearaiice at the Hipp .drome yesterday in I "llleam o* Dawn." the feature of a varied and entertaining programme. Tbe story ! is set amid the grandeur of the Canadian north woods, and is spiced with love and adventure. Tbe .-entral intere-i i- l lie haired entertained by a young man for Ills father, a great artist, who deserted hi* mother many years before. The u.-ira.el- • ling of the situation that arises is accomplished iv ihe course of some very vivid and colourful s.-eiies. In the double rote uf the father Bui son. John Gilbert gives a very convincing Interpretation. He ; differentiates between the two characters i with a force and ability wlii.-li assures hint ' a high place in the picture wubl. Supporting him in the opposite role is Barbara 'Bedford, who is seen to (-harming :nlv:u.tage in a capably bandied mle. Edward Booth Tiltou is another member of the cast in a prominent and highly successful i haracterUation. Included in the programme is a pleasing eoniedy-ilraiu.i. • "Little Miss Smiles." with petiie Shirley , Mason in the principal role. The selling . is the ghetto of a large .-:iv where, i.e.-pitt* ! the tqualicl surroundings, liitle Miss Smiles , contrives to get a lot of enjoyment ou; at ■ life and spread sunshine by radiating | plenty of good humour. There is a good ] deal of pathos in the Him, which is en;he- • Bised by a fuud of bright comedy situations. At the evening seseioiis the or- i chestra plays an excellent mush-al pro- j gramme, of which ihe overture is Brahms' j "Hungarian Dance." ! PRINCESS THEATRE. | A delightful comedy of a misogynlsi and [ a girl who is also ou her part a iiiui-h iter is "Nobody's Foil." ibe chief attraction of the excellent programme being shown at the Prince:-.*. The man mixes with bis dislike for women a general philosophy of 1 fe which, expressed iv well-chosen phrase, gives a delightful twist to the character, j 'Ihe man seeks immunity from society, audi especially thai portiqn of it that lm* particularly incurred his displeasure by going away und living iv a lonely hotel. as Tboreau did at Wabien. He is invaded, however, by a young -woman with do lofty ! opinions concerning men. but the friendly. otuees of a genial Chinaman, who is ,he| menial of the tenement, serve to bring about a better understanding between the two misanthropes. A complication which gives rise tn many humorous incidents also helps matters along, and an exciting combat ' between the hero and a rival form-: the climax which leaves the hero aud heroine well on the road to a better understanding of mankind, with a complete one between themselves. As the woman-hater. Harry : Myers i_ seen in one of his happiest por- | tray a Is. He has fully realised the significance of the part to invest it with a charm of ils own. Opposite him is Marie Prevost. who glve3 a charming delineation of a charming character. The other parts are taken by clever and satisfying artists. The supporting films Include a divertina Bobby Vernon comedy. "Fresh on the I-'arm." The orchestra provides, as usual, a tine musical programme. STRAND THEATRE. An attractive and varied picture programme was offered at the Strand Theatre last night, the headliner being a First National photo.-play entitled "Why (iiris Leave Home." a tense drama presenting and offering a solution to one of tbe problems of modern society. Anna (J. Nilsson is , the star. This picture uot only reveals the reason "Why Girls Leave Home"" but it also points in a direct manner to a solution of tbe problem which many srfrls and -.heir parents are called upon to face at some tinner other. The story deals with every home lin general, but for the sake or clarity two I specific instances are presented. One. the [home of a rich merchant who indulges his . daughters every whim : the other, ihe home lof a rich man's employee, who represses in j his' daughter every youthful instinct. The j result is that both girls leave home aud attempt to fight the battles of life alone. | and later their paths cross. Together they w-ork out their own destiny in a manner I which is at one time true "to life, and at the same time true to life. "Why Oirls Leave Home" is produced on a big scale. and has all the elements of a masterpiece. One of the most hilarious and rollicking comedies is "Call a Cop." a Mack Sennett film, which delighted all those at the Strand last night. There are also two new gazetKs depicting the latest world's happenings, and I a film showing the Manaias" trip to the 'wrecked Wiltshire on Sunday last. Miss j Dore Opperman contributed two songs. | which were enthusiastically received. Sears .may be booked for the evening sessions by 1 phoning the Strand, No. ".114. j THE TIVOLI.

The change at the Tivoli last uiglit will! maintains the reputation ..f this theatre for au attractive, instt-ii.-tive. and amusing Jiroefaiume. 'Ihe star picture presents j Wallace Reid. Gloria Swanson. and Elliott Dexter iv • Don"t Tell Everything." a highly interesting drama, descriptive of i life lv the great American metropolis aul ! in the pine woods of the California!) out-of-doors. It is a tale of tangled love, the complications following the lieart-l-urniugri of a yourj_: and somewhat jealous wife, and is one of the few pictures that really do reserve the denouement until the end." The climax cannot be foretold, although naturally all wish the w-ife a hanty solution to her problea., and are gratified when this is apparent. Wallace Held is at his best. Dotting in seine excellent character work. particularly in the portion dealing \v;tli life in tbe mountain cabin where the party depart to finally unravel the tangled ne'o. Elliott Dextf anil Gloria Swnus.ui are both attractive and interest ill-.' in their resoective roles, one the gir". of sport ai-.l out-of-door life, and the other the very essence of femininity. The chief support. a comedy fealifinc Harold Lloyd, is one of the most amusing features shown in this theatre for some time, ami is quite a star attraction. The exceedingly . lever ~..-k of this young man places Mm on the plane of steliar corned-tans of the day. An attractive little travelogue depicting silk weaving in Japan, and an interesting Gazette, complete a delightfully -f igin.il and thoroughly enjoyable programme. QI'BENS TIIKATuE. "The Cyclone" is the title of the photodrama which heads the interesting li-t of films showing at the (Jiieen's Theatre. Tom Mix. the popular cowboy star, is the pr n -i pal in a role which be handles with hN us»a, ability. He is seen as a sergeant i.i the mounted police, who. as a result of ~ feat in horsemanship, is cut rust c.l l.y hi* captain with a very important iit!s-i«»n, namely, the extirpation nt :i smuggling gang. The manner in which he ftiltilthls trust is fraught with many ex-ititu-lncldeuts that hold the attention The -!"'•'.>' Is leavened with a bright rouiau c i:i vvlii.-ii Colleen Moore figures as it,.- heron.- Torn Mix is further supported l.y a stro.,» .-a<t. which Includes Henry .1. Herbert uul William Ellingford. T'le se,,i„-' , hi-.,ugh..ul is of exceptional merit, and siip-mrts Hi" action adequately The secondary features include a diverting comedy -drama. vi,!, vivacious IVggy Ili-land ! n the Icadin- ro .-. and an Instruelive topical budget. GRAND THEATRE. A thoroughly goo.l and entertaining p.-i----gramme macle its first s.-rc en ajipearan-e last night at the Grand Theatre "liapbv and Joan" is ihe feature picture. ;i Itriti.-'i production, well acted an I -.-, amidst oT.i liant scenes. The pholo play is from the masterpiece of the same name, l.y Sir Hall •Caliie. ami the star i>- Ihe aiuii <r*s Derwent Hall Caiue. Mrs. Henry ll.uward sang the song "Darby and .loan" ..- the picture was screened 'last night, an-l was accorded much applause f,,r her tine Interpretation of the beautiful ..i.l 5..„.-. William S. Hart is supported l>v Louise Glaum and Charles Ray in easily his host Western photo-ploy to date. "Staking His Life." There is plenty of actl >ti and thrill, with the usual Hart expert 1".,, i play. ill this picture, that is appreciated by his many admirers. There was also screened a scenic film of rare beauty, a Gazette, land a Chaplin cornedj.

•■ TiiKoi <;ii Tin-: hack im>ob." Mar y l'ii-kf.uVJ's latest [ihtur.-. •■T_r..ush. - the Back Door?' a I :i:;,..] Artists" proilu---tion, screened .it :!..- New I.j - • Theatre last nigh;, "a- a -■-'aimed ;.-. i.o pa. ked '"_ bouse as casin bcr i-c-i eti'.rt to dice mi the sih,.,- slue:. H i.- M.,r\ - lir t .....!.- photoplay, and pn.ii.h - .-..: att.-a. :: vi of unusual strength and .-:iaru.. Il is lull of is rc.-i.-jiisi'.ie !..r .. p.i. !i •:;• a;ip, .;. ■•Through I lie Back I •• •. • .- -..lii,-t,.i::g quite .Lifer, in t.. auj •■' ■•■■■■ ■ -nr- tl.it Man- has p axed in. | Il i- r.-ui.-irkn de for brilli.ni. c" "f "the settings I! - sorgeu.ii dresses, .-liarmiiig -:.•■>'. ami. .. •■■•• all. it right mi tn tl.e last few :■•■■!. A •!..••.'..•- ---tion of A'ii.-;-:--:in and foreign i-.-al. . ibis pi.-llin- !.!-.-> ii- til. ilio-l CN '• HI elite' taitiuieiit. feainrli:g - •' !•"- the Worl I-. greatest screen a. ties- i-, ~ h :.i pari. th.. role in w-lil. li Mar.\ li.-X.' :.i ha- i•■ |-. ■--.-. l!Ki::. Lit:!.'- Jeanne D...|am-.-rc and : .-r pleasure hiving mother an- siiiuiiierii.g a! Kit Ml I :':'.'" -i w" a- liv \ -.--• '*> -'-. ' After a M-hiriwltiil .-..itrtsiiii. lie-* hotn niari-v. Little Jeanne i- -iuus- I :•■ the .-are of her in :>.-. Marie, lor ••:••• year, against her iii..i!k-.-'s wish-*, a: I only because the ne.y hu.-hin.l insisi- l-ive years pass before Mrs. Keeves returns for her little daughter, ami in the meantime the old nurse has married, ami has ite to regard .!.•:.in.e a- h'-r own daughter. Sh ■ tells th,. molher tll.lt lile .-l:ii.| is ili'id. baby. Mr-' li..'eyes' be.-..mis rreiful an I disnot even Recce's' ri-h'cs bri:-g ha PI bess ti the disconsolate mother. Meanwhile war breaks out in Europe, an i rearing for .leanne's -.ifeiv the tnir-e sends her w • Amerha with n note of explanation to her mother. I'Meiiitinta-i-es .-.inspire 1., prevent .loam,* from presenting ibis note. and she is r-.r. c.l io eufr tile peine ..f her mother as a servant through ti..- ba.-k door. Tims ,'..:.-s the -~,,- ■ get its name. 11l th» i-apaeliv as inai.l Jeanne .ti- b.-es a ldn-k----maiiing -..lis:.ire -v ag.i.i*- 1.-r -...p-father. reveals her bleuiltv !•' her mother I" a ton.-),':... s.-eiie. and brings b.-i -:. to th's household the |.'vc>'ii-.l which was about to fly nwnv. There are .many .-oii-.nllca-ti.ms involved, a'l provocative of mirth, yet tou.-hed with (inn pathos thai stamps Mary I'i.-kforil as the groat-si of all ingenues and m i>tre>s ef her art. She is well supported by Job-i liar:-..!' an.l two pr«----i-ui-tiMis children. Pi'ii.-he- .l.i-l.s.ei and ■ Horeen Turner, will!" tbe other members Of .be ,-aSt give of their best The ~l,o*o--strap.)v in this li.-ture is truly wonderful. ,He rural s. .lie*, au I lb-.*- taken on Klli.e Island being i.-irti-uia-L- ':]»' , '" n = an,! i.ri-bt Summed in. brietly. - 1 hrongh Hie 8.-uk Do. r" i- a area: iihocplay. eontainin-. a' th- ,-ital c enilal* ar» !if\7'e''o,-,:i.i:'!-v.' r i'l 's'Loo.'l '.-.n.l patrol-, shorld not ml.- s-ee-.ng it. Sue, i'l musl'. . .-boson with .-ire is I laved by the Lyric Orehestr'. a'i-1 greatly 'eiih.-iii-.- th- P'"inre. Th- (lav -:il"s arc al Lewis ft. Ka.lv ~-:,: so". Lid., while rc-rvos mcV he „!„„!„„ i i,v Hugi.ig "Ph.."" ■■■■A. liter" will !.» matinee* on Wc-.l::e-days and EVKItVP.uDVS THEATRE. •• Scratch My P.a.-k."" a Itui-erl Hughes production. wbi.-li ha* altra.-tel large .. bouses at Everybody's Theatre .luring tbe w.-tk will be shown ' be I:.*: ,w, it all . ..Hi'then ".' ni.-inv I, ili ' 11- -~,:.! i. 11 this mm. There will be an entire • '■'■'-c of programme -ii ibis theatre .vi Monday. "THE MAID I'l" THE MAINTAINS." This afternoon in, . i:.i in,_ = 11..* ( rie ilnl itt-f M •■-Mm -;-:!- I. '. •."I • ' vvill r-oii.-liide a lellglbv season. dii M-.nbiv ■;■ night tbe pice will be staged iv tne I aeatre Ituyal Hamilton. I'IUOAN KE'ITAI. TH-NHDIT. : , Tbe city organist has arranged a varied f programme for the recital in the Town Hall to-night. He will play Smart's Air with variations, a uiovemeul from \ lerne S • new organ S» mpboiiy. nud v.-vin'- " 1 -ay In - Venice." Miss Kay Nezdar will be tbe l-Voealist. P.OOK CONCKUT. '; In the Town Hull on Thursday evening 'next a book conceit will be given in aid ot .. tl.e funds of the May..res-- War Memorial j Library Committee, when the following ! attractive programme will be presented :— [The Municipal choir vvill slug "My Bonnie I Lass. She Siui'.oth." " I.ills of St. Michaels iTower."' -'Sweet and Low." and "Swansea JTown." Miss Mina Caldows songs will be ••Sapphic tide." "Tbe Stars." and " O Love, from Thy Power." while Mrs. Cyril Towsev will sing "The Nile." " Kleatlore." land "'Sing. Ureal; into Song." Mr. Barry I Coney will sing " Harlequin" and "It Was Thou the Destroyer." while organ selections will be idaveil by -Mr. Maughati Barnett. ITbe aecninpiini-t* will be Miss Evelyn Wviuan. Mr. (Mil Towsev. and Mr. Leo. Whlttak'«r. while a violin obligate will be Inlaved by Mr. Harold Baxter. The bos : p'a:'i is a"- Lewis It. Ka.lv and Soli, Ltd.