AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 172, 22 July 1922, Page 9

AMUSEMENTS.

NATTOSAJ. *wr_*A—_ A stroi-j, r.7ii*»rironent of lumumr Ttms throng-i the new picture at the N&ttaial. Truant Husbands," and when the stirrings beneath the Burface do break ttaoogh the thin veil of circumstance, that lends its special interest to the film, ft happy note is immediately struct. Not tfcat the pleasures of the people most concerned i are identical with those of the audience. , for the embarrassments of the former are often the Joy of the latter; but unfbrtn--1 nate as these embarrassments may be. they [ are modified by only the slightest tragic touches, and anything in the shape of enduring evil is carefully avoided. To ■ begin with, the plot is laid with a care that almost amounts to caution, but the ulti-nate denouements—ifor there are a number c. "~»«ex lights—results from a ; series of accidents that each contribute to the reconciliation. That reconciliation is all the more rapid on account of faults , on the part of husband and wife, both making allowances for weaknesses. Howl the husband sets out with a "friend" to : visit an inn with old associations: howi . they reach the inn after petty little annoyances and are disgusted with the changes ' that time has effected are only a part ol Uie treat that is afforded to the observer i But when the waiter is serving out the' soup to the lovely belle, he disgusts her! by dipping his thumb in it. Nothing can ' reconcile the lady to remain, and Billy I limps home "with fear and trembling." for |in the meantime has occurred an aero-1 plane crash, and the driver is the very man • who was going to take Billy out. To ex-1 plain away the suspicions of his wife is ■ | now his difficulty. But his wife also has I | been "out," and fearing all the while that she would have to explain away the suspicious of Billy. The tragedy, in fa--t I figures only incidentally, and the conclu-1 sion is quite the contrary. Supporting l Truant Husbands" are some splendid gazettes and good topical pictures. THE HIPPODROME. When Victor lingo created his immortal masterpiece. "I.es Miscrables" in ISO- he insisted that it should be published stnrtltaneously in London, Paris, Brussels Leipzig. Milan, Madrid. Pesth, Rotterdam a-id New York. But even if it had only made its first appearance in the French capital such an epic not for the Frenchman alone but for tbe whole world, must necessarily have found expression in every language. The book, a stupendous undertaking both in regard to volume and subject treated, follows the struggle of a noor wood" culler with the evil forces that cirt-iuustance pits against him. The first blow of many that are to be levelled at him until he is beaten into a brute, is the theft of a loaf to feed his starving sister and her children. He Is committed to prison for five r»ars and aggravates the sentence by futile etforts to escape. It is not until 'nineteen years Inter, hard of heart i\nd dry of eye, that he Is given a specious freedom, He seeks a lodging at the house of the" Bishop of Duval, and in return for the kindness Showered upon him by the saintly priest 1 robs him of his silver in the stillness of the night. He is captured the next morning, but the bishop frees him by telling the' gendarmes that he gave Vaijean v. sliver. Before the ex-convict departs the kindly bishop aiso gives him two candlesticks, and this is the turning point in Vuljean's assertion of his better nature, nnd while Vaijean has stolen the bishop's silver, the bishop has discovered the gold in Valjean's heart. He sets out another man becomes a successful manufacturer, and spreads sunshine and happiness by means of his wealth. There has been, however, one small lapse from grace, and no matter how gracious are his deeds and commendable his life there is, in consequence, the shadow of possible recapture present. He fights against J it, but though he ends his days a free citizen, he sinks to rest wearied with the struggle. As the creator intended, there ' Is little sunshine in the book, but wretchedj ness and misery presented in hard, unrelenting episodes. William Fox, one of the leading film producers, has made a remarkable film version of the leading classic, and while much has naturally had to be condensed to present the theme within the compass of an hcux or so, the essence of the story is retained iv full flavour. At all sessions at the Hippodrome Theatre yesterday the photo-play was exhibited before large and appreciative audiences. William Farnuni fully came up to expectations jas Jean Vaijean. He Imbued the part with j a reality which made the respective qualities of goodness and badness, which rage<_ so tumultuonsly in the bosom of the woodcutter and ex-convict, stand out in bold relief. A fine supporting cast and appropriate settings serve to make the film one of the most successful L-terpretations of the famous book ever shown on the screen. TIVOLI THEATRE. Environment has been brought forward [>y many social writers as an overwhelming factor in the life of the individual, but in "flack Pay," the liim version of Fannie I' Ilursi's story, which was shown to a crowded audience at the Tivoli Theatre last evening, strives to show- that the fetters | axe not so strong that they cannot be • broken. The story concerns Hester Bevins, a beautiful and accomplished woman, who has arrived at the parting of the way. She

hesitates, and finally decides to take the road of luxury, with its glamour and glitter, in the hopes of arriving at the haven of -happiness, but far as she travels she fails to reach her goal. Then a tragedy enters into her life, and, stunned by the blow, she loses her way. only to stnntble- on to the road she has been seeking. The moral of the tale is given point by beautiful settings that form an appropriate background. The theme is also interpreted by an admirable cast, the principal of which is Seena Owen, the dainty actress who scored a triumph in "The Woman God Changed." Among the supporting artists are Matt Moore, J. Barney Sherry and Ethel Duray. Included in the programme Is a diverting comedy-drama, "Something IHtTcrent." based on the novel, "(.alderon's I'-isoner." It is the story of the adventures 01 a New York girl in the whirlwind of a South American rebellion, told with a rich vein of humour. Constacce I annoy is the star in the role, which she invests with her own delightful charm and vivacity. THE STRAND. Supported by a talented cast and equipped with a full measnre of the enthusiasm that has made her former pictures so successful, Constance Talmadge. in her !uie S t picture. ■•Polly of the Follies." shown at the Strand for the first time last night, gave some exceedingly clever and delightful comedy, which was. of course, vastly enirrtaining. The picture was welcomed by a large audience, which demonstrated the popularity of this young artist and the anneal she makes to picture lovers. Th" story concerns a young town girl, eecenn and clever, out of her proper environm l t. and longing to give expression to her ar::s- I try. Eventually she makes good in the Ziegfeld Follies, only to be fired the tirst I night for Jumping- off the stage to grt-et / her young brother, who has put in an tin«Tpected appearance. An interlude ol the • forepart of th epicture. In which the viva- I

. clous Polly, airl.-d by a few jovhil town f . k gives a picture show in her uncle's srore !" ,r . a swarm of children, in ::n pxcpptfia-ly clever piece of work, which c-aus-J m.i.h laughter. Another eccentric piece of work, mock heroic in tone, is that which narrates the historical appearance e.r I'leepatra before Julius Caesar, which .is presented in a decidedly novel and amusing manner. A Topical Review shows some Interest ins views of statesmen, including Mr Lio.i! "George, at the Genoa Conference. gllin><>'» of a match-making factory, also s irr.i* !n';cr-i-sling i'uris fashions. A special ■ nri-r'--.J- ---] last eveninc was provicieii by Madame | Annette Hayward. who sang several popular cumbers. An amusing Vitagraph 10.7:.' !.. featuring Jimmy Aubrey was ate., shown. :.': whiicli the various scenes in his exirem iv eccentric career arouse much lan-rh-.-r. An excellent orchestral programme is provided. \ GRAND THEATRE. j At the Grand Theatre the new attraction is "The Midnight Bride." in which is! I seen the beautiful Gladys Leslie in a rule! I dignified by her ingenuousness ami ettaria-J 1 ing expression as much as by her capable f I acting and intelligent understanding of lhe| i part which falls to her. The incidents ] themselves are admirably conceived, and I :he nan in which the alderman decides to net --square" Is a lingular triumvh for tVdetermination of the lovely lady. Her: gorgeous tresses and smiling disposition | succeed no less in winning a way into the confidence and arousing the love of a man I who ably supports Miss Leslie in the .-let-' icg. It is bui tittiug that such a film j sbould be supported by the attractive pictures that hold the second place in ._* programme. I:VERYBODI'\S THEATRE. When the athlete is a pseud . one—a cheer I'-ader, who loves track costume, hut never ran a race in his life, and Is despi-r ar--!:.- In love—the promise becomes actual I.v i. That's rh-_ situation in "Going Some." a co feature with "Alias Lady Fingers" on the new programme at Bv-eryt>ody's. Not tho least of the attractiveness of the fii-m lies in the rural srenery : and the solving of the intricale puzzle, which forms the culminating point of interest, is a singular triumph in the silent drama. Superficially th- merit of th-- other picture shonld lie in its splendid photography : bnt below tbia there is a carefully developed plot interspersed with comedy. Among the supports pre scenes at the funeral of Sir Ross Smith.

THE PRINCESS. ;An iTiiiirslug picture, which _h», _-_. \__r~-oßt full scope, was _n.___% rr f*^ fl»e at the Mtoea. bSSb**** to aftenxooa. •'Don't Get PenSip. 6^: comedy drama conceritog _& doings of a Follies beauty, who __fl%J_t cpm-erned with an aristocratic -ar-d-TaSl generaUy makes her presence ___\i'_ aX _[ a. way, though, that has a very happy enS tag, and gives everybody much _.____% tion. The theme is based on the tion that when Cupid throws his arrovvs into the dustbin In sheer disgust the eh-. In her teens may be trusted to carry on I the good work exactly where the little j fellow left off. Marie Prevost. in aria ! Universal feature, Ls seen as a New York IgW who goes on a visit to a country I estate, and is there subjected to a most i amusing series of adventures, in which site j Anally brings an estranged pair togetheE, and generally plays the part Cupid, finally | becoming herself tangled in the net. Her , tendency throughout a somewhat thankless | task is to interfere in other people's love j affairs. There is an excellent supporting programme, including the fourth round ot ' "The Leather Pushers." [ NEW LYRIC THEATRE. j The success of tbe film version of __ ' famous stage play "Kismet" is being coo. i tinued at the New Lyric Theatre, where It has been transferred for a week and was i last night shown to a large and appreci__- ■ tive audience. What Is lost in the spoken | word of the play is gained In the sumptuous I setting and gorgeous drapery and costt-ra-I Ing on those Oriental lines which n_a__es the • East so charming and fascinating. The plot jis one that is known to one and ail, and i there is no need to recount it here. Suffice lit to say therefore that little has been lost lin transposing the theme for presentation on the screen. The attention is arrested I immediately from the ontset and the specj tator becomes thoroughly absorbed in the adventures of the crafty Hajj, the beggar of Bagdad. As Hajj, Otis Skinner, one of America's leading character actors of the stage, is seen in", portrayal which admirably emphasises the significance of the part. EJPSOM LIBRARY COURSE. A dramatic and musical entertai-tmei-t arranged by Miss Vera Ziman will be given at the Epsom <L3br_rv Hall on Tuesday next, in. connection with the Epsom Library Winter Course. Vocal selections will be rendered by Misses Myrtle Burns, Nora McManus. and Messrs. S. H. -Harris and Chas. Prime. Other items include pianoforte solos by Mrs Chas. Prime, 'cello solos by Mr. 11. O. MacFarlane and e-ocntioiia-T and humorous items by Bliss Winn-fred Crosher and Miss Vera Ziman and Mr. S. H. Harris. Mrs. Chas. Prime will act as accompanist. ■TOE QUEEN'S THEATRE. The change of programme at the Queen's Theatre yesterday included as the principal attraction a sensational film entitled ''Riding With Death." in which Buck Jones has the title role. The value of the story is around the Mexican border, and the life there generally is depicted In a most interesting manner. One of the most stirring features of the fll-n is the fight that Buck Jones makes against the desperadoes after his release from imprisonment. His little companion in prison _% cruelly shot down in the street. This enrages Buck, who makes his assassins pay dearly for their cowardly action. Thei* Is an interesting supporting programme. NELLIE BRA3ILEY OOCVTPA-WY. "Bought and Paid For," George Broa*. hurst's enthralling comedy-drama, will be produced at H_M. Theatre by Miss Nellie Bramley and her talented company, under the direction of Mr. Wm. F. RusselL this afternoon and evening. The story centres round- a yonng telephone girl of refined instincts, who marries a millionaire whom she loves and respects until he, in a drunken scene, insults her self-respect, and tells her be has bought and paid for hen. The incidents are Intense, and in this production Miss Bramley will be seen as Virginia Blame, a role that will give her ample scope to display her artistic abilities and emotional powers. The supporting east is good, and the artists have all been given parts that suit. The box plan is now open at Lewis R. Eady and Son, Ltd. OPE-__A HOUSE. The current programme at the Opera. House will be presented for the lust time this evening. The feature of the entertalninent is the demonstration in ctadrvo-vance given by Mr. PanL The supporrting items comprise a pleasing range of musical and novelty acts. The nsaal change of programme win be effected on Monday. SIS-TINE CHOIR SOLOISTS. The concert organisation composed of the ten soloists of the world-famous Sistine Choir, which has been appearing to crowded and enthusiastic audiences in Sydney, will visit Auckland some time in September. Their repertoire comprises a wide range of operatic airs and Neapolitan folk songs. The accompanist and conductor of the soloists is Maestro EmilLr Casolari. From Auckland the soloists wfm__. a tour of the Dominion.