AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 147, 22 June 1923, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

NATIONAL THEATRE. The dim version or the novel "The Power or a Lie," by Johann Bojcr. tlic distinguished Norwegian novelist and playwright, commenced at the .National Theatre, to-day. The photo-play baa lor its characters brilliant figures or an exclusive .set of society who are dragged through the shameful mire or scandal through the accepted policy or telling- lies wherever the truth is slightly inconvenient or improper. It tells the story or John Hammond, abjured by his cold-hearted wile Joan not to help the drunken and wasteful (lance or his sister Betty. Hammond likes the young- fellow, Hichard Burton, anil determines to help him secretly— so he endorses Burton's note lor ten thousand to help him start an architectural business of his own. Burton expects by success and hard work to retrain the favour of Betty Hammond, who has concurred with her sister-in-law's wish and broken her engagement with him. Hammond, questioned about the financial favour by Ills wire, tells a "lie or evasion." From that lie grow more lies, more evasions, bitter words, public, denunciations, a scalding- society scandal, the death of a prominent society clubman, a trail or broken hearts and blasted hopes, until the great drag-on of deceit draws the cowed fig-urns In the drama Into a courtroom where honour, mercy, pride, and love aro tho battlers In a light over something: that grew out or—nothing! From lie to Ho and crime to crime the characters move in one or tho strangest stories ever written. The story is Interpreted by an all-star cast, which includes .Mabel Julienne Scott, Maude Georg-e, June Elvidge, Earl Metcaire, and other well-Known artists under Universals , banner. An interesting: list or secondary lllms supports the principal reature. THE HIPPODROME.

"Lights or New York," now showing at the Hippodrome, is a unique production. In It both sides or >'ew York are shown— the riches and splendour or Fifth Avenue alternate with the squalor and degradation or the great city's slums. The main scene of the picture is laid in a gentlemen's club on Fifth Avenue. Here two great human stories or the city are recounted. In one or the stories Marc MacDermott, pioneer screen actor, plays the leading role. He is cast as a "down and out" invited to attend a rich young man's bachelor dinner to save the party rrom having thirteen at the table. Tlie "outcast" Is asked to tell the story of his lire. He unfolds a tale or love and fortune and degradation, and rinally drifts out again into the cold outSide world. In the other story Clarence Nordstrom portrays the part of the secretary or a rich clubman. He tells how he was left, a Toundling, in the care of an East Side pawnbroker and his wife, how they lovingly cared for him during his early child and boyhood, how he fell into bad company, and how, after a terrible nightmare, he saw the error of his ways and reformed. The supporting- features Include "The Chauffeur," a Clyde Cook comedy. STRAND THEATRE.

Squibs, the vivacious Cockney IKrwergirl, whose lovable character warmed the hearts of all who saw her in the photoplay from Her name, Is to be seen at the Strand Theatre in a further chapter of her : entertaining career, entitled "Squibs Wins the Calcutta Sweep." In this line WelshI Pearson production we renew our acquaintance with the flower-girl at her home, whore she Is now residing- with her father, Pam Hopkins, sister Ivy having been married to the Weasel. Sam comes Into pos- , session of a ticket for the Calcutta Sweep, and this in turn is. passed on to Squibs. Then a wonderrul thing happens; the tlcKet proves a winner, and Squibs finds herself enriched to the extent of £60,00u. Squibs troes wild with excitement, but, despite the rhang-e in her lire rrom a monetary point of view, she remains the self-same Squibs, bringing , tears of laughter to the eyes of the audience in her quaint mannerisms, and her efforts to wipe away the tears of the Eoor people amongst whom she has been roiight up. There is also another tragedy of a sterner nature concerning- the Weasel, which is made to balance finely with the other moments of sheer comedy in the Mm. The whole story shows signs or a careful restraint, and gains considerably In consequence. Betty Bairour's Squibs Is quite the most refreshing thing that she has done. She brings out the many humorous but delightfully human characteristics of the part with outstanding- merit, while in the quieter and more serious moments she reveals an undoubted dramatic ability with ell'ect. Hugh E. Wright is successful, as Ihe always is, In his study of the Cockney, I Sam Hopkins, and P.C. Lee looks a real I policeman as played by Fred Groves— 1 despite the fact that be is compelled to go down on his knees in the street to Squibs, who appears in silk and osprey subsequent to her winning the sweep. There is certainly not a dull moment In the Him. Included in the programme is "The Kut," with Douglas Fairbanks as the star. TIVOLI THEATRE. A very diverting theme is contained In "Nobody's Money," the leading attraction or the programme which will be initially presented at the Tivoll Theatre this evenIng. The chief cause of the many amusing episodes of this entertaining Paramount production is a necklace which, arter being stolen, places a number or innocent people in extremely awkward positions. The trouble arises through John Webster, portrayed by the favourite Paramount star, Jack Holt, seeking reruge rrom an, inevitable nervous breakdown by becoming an amateur burglar. He meets an individual named Eddie, who is a real burglar, and, after John's nerves have regained their equilibrium, he sets out to reform his new friend. John rails in love with the Governor's daughter, played by Wanda Hawley, and then the fun starts when Eddie's thieving propensities get the upper hand under stress or temptation. He steals a necklace from an open sare, only to be discovered by John. The letter's attempts to cover up his friend's lapse only leads rrom one ludicrous situation to another until the i llnale, when everything , is satisfactorily ; cleared up. The other irems of the I attractive programme will include a comedy-drama "June Madness," with Viola Dana in the leading role. PRINCESS THEATRE.

The perms or melancholy cannot liope to thrive in the atmosphere of "I>r. Jack," the rathe nim comedy which commenced a week's season at the Princess Theatre today. Harold Lloyd, that mirth-provoking , comedian or the big- horn-rimmed circular glasses, who has made such rapid strides in popular favour during- the past year or two, i≤ no less than Dr. jack, whose adventures as a consulting- physician to a private larnily pause continual merriment, and at times almost uncontrollable laughter. Dr .lack i≤ railed in to assist the long-estab-lished family doctor in connection with the daughter or the house, whose chier complaint is that she is too carefully looked alter, and not allowed to take any healthy exercise Dr. Jack completely disregards the olrl-fashioned notions of his colleague and diagnosing: the young- lady's chief need to be excitement, prepares to effect a cure in a most startling-, but withal amusing, manner. in order to depose the autocratic, doctor. Jack pretends that he is an escaped lunatic, and the ensuing- scenes, in which the whole household are in full cry alter the madman, besides making the lady take more exercise than hitherto upsets the old Tamily physician so mucli that he Is only too glad to make his escape trom the premises. Dr. Jack is thus left triumphant, with a cure tn his credit and the hand in marriage of his patient -Dr .lack s entertaining throughout, the situations having been cleverly conceived and presented with genuine humour.' Harold Lloyd not only proves himself a great corned an, but in the more, restrained passages he also shows himseir to beanfactor ol the highest order. "Dr. Jack" is s'utipoited by an attractive programme or Mini.-, which includes -'The Timber riueen " a story or the lumberlands, with Hutu n? 1 »»'l />» V lO sta, '- The oWtai plctu " EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. rJlf;^ V S??h of A "° Im P°rtance" is the star ggud B JSffif Wfe TaVe the hands of Fay Compton. the' talent. or° r the few?" ,1 ' U ' e W*raminMl3i man

GRAND THEATRIC. in ■X at M 1 r ?n t u L Ye ? ,, " se! or " ,ni > is Provided at ?■ ft t,, l ,'!^'" ,1 " 1 " 10 now showing a i iin , 111 aim i ncutre First cm th« it t is "The Dictator," a Paramount mi tlon, with the lato \Vala<" P.l'as tie Moiv is one in a south American revolution, anil Horn a number or thr Iline I-im-PMve? S , a n f!, - ,|,Klnn " roman"e.VhM I? ]mi trajetl with no little -kill tiih many admirers or Mary Miles Mmter w! !»• very pleased with her clever Ytiai-act,"i' Mtlon m "Moonlight and lionrvsiirklp." The Mini I? a piquant romedv Jraina wiih an appealing: love interest, in winch Mix >)«.> »iL 5 central tlffure. The «;<■!•>■ l;p * rise lo a number nf p\cpc(iin'-i'v diverting situations, whlrh liavo been, c overly presented n the photo-play \ Mark .-ennett c.inerly. "Gee \VIII7 •• and in instructive Burton Holmes traveioirue completes the entertainment: lraveloirue '