AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 148, 23 June 1923, Page 12

AMUSEMENTS.

f ' *■" I NATIONAL THEATRE. - The Universal production, "The Pow-er r or a Lie" was most favourably received c at all sessions at the National Theatre y yesterday. The film is rrom the novel by Johann Bojer. the Norwegian writer, and serves to show the consequences, little dreamt of. that may arise rrom the telling or a lie. The story involves a dramatic situation which has been power- - rmiy developed to rorm an engrossing f photoplay,.. The central figure Is John I Hammond, who vascillatcs between obeying f his wife's injunction not to help a young c rellow named Burton and a desire to do c the man in question a good turn. He does - Burton a good turn, but to evade his wire s ) questionings he lies to her. The consen quences take a dramatic turn, which lead c rrom one startling episode to another i. until the tensely absorbing climax. The r remarkable story Is interpreted by an all- - star cast, which includes Mabel Julienne 5 Scott, Maude George, June Elvidge and i Earl Metcaire. The is enhanced s by appropriate settings and photographic v effects. The supporting budget pr fllms Includes "Kindled Courage, , ' with the ' popular Hoot Gibson as the star, and "The Home Plate," an entertaining comedy. HIPPODROME THEATRE. The stories of two lives have been lne geniously interwoven in "The Lights or - New York," the William Fox production " which rorms the. principal attraction at s the Hippodrome this week. The llrst story s purports to show how easy it Is ror a man s wjth determination to succeed, and in the - second how simple a downrall is. Marc n MacDermott, one of the veterans or the v" motion picture industry, is cast in the t leading role. In the portrayal ol' a man - who loses his fortune, all lor the love or r a girl, he does what must rank with the 1 best work or his extended career. Resides c possessing a theme which holds the ate tention rrom llrst to last, the photoplay r has been mounted against striding back- , grounds which present lire In New York c in its diirerent phases. At one time it i." r the poverty and wretchedness or the slums, | 1 and at another the luxury or the rich, but i g- always there is a lldclity to the various 1 conditions portrayed. The programme includes a Clyde Cook comedy entitled "The Chauffeur." j PRINCESS THEATRE. ! A class or opinions between two doctors as to the better method of treating the daughter or a wealthy man gives rise tv the extremely amusing incidents with r which "Dr. Jack," the Pathe 111 mat the Princess Theatre, is replete. Dr. Jack, ■ played by Harold Lloyd, is a young man . with modern ideas, while the old l'amily doctor pins his raith in theories long since [ exploded. The clash or wills results in Dr. Jack staging a scare concerning an i escaped lunatic. Dressed to represent a madman, Dr. Jack leads the household a ' dance, and makes things so unpleasant for ' his colleague that this personage is only too glad to vacate his position. Dr. Jack ' thus triumphs in effecting a cure, and also ' succeeds In winning the young lady's arI fectlon. Harold Lloyd's characterisation I of Dr. Jack is one of the most amusing things that he has done. From the opening . to the closing scene his antics keep the ' audience in high good humour. Especially clever are his rapid changes rrom Dr. Jack 'to the supposed escaped lunatic, which provide a Tund or humour. An interest- ' ing supporting programme covers a pleasing ' range of 111ms. ! STRAND THEATRE. > A delightful study of a lovable screen , personality Is the British photoplay, "Squibs Witis the Calcutta Sweep," which Is now being shown at the Strand Theatre. It is the same Squibs which. In the 111 m " titled arter its heroine, danced her way into the hearts of all who saw her. In the present sequel the vivacious flower-girl experiences a great moment in her lire when she wins £60,000 in the Sweep. From comparative poverty. Squibs becomes affluent, but ever retains tnat simple. 1 charm which has endeared her to all, and r throughout the ensuing entertaining scenes s she remains the droll, impulsive young 4 1 woman. Betty Balfour again plays the part or the Cockney girl with ability that .is outstanding, and marks her as one C or the foremost comediennes or the . screen. Not less diverting is Sam Hopkins, who in the exceedingly capable hands ; or Hugh E. Wright Is mad». a very human - figure. Praise is also due to the other . members or the cast Tor tery successful ' handling or the supporting characters or 5 the 111 m. 1 TIVOLI THEATRE. I A very amusing situation is brought about in the diverting Paramount eomedyi"l drama, "Nobody's Money," wLich was re- - leased beTorc a crowded audirnce at the . Tivolt Theatre last evening. Tie film depicts the adventures or John Webster i (Jack Holt), who seeks an antidote to a nervous breakdown in becoming an ama--5 teur burglar. He meets and beTriends > Eddie, a gentleman who wields the s'"jemmy" Tor the more serious business or II earning a living. John returns to his . honest lire, and takes Eddie with him. i This latter worthy, however. Is unable to r escape from the influence of his previous 5 environments, and the consequences or . temptation being placed in his wav in the -, rorm or an unprotected necklace are most . amusing. Opposite Jack Holt, in a capti- . vating portrayal, is Wanda Hawlev. The . programme Includes "June Madness'" with , Viola Dana and Bryan Washburn as the ' principals. 5 QUEEN'S THEATRE. 1 A highly entertaining situation arises • in "Three Live Ghosts." the star attrar- ; tion at the yueen's Theatre, when three . soldiers, believed to be killed at the front are very much alive in Ihe busy metropolis tor London. The adventures .of the • cleverly-constructed comedy-drama. "The 5 Eagle's Mate," which is included in the "ghosts" ofTer plenty of diversion in the t programme, is one or Mary Pickrord's sue- , i cesses, possessing- as it docs an appealing 1, theme presented through the medium or a • line cast. A Charlie Chaplin comedy 1 "The Good-ror-nothlng," is another divert- ; ing item of the programme. , GRAND THEATRE, i An arresting story or a South American ' revolution is contained in "The Dictator " ' the Paramount feature which forms the , principal attraction at the Grand Theatre ; The plot is rull or complicated situations _ which are successrully unravelled in a C strong climax. The late Wllace Reid is , the. star in a role which made him so ponu- , lar in his day. "Moonlight and Honey- . suckle," which is included in the programme, is a reTreshing comedy-drama , with Mary Miles Minter in one or her most . appealing roles. She is supported by a , I line company, which helps to make the 1 photo-play one or outstanding interest. ; EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. Ideal Films have achieved no small success in the adaptation to the screen or Oscar Wilde's brilliant play A Woman ur . .No Importance." The film, which takes i pride or place on the current programme ■at Everybody's Theatre, Has caught the i essence of Wilde's witty yet dramatic pro- ! duction, and presented It in a series or ! pictorial incidents which make a very in- ■ tcresting production. The photo-play has r also the advantage or a cast or prornl- : nent English players. Fay Compton, well .: known to both screen and stage nlavs ; with requisite reeling the part or Rachel 1 left alone in the world to bring up her !i son. The part or Lord liringworth, trlller • i and man or the world, is admirably de- , picted by Milton Rosmer. Supporting this , i reatui'e is an attractive list or secondary L\RIC THEATRE 1 The presentation or the theme contained !"1 V.' c morality photo-play "The Divinity ior Motherhood" made a wide appeal at the Lyric Tneatre last evening. The story ! concerns a young woman repelled by the ftuirenng or motherhood, who, in a series ■ ol' allegorical visions is shown the" r»al purpose or lire. The story i≤ graphically presented, and given an appropriate setting. At the head or the Interpreting cast is Margarita Fischer, In a pleasing I portrayal or an exacting role. Included in . the programme is "The Altar stairs " a I story or the South Seas, told in striking : episodes. Frank Mayo, the ever-popular , i screen star, Is cast In the role or an j adventurer seeking happiness and Ilndina;it after a number or experiences which 1 rorm tne engrossinganterest or the Him. •| BOHEMIAN ORCHESTRA. j The Bohemian Orchestra will give its '.\ second concert or the season in the Town I Hall on Thursday evening, July 12. The programme will Include selections from ' the work 3or tbe great masters. Interpreted by an orchestra or 7u perrormers. a rew ' vacancies ror new subscribers are an- , uounced, and may be applied ror at Mr \ IW. Robertson's premises, iso, Oueeii Street. ORGAN RECITAL TO-NIGHT. i The municipal recital will be given in I tbe Town Hall to-night, when the city , ] organist will play works hy Bach. Hollins, and Debuf-sy, and ihe "Storm Fantasia" by Lemmens. Madame Winnie Fraser, the, vocalist, will make her last appearance In Auckland at this recital before leaving ror Europe.

OPERA HOUSE. Stiffy and Mo will make their appearance at Fullers' Opera House this evening in the role of shopwalkers. They will be supported by tlie usual line company. In | attractive songs and dance items. The vaudeville programme will include Otesco (violiniste), Peggy Fay (comedienne), Jonie Pastor (lldg-ety llddler), Marvel and Daring- (chair balancers), and the Jubilee Trio. WESTMINSTER ABBEY PICTURES. The grandeur and bcautv of the famous Westminster Abbey are revealed in a series of 100 pictures which will be screened in the Town Halt Concert Chamber this evening-, under the distinguished patronage of his Excellency the Governor-General, Lord Jellicoe. The pictures provide a unique opportunity for people in Auckland to see the historic Abbey and the many wonderrul things contained in it. "Westminster Abbey," said Dean Stanley, "stands alone among the buildings of the world, and there is none which is entwined by so many continuous threads with the history of a whole nation." In the pictures which will be shown to-night the lull significance or the words or the ramous Dean will be realised. The scenes have been | taken with every care, and as photographic studies alone are an interest in themselves. Explanatory reference during the screening will be mado by Mr. F. C. Drew. SCOTTISH HUMOUR AND SOXG. . An evening of "Scottish Humour and Song" will be given in the Gralton Library Hall on Tuesday evening next. The ••humour" will be provided by the Hey. J. Lamb Harvey, wno will deal with the nature of Scottish humour in its various aspects, and illustrate his remarks by reference to the works of Robert Burns. Sir J V Barrie, "lan Maclaren." and .1. J. Bull. .Scottish songs will be rendered by Miss Mabel (jrallle, Mrs. A. \V. Brockie, Mr. C. Mountain ami Mr. J. Howie. MISS AMY CASTLES. The box .plan for tlie Am- C:istl«s concerts opens on Monday morning, at Messrs. Lewis H. Eady and Sons, Ltd. At ber | Ilrst concert on Saturday, June :;n, the i famous soprano will sing Ophelia's Mad Scene rrom -Hamlet." which will serve to show both the vocal and dramatic phases I or her art. Schindier's Hebraic lament, i "Eli, Eli," Batalani's "La Walli," and the ! exquisite "l : il Hel Di" l'roni "Madame Butterfly," will give her a further opporttunity to display the great dramatic qualities and the tonal perfection or her singing, which won her lame in the art centres or Europe and America. Miss Eileen ! Castles will sing- excerpts from "The Tales j of Hoffmann," "Carmen," and "La Boheme." I Signor Alberto Torzillo will provide a harp I accompaniment ot most of the extra num- | bers, which will mostly consist or the old ' ! folk songs of England, Ireland, and Scot- ' I land, as well as some or the newer ballads I from America. Alberto Torzillo (harp- i Ist) and Charles Tuclcwell (pianist) will add variety and charm tv this feast or j music. JEAX GERARDY. "Here is something which no one should miss." said Dr. Floyd, the well-known music critic of the "Melbourne Argus." •\\l. Jean Uerardy is able to give pleasure and prolound satisfaction to all but the hopelessly tone-deal". People who do not claim to be particularly musical, but "who like a tune,' will be delighted, for Gerardy i≤ a master or melody, and causes everything he touches to sing. People who are specifically musical will find in his playing the answer to all their questions: and people who have made a serious study of any stringed instrument will j realise, as no others quite can, the almost | incredible perfection of his technique. I Here it must be said that in the presence of such artistry as (ierardy possesses the very mention or technical detailb seems almost an impertinence. It is true that his tone is beautirm and satisfying- to the last degree, and that his bowing is a delight to the eye as well as to the ear, but the realistion or all this i≤, over and over again swallowed up, while he is playing, in the Hood of beauty and meaning which carries the listener along with it." The great 'cellist is supported by Mr. fieorge Stewart McManus, an American pianist or considerable note, and Miss Essie Ackland, a young Australian contralto, whose singIng at the Sydjiey and Melbourne Gerardy concerts created something of a sensation. The critic, or the "Melbourne Sun " Mr. Thorold Waters, wrote: "In the voice of Essie Ackland, Australia has =ureiv found another Crossley. with dramatic possibilities which were out of reach of the Ciippslander. It is wonderfully rich and full rrom the highest note to the I lowest, while at times or tragic emphasis I it has real tears in it." Mr E. J Grave- I stock announces that four concerts will be given in the Auckland Town Hall, on I July i, 7, 10. and 11. The ordinary box plan will be opened on Monday. July i> but preferential bookings are avjiable now on , application to Mr. D. D. O'Connor, care or Lewis R. Eady and Son, Ltd. =====