AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 220, 14 September 1923, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

NATIONAL THEATRE. Real human drama is woven into the story or "Trilling With Honour." the uni-versal-Jewel pbolo-drama. which had it= opening locally at the .National Theatre today. The tale was written lor "collier s Weekly" by Willlamx Slavens McNutt, a, newspaper 'man who has seen lire lrom an angles, and the story has been successfully adapted to the screen. It is a human story, with the type or love theme that all people like lo visualise, and a dramatic interest that holds lrom the lirst long shot to the Ilnal lade-out. The film carries one lrom the drab atmosphere within the grey walls or San Oiientin prison to the sun-nt. "cmwd-liuiTvilig" scenic vista of a great American baseball Held. Further than that, it reveals the shadows ol" a man .-> inner sell", black with greedy thoughts ol mercenary gain, remaining dark even in tne spotlight or public favour, but brightening through dovish hero worship. There, are many thrilling and dramatic scenes m tne production, and the spectator is kept in doubt as to the Ilnal outcome until the verylast. At a special showing or the picture bcrore an audience or baseball players or the big leagues in .New York they termed it "a rattling good picture." and this verdict will undoubtedly be agreed with Dj all who witness It during the presentation here. Prominent in the cast are many well-known players. Including Kockilire. Fellowes as the baseball player. Buddy Messenger as the youthful worshipper, and Fritzl Ridgeway In the role ol" the heroine. THK HIPPODROME. That hair the world does not know how the other hair lives Is proved again In the William Fox production "The Face on the Barroom Floor," which opened a. week s engagement at the Hippodrome to-day. The story deals with a young and successful artist who had achieved the utmost in lame, and who is forced to the very bottom or the ladder or lire as the result or an unjust accusation, which caused the estrangement or the artist and the wealthy girl to whom he was engaged. How the girl finally discovers her mistake, and ultimately llnds her rormer fiance in a bowery barroom, a man broken In spirit, In health, and entirely changed in appearance, is one or the poignant points In tins modern melodrama. The cast is headed by the ramous Henry R. Walthall, who depicts In the photo-play the psychology or a remarkable lale with that unusual keenness or perception and renders a perrormance which demands Tar greater subtlety than has ever been demanded rrom him In any previous vehicles. The result is that a highly sympathetic picture or splendid dramatic quality has been produced with the able assistance ol" splendid directing. The excellent supporting programme includes a Sunshine comedy. "The Mummy," and the latest topical budget. PRINCESS THEATRE. The vagaries or the modern woman are once mon- pressed Into service to add zest I i the Paramount photo-play "Adam's Rib." which is now being shown at the Princess Theatre. The story deals with the domestic troubles or Michael Ramsay, a wealthy Chicago broker. The disturbing element is Si. Jaromlr, exiled king of Morania, a small European state, a designing suitor to the hand or Mrs. Ramsay. Michael becomes aware of the intentions or the other man, and disposes or him by having his country recall him lo the throne. This is not accomplished, however, without lirst re-imbui-ing Illiaiiclally this little kingdom. The turn Is lull or dramatic moments, while there Is also much by-play ol' lighter mood. The film gives every evidence or tlie directorial influence or Cecil B. He Mille. who has given the production a characteristically lavish setting, one or the famous lie Mille "cut-back" scenes depicting a primeval I'orest episode in particular being beautifully presented. The cast is beaded by a ([iiintet uK notable screen players. Milton Sills plays with convincing rorcc the role or .Michael Ramsay, while Theodore KosIoIT has the role or tlie king. Pauline (laron, the charming young actress, who Is the newest recruit to Mc mile's banner, has an Important role as the daughter who endeavours to keep the home together at a great risk to herseir. The other principals are Anna (_>• .Nllsson and Elliott Dexter. An Interesting supporting programme completes an enjoyable entertainment. TIVOLI THEATRE. Betty Compson, one or Paramount's most popular artists, will be seen at the Tlvoll Theatre this evening in tlie screen version or Julia Crawford lver's sensational story "The White Flower." The setting or the engrossing theme is the romantic Hawaiian Isles, and. in order to obtain rull realism, the scenes were laken In the actual locality. The native belief that the death or a certain Individual can be brought about byprayer is the basis ol" tne dramatic, incidents or the film. A Hawaiian beauty, portrayed by Hetty Compson, Invokes the aid or the priest to do away with an American rival, only to repent or her act hall-way through the spell. The consequences are forcibly presented In the ensuing scenes. Colour is added to the entertaining story by the Interesting phases or island lire revealed mus Compson Is supported by Arline Pretty Edmund l.owe, Sylvia Asliton, Leon Barry and others. The programme will also oresent a delightful comedy-drama of domestic lire entitled "Too Much Wile." The intentions or the wire who wanted to share all hubby's work. play, sorrows, and joys were no doubt good, but they nevertheless led to the amusing incidents wittily presented In the sparkling lllm-plav. Dainty Wanda Hawley. who needs no introduction to patrons or the Tlvoll, plays the part or the wire., while the role or friend husband is entrusted to the capable hands of T Roy Barnes. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. . A story or the North-west or Canaaa that rur once dispense-s with the mounted police and at the same time achieves high dramatic effect is "Slander the Woman" I which now takes pride or position on tlie change id programme showing at Everybody* Theatre Many stories have been built round various severe tests to which a woman's reputation has been put. but in the present production a story is woven out or the accusation or a woman on the llimsiest pr evidence. A s the innocent woman whose good name is called into question Dorothy Phillips is provided with a powerful vehicle, to which she does the fullest justice. From a scenic point o? VSZ he 1, -,'-',' lUrr leavps ""thing' to be desired. I he programme also provides the latest English news, a merry two reel? under "Assorted Heroes." and a further' instalment ol "Round the World in is LYRIC THEATRE. A simple, straightforward story snien dully put together, is the Coldwvn produc Hon "Poverty of Riches," which will he initially screened at the Lyric TTieatre tills .veiling. in "Poverty or Riches" the dove opnient 01 two families is traced side by s .te. Nad the real joy or the less financially successful family is poignantly con Hasted With the hollow satisfactions thai rollow upon the business success o" their friends. It is noteworthy that in this pji" ture the tragic note is not side-stepped to make a conventional Happy ending The direction ol Reginald barker Is excellent throughout, and has resulted in a %erv presentable story. Moreover, an aii-Vr-o-cast that lives up to that description gives a laultless performance. Leatrice i™ and Louise Lovely are the two voim£ wives; Richard Hix and John Bowers thai. husbands. so excellent an actress Irene Rich plays for the first time the minor role or an old lady. The programmp will be supplemented by an interest ml array or topical and other films while ,of orchestra will, as usual provide an acceo! table selection of musical Items. < "-P- LLQL'EEN'S THEATRE. A pleasing programme at the Queen's Theatre is headed by "Scarlet Days " a story of the palmy days or the Wild West with Richard Rarthelmess In on" or th • soul-stirring roles which have made him so popular a figure in shadowland tie mm has io do with desperados in a h»T living little town out West, and a band or equally desperate but more s?runu?ool men, whose interests clash with such absorbing consequences. •■ nic mo'i.-..,, the case." which is included in" he e ro' gramme, is an entertaining comedv-drami with owen Moure as the star drama, GRAND THEATRE. The triple attraction which makes un the ruling programme at the t.rand Ti.e a r,.2 caters rur all tastes. In ■■_■„__ __\"'__ 1 }?, ' rrom the hook by Victoria Cross, we _____ a romantic story interpreted by a ....? or acknowledged and talented player" ..,, Luxe Annie," rrom the famous stage'm-v----pivsents charming Norma Talmaclge in a highly successful cole. Comedy and are cleverly blended here to make a v er y acceptable screen unermg. Charlie Chan I lin, the foremost screen comedian is -? P " ' in his latest and runniest production - ? p a o I pay." The nun contains only two'reefs but within its short length are packed « multitude ol' mirthful moments that ShrmiS shirt the heaviest lit or the blues snoull l \ NURSERY RHYMES BALL. A nursery rhymes ball, op.-n to children ' as well a» adults, will be held in the ■ ,».J Hall this evening in aid ur runds ror ti,. Myers' free Kindergarten. Much Interest ha- centred round the sets depicting u-eii known nursery rhymes, which win 1,1 " feature or the evening. They win he ore seated, With the aid of some or Auck-lar,rt<= leading performers, as rollwos- "ion 3 He Was a Piper's Son"; "Lavender's ni i": •The Spider and the Fly"; "Haggle T1"!' Gipsies, cil"; "Sing a Song or Slxneiire".' ••Huh a Dub. Dub": "Who Killed ,' Robin?": -Peter pan"; "The Old Woi, ,„ Who Lived in H Shoe." Prlzp , awardci r„r individual children's "ant-v costumes. "'"-•>

I STRAND THEATER .^7 j Theodora is an early figure In n :or notorious women who stand nut i. Ih >« i pages of history. The daughter ol 'Jk feeder or the amphitheatre at ?Jn„ lleir ' i nople, this remarkable personage l _L™ UI " an early age. started lire as an ac'tiW M tracted the notice of the Emperor JuS??;,«when a young woman, and became in?"' fulness of time Empress or the IF "* Empire. Theodora speedily accmirM an . , bounded inlliienee over her hu^ffi 1 I was thus able to perpetrate the many : and unscrupulous arts charged airiiS.? 1 ? 61 !by history. Her fortunes , many pens, some or which have soSSh? 64 I mitigate her offences, while others llvlP no means been sparing in handlnc us A5J_ the picture, or a lovely woman win?* 11 heart Incapable or pity. Among the tL* ginative writings the play by'S™ l " Parilou stands out prominently in r i ca plctlng the lire or the ramous coiim..?*' and the multitudes which she incited . san rrenzy or revolt In the screen version I? a showing at the Strand Theatref th? T 1 has broken down the limitations nr ,L m play, and presented us with a Which makes it one of the finest T__"S picture production. Viewing n ,„,.?£ rrom an architectural standpoint "Th' dora" is a truly remarkable production ?i witnessing the projection or the sr.ni? time seems to have been annihilated PS the audience is shown the untarnhhSJ glories or ancient Byzantium. There °~ wonderful visions or palaces, pavilion, gardens, broad stairways mounting „ astounding heights, frowning battlement? grim prisons, and noble arches. But nES more reinarkabie than all or these is ii replica or the ancient hippodrome ,S ornate product or an ornate period fir* malically the photo-play is well worthy nr the great expense lhat has gone towarai " TUTANKHAMEN." The Auckland Amateur Operatic Socletv. production, "Tutankhamen," the first tipr formance of which is to-morrow i s a." signed to bring to Aucklanders something or the grandeur or the Pharoahs Whlfi we build lor a week they built Tor a century. What modern edifice would be lnSJt artcr 3000 years or abandonment S3 demolition? They even desired tiw bodies to last ror ever, and that is why they embalmed them so thoroughly Thei architecture thererore took on an'angular effect owing to the massive nature or th* building materials. In producing "Tutankhamen" these ideals have been kept con stantly in view. Not only the scenery hut the dancing and the grouping have ail aimed at the one elTect. Tne costumlerv in the hands or Air. W. .1. Crowther is particularly convincing, and the chorus well drilled. The true system or Internal decoration has been lollowed by Mr j Haley, the scenic artist, and with the painataking work or these two gentlemen to start rrom the producer bas effected i striking production. OPERA HOUSE. The Hurle-Evans company will again be seen this evening in their clever offering or humour, song and dance, entitled "The Wishing Well." The vaudeville programme presents the Royal Urand Opera Singers in popular selections; the Fredo Boys the lumbllng violinists; Pat and Paula Hansen In terpsichorean items, and Dale and Barling in a song and dance turn. BENEFIT CONCERT. An entertainment in aid or Mr. W J Paull will be tendered in the Town Hall concert chamber this evening by the Auckland Trotting owners and Breeders' «,ssorfation. The programme will be a varied one, and win include items by well-known Auckland talent.

AMUSEMENTS GUIDE. OPERA HOUSE —Fullers' Vaudeville and Revue. TOWN HALL —Nursery Rhymes Ball. TOWN HALL CONCERT CHAMBER— Grand Concert. PICTURE THEATRES. NATIONAL —RockiiiTe Feliowes in "Triflintt With Honour.'" STRAND —Rita Jolivet in "Theodora." princess —"Adam's Rib." HlPPODflsmiE —h. B. Walthall in "The FaM on tt»; Barroom Floor." TIVOLI —"The White Flower" and "Too MU(_ Wirn." LYRlC— teatrice Joy In "Poverty or Riches." EVERYBODY'S— DorotUy __illlps in "Slander tbc Wos_an." grand —-Five lights" and "De LttM Annie." QUEEN'S— Richard Barthelmess in "Scarlet BRITANNIA —"The Siren Cail." Broadway— "Her Gilded Cage." ARCADIA- -"The Worlds Applause." WEST END —-one Clear Call." '