AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 166, 15 July 1924, Page 9

AMUSEMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE. Patrons of the Opera House are again very well-catered for this week. The new programme, which was presented yesterday;, is a varied and high-class one, combining- some outstanding- vaudeville numbers and another or Jim Gerald's enjoyable musical comedies. Miss Bessie Clifford, "the original Yankee Doodle girl," grained a great reception on Her first appearance here. Her act consists or character song-s, and Miss. Clifford owes much or her success to the vivacious manner In which she presents them.- Hers is an animated act, such as the audience cannot fail to enjoy. Miss Clifford's frocks were also a source of admiration. The Mtrano Brothers, who caused a sensation with their wonderful "Flying Torpedo" feature last week, repeated the act to a spellbound audience. This is undoubtedly one of the most original and daring acts in vaudeville. Slgnor Moreno thrilled his spectators rurther when, from above their heads, he "looped the loop." Takeo and Koma Namba have become firmly established favourites with patrons, and were well received again last evening , . The acrobatic turns introduced were very clever, the one in which one of the performers walks up a flight of stairs on his head, deserving special mention. Fred McDonald,' the Australian comedian, in his original character or "Dave," gave an outback comedy sketch entitled "The Meet." His antics as a country youth, proposing to a farm maid (Miss Vera St. John) were realistic and most entertaining. "Don't Tell the Wire" is the title or Jim Gerald's new comedy act. It tells, In a series or rollicking scenes, the story or two gentlemen who devise a very excellent plan to steal somebody else's fortune. The only drawback to the whole thing was that it didn't work. Jim Gerald has a congenial role as the henpecked husband who believes In drowning his sorrows In drink, and drowning them deep. His assistant in run is Pat Flanagan, played with success by Ernest Crawrord. Thomas Smith, a country lad, is the person who owns the fortune around which all the trouble centres. Reg Hawthorne was very popular in this part. The other favourites, Polly McLaren, Mona Thomas, Sophie Vivian, Essie Jennings. Howard Hall, and Lance vane all have good parts, and make the most or them. The ballets were distinct features of the piece, and were seen in some very pretty numbers, while the vocal numbers were well selected and sung in a thoroughly enjoyable manner. AMUSEMENTS GUIDE. Entertainment Announcement* am Pag* 18. OPERA HOUSE —Jimmy Gerald's Comedy Show and Vaudeville. PICTURE THEATRES. NATIONAL —Richard Barthelmess in " Twenty-one." BTRAND— Jazz Week: Betty Bairour in "Love, Lire, and Laughter," supports, and novelties. HIPPODROME— HeIene Chadwlck and Richard Dlx in " Quicksands." LYRlC —Agnes Ayres. Nita Nalrti, and Jack Holt in "Don't Call It Love." TIVOLI —Priscilla Dean in " The Storm Daughter," and Wanda Hawley in " Bobbed Hair." PRINCESS —CharIes Jones in " The Vagabond Trail," and Lois Wilson and Edward Horton in "Ruggles or Red Gap." EVERYBODY'S— LIoyd Hamilton in "His Darker Self," and Jack Pickrord in "The Hill Billy." GRAND —Jack Hoxle in "The Galloping Ace," and Agnes Ayres and Rodolph Valentino in " The Sheik." QUEEN'S —Mac Murray in " Fascination," and Pauline Frederick in " Madame X." BROADWAY —"Potash and Perlmutter," CAPlTOL —"Sporting Youth," and "Two Kinds or Love." J BRITANNIA —"A Woman or Paris." EMPIRE —"Westbound, Limited." KUBIE— "The Child Thou Gayest Me." ARCADIA —John Gilbert in "Cameo Kirby." EMPRESS —"The Love Piker."