AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 170, 19 July 1924, Page 14

AMUSEMENTS.

a NATIONAL THEATRE. "The Eternal City," adapted rrom Sir nan calne's great story, and directed by (ieorge Fitzmaurice, hearts the list of pictures at Ihe National. There Is a stupendous cast in this feature, including Barbara La Marr, Lionel Barrvmore, Bert Lytcll, Richard Bennett and Montague Love. There are also a number of well-known Italian actors in the cast, and 20,000 other people, who are included in some great mob scenes. The feature was mined entirely in Italy, aud Is full or wonderful scenes, including those or the Colosseum, the Forum, Rome, the Appian Way. Roman baths, and beautiful olive groves. Bert Lytell is cast as David Rossi, who returns rrom the great war to And his sweetheart, Roma, has disappeared rrom her home In a small village. Heartbroken, and unable to learn or her whereabouts, lie becomes a vagabond, wandering aimlessly about the country in search ciT the girl. in Rome his discontent causes him to Join the ranks or the I-'acisti, then on Hie verge or overthrowing the party in nower. The chieT objective or their wrath is Baron Bonelli (played by Lionel Barrymore), au unscrupulous war prollteer, who was devoting his immense wealth to lighting the Facisti. How he hurts the girl under highly dramatic circumstances is lert to the film to show. Other attractions are shown HIPPODROME THEATRE. "The Cradle," the principal attraction at th. Hippodrome, is a domestic story, told, it is said, with much dramatic force. It tells how a woman, knowing that her ancestors, lor three generations, had died In marriage, dreaded that she should ever marry. Hut a man comes into her life, and she falls vi love with him. For a long time, however, she refuses to marry him, but, ultimately consents to do so. From the nrst clay or her marriage she is in constant rear ol' death, and this state or affairs seriously interferes with the happiness or the man and wire. However, alter a series or human episodes, everything ends happily. Alice Brady, supported by a number of well-known players, heads the cast. The picture has been passed by the censor as suitable for adults only. In addition to this feature, gazette, scenic, and comedy will be shown as added attractions. STRAND THEATRE. "Encore Jazz Week," -which owes Its inauguration to the great sjiccess which attended the first jazz season ol' the Strand, open-r! at that theatre yesterday, and is now vi lull swing. This idea of the management's—to make the programme half Pictures ami hair novelties —is an excellent one from the point or view of patrons, in lhat, for tho ordinary price or admission, it enables them to enjoy the largest programme possible ror one session. The main picture this week is "The Man From Glengarry." Ralph Connor's great talc of the Canadian river men's feud. It is told with ail the vigour oi .the original, against a charming- natural background. The comedy Is or special interest, being a re-made Charlie Chaplin feature. "Dough Dynamite." which Syd. Chaplain produced. "When Matches struck," an interest reature, and the usual British g-azettes are also on the programme. The novelty acts include a song scena, "Ilitcli Your Wagon to a Sunbeam," by Miss Beryl Nettleton and ballet, a jazz dance by Miss Mabel Andrews, a dOllblo novelty act by Wondey and Alphonse, and new items by the popular Melody Boys or Bcccham's Jazz Band. LYRIC THEATRE. Thomas Moighan. the great tavourite or all picture patrons, and especially the children, is the featured player in "Pied Piper Malone," the latest Paramount production, which is now being- shown at the Lyric. The story was specially written ror this actor by Booth Tarkington, the well-known author, who has lately had so many of his stories adapted for the screen. In this reature Thomas Meighan has a typical role. it is a romance or the sea, and he is shown as a sailor who is made an outcast in his own town through his enemies circulating a report to the effect that he proved a coward when his ship was wrecked. His is a hard position to race, but he wins through with the aid or a girl, whom be later makes his wii'e. This role is taken by Lois Wilson. BootlfTarkington himseir took a personal interest in the production of this feature, which guarantees that the original story is faithfully reproduced. Gazette, comedy, and scenic are also featured. TIVOLI THEATRE. "The Famous Airs. Fair," starring Myrtle Steadman, Marguerite de la Motte, Huntley Gordon and Cullen Landis, and "Through a Glass Window." featuring May McAvoy are the two main pictures on this week's Tivoli programme. "The Famous Mrs. Fair" tells of the tragedy that almost follows upon a fame-mad woman whe forsakes her home ror notoriety. Blending into the main theme of James Forbes' ramous stage creation and affording exciting contrast to the quietly tense developments of the story, are a number or big melodramatic scenes. Cullen Landis is seen in a number or daring motor car exploits. "Through a Glass Window" is the story of a girl in a tenement district. Her ramily has one continual run or bad luck, but the girl's perseverance helps them through, and, incidentally, gains her a husband. The usual supporting items are also reatured. PRINCESS THEATRE. "Gentle Julia" and "The Spanish Dancer" are the principal leatures on the usual double programme at the Princess. "Gentle Julia" is a companion picture to "Clarence." Written by Tarkington and produced by William Fox, it possesses all the clever wit and amusing character drawing of the earlier story. The method, or want or method, by which the ingenuous Julia keeps adding to her flock of admirers is handled in the very best Tarkington manner. No writer alive to-day has a better knowledge or the engaging frankness of the younger generation or an equally sklirul way of presenting it for the diversion of the amusement seeker. The part or Julia Is taken by Bessie Love, the experienced and talented young actress whose name has been prominently connected with a number of widely-known screen successs, including "St. Elmo," in which John Gilbert had the title roic. "The Spanish Dancer" is a Paramount attraction which shows Pola Negri with the role ot a street dancer who becomes a ravourjtc or the King or Spain. Other attractions arc also showing. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. A Rex Ingram screen masterpiece, "Where the Pavement Ends," starring Alice Terry ana Ramon Navarro, is the main attraction now • being screened at Everybody's. This is a rasclnatlng and exciting story or the South Sea Islands. Living amongst the islanders and endeavouring to convert them, is an old missionary and his pretty daughter—the only white girl in the settlement. She has long wished ror the companionship or a man of her own race, and one day a beachcomber appears on the scene. The girl rails in love with this man, but, berore their happiness is complete, the two have many adventures. Ultimately, however, the man Is redeemed through the love or the girl, and a happy ending results. The beautirul scenery or the tropics, amidst which the story is enacted, adds much charm to the picture. Long sloping beaches, beautirul patois, alluring moonlight nights, and the verdant hush—all are used as a background ror the story. The supporting items include gazette, scenic, and comedy. GRAND THEATRE. Thrilling from beginning to end is the only manner in which the great Dempsey - Gihbons flght picture at the Grand can be described. Since Dempsey won the title by knocking out big Jess Willard, he has proved invincible, and Gibbons is the only man who has gone the scheduled distance with the champion. Most of his challengers Dempsey has been able to btjat into submission in double quick time, but not only did Gibbons extend the title holder over the run course or 15 rounds, but, according to many, tie -was very unlucky not to receive the decision. Hard, gruelling lighting characterises the whole contest. It is all shown in the mm. "Stolen Secrets" is the other attraction. It is a Universal feature starring Herbert Rawlinson. He has the role or a criminal specialist who impersonates a high-class crook in order to work out a theory or bis own, that the powerHll ring or crooks, which controlled the underworld was sponsored and protected by a political group, operated in opposition to the mayor. In his exploits • be meets a g"irl and-—but that is understood. Tbe usual supports are also featured. QUEEN'S THEATRE. Three attractive pictures are being screened at the Queen's Theatre. "School Days," a Wesley Barry reature, is the nrst. It shows the popular Juvenile actor in a typical role. The second Is "The Exquisite Thier," in which PriscUla Dean has the leading role, while the comedy is "High Sign,", starring Buster. Keaton. The usual gazettes are included on the "bill. REGENT THEATRE. The Regent Theatre, a fine new building which has been erected opposite the tramway barn in Epsom, is now practicauy completed. It has been leased by Messrs. Turner and Ford, and will be opened shortly. MR. FRANK WILSON'S PUPILS. The pupils or Mr. Frank Wilson will give a recital in the Town Hall Concerl Chamber on Saturday, August 2, when . varied programme or songs will be praisented. -.__-■ •

VANBRUGH-BOUCICAULT SEASON. Of "His House in Order," the exceptionally brilliant play by Sir Arthur Plnero, to be presented here on Wednesday next, at 8 o'clock at His Majesty's Theatre, by Miss Irene Vanbrugh and Dion Boucicault, supported by their London Company, tbe critic or the Melbourne "Age" writes: "The hope is that the performance or Ptnero's comedy, 'His House in Order.' marks dennltely tne restoration of good plays to the Australian theatre. The nature of the reception accorded to Miss Irene Vanbrugh and Mr. Dion .Boucicault in this comedy at the King's Theatre on Saturday evening promises well ror support of the company during its Melbourne season under the J. C. Williamson direction. In recent years no Melbourne first-night audience has been more appreciative or fine acting or nne comedy. The players were recalled repeatedly at every curtain, and at the close tbe great house expressed in full measure its ravour ror players and play." The part or Nina was created Tor Miss Vanbrugh. It gives her superior opportunities—opportunities she meets and minis with a very beautiful art. Miss i Vanbrugh is a wonderful comedienne; her '■ peer has yet to be seen by a Melbourne I audience. As a character actor of first calibre Mr. Dion Boucicault stands in his '! own class. His interpretation or tbe dtf- ' ncult part of "Hilary Jesson" is a real : masterpiece—and, like Miss Vanbrugh, he rises to heights or very fine playing. The members or the Jesson household, the Rtdgelys, the friend and guest. Major Maurewarde, are one and all significant, and are one and all well played. The box I plans open Monday morning next at Lewis R. Eady and Sons, Ltd. The second production will be "Miss Nell or New Orleans." DIXIELAND. Dancing win be continued until midnight at the Dixieland Cabaret this evening. Numerous novelty, streamer and conrctti, solo, and exhibition dances have .been ari ranged, and will be added attractions Tor I the evening. It is, of course, unnecessary to comment upon the band. Everything points to a most successful "long night." ORGAN RECITAL TO-NIGHT. The city organist (Mr. Maughan Barnett*) win give a recital in the Town Hall to- ! nlg-bt, when he will be assisted by Miss Dorothy Baker, violinist, and Mr. I. Simpson, vocalist. The programme will include organ works by Mendelssohn Bnd Kinder, the "Aye Maria" rrom Karg-Elert's "Cathedral Windows." and popular compositions by Paderewski and Schubert, violin works by wieniawski and Elman, and songs by James, Cadman, and Leon!. KATE CAMPION RECITALS. The two rarewell recitals announced by Miss Kate Campion will take place at the . Town Hall on Monday and Wednesday week. ■July 28 and 30. The programmes will ] include the choicest gems in Miss Campion's extensive repertoire, including opei ratic and dramatic numbers and groups of songs in lighter vein by English and French . composers. Miss Campion will be as- ; sisted by several leading local artists, inI eluding Mr. Cyril Towsey (accompanist). EPSOM LIBRARY COURSE. A -ramatic and musical entertainment, I arranged by Mr. J. F. Montague, will be given in the Epsom Library Hall on Tuesiday next, in connection with the Winter ; Course. A programme or elocutionary, dramatic, musical, and vocal Items has been arranged, and will be presented by the following: Gwen McNaughton. Joy I Bishop, Misses Mavis Mcculloch, paddie Nicolas, Audrey Perry, Ruby Aldridge, Zlta Poole, Myrtle Burns, Mrs. Hopkins, and Messrs. Dan Flood and H. 0. McFarlane. :