AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 307, 27 December 1924, Page 11

AMUSEMENTS.

NATIONAL THEATRK. , Another double star programme i- being I shown ai the National Theatre tills week. | the chicr r-atures being "Passions or the >orlh." starring; Olive Tony, Walter, Orirnth. and Frank Manstlcld; and 'The j Speed Demon," featuring- Patsy With Miller j and Alec n. FrancK "Passion? of mc North" i is a drama dealing with the romance of a man and a maid in a foreign part or the world. A« a background, the story, j wl)li.-t) i- dpsrnbpd a> thrilling from star; | in llnish, lias the snow-swppt plateau or Tibet. The second attraction, "The Speed Demon." ran lio well judged from | Us litie. 11 teiis or mc daring adven- ] tures of an excitement-loving man, a I motor rar. and Hie girl he loves. An l Interesiinir feature about ihe nun Is that it mark* tin- return in the screen of Wally Van. who lias been absent lor live years. Van started his career Willi the old Vitagraph Company, and starred in some notable production!!. Imrltifc his absence rrom the screen he ha* been appearing on the vaudeville stage. In addition to the two star Features, an English Topleal Rndgel is screened, and M;ss Vcnia Main, ihe premier dauscuso. appears in an original dance senna. Tin- overture is -Poet and Peasant." HII'I'ODROMK THEATRK. '■The funlldiMK'P Man." a i'arainotint j production with Thomas Mcighaii in the leading role, heads the programme now being shown at Ihe Hippodrome Thealre. In it. Thomas Melghan. who is undoubtedly one or Ihe jrreal favourites on ihe screen, is shown as a trickster In the employ of a master thief. In the course of his unlawful existence, he is sent to a ] country town with Instructions to sell the j leading citizen a quantity or useless oil shares. The confidence man arrives and ,«et< ahout ;;amniK the esteem or his intended victim. This he does. and. besides being trusted b.v the old man. he is greatly j favoured by all the inhabitants or the . town. Then comes Hie time when he reels that he will lie sare to carry out his purpose. He offers Ihe old man the shares, and ihe trusting- victim agrees to buy them, accepting the word or the rontldence man as to their value. Just when I the money is about to be paid, the rnnfldenee man meets and falls in love with the old mans ward. Then his whole outlook on lire chances. and. with a blp effort he casts nIT Ihe old existence and makes himseir worthy or the girl. The usual support* are screened. STRAND THEATRK. '■occasionally Yours." is the premier I'eatuip now being- shown al the Strand Theatre. In it Lew Cody, described a* the (Treat lover of the screen, is shown as Bruce Sands, an artist, who does not. however, allow his profession to interTere with the alTair* or his heart. lie had plenty or money, and had quite a gay lime with the numerous young ladies who always seem to be ahout while a young man has money and a motor car. When the story opens, llruce is in trouble. He has a harmless flirtation with a widow, who insists on considering the alfair as an excuse for heating wedding bells. To save himself from this calamity, ihe hero flees to the home of a friend. There he supposes that he will tlnd peace, Far from it. All too soon he learns that he has jumped rrom the fryinir pan into i the fire. He becomes Infatuated with his host's daughter, but is just about to say good-bye, whon the widow appears in the role of a prospective mother-in-law. Bruce is then in an unenviable quandary, but he gets out or it In an original way. The supports include the usual British gazettes, comedy and scenic, while Miss Maggie Foster, the well-known and exceedingly popular till with the violin, provides the interlude items. T/TRF.' THEATRK. "Men." the latest Paramount production in which the beau I Hill I'ola Negri Is starred, and "In Every Woman's Lire." a First .National Feature with Virginia Valli and l.loycl Hughes, supported by a notable cast, in the principal roles, are the two star plr.lut'PS or the new programme at the Lyric Theatre. "Men" tells or a girl who Is attractive to men. and who. throughout this dramatic story. meets many. At last she finds one to whom she Is attracted, but he is poor, lie steals ror her. and the girl endeavours to save him by making a bargain with his employer. This provides a in-eat climax for the story. Costumes originated ror the ramoil's carnival at Nice are seen in the picture, which was written and produced b.v Dimilri nuehnwetski. The costume ball scene. In which nearly live hundred players appear. 1* one or the most spectacular parts or the film. In Ihe supporting cast arc Robert Frazcr. nohert F.deson. Joseph Swiekard. Monti Collins, r.ina r.orradn. and F.dgar tforton. "In Every Woman's Life" is a human story, which takes as its theme the supposed ract that three men invariably enter into the live* of all women. The plot is exceptionally Interesting, and the picture has a great moral. Supports are included as usual. TTVOT.T THEATTtE. Buster k'eaton. the comedian without a smile. Is seen this week at the Tivotl Theatre in his latest production. "Three Ages." It is described as his greatest picture, and in it he is said to nrinx something entirely new Into the realms or screen comedies. In the llrsl ape Buster i.s shown as a cave man, who has a rival for the hand or the lady uT his heart, clubs are the deciding feature of lhat age. Then we come forward a Tew years or so. Ruster is a Roman, and in this period, he has the same rival, chariot races decide this time. Then the scene shifts to the present day. with the comedian in the same position. In each age. lie is shown as ihe weaker party, and his attempt* 10 come out on top are bilarious to a decree. In the east Is Margaret Leahy, the English girl whom Norma T.iJmadjro chosr* for a screen career, and Wallace neery is the villain. The other attraction is "Her Five-root Highness." starring dainty Edith Roberts in what 1s described as a charming and highly entertaining comedy drama. It is a Universal production. A r.nhy Peggy comedy is included n the bill. PRINCESS THEATRK. Two William Fox productions are now being offered at the Princess Theatre. The first is "The Last or the Uuanes," a screen version or the novel by Zane Grey. Tom Mix is the star in this tale Of ihe Texas rangers, and with him are Marion Nixon and his wonder horse Tony. The story shows the popular western star in the role or Buck, last of a long iine or Uuanes. all or whom had been 'renowned ror their ability in the use of their guns. Buck is no exception, and he i.s given numerous opportunities to prove it He meets a pretty girl named Jenny, who is latr-r captured by a gang of outlaws, it so happens that the chief !or the gang is the sheriff or the town. I Buck IS rorced to shoot a Mexican, and lis pursued by the sherin" and a posse. During his flight he rescues the girl, and also discloses the re.ii Identity or The seoundrel-sherilT. Thin a happy ending result*. The second Teature is "Honour Among Men," In which F.rlrniind Lowe portrays the leading character. The story conrer'ns an e-sile.l monarch and his endeavours to regain his throne through the aid or a wealthy American girl. I Claire. Adams Is the girl. Other attracj lions are also shown. I CAPITOL THEATRK. Strongheart. the wonderful police dog. In "The Love Master." and -'Four Hearts" a Vox production starring Dick Hatton'. are the principal attractions at the. Capitol Theatre. "The Love Master" Is by Laurence Trimble, discoverer and director or Strong-Heart. It is laid in a .small settlement i'> the Canadian northwest. The heroine is the only white woman in the settlement, and the hero is a yoiuißman who has sought reruge from the law In the seldom-visited location. In "Four Hearts" the story concerns a young Westerner, who discovers on his land, but partially paid Tor. a valuable deposit or dye material. intriguing villains try to nrevent him completing his payments on the land, and about this situation the drama develop?. There is a double love interest, which gives reason Tor the title or "Four Hearts." The usual supports arc also fealured. PONSONBY BOYS' BRASS BAND. The Ponsonby Boy.-' Brass Band, consisting or i:i players, together with Mr. v J Lawn conductor, and live onTcials, will ' leave Auckland by the. Arahura on Tuesday next for their annual tour. The band will visit all the important towns in Poverty Bay. Itawke's Bay. and the King country. including- Uisbnrne. Napier, Hastings Waipukurau. Walpawa. Dannevlrke Woodvflle, rahnerston. Ohakime. Rauri'mu. Manunui, and Kakahi, returning to Auckland on January IS. The players Intend as a special favour, lo visit and piav a few selections at >uhaka, the hometown or IN'epla, of All Black fame. Billeting arrangements have, been made in all the towns, with the. exception of Palmerston, where the may yet be i fixed.

DIXIE JUBILEE SINGERS. The '-nixie" Jubilee Singers met a splendid reception ;il the opening concert or their season, which they gave m the Town Hal] concert chamber last night before a packed "house." There are four male voices in the party or six., and every item in a ppnerous anrl delightful programme madp a hit. Many of the darkie song? were old favourites, but they were rendered In a manner that must have been new to a lair proportion or the audience, lor the "Dixie" singers knew Just how to sing their own -onys and put into them something or the feeling with which they mil?! have been siinjr un the cotton fields a hundred year? afro. A of the programme was the number of negro religious songs which, although meaning so much to the darkies, always have a strain or run in them. Various members r.r thf party led in these "spirituals" which captivated the audience. Among til-' best were "Vuii Must Have That True lir-litrion." "Lord. I've Horn' Wliat You Told Mc to ho." -The Gospel Train i< ComlniT." and "Re Heady When The Croat Hay Comes." Mis? Helen Smallwood won repealed applause for her solos, which \vpr> -, I'harminjrly roncifl'pd TtiPFf UM'lucl» i ii "Hear Hem Hells." "My (lid Kentucky Home." and "Little mark Me." MadKiir Buckner, soprano. srave an eifertive rendering r,r "Swanee River" and "1 Know .Nut Why." and. as an encore, sang "Tile Four-Leafed Clover." Bright Items were contributed by the male ciuanette, and ihe audience ' thoroughly enjoyed Mich i-ornir item? a* -smoked His ,i:igar." "The Monk." and "Ain't It a Shame"—to gamble on Sunday, when you've got Monday. Tuesday. Wednesday. Thursday. Friday, and Saturday 100. Among the .-olns which "brought down Ihe house" were "Old Black Joe." and "I'm Moiling Through an I'nlriendly World." sung by Mr. \V. <:. Buckner. bass, with rhoriis by the company. Tlie tenor. Mr. C. Osceola Como. got a great reception and responded liberally with "Rye and Bye." "iftii'Ken I'ie," anil other i:oon songs. Mr. \V. Game, baritone, also made a hit with several Hems. A blight vein or humour all through the programme was supplied by Mr. 1.. A. Morris, who showed greal versatility, ins art as a cartoonist being by no mean? the leasi <»f his varied accomplishments. 11l the "religious" >ong,s lie was generally the -sinner." and a character which gave him an opportunity for many I'unnie grimaces. The whole entertainment was a delight, and as the nixie Mngcrs have an extensive repertoire, they should be one or the chief holiday attractions In the city. The party is exceptionally fortunate in their pianist. Mr. Marcus li'Alberl, whose tasteful playing was all Iliat could be desired, both in solo work and in accompanying the singers. To-night the party will gne a second concert, and they mil continue until January r>. i;vkry ßom■■< iiiEATi;i-:. "The Ten Commandments." which entered its firth week at Kver.vbodys yesterday, is a picture thai will long lie remembered, chielly on account of Ihe magnillcent settings and the marvel? of modern photography embodied in it. The first seven parts are In the form of a Hibilii-al prologue. showing. amongst other wonders, the dividing or tile Iterl Sea. Then the theme changes to the present day. and a mothei* sits and reads the itibte In her two sons. one .sou. lian. says that the Ten Commandments might have been all right for the ancient, but they did not apply t" the present day, while the other son is tolerant or Ills mother's beliefs. l>an incurs the i wrath or hi* mother by danring on Sunday, with Mary, a girl who had been adopted by the family, and leaves home, lie becomes rich by cheating on building contracts and smuggling. From then on he reaps as he has previously sown, and | iv desperation he breaks even the commandment. "Thou shall not kill." lie i< wrecked in a tremendous storm while j lleeing from justice, but John, although still a carpenter, lives in peace and happiness. ST. LEON'S CIRCUS. A large section of Aurktanders always rally round the sawdust ring whenever a circus show appears in the city; and the welcome given to St. I.eon's Circus in its opening performances yesterday gave a very convincing proof or the popularity or this rorni of entertainment. Hundreds gathered in the big lent at the bottom of Anzar Avenue in both the arternooti and evening, and wilnessed as breezy and clever a show or the kind as they have seen for some time. It was brisk and mirth-provoking from start to finish, and kepi the crowd in the. heights or good humour the whole time. tt. Leon's has evidently lost none of n= old appeal, and was nothing daunted by the lio.xlng Day weather. Seldom has a b/Mter *ci or "rodeo" acts been put on in the city, and those who saw the Australian champion rough riders. Vie Cowan and Kill Dodd. yesterday, were agreed in conceding these men the high reputation they enjoy in their own country. Cowan and Uodd handled between them three gallant burkjnnipers that evidently tried the very best skill they could muster, and the audience was unstinting in ils appreciation of their display or endurance and dexterity. This part or the performance was supported by a number or exhibitions of bareback riding hy local men and boy?, and also an attempt on the part or hair a dozen srhoolbovs to catch a mule, that was diverting to a high degree. Though the rodeo acts were undoubtedly the feature or the programme, there was a list of supports thai revealed unusual skill and athletic ability. Wvndham and Breeze put on a turn as Roman ring experts that made their work look simple, and the performance or Deloraine and l.c Boy on the triple horizontal bars was no less skilful and spontaneous. Joey and Woolum provided a diverting mid air stunt on a swinging ladder, that would jerk a grunt from anybody. Their exchange of verbal shots found the audience in a particularly happy mood, and the rabbit-hunting expedition -r Jackeroo. hart them In exceptional tood humour. The star athletic Teats or the performance were undoubtedly those or the St. Leon's trio, who appeared in al)it or body-balancing and springboard work that left nothing to be desired. Ki-Via's trio or dog actors gave an exhibition that was marked by the cleverness and intelligence or the canine.-, and was almost equal in merit, though admittedly not as effective, as the splendid statuettes of Miss Vera Lees and her posing dogs. Six or these statuettes, put on to the acrompaninieuts or the St. Leon's band showed a degree or animal intelligence thai was quite remarkable. Among the other acts were those of Miss Madelaine Panay, the lady rider; Miss l.izette Lovelt, the Hying trapeze artist, and a good assembly of clowns and dummies, all the acts being or a uniform high standard. The circus will be continued every afternoon and evening until next Saturday, and will include competitions for local riders and exhibitions by the circus riders on local horses.