AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 180, 1 August 1925, Page 16

AMUSEMENTS.

NATIONAL AND LYRIC THEATRES.

Probably the most unusual love drama ever put on the screen is " The Lost World," which comes to the National and Lyric Theatres next Thursday. The picture is an adaptation or Sir Arthur Conan . Doyle's novel of the same title. He painted a vivid word picture or a lost world in the vast, unexplored regions or the upper Amazon River which Time had I forgot. There Doyle's band or adventurers found prehistoric monsters that roamed the earth 10,000,000 years ago i and battled each other to the death as in ' the days or old. into the heart of this monster-inrested district went this party or explorers—three men and a girl. Their mission was to rescue her lather, if he j still lived, and prove to the world the i existence or the prehistoric beasts—the I brontosaurus, big-gei' thah ten elephants; j the tyrannosaurus. most fearsome creature that ever stalked this earth; the I stegosaurus, trlceratops, the pterodactyl, or great Hying dragon, and other gigantic species. As the modern humans watched, awe-inspired, these monsters gave battle to one another. Numerous motion picture producers have tried in vain to lllm uoyle's story, but the reincarnation of the monsters was deemed impossible. Finally, Willis 11. O'Brien " discovered " the monsters. He submitted his strange idea to Watterson H. Rothacker, owner or lllm laboratories. Hothacker saw its possibilities, and, joining hands with First National Pictures, launcned work on the projec. That was seven years ago. Since then work has proceeded steadily, and now the picture is complete. HIPPODROME THEATRE. "Half-a-Dollar Bill," Metro's new production which is now being shown at the Hippodrome Theatre, is said to be one of the Unest sea stories ever screened, lt not only has a cast of such prominent players as Anna Q. Nilsson, William T. Carleton, Raymond Hatton, Mitchell Lewis, George Macyuarrie and Alec B. Francis, Lut it introduces a new juvenile actor in four-year-old Frankie Darro, who gives an exceptional performance as the young boy who Is nicknamed "Half a-Dollar Bill," because as a baby he is round abandoned with a torn dollar bill pinned to him. The atmosphere or the sea pervades the whole picture, some or the general views or the good ship Grampus being extraordinarily realistic. The other feature is "The Snowshoe Trail," starring Jane Novak, lt tells of Virginia Tremont, a beautiful young society girl, who is engaged to Harold Lounsbury 3iid when, after their graduation from college, Harold goes into the north-west and is not heard from Tor some time, Virginia heads an expedition in search of him. They go into the trackless wastes to And her missing llance and undergo all i manner or hardships and dangers. Virginia is accompanied by her uncle, Kenly Lounsbury. A Chinese servant and a guide, Bill Bronson, are also in the party. Thrilling adventures occur before Virginia Ilnds her llance, Harold Lounsbury, living under straightened circumstances in a cabin in the snow-covered wastes. Harold and Bill come into conflict, and when Bill is stricken suddenly blind from smoke Harold takes advantage or it and attacks him. They light a thrilling battle with Bill the conqueror. Subsequent developments are big with drama and in the end Bill aud Virginia llnd happiness. In the supporting programme is the latest Jack Dempsey "Fight and Win" story. TIVOLI THEATRE. Thomas Meighan has a congenial role in ' "Tongues or Flame," a Paramount production now being featured at the Tivoli Theatre. The tale is a thrilling one, dealing with love and adventure In a backwoods town in North America. Meighan Is shown as • "Hell Fire" Harrington, who, having > commanded a volunteer regiment of In- I dians during the Great War, thinks he has experienced everything worth while in life. He forgpts romance, until It comes to him with a vengeance. He falls in love with, and is loved by Billle Boland, the beautiful daughter of a millionaire lumber man and company promoter, whose ideals are not those of an honest gentleman. The hero is secretly loved by Lahleet, a pretty halfIndian school teacher. Boland Ilnds oil on the Indian plantation, and devises a plan to cheat the Indians or it. Lahleet discovers the swindle and Harrington ruins the scheme. There follow a series or thrilling incidents, and a sensational climax, closes the picture. On the same bill is "Just Like ?a Woman," a society drama In which Marguerite de la Motte is starred. PRINCESS THEATRE. Another double-feature programme is now being shown at the Princess Theatre. "Wings of Youth," an interesting William Fox production, is the first attraction. It is the story of three girls who have each been lert independent fortunes by their rather. The mother has the greatest faith in her daughters, and allows them to pursue their own courses in lire without interference, while she devotes her time to charities. In college the girls are the leading lights in a series or riotous parties, and finally the mother" learns of their laxity. With a mother's cunning, she uses her charms, and Anally intrigues the followers or the girls, who are reunited by real love. Madge Bellamy, Marian Harlan and Katherlne Perry have the. leading roles. The second attraction is "The Tornado," a sensational nim In which House Peters has the leading role. From beginning to end, this reature lives up to its title. It is a Universal production, and has been acclaimed by the critics as the most stupendous offering put forward by the company. An amateur detective comedy completes the bill. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. "The Devil's Cargo," a thrilling Paramount production heads the present programme at Everybody's Theatre. It tells or Sacramento in its early days, when, during the gold rush, Its population was ' divided into two factors —the lawless and the self-respecting class. The latter, led b$ the editor of the local newspaper, form themselves Into a vigilance committee, and : start to clean up the town. They are i deported. In the boat a quarrel ensues with : the captain, and the passengers take charge ■ of the ship, but they stoke the boiler so well that it explodes just as the ship is j nearing a wharf. Some or the unfortunate ! people manage to- reach the shore, while I others are carried out to sea. A stoker then , takes charge, and commences to bully the survivors. But two men are left on the disabled ship, and they endeavour to protect i the women from the scoundrel's advances, i After much excitement, help arrives. Wallace Beery has the main role, and is supported by a good cast. RIALTO THEATRE. "Sinners in Heaven," a Paramount production In which Bebe Daniels and Richard Dlx portray the leading characters, is the ; principal attraction on a double-star bill now being offered at the new Rlaito The- I aire. The story concerns a beautiful girl | and a man who are cast together on a desert island. They marry "in the sight | of God," and then the girl is rescued, while j the man Is believed to have been killed by savages. At home, the girl is shunned by her people, but llnally happiness comes to her in the shape of her lover, who escapes rrom the cannibals. " The Gaiety Girl," a ! Universal attraction starring Mary Phil- , bin, Is the second feature. It is adapted from I. A. R. Wylie's story, " The Inheritor's." GRAFTON LIBRARY WINTER COURSE. "J. M. Barrie, Novelist and Dramatist." '' is the subject or the lecture to be delivered ; on Tuesday, August 4, at the Grafton Library by Mr. J. W. Shaw, M.A., in con- j nection with the course or winter lectures, ! etc. The lecturer will deal-with the writings and method or Barrie comprehensively, as essayist, dramatist, and as the interpreter of Scotland and of childhood. Barries humour, his handling, or a dramatic situation, and the kindliness and sympathy of ' the man who can open magic casements will also be commented on. THE MUNICIPAL BAND. " At the Zoological Park on Sunday afternoon at 3 o'clock the municipal band presents a fine programme or musical items Music lovers will welcome, a rurther acquaintance with Brahms* "Academic Festival" overture, and a first hearing by the band or his celebrated "Cradle Song." Two 1 line selections in "Boutique Fantasque" '■ and "Reminiscences or Wales" are to be ! played, or much interest will be two numbers by Louis Severne, " Heart's Message " and "Sorrento," which are or distinctly ' modern flavour, yet withal tuneful. Brlg-ht marches and popular hymn tunes make up a programme or unusual interest. j "DER FREISCHUTZ." ' Bright, tuneful, and containing what has been described as the most beautiful love «ong ever written, Weber's " Der Freischutz," which will be given on the 27th August by the Auckland Choral Society, should draw the usual large house that the Society's perrormances have of late years' been attracting. The main attraction will no doubt be the Engrilsh basso cantate Mr. Harison Cook, who has been gaining golden opinions ror his singing in the South.

MOSCOVITCH TO-NIGHT. " The Outsider," a tense and virile modern drama, possessing a-theme that ruthlessly repels the conventional and accepted faith and science of the medical profession, will be staged for the llrst time in Auckland this evening at His Majesty's Theatre, and will serve to introduce a remarkable stage personality in Maurice Moscovltch. Writitng of the piece In Sydney, on its llrst presentation in that city, the critic of the " Times" said:—"'The Outsider,' which created a rurore of enthusiasm, especially among a section of the community of Melbourne, received its baptism in Sydney on Saturday night last, and came from the ront clean, untarnished, and wholesome. Mr. Moscovitch is to be heartily congratulated upon his success, ror he had the audience with him Trom the moment he walked on to the stage till the llnal curtain fell, rose, and fell many times, even long arter the National Anthem had been played. ' The Outsider' is one or the greatest dramas ever produced in Sydney, and J. C. Williamson, Ltd., is to be congratulated on their choice of actor to portray such a delicate part as that of the unqualitled doctor whose surg-ical accomplishments have set the ears of old London ringing with his lame. Moscovltch is a great actor." Mr. .Moscovltch will be supported by an exceptionally strong company. The second piece, on Saturday next, will be " The Great Lover," in which this great artist will appear as " Jean Paurel," his original role, as played by him for over two years in London. The box plan and day sales are at the Theatre Arcade confectionery. . HEAD LAM GREENHOW RECITAL. The humorous, musical, and dramatic programme to be given by Headlam Greenhow, . the London Society entertainer, at the Town Hall Concert Chamber on Monday, presents dilllculties that few artists could successfully combat. For a single performer to wander from such wide variants as the humour or Mcl B. Spurr, Grossmlth and others to the deep pathos or Longfellow and Shakespeare requires exceptional ability. Taxen altogether, Mr. Headlam Greenhow's programme (portions of which will be illustrated by lantern slides) is full of interest.