AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 244, 15 October 1925, Page 12

AMUSEMENTS.

NATIONAL AND LYKIO THEATRES. The romance of a queen who loved an Englishman and lost her lire at the hands of a jealous king—that is "Three Weeks," the story of love and passion, which is now being: shown at the National and Lyric Theatres. Elinor Glynn, the authoress, is famed for her daring- tales, and "Three Weeks" is probably the most famous of her series. The fact that the writer herself prepared the scenario for the film adds interest to it, and also g-uarantets that the picture is a faithful reproduction of the original story. A specially selected cast was chosen and includes Aileen Pringle, Conrad Naze], John Sainpolis. Stuart Holmes. Robert Cain, Dale Fuller, .Mitchell Lewis and Lyel de Brutier. Regarding the offering, a critic says: "To Alan Crosland and to Aileen Pringle, who portrays the queen, go the honours for this production, for despite the daring nature of the story, with its sensational theme, the picture has emerged as a beautiful story of a great love, and a passion that ennobled instead of dragging down the two principals." The story, however, has not been discarded, nor any of its lire or passion eliminated. The story has been delicately handled so that there is nothing to which the most Puritanminded could take exception. The picture has many dramatic situations, inclHding the storming or a palace by a mob, a fierce light between the queen's servant and an assassin, and the death or the queen at the hands or the jealous king. """■ " SNAP-DRAGON " REVUE. Produced by Miss Cecil Hall, with the Idea or raising money Tor the Blind institute Building Fund, the ••Snap-Dragon" novelty revue was presented last evening to a fair, but thoroughly appreciative, audience in His Majesty's Ttip.atre. It seems inevitable that dance recitals should be too long drawn out. In the case of "SnapDragon" it commenced before 8 o'clock and ended at 11.20 p.m., just in time to let those or the audience who had remained, out into Queen* Street to find the cleaners at work, and tne last trams disappearing. Even then, tne programme was not completed, some of the items having to be deleted. One understands that tpachers of dancing, when exhibiting pupils, are faced with the difficulty of Including as many in the programme as possible, or reckoning with irate parents. However, a judicious selection or pupils, while not pleasing all the parents of children, would certainly tend Tor greater appreciation on the part of the audiences. "Snap-Dragon" Is a colourful revue, and Miss Hall is to be congratulated on the great amount of talent she has amongst her students. There was no plot in the piece—merely an idea in which one or two travellers with a cook's man, appearing- during interludes as an excuse to transport the onlookers from one country to another. The solo dancers were exceptionally pleasing, while the ballet numbers were pretty features of the recital. The dainty dancers had the advantage or very enticing backgrounds, the scenery being from the capable hands or Mr. \V. J. Crowther. The premier danseuse was Miss Bettina Edwards, who needs no introduction to Aucklanders, and' who was rlelig-htrully pleasing in the limited amount of work she had to do. Specialty performances were left to Miss Mabel Andrews and Miss Isabelle Brook, two more dancers who are a credit to Miss Hall, and who were decided acquisitions to "SnapDragon." It will be understood that it is impossible to give space to all those whose names appeared on the programme. Mention must be made, however, of the Misses Josephine Dps Barras, Gwen Atkins, Ena Lester, Marjorle Brook, Daphne Pogiase. Dorothy Dickenson, N. Ousley, Del Thomson, .1. Wright, Owen Sloane. and the rour winds, the Misses Hilda Saunders, Marjorie McColl, Mavis Ross, and Dorothy Elley. The cast or the Cook's tour idea Included Miss Beryl Nettieton. Miss Doreen O , Sullivan, Miss Hilda Saunders, Miss Bettina Edwards, "Mrs. Gordon Nicholson. Miss Myrtle Burns, and Messrs. R. Hooper, R. Davidson, Jack Gordon, James D. Swan, and Raymond Reeves. All the scenes and ballets were prettily arranged, the Holland number being especially rascinatlnp-. A word must be said, too, Tor thp tiny tots, some or them so small that they almost lost themselves completely on the big- stage. The revue win be continued up to and including Friday night. 7t is pointed out that there is considerable expense, attached to the production, and the producer hopes that in view or the excellent cause for which it Is staged, public support will not be stinted. STRAND THEATRE. Johnny nines, that inimitable young comedian, who will be remembered for his work in "Conductor 1492," and "Sure Fine Flint," will appear at the Strand Theatre to-morrow in "The Early Bird." In this production Hines portrays'the role of a milk driver who arter railing in love decides that the only way to artually marry the girl or his dreams is by making something or himself financially. How he accomplishes his ambition is all dertly told in as amusing a tale as one could wish for. The picture has its dramatic moments also, and there's many a thrill Intermingled with the comedy to make It an interesting and entertaining feature. Aside rrom being dellghtrully funny "The Early Bird" is chockrul or action, which starts at the beginning and does not let up until the very end. The picture carries one along breathlessly, and between the speedy action and plot there are a host or uproariously runny situations that really force one to laugh heartily. The final result is one of keen exhilaration. On the same programme win be another amusing number in the shape of a brand new "Our Gang" comedy, in which the Kids pepetrate another series of delightful, mischievous reats. The usual Pathe revue and gazettes will be Teatured while a musical interlude will be provided by Hal Cope, saxophone e.tDert. PRINCESS THEATRE. It is not so many years since that there was a long drawn out and savage battle between the cattlemen or the northern and southern ranges or America, the reason being that nearly all Texas cattle were inrerted with the rever tick. That disease was almost always ratal to animals and when the Texas herds started north Kansas ranrhers barred the way at the border. Many a cow-puncher ended his earthly course during the resultant gunfights. The powerful story or "The Trail Rider," which will be shown in screen form at the Princess Theatre to-morrow was written by George Washington Ogden, who took the old war as a basis It has a tale that develops thrilling situations and gives the dashing Buck Jones ample opportunities to show that the man who lived longest was the one whose gun leapt rrom its holster first. One or the most thrilling scenes is that depicting the escape rrom the forerront or a herd of stampeding cattle. Nancy Deaner, an excellent horsewoman, plays the leading feminine role. Others In the cast are Lucy Fox, Well Walling and Jack MacDonald. There will also be shown "YouthTul Cheaters" and the unial comedy. PAULINE FREDERICK. Not for a long time has there been a more notable theatrical attraction than the appearance here Tor seven nifthts only, commencing on Saturday evening, at His Majests''s Theatre, or Pauline Frederick, the world-ramous nim actress (herseir), supported by a company of specially selected artists from the principal English. American, and Australian theatres. Miss Frederick is presented by ,T. C. Williamson, Limited (by arrangement with E. J. Carroll). The season will be altogether too short, judging by the Australian triumphs of this popular actress. The. play to be presented, "Spring Cleaning." is by Frederick Lonstiale. author or -'Aren't We All?" which is- sufficient guarantee, of its brilliance. "Spring Cleaning" is a muchly-discussed play. Its construction is around a daring moral, done with a cleverness that does not offend. A husband wishes to rid his house of the associates of his wife (who are social degenerates), and tries a thrilling experiment of bringing in a casual acquaintance off the streets to a dinner party. The subsequent dramatic situations are full of amazing happenings. "Spring Cleaning," as a play, thrills, enthralls, and amuses. The company supporting Pauline Frederick, includes June Elvldge, a popular picture actress from America, Madame Rose Dione, a Parisian picture star. Specially brought rrom America are Charles Coleman, George Barraud, and Austin Davis. Other clever people with the show include Mayne Lynton. and Nancy Stewart. last here with Gertrude Elliott; Norman Lee visited the Dominion with Seymour Hicks, and Thelma Burnes3 and John Bedouin have appeared with J. C. Williamson companies. The box Plan, which opened yesterday, indicated a big season here for this world-renouned actress. Theatregoers are advised to reserve their seats at Lewis R. Eady and Sons, Ltd. QUEEN'S THEATRE. Another three-star bill win come to the Queen's ' Theatre with the change of programme to-morrow. The two star att ,, ra ««V?" s J^ 1 " :i>e - "Straight Through" and "Slim- Shoulders,"--while a good, comedy \rtii .complete ine, j>m.

EVERYBODY'S AND TIVOL-I THEATRES. "New Lives for Old,' , a Paramount production, in which Lois Wilson has the leading role, will head the new programme coming to both Everybody's ana ine Tivoli theatres to-morrow. The star is shown as Olympe. a famous music nau dancer. On her annual holiday she goes into the country to rest, and assumes tne name or Pauline. At the rarm where she stays, are boarded several American soldiers, among them a young- omcer. iney fall In love, and the officer, notes tne resemblance between the girl and mc dancer. He mentions it. but the dancer repudiates any suggestion that she is really the famous Olympe. Later. Olympe is enlisted as a spy at the French Army headquarters, where there is a leakage or information. She nnds the culprit, and also unearths a plot to annihilate the American Army. After the exciting days or the war, the lovers are married. Later, the sister or the soldier is to be married to a roreign Count, and the heroine discovers that the man is none other than the German spy. She determines to frustrate the marriage, and thereafter there are many thrilling incidents. A happy ending results. 'Dangerous Innocence," starring Laura La Plante and Eugene O'Brien, will be an added attraction at the Tivoli. HIPPODROME THEATRE. "The Man Life Passed By," an allegorical story, will be shown in screen rorm at the Hippodrome Theatre to-morrow. The Metro production was produced by Victor Schertzinger. As the picture opens Mammon is revealed, beckoning the passerby to his beautirul enticing abode. He attracts all manner of people, and in their midst is glorious youth, who is eager to enter. But barring him is Destiny, who permits only the adventurous to enter. Within the path is dark and twisting; many rail by the wayside, but reckless youth plunges on till he sights the goddess, "Success," sitting at the top in a flood of dazzling light. Just as he is about to embrace her, Jealousy steps out, and with a mighty blow, sends him sprawling below again. Nothing daunted, he resumes his climb one more, but just as he Is about to embrace Success again, Mammon slyly pulls a lever and the whole house tumbles about Youth, who, now beaten and bruised, rejoins the crowds again, this time to hear their laughter and jears. Appearing In "The Man Lire Passed By" are such ravourttes as Jane Novak. Percy Marmont, Eva Novak, Hobart Bosworth, Cullen Landis, Lydia Knott, George Slegmann, Gertrude Short, Andre de Beranger, Ralph E. Bushman, and Lincoln Stedman and William Humphrey. A second attraction will be "40 Horse Hawkins," starring Hoot Gibson, while the Dixieland International Jazz Band will also appear throughout the week. THE MUNICIPAL BAND. The Municipal Band gives a musical recital in the Town Hall on Sunday evening next at 8.30 p.m. Many charming numbers will be presented.