AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 246, 17 October 1925, Page 15

AMUSEMENTS.

STRAXD THEATRE. "If speed, humour, run, thrills, and hectic romance could be rolled into one and animated into a living- person that personage would be none other than peppery Johnny Hines. Each Hines picture is a cloudburst of action and laug-hs, and in 'Tlie Early Bird' he once again rings the bell of success." That is how a reviewer describes the inimitable star, who Is now being: seen at the Strand Theatre. In "The Early Bird" Hines has the role or a merry milkman, who, after falling , in love with a bpautiful girl, decides that he must do something- Tor himseir in the financial world. How he accomplishes his ambition is told in as an amusing talo as one could wish Tor. Besides being: delightfully runny, the picture is full or swift action, which carries the audience along and does not let up until the very end. "The Early Bird" is in every way a fine successor to "Conductor 1498" and "Sure Fire Flint." two other big-lily successful comedy drama? in which Mines had the leading , roles. The sub-titles of the picture are themselves very amusing. On the same programme is an "Our Clang:" comedy, showing- the mischievous Kids In another very Humorous offering-. There are also shown the usual British Gazettes and Pathe Review, while during- the interlude Hal Copp. a saxophonist of no mean ability provides a novel musical turn, HIPPODROME THEATRE. "The Man Lire Passed By," a Metro attraction, heads the present programme at the Hippodrome Theatre. The picture, which was directed l>y Victor Sehert-zing-er. i> described as an intriguing photoplay, bound to please evel'y Fail.. The ] story is v dramatic one throughout, and I contains a great moral. Thrilling- moments' ari- numerous, and a love interest is kept, up throughout. An allegorical prologue represents the "Ho\i,=e of Life," an amusement concession up whose stairs struggles Youth, seeking to reach the beautiful woman, Success, who lures him at the top. Hut as he almost attains his goal Mammon, the barker, pulls a lever that hurls Youth to the ground, where he lies bleeding: and stunned. An excellent cast Is featured in fhe production. Percy Marmont, the English actor, who first made a nalne for himself. In "If Winter Comes," has the leading role, and is supported by the Novak sisters, Jane and Eva, who have mc parts or sisters In the Him, Cullen Landis and Ilobart Hosworth. Also showing- are "Forty Horse Hawkins," an exciting Western feature, in which Hoot Gibson has the leading role, and the usual fcazelte. A special attraction Tor this week is the Dixieland international Jazz Band. m ixc ess the At re. Bunk Jones, ramous portrayer or Western roles, has the principal part in "The Trail Rider," the new and thrilling | William Fox feature now lining- screened at the Princess Theatre. The old cattle war in Kansas, when the northern rangers strove to prevent southern cattle infected with the Texas rever tick from entering their grazing: lands, serves as a basis ror "The Trail Rider." Buck plays the part or a daring ranger. Whose task is to keep rustlers from driving- cattle across the deadline. While he does not actually sue- , ceed in this, he does discover the Villain behind the plot; and in doing- it, Jones has ample opportunities to show ail or the expert horsemanship for which he is noted. .Nancy Deaver and Lucy Vox appear In support or the star in the William Fox production. Others in the cast are Jack Mac Donald, Carl Stockdaie and will WallIng , . One of the most thf-illing Scenes In the production is that in which is depicted a stampede of thousands or maddened cattle and a mere handful of cowboys endeavouring to impede their progress. The second attraction is "Youthful Cheaters," described as an expose of New York's mad society women's pranks. Glenn Hunter is the star. The usual comedy and g-azette are also shown. RIALTO THEATRE. "Forty Winks," an amusing- Paramount comedy-drama, in which Raymond Grirnth, supported by Viola Dana, known as the queen of comediennes on the screen, is starred, is the premier reature or the programme at present being- screened at the Rialto Theatre. The story concerns Loi-d Churnley, an English aristocrat, whose affected manner causes him to be shunned by' most people, despite the fact of his being- of hig-h birth and an ex-attache or the British Embassy. He is engaged to the sister of a naval lieutenant, who loses some important official documents. Suspicion rails on Lord Chumley, who determines to find the papers. He is constantly shadowed by detectives, but this does not prevent him recovering: the missing: property from a Chinese g-irl in the employ or a foreign Power, in the supporting cast are Theodore Roberts, Cyril Chadwick and Anna May Wong, the Chinese actress. The second attraction is "The Grey Dawn," starring Claire Adams and Robert McKim. EVERYBODY'S AND TIVOLI THEATRES. "New Lives Tor Old." a Paramount production, in wnlcU Betty Compson has the leading role, is now being: shown at both Everybody's and the Tivoll Theatres. The star is shown as Olympe, a ramous music hall dancer. On her annual holiday she goes into the country to rest, and assumes the name of Pauline. At the rarm where she stays are boarded several American soldiers, among them a young- officer They rail in love, and the officer notes the resemblance between the g-lrl and the 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 of 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 of the soldier is to be married to a foreign Count, and the heroine discovers that the man Is none other than the Herman 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 Eug-ene O'Brien, Is an added attraction at the Tivoli. PAULINE FREDERICK. The next big- attraction to be presented by the J. C. Williamson firm is the appearance here to-night at His Majesty's Theatre ror a short season of seven nig-hts only or Miss Pauline Frederick, one or the world's most popular Illm actresses, supported by a company selected in America, England and Australia. Picture lovers, as well as theatregoers, will no doubt welcome the appearance of this star here. Prominent picture ravourltes with the star are June Elvidge (rrom America), Madame Rose Dion (a Parisian picture actress) and ReaL. (Snowy) Baker Is Miss Fredericks' personal representative. included in this splendid company are George Barraud Charles Coleman and Austin Davis, specially brought from America, and Nancy Stewart, and Mayne Lynton, last here with Gertrude Elliott, Norman Lee, who was with Seymour Hicks, and Thelma Burgess and John Bedouin, who have been associated with several J. C. Williamson companies. The production to be presented is "Spring- Cleaning-," by Frederick Lonsdale, author of the witty "Aren't We all , " comedy, recently played for a long and successful season in Sydney, where it caused a great deal of discussion. The "Telegraph" says: "Criterion first nig-hters. whose tastes run in the direction of daring in comedy or drama, had their appetites satisfied to tlie full on Saturday evening:, i when a crowded Mouse showed evident enjoyment of 'Spring Cleaning , ,' and an appreciation of the skilful acting Of every member of the well selected Pauline Frederick company. The play l.s nol likely to offend the susceptibilities of anyone, even though daring method-: ap' adopted In pointing the moral that adorns the talc." The box plans for to-night are at Lewis R. Eady and Son, Ltd.. till noon, afterwards at His Majesty's confectionery, where day sale tickets are obtainable. WILL LEA. Will Lea. known the world over a> Lucifer, the famous athlete and general performer, from Houston, Texas. Is at present in Auckland, and win appear at a number of picture theatres here, before lie goes on a tour or the country districts. Lee has been In Hie show business for about r>l years, having run away rrom home with a circus when he was "a mere boy. fiurlng , his varied career he has been a clown, dramatic performer, and lecturer in schools and colleges. Although he is 63 years or age, he still retains all his circus ability and splendid physique. lie has made a side-Issue or wrestling- and boxing-, having- won various championships, lie was with the Chautauqua company and with Wirth's Circus. His daughter is Emilie Lea, who rose from the circus to Broadway stardom. Lea appeared with great success at the Broadway theatre last evening-. To-nig-ht and to-morrow nitrht he will he at the Strand. Onehunp-a, and on Monday evening , at the Hippodrome,

.MUNICIPAL CONCERT. A delightful programme is announced for the Municipal Concert this evening at the Town Hall, when a weU-arrange.il selection or musical items, calculated to suit all tastes, will .be offered. Concertgoers will be interested in the special engagement for this evening-'s concert of Madame Irene Aiusley, who will sing: tlie beautilul "Gavotte" (Mlg-non—Ambroiso Thomas), and Handel's "Ornbra mal fu." Madame Irene Ainsley. who sang at a. most successful Municipal Concert last season, is an artist possessing the Highest possible credentials. ,~Wie was a pupil of Madame Marches! and of Dome Jieiba, and was principal contralto of the Carl Rosa and O'iWara Grand Opera Company, and nf the "Old Vie" Theatre, London. Mr. Maug-liaii Harnett, city organist, will lender a comprehensive programme of compositions possessing outstanding Interest. "Moderalo Contabile' , from Widor's Bth Symphony has'been described Jas "one of Widor's most beautiful Inspirations." A lovely melody, most r.\quisitely treated. Schubert's "Aye Maria' , and 'In the Halls of the Mountain King" from I'eer Gynt Suite by Grieg, together with .Mendelssohn's "Spring Song,' , and the Marche Royal, comprise the Hg-litiT section ot the programme. Musical enthusiasts will appreciate hearing the •'Adagio ana Finale" (from Sunata in C Minor) by Reubke. This is a due. example of "programme music—the work being in three sections, of which two are being , rendered. It is seldom that compositions by this composer are henrd on a modern programme. There is no question about Hie growing popularity of the Municipal Concerts, the Increasing alieiuliinee indicating a growing; public appreciation of these ppiendid musical programmes being- orfered. Seats may be reserved at Lewis R. Eatly and son," Ltd. The concert commences at 8 p.m. THE HAAGEN lIOLKNBERGH I'IANO RECITAL. The programme of Hie Haagcli Holenlx'isrli l'iano Recital, tj« take place next Wednesday evening, appears in this issue. This master of the piano will give works Iroin ltach. Liszt, liiuck, sgambati, Beetlioven ("The Moonlight Sonata"), three items by Chopin, also compositions by tlrieg, Sibelius and iNordraak. Mr. Holenbergli has lung been recognised as Hie outslanding Interpreter or Grieg's musicin fact, the widow of that great composer, who heard him play her husband's concerto, expressed herseir in a letter or thanks to him as b%iug indebted to a noble, line and cultured pianist. The musical Critic or a Southern paper states Mr. Hulenbergh is one of the finest performers who have been heard here lni> many years past, an artist of the first rank, a master of the piano, an education anil roast or music. Mdme. Johnston Topllss Will contribute three items, includingVerdi's grand aria, "Ritorna Vincitor." Miss Alma McG'-uer will acconiDany. CRAFTON LIBRARY COURSE. The concluding concert or the GraTton Library winter course. Which was postponed, is being provided by the Municipal' Choir and will take place on Tuesday next, October 20. The programme wiil be .sustained by the Municipal ciiolr in choral nuiflbers. The choir will be supported by the following: artists:— Mioses Philiis Grlbben, vocalist, Margaret Stod-. dart, violinist, Vera Ziman, elocutionist. PARNELL LIBRARY COURSE. The concluding: concert of the ParneU M.ibary winter course, which is being provided by Messrs. Lewis R. Eady and Son, Ltd., -will take place on Tuesday next, October SO. An Interesting- programme will be rendered by the following artists- ■ Mi's. Arthur Griffiths, Misses W Grassie" Muriel Neale, Mitchell, Bessie Goodlng' Ella Hutchins, Nellie Gammon, and Messrs J. N. Gordon, L. G. Knott and the Moiotiv Four. • J