AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 252, 24 October 1925, Page 15

AMUSEMENTS.

STRAND THEATRE. The saucy, mischievous imp -who is beloved by millions tnrou&nout tne -world is back on the screen In " Little Annie Rooney" at the Strand and TivolV Theatres. Mary Pickrord. has ror6aken the ruffled laces and bejewelled gowns or costume plays, and lias returned to the type of role that made her famous. "The World's Sweetheart" is again thp curlyhaired, prank-playing:, impetuous Irish lassie in "Little Annie Rooney." The picture starts with a llgbv and ends with a fight. In between are laughs galore, a tear or two, much suspense and many heart throbs. It is an ideal story for Mary Pickrord. and her characterisation of Littlp Annie is one of genuine artistry, played as no other actress could play It. The story is one of the slums or York, an epic of those crowded, musty thoroughfares on the East Side, where men, women and children In motley array swarm like ants in an ant hill. Little Annie is one of a million there. She is tiie leader of a pang- of boys which is continually getting into battles with a rival gang. While still a child Annie is plunged into a maelstrom of dramatic incidents that Qrst sober the impulsive girl, then bring- out the heroic qualities so often round in children of the slums. Rack in the "Hoodlum" and "Daddy Long Leg-s" type of picture, the star in this feature excels all her previous triumphs. She admits herself that she thinks that she has in "Little Annie Rooney" attained her ambition to g-ive the picture public the kind of Him in which, they have always wanted to see her. "Little Annie Rooney" is a photoplay lor young- and old, and the managements or the two theatres have pride in offering it in Auckland. On trie Strand programme the supports consist of the usual I'athe Review, gazette and a Spat Family comedy, "The Hard-boiled Tenderfoot." A musical Interlude is also provided. At the Tivoli Hoot Gibson appears in "Let Her Buck," a thrilling Western production. HIPPODROME THEATRE. Two thrilling Western features are being screened at the Hippodrome Theatre this week. The Ilrst Is an Independent offering, entitled "The Fighting Smile." starring Bill Cody, who does some daring rifling and fighting-, for which he is famous. The story is by William Lester. It deals with the return or Bud Brant to his lather's ranch In time to help -htm catch the thieve;; who are stealing: his cattle, and with the help or Ros* Fayne, the rustler's step-daughter, lights his way to victory. He Ilnds out that no matter what adventures he round , in his wanderings, home Is best, after all. The cast Includes Jean Arthur, Charles Brinley and George Magrill. The second offering is "The Devil's Bowl," an exciting feature in which the leading role is taken by Neil Hart. The story is described as a powerful human drama or the Mexican Border. It abounds in thrills. Neil takes the part ior Sam Ramsey, the hero. Other attractions are also shown. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. "A Kiss in the Dark." a Paramount comedy-drama, adapted from "Aren't We All?" the famous stage play, by Frederic!* i Lonsdaie, author or "Spring Cleaning," is now being shown at Everybody's Theatre. The play, it will be remembered, was 1 brought to New Zealand by the Dion Boucicault-Irene Vanbrugti Company. In the picture Adolphe Menjou has another of his well-known lady-killing roles. The scenes are laid in Havana and New York, and the story concerns the love affairs of a young American manager of a sugar plantation in Cuba. He falls in love with every young woman who comes on the scene, until he meets an impervious beauty, who orders him to stop his philandering. One wonderrul night his llancee finds him with a beautiful married woman in his arms, and the engageme.nt is broken OIT. Many amusing situations follow, and then a happy ending results. There are some exceptionally alluring srenes in the film. In the cast are Alleen Pringle. Lillian Rich, Ann Pennington and ! Kitty Kelly. Kenneth MacKenna has the part of the husband, whose wife Is found with the hero. The usual supports are included on the programme. PRINCESS THEATRE. " Decameron Nights." Boccaccio's famous classic, is attracting large audiences to the Princess Theatre. Boccaccio was one of the chief inspires of the art or story-telling, and began writing in J348 a collection ol" daring stories supposed to 1 have been told by Florentines In retirement. The stories tell of Prtnce Saladin. son or Goldan. Perdita, beautiful daughter or the King, or Algarue, and the Lady } Theodora, the virtuous wife of Venice. ! 'In "Decameron Nights" the destinies of these three people are woven into a colour- i nil romance- As a play "Decameron" was presented at Drury Lane for over a year, and it caused a sensation. It was found Impossible to take the play on tour, but William Fox has tilled the gap and given the world one of the most remarkable pictures of the season. Like the play, it had sensational success. No expense has been spared, while the theme has been handled in a delicate yet masterful manner; so much so, that no censor has refused to pass the production. Lionel Barrvmore has the leading role, and is supported by the beautirul English actress, ivy Duke. The second production is "Firth Avenue Models," starring Mary Phiibin and Rose Dione, who is at present playing in the "Spring Cleaning" Company. LAST NTGHT OF "SPRING CLEANING." The farewell perrormance of "Spring Cleaning." by Miss Pauline Frederick, and the versatile compan3-, will taie place to-night at His Majesty's Theatre, when Auckland playgoers will take a regretru! farewell arter a season which has been all too short. "Spring Cleaning" is an unusual play, acted by a cast of outstanding merit. The two Idols of the screen. Miss Pauline Frederick ana Miss June Elvidge were again given an enthusiastic reception by a crowded house last evening, and the remainder or the players were also accorded rounds of applause. " KID BOOTS." At His Majesty's Theatre on Wednesday next the J. C. Williamson Premier .Musical Comedy Company will appear in the phenomenally successful play, "Kid Boots." Of "Kid Boots," writes the critic or the "■Melbourne Argus": "Two very popular players—Miss Josie Melville and Mr. Deorgp f.ee—were welcomed back to Melbourne enthusiastically when they were associated in the leading parts in 'Kid Boots.' which is stated to be the most expensive musical comedy which -I. C. Williamson. Ltd.. has staged In Australia. Love and golf are pleasantly and cleverly interwined in this production, but in the early stagee or the ilrst act it is made abundantly clear that both the love and the goii are but a means to an end—the end being lavish production. No expense appears to have been spared in tiie ■dressing' of this 'musical extravaganza.' Miss Josie .Melville advances steadily along the bright path or the stage celebrity. She has improved greatly since she first became a 'star' in 'Sally,' and in 'Kid Boots' Is the winsome daughter or a wealthy man, flirting with Tom Sterling (Mr. Heorge Vollaire). who poses as a goir proressional so that he may find a girl who loves him and not his money. Mr. Vollaire has a line sinking voice. Mr. George <:ee is a popular comedian with a large circle or admirers. As Kid Boots lie is responsible for much or the humour, and he succeeds admirably There are several very 'rarchy , musicii numbers, including 'Polly Put the Kettle On' (Mr. 'ieorge Vollaire). and 'Follow the Swallow' (Mr. (ieorge Gee) The increased strength or Miss Melville's voice !s pleasantly revealed in 'The Old I ake Tra'l." Mr. Field Fisher plays hi a part perrectly as ever. Mr. Paul Plunkett Mr neorge Crony, and Mr. Reginald Roberts are a tower or strength to the company." The box plans will be opened at Lewis R Eady and Son, Ltd., on Tuesday next. " STABAT MATER." The fact that the Auckland Choral Society has secured the services of Mr. Harison Cook ror Us third concert of the season at the Town Hall next Thursday should ensure a crowded house. An exceptionally bright and varied j has been arranged, inclueline- Rossini* "Stabat Mater." The box plan opens at Lewis R. Eady and Pons. Ltd. on Tuesday morning, the 37 th instant. "THE ABBESS OF WHITBY. ,, It is definitely announced that Mr. L. P. Leary's play. "The Abbess of Whitby." will be produced by the Auckland Amateur Operatic SoeiPty on November H. Mr. Waters wrote the music for the production, and a new play from the joint authors or "Tut-ankh-amen" will be awaited with Interest. "The Abbess" Is a story of AngloSaxon times, and, while primarily dramatic, is lightened by broad sketches or comedy.