AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 293, 11 December 1925, Page 11

AMUSEMENTS.

NATIONAL AND LYRIC THEATRES. Milton Sills has one of the finest roles Of nis long: career in "The Making of O'Malley," the First National attraction that forms one of the two star pictures 1 now .being screened at tHe National and Lyric Theatres. He is shown as a constable, with whom duty is religion, but his stern nature is softened by the influence or little children —and or one girl. She is the beautiful daughter or a wealthy family, who has forsaken tne gilded palaces of society to wort in the slums or Kew York. As the story progresses, the officer 15 called upon to decide between bis duty to the force, and the g-irl he loves. He believes that she belongs to another man, •whom, he later discovers, is the head or a bootlegging gang, which he has been trying to capture for some time. How he ultimately suceeds in that direction is one or the most thrilling incidents in the picture. To save the g-irl, the constable sacrifices bis honour and bis position in the force, but it is worth it all in the end. Dorothy MackaiU is the girl in the story. A second feature is "Duranu or the Bad Lands," a William fox special production, in which Buck Jones has the leading role. Darand Is aa outlaw -who has been accused of a long list or outrages. Try as he does to live down the name he ■does not deserve, ne fails. Finally, however, after a series of dramatic Incidents, he convinces the sheriff that his reputation is Toundefl on the base allegations of a gang of rogues. He thus clears his name, and wins the hand of a beautiful desert wait who had loved him all the time. The latest Fox Ts'ews and Gaumont Graphic are also included on tne programme, together with a Fox Imperial comedy, ".Love and the Lions."

STRAND THEATRE. Described as the screen's most fascinating- 1925 Sheik, Ricardo Cortez Has a highly congenial role in "Tne Spaniard,"tlie great Paramount attraction now being: Shown at the Strand Theatre. The picture is magnificent from every point of view and the story a most engrossing one, full or thrilling incidents. Picture a brilliant blue sky canopying an immense arena witn its tier or Humanity blending into one vibrant mass of colour and life. The shrill note of a bug-le brings all eyes to the massive gates at one end of tne ring, and all is stilled to attention as tne performers enter tne arena and engage in th* ceremonial parade. As the bull is released tne tiers or humanity come to life, the tumultuous enthusiasm bursts forth as there is witnessed a spectacle of astounding agility, grace, bravery and daring that has no equal anywhere in the world. This is the better part of bull-lighting. It is continually before the enthusiastic audience to the exclusion or everything else. Out of this riot of colour and glittering: conquest comes the hero—tne great matador. Cheer upon cheer resounds to his honour. Hats and flowers fall around him as he Indifferently, almost coldly, acknowledges the greeting of the highest dignitaries. Crowds follow and light to get near toim as He leaves the arena. And ror days Ins prowess and ability are on every tongue. It is ag-ainst the colourful background or the bull-fight that much of the action in "The Spaniard" takes place. The picture was adapted to the screen Dy J. T. O'Donohoe from Juanita Savage's novel or that name. Cortez "is featured -with Jetta Goudal and Is'oah Beery in the principal roles. In addition, an "Our Gang-" comedy. "Derby Day," is screened, also Pathe Gazette and an "Urban Chats" \ special interlude item is staged.

GRAXD THEATRE. So successful Has "The Lost World" proved as a box-office "draw" at the Grand Ttieatre, mat tne management has decided to extend its season for another week. The story is that or a band or explorers, -who make their way up the Amazon River, ana enter a huge tract or unknown country, on which they find that prehistoric monsters are actually living. Brontosaurus, aUoraurus, pterodactyl, and creatures with similar names, wmen were supposed to have become extinct hundreds or years previously, are seen going about their dally occupations, hunting, eating, and nghtiug. The reproduction or these monsters on the screen is considered to be the most amazing- work' ever performed in the motion picture world. The great climax comes when, to convince the public that the animals are actually in existence, a brontosaurus is taken back to London, where it escapes, and, running pell-mell through the streets, knocks over whole iu-lldingrs, roots statues' Trom their foundations, and sends crowds of panicstricken people fleeing: -ft-om-• its path. I"

RIALTO THEATEE. "New Lives Tor old," a arama of a French girl -who served her country well during: the war, but had to suffer in consequence, is the chier attraction on the present programme at the Rialto Theatre. Beautiful Betty Compson Has the leading role. She is seen es a celebrated. Parisian dancer, who, -while on holiday in the country, falls in love with a young army oflli*T, without telling: liim who she is Back in Prisa, the girl enters the service or the Secret Service Department, and is assigned to watch a German spy. As part or her plan she condones his violent love making, and ultimately intercepts one or his messag-es to headquarters. It saves her lover rrom death, end his army from dereat, hut the Parisians think that she has German sympathies, and the Government to save her lire, have a pretended runeral of the dancer. Thus complications are heaped upon complications. Ultimately however, a happy ending results. Wallace Mac Donald, Theodore Kosloff, and Sheldon Lewis are in the supporting cast. Another attraction is "The Tomboy," a Universal reature, starring Herbert Bawlinson and Dorothy Devore. During the interlude Eastern dances are given by Pele Groves

ELSA STBALIA CONCERTS. A programme or everything -or the choicest in music was presented by the Straiia concert party last night in the Town Hall. Few will forget the remarkable impression created by the music, and the artistic way it wag unrolded. The audience was stirred to a greet display or appreciation, and was not satistled until the visitors contributed further solos. Madame Straiia opened with a flne performance or verdi's "Sorta c la none," a coloratura aria, rich in vocal display, and its melody is one of the most gracerm inspirations or the author's middle period. The performance or the solo showed the prima donna's i>el canto singing to splendid effect, and the embellishments and florid scales displayed the artist's coloratura technique to rare advantage. The recitative received a sustenuto performance, and the singing of the subsequent "Ernani involaml" was notable for its variety ot colouring staccato crispness, fluency in" rapid sequences, the way the accents or despair were achieved, the brilliant display or the cadenza, power or voice exhibited on the high B flats, and the closing liquid mil ending with a brilliantly executed head note. Arter this flne vocal display or Elvira's ramous solo, and one or Verdi's loveliest inspirations, the cantatrice aroused her listeners to a display of unrestrained enthusiasm. The artist also gave, in a charming style, Tirindelle's beautiful lyric, "O amore amor." and treated Frank Bridge's "Oh, That It Were bo in an irresistible manner. The soprano also secured a markedly successrul performance or the Miserere scene, with Mr. Navarre, Mr. Maughan Barnett providing an effective accompaniment on the grand organ.

Gounod's "Dio Possento," Tully's "Bols Eprals," and Massenet's "Elegie" were contributed in an intelligent manner by Mr. Navarre; he also appeared with Madame in a delightful rendering: of Mozart's duet, "Lacia Darem fa Mano," from "Don Giovanni."

The violinist, Mr. Chuhaldin, gave mushed reading-s of solos by Sarasate, Handel, and Bach, whilst his own composition, "Love Song of a Hero," proved to be a muslcianly work for the. violin, and the performance revealed the two voices to fine purpose. Pianoforte soJO3 by Chopin, Rachmaninoff, and Palgrem were artistically treated by Mr. Sverjensky. He also played With marked success, tlie pianoforte accompaniments.

To-morrow nig-ht the final concert of the season will be given, for which a splendid programme has been prepared. All lovers of music should not miss this opportunity or hearing this fine company. "THE MESSIAH."

An exceptionally well balanced quartet of soloists has been engaped for the Choral Society's annual performance Of Handel's "Messiah," on Taursday, 17th, The soprano, Mrs. Woodward, who is a great favourite with Welltnffton audiences. Is said to be particularly well suited in the "Messiah" music. Miss Caldow needs no recommendation to Auckland audiences. Mr. Harold Prescott is considered by competent critics to >be one or the finest tenors in the Dominion. The bass solos will be taken by that flne artist, Mr. Harrison Cook, who is also singing , these at the Dunedln Exhibition, and at Wellington. The stirring- baritone number. "The Trumpet Shall Sound," will be sung- by Mr. Cook, a special transcription being made to suit Mr. Cook's voice.

EVERYBODY'S AND TIVOLI THEATRES.

"Spring Cleaning , ," Frederick Lonsdale'i play of the salvation that came to a husband and wire at log?erneaas tnrough the introduction into their Home or a woman of the streets, makes just as tensely dramatic a picture as it aid a stage play. Under the title "The Fast Set" the nimis now being shown at Everybody's and the Lyric Theatres, with Betty Compson in the leading role, supported by Adolphe Menjou Elliott Dester and Za Su Pitts. The story tells or a married life of two people—the husband and author—who do not aST"* mainly because the husband oWecisto his wife's friends. He calls them the fast set, and finds that his wire is c£ lttl .2j? *J??; To bring her to her senses ne goes out into the streets and brings into a. dinner party a woman he found there. lne guests leave in anger, and RlcHard Jones, the husband, leaves too, arter a dramatic scene with his wife. To the woman hiding in The house comes the girl, who realises lTTat the home should not have been broken up. to the wife the street woman teiis her opinion of the "other" man, who is the primary cause of the trouble, ana to whom the "wire proposes going in her trouble. At the girl's suggestion she gete The man to come to the house, and, by a plan, the girl rings the husband and tells him that the other person is there. The picture shows what happens when the men meet to right for the woman they both want. "The Fast Set" has been lavishly produced, and the carefully selected cast portray the difflcult roles to perfection. Other attractions are Matured at botii theatres.

PRINCESS THEATRE. ApClale's amaTing animal act is the chief feature of interest at ihe Princes 3 Theatre to-day. At considerable expense the management were fortunate enough to secure this unique act for a short season. Described as the most gig-antic act Of Its kind, It shows 30 clever animals perrorming all sorts or seemingly impossible feats. Bears, monkeys, dogs, and baboons all take part. They ride real bicycles in pursuit races end do fancy trick cycling. They play musical instruments and perform on horizontal ladders and globus. One long laugh 1s provided by the "chariot" races, in which dogs act as horses and the monkeys as jockeys. There is a large troupe or these dogs, which are exceptionally clever. They give a complete little drama, which is truly astonishing. A special matinee ror children will be g-iven to-mor-row. The chief attraction on a complete picture programme is "Any Woman," a Paramount picture. Alice Terry Has the leading- role, which reveals another side of her remarkable versatility as an actress, being totally different from any she has previously portrayed. The fact that the story or "Any Woman" was written directly for the screen by Arthur Somers Roche, brilliant novelist, is positive assurance of an interest-compelling plot. The photoplay is crowded -with incident and action, and is set against the rascinating background of big business and smart society. Director King Has outdone himself in the matter of stage mounting, and the entire production represents the last word in magnitlcent settings, gorgeous gowns and lavish display. Thelma Morgan, Ernest Gillen, Henry Kolker, Lawson Butt, James Neil and Margarita Fischer ar* among those prominently cast in support of Miss Terry.

HIPPODROME THEATRE. "Charley's Aunt" is living , up to its reputation at the Hippodrome Theatre. Adapted from the famous stage farce, whicn nas already grossed over one million pounds, it stars the inimitable Syd. Chaplin, brother of the great Charlie. "Charley's Aunt" was flrst produced at Bury St. Edmunds, in Suffolk, in 1862, with W. S. Penley starring, and was then brought to London, playing first at the Royalty Theatre, and then at the Globe, where It ran continuously for four years, -a total of 14G6 performances. The fame of "Charley's Aunt" spread far and wide, and seven touring companies started out through the provinces. Several companies are still touring- with it in England, and each, year it is put on in London, where it is one of the "draws" or the holiday season. The picture Is said to' be even funnier than the play, it has broken more than one box-office record, and Aucklanders, who are ever on the look-out for a good comedy, will be sure also to vote it one or the most hilarious screen comedies yet produced.

OABDEN FETE. The committee in charge of the Mater Misericordiae Hospital Garden Fete tomorrow have completed All ■arrangements in connection with, the function. Three fancy goods stalls, stocked with articles, goods and gifts from the various convents in and around Auckland, as also from various parts or the Dominion, will be displayed. Many of the articles are real works of art. The refreshment stall !s in the, hands of a well equipped ana emclent band of workers. Ice cream, sweets, bran tub, etc, will cater to the wants of all visitors. A basketball competition between the various parocnial schools win be played in the grounds adjoining the hospital during the -afternoon. The opening , ceremony win be performed by Mr. "William Wallace, chairman of the Auckland Hospital Board, at two o'clock. Welter Smith's jazz and orchestral bands will be in attendance during the afternoon and evening. The tramway department are running a special motor bus continuously from the toot of Mountain Road to the Mater entrance from 1.30 pjn. to 10.30 pjn. CHRISTMAS ENTERTAINMENT.

A: complimentary Christmas entertainment will toe given to the inmates or the Auckland Infirmary, Epsom, to-morrow afternoon. A nne programme has been arranged, and includes items by Greer's Girls' inter-House Club, pupils or Miss Cecil Hall, and many others.