AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 53, 4 March 1926, Page 10

AMUSEMENTS.

NATIONAL A>T) LYRIC THEATRES. TO-day the highly successful William Fox epic, "As No Man Has Loved" wlu commence at the National and Lyric Theatres. Dr. Ernest Crandall, director of lpctnrps and visual Instruction or the Board or Education, >"ew York city, wrote to William Kox complimenting the producer on His latest achievement, as follows.- ---" This magnificent picture, based on the Edward Everett Halo classic, ' The Man Without a Country,' constitutes one or the most sincere attempts I have ever witnessed to preserve both the spirit and the letter ol" a literary production upon the screen. It Is an open secret that producers who attempt to utilise the title of well known literary productions I'nr serpen purposes often do violence to tno theme. In this instance, however, the gonlus or tlie immortal tale evolved hy Dr. iiato has been religiously preserved. Throughout tile piece the dramatic suspense is skilfully maintained, the heart interest is intense, the acting- is superb, and the photography beautiful. The conclusion or the picture Is an exquisite touch and extremely moving:. Above all. the patriotic fervour aroused throughout without recourse to cheap tricks or artiltciql stimulation is sufficiently intense to mark this a* a great picture, and especially as one which every young , person in mo iana should see." __ vi HIPPODROME THEATRE. Torn Mis has, according to what the critics say, packed an unusual number of thrills into his latest William Fox starring , vehicle. " The Rainbow Trail," which will start on a week's run at the Hippodrome Theatre this afternoon. It is said to be even more thrilling than " Riders of the Purple Sa;-re," to which it is the sequel. Both stories arc by Zane Grey, ;inrl therefore they both breathe the spirit or newest. In the beautiful snow-cappp.rt mountains or tlic North-West. Tom Mix and his wonder horso Tony ride through perilous adventures. " The Ttaiiihow Trail" is an engrossing story of a man's hunt; Tor thi! girl of his dreams. The trail leads him to Surprise Valley, where his uncle, Jim Lassiter, a woman and the g-irl have heen held prisoner for years. An outlaw band tries to thwart his efforts to rescue them, but, after overcoming: apparently insurmountable obstacles and lighting a desperate battle, he su< _eeds. The other feature picture is entitled " Ridpnway Montana, a six-reel Western drama with Jack Hoxie in the leading role. MAJESTIC THEATRE. Tho Metro-Goldwyn rarce " Excuse Mc," by Rupert Hughes, and directed by the author, with iVorma Shearer and Conrad ISagel in tlie leading- roles, as well as the lino supporting programme, will be screened for the last time at the Majestic this evening. One of the greatest masters of English literature, Thomas Hardy, conceived the tragic story from which thu Metro-Goldwyn production " Tess of the d'Urbervilles " has been taken. This picture, which is said to be a wonderful piece of sustained love drama, comes to tho Majestic Theatre to-morrow for a week's run. The tale of a young English girl betrayed ana cast on the world to ilnd real love blind and tragedy stalking her steps is one which contains every clement of dramatic suspense. The title role is handled with true insight by Blanche riweet, who combines great talent and beauty in interpreting an extremely dilllcult role, and she is admirably supported by a lino cast, including- Conrad Aagel, Stuart Holme.--, aud George Fawcett. The direction, in the hands or Marshall :\'eiian. leaves nothingto be desired. The picture was turned entirely in England, this being , considered necessary to catch the elusive charm of the great novelist's work. The supports will include the Majestic Pictorial News, another interest picture, the i'alhe Review, and a sparkling comedy. STRAXD THEATRE. Patrons who have not seen Ramon Novarro and Alice Terry in "The Arab" will have a final opportunity of 'witnessing this fine Him at the Strand Theatre to-night, when it concludes a successful week's run. Commencing at the tirst session to-morrow there' will he two big; pictures, as well as the usual buds-et or supporting subjects. The main pictures will be •• The Clean Heart." by A. S M. Hutchinson, author or "If Winter conies.' , a production full of the human interest element. Percy .Marmont, otis Harian, and Marguerite de la Motte are the stars. The other feature i≤ entitled " The Sporting Venus," and is the latest production by Marshall Aeilan. The featured players are Blanche Sweet, Ronald Colman, and Lew Cody. Drama, thrill, and humour are the main elements or the picture, well combined with liberal treatment. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. " The Lucky Devil," the thrilling picture in which Richard Dix is starred as a motor race driver, was finally screened at this theatre last niglu. " Marry Mc," which will be installed as the hekclliner on today's new programme at Everybody's, is described as a crackajack situation comedy, expertly directed, and delightrully enacted by a spirited cast or players, who prove wholly adequate to the demands the story makes upon their individual and histrionic ability. There will be a programme or supports in Keeping with the main feature

TTVOLI AXD PRINCESS THEATRES.

A Paramount specal picture entitled Wild Horse Mesa" will be shown for the first timn in Auckland at tho Princess and Tivoli 1 heatres tins arternoon and evening- "Wild Horse Mesa" is an action picture, rrom the story or that actlonllllcd romanticist Zane Grey. Everyone knows that tho Western Rto'rips and 'pictures or Zane Grey are the best of this type that are to bp seen. Zanp Grey is a master or the romance or the West, "or its thrills, its daring, and Its people, nirected by oeorp-e n. Seltz. or serial fame, this production is full or action and thrills. l-ilmed in the actual Western locations or the canyons, mesas, and deserts, the ?h?m= y is »; loto «sly bPautirm. while the tin ills crowd one another on tin- M-reen The cast or players presented is one or tne most popular combinations -e.-n in Western pictures. Jack Holt is the hero. a hard riding: horse dealer who is rriendly with the Indians: Miss Billie Dove, as beautirul and charmina- a- ever Is the n P ,h°J ne ' Wlli , le yoah B( ' p| '- V ii: tn " tart man. Others in the cast are wen arm are headed by Douglas Fairbanks.' jun. The stampede or 5000 wild horses across the desert and through a narrow ranvon where horse thieves have set up a trap is a most beautiful outdoor spectacle There win Do a specially selected bucieet or supporting- pictures. THE DIGGER?. The snappy entertainment provided by Pat Hanna's Diggers in their ehanpe <if programme last night at Ills Majesty's theatre will be continued ror mc last two nig-hts or the season, a continuous rush of music and mirth, the entertainment is notable ror its pleasing ballet, bright orchestra, and very larc-e element or comedy. In Vera Carcw, Jim Furan, JocK Thomson, and Brian I.awraiice. tin- cumpany has a coterie or excellent voice*, and in solos and quartets they had an enthusiastic reception last night. Joe ■Valli and Pat Hanna are excellent comedians of quite diirerent typos and they kept the house hitrhly amused timing trie course or the two or three comedy sketches which were a feature of the programme. The season will close on Friday night.

'•THE FARMER'S VilVl

Old friends and new will bn welcomed at His .Majesty's Theatre on Saturday evening next as numbers ol" the t'ngltsn comedy company specially organised IV •I. C, Williamson, Ltd., for the Australasian production of Edm I'hilpott's new play " Tlic Farmer's Wife."' Artists wlm have boen previously seen here sharp with the newcomers the principal tumours or an excellent cast for this entertaining rornedy or rustic manners. Tim new play depends for its sutcr-.s upon comedy and dramatic, situations, also upon tin: art or characterisation ntfilbitPil by Eden I'htlpotts in these quaint types ol' Devonshire rarm life, particularly'in hi- portrayal of tinsturdy old cynic Charles Ash. outdoor man at Applpjrnrth rarm. whoso views about vvonicii arc aptly sunimarisi-d in this lino: " They chang-ir their c|o!!i,- lint lint their claws." The role is played b\ Edwin Brett, well remembered here lor tils artistic .Mr. Hook In ".Miss Hunk ur Holland." Miss Doris Juhnstoni', a- the rarmcr's wife, is a tall and typically Eng-lish ac-tro.-~ who bring-5 qualities of wmscnie beauty a [ia refined charm with her part. Miss Susau Richmond appears a< Thirza Tapper, an old maid of rnid-Vletorian aspects, a p*''- lnicketty, prattlesomn norty who crcaies heaps of laughter. Towiiscml WhitiinFWho plays the part or the rariner. is al>o producer or tin- play. lie la<t apin'arcn hero With Eth.-l limhm- hi '• The \'> itness for the Dpienip." xther imporunt parts are played by. Violet Ley, h"aimelin c Orford, Doug-las Vlg-ors, Francos (»*«■ Refrinald Newson, (iraham Stuart, Velio Landau, Eardley Turner, nnd Artnur Greenaway. " The Farmnr's wire " is s« u one or the biggest or farce-comedy su r " cesses yet seen in I nnrlon. now liping_ iv Its third year or a !n-!il:unt run. Tbe doX plans for tile, nea- ■; . »i-vei: ni?tUS arc now open at Lewi- !. !. ■:■ ;;:i ! ~"ii, Ltd,