AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 95, 23 April 1926, Page 10

AMUSEMENTS.

NATIONAL AND LYRIC THEATRES. "The Palace of Pleasure," the love story of Lola Montez, the famous dancer whose exotic career startled the people of two continents, is one of the chief features now being offered to patrons of the National and Lyric Theatres. "Never before has there been a more colourful personality in history, than Lola Montez, at whose bidding political destinies of Europe were moulded, revolutions were fought, kings abdicated, and royal courts of the Old World were thrown into social upheavals," says a critic. It is not j extravagant, therefore to say that the "Palace of Pleasure," which is based on the story of this woman, written by Adolf Paul, is one of the most remarkable pictures to reach the screen in years. Betty Compson and Edmund Lowe have the leading roles. The other feature is a First National film, "The Scarlet Saint," starring Mary Astor and Lloyd Hughes. Adapted from the novel by Gerald Be'au.mont, it tells the story of beauty and old age shackled in marriage. The latest GaUmont .Graphic, a Fox News, a Mermaid comedy, and a "Felix the Cat" cartoon are also screened.

STRAND THEATRE. "The Denial," the story of a mother who chose her daughter's husband, is the chief feature on the new programme at the Strand Theatre. Claire Windsor, the beautiful star, is seen at her'best in the production. There is a prologue, an epilogue and a main story, the tirst two being laid in the present-day period and the last in the year 1897. In the prologue, Claire Windsor is seen as a grey-haired matron, the mother of a full-grown girl. In the main part of the story, she is the heroine of 18. It is in the older role that she definitely establishes herself as a great emotional actress. In the dramatic plot, there is a mother who does not understand, a father who dared not interfere, a girl denied her heart's desire and a -son who "goes wrong." A second offering is "What . a Wife Learned,*' starring Marguerite de la Motte, Milton Sills and John Bowers. The picture is said to offer the solution of a difficult problem.

TIVOLI AND EVERYBODY'S THEATRES. The story of a woman who lied to protect her home and honour, is* told dramatically in "Lying Wives," the colonial all-star production which is now being shown at the Tivoli and Everybody's Theatres. The film is billed as a powerful sermon on the pitfalls that beset the lives of fickle wives. The plot is based on the pernicious strategy and subtle lies of an impassionate woman, in her fight to win the love of a man. She almost wrecks the happy home-life of two households, and learns a bitter lesson. Clara. Kimball Young, the famous emotional actress, has the leading role, and is supported by a splendid cast, which includes Madge Kennedy. Among many novel scenes, is one in which Bee Jackson, a favourite Broadway dancer, does an exceedingly "peppery" ton. The second picture at Everybody's is, 'T Pagliacci," a British l production; based on the famous opera. At the Tivoli, "The Man. Who Found Himself," starring Thomas Meighan and Virginia Valli, is also shown.

> PRINCESS THEATRE. An exceptionally fine programme is now being offered at the Princess Theatre, for, in addition to the usual picture attractions, The , Ambassador Jazz Band appears to gladden the hearts of all jazz-lovers. The band has earned a great; reputation and* composed of specially selected. men, all experts in their own particular line. The chief film on the hill is "The Man Who Found Himself,'*- a new Paramount presentation, with Thomas Meighan and Virginia Valli in the leading roles. 'The hero is the son of a bank president. He is sent to gaol on a charge of stealing money from the establishment. While in prison, he learns that his fiancee has arranged to marry a scoundrel, the president of a rival bank. He escapes from prison, but arrives too late to prevent the ceremony taking place. He .thereupon gives 'himself up to the authorities.. Ultimately, however, a happy ending results. In addition, the British production, 'T a screen version of the famous opera, is shown.

MAJESTIC' THEATRE, "The technique of the production is perfect. Romance and history join hands. The acting is supurb, and high praise is due to Marion Davies, who is at her very best." This is but one of the hundreds of glowing reviews which "Yolanda" the chief attraction now being shown at the Majestic Theatre, received from the English Press. The film, in which beautiful Marion Davies is supported/by Ralph Graves, is described as one of the most beautiful, as well as one of the most thrilling pictures ever made. It has a pretty tale to tell, amid magnificent settings that rival any of the costume features that have been produced before. More than 5000 actors, including sixty-five principals, appear in "Yolanda." The picture was ten months in the making at a cost of more than £400,000. Both Europe and America were scoured for art objects which would convey the exact atmosphere of the great days of history when Bergundy and France were combating for the political domination of the Continent. Every article used in the gorgeous court scenes is a genuine antique or the exact duplicate of one. The largest outdoor set ever filmed was constructed for "Yolanda." It covered in area more than two city blocks.' The castles of Charles the Bold and Louis XI. are reproduced exactly as they were in the times of these monarchs. In addition to the usual first-class attractions, special interest is attached to the prologue, "The Bohemian Girl," which is the first of a series of "Great Moments From Grand Opera" that is to be presented. The vocalists, who are assisted by the Majestic quartet, are Miss tine Ormiston, Mr. Arthur Ripley, and Mr. E. Thomas. GRAND THEATRE. "Graustark," a notable First National production,' starring .ftorma Talmadge, heads tho programme at the Grand Theatre. The story is a romantic one, concerning the love affair of Trincess Yetive, the beauty of Graustark, and a young American. The story is by George Barr McCuteheon. It commences in America and then moves to the mythical kingdom, which is a centre of political intrigue. This original novel has been faithfully reproduced. RIALTO THEATRE. "Tess of tho DTJrbervilles," Thomas Hardy's great story, is shown ln screen form at the Rialto Theatre. The tragic record of the unfortunate English girl who. was betrayed in love, and whose life ends when she kills her betrayer, is told in a picture that has been praised unstintingly on all occasions. Many of the scenes were actually filmed in England. The other attraction is "The Dixie "Handicap," an exciting racing picture, starring Claire Windsor, Frank Keenan and Lloyd Hushes.

HIPPODROME THEATRE. The American Indian has found a modern champion in Isadore Bernstein, noted scenario Writer. For years Bernstein has been a close student of American history in ita relation to the Indian and .the treatment he has. received from the hands of his white brothers. The result of this has been a powerful story entitled "The Red Rider," which has been adapted to the screen by Wyndham Gittens under the same name, and which is now being shown at the Hippodrome Theatre, with Jack Hoxie as the star. . The story, beginning in the days when the Indian ruled America, shows the inroads of degeneracy in the Red Man that followed the coming of the whites. It shows the early traders receiving large pieces of land and other valuable concessions in return for "firewater," which gradually wore down the physical and moral fibre of the Indian. The author has brought into his story a pretty little romance, the picturesqueness of the Indian and his ceremonials and traditions, all of which, combined with many thrilling scenes, have been faithfully reproduced on the screen. A second feature is "Passion's Pathway," a dramatic story in which the leading character is portrayed by Estelle Taylor.

QUEEN'S THEATRE. "Sure Fire Flint," Johnny Hi**** tense picture, is now being shown at the Queen's Theatre, where it is sure to keep audiences laughing from beginning to end. Replete with humorous incidents, the film gives-. Hines the best opportunity of his career, and he makes full use of it. He is supported by Doris Kenyon, and Edmund Breese. A second feature is "The " Chechahcos," a thrilling tale of Alaska. An Our Gang k-pmedy, "Tlie Champeens " completes tiie bill. MUNICIPAL CONCERTS. A musical treat awaits the patrons of the municipal concerts at the Town Hall, to-morrow night, when a special "operatic" night will be given by the Municipal Band, with vocal assistance by Miss Mina Caldow, contralto, and Mr. Jean Dellore, tenor. The following composers' works will be drawn upon: Wagner, Bellini, Saint-Safins, Puccini, Leoncavallo, Bizet, Verdi, Gounod and Weber. The band' will for the first time present Wagner's splendid overture, "Rienzi." Instrumental solos and duets will be played by Messrs. Maloy and Bowes. Box plans are at Messrs. Lewis R. Eady &, Son, Ltd. Early booking is desirable. ROYAL AUCKLAND CHOIR. There was a capacity attendance in the Town Hall last evening to hear the fine programme of music prepared for the Royal Auckland Choir's initial performance of the thirty-fifth season. The (Moralists, numbering some ninety singers, sang in seven concerted pieces, and these were so much liked that three encores had to be accepted. With the exception of an occasional deviation from the true pitch, the members gave musicianly performances of the numbers. The tenors sang with distinctness and freedom, whilst the basses rolled off the florid sections in an even and spontan-

eous fashion, and in the sustained j passages made a fine background. The I subdued parts were very delicately, expressed, and the music in dialogue! was suitably realised. There were { several stimulating climaxes," and when' the executants were singing full harmony j music, the sound was clear and sonorous,; and of pleasing timbre. Sullivan's; famous setting of "If Doughty Deeds" opened the and the choir gave a resolute and pleasing reading of this number. The ensemble was good, and the enunciation clear and distinct. Marie Rich's "My Rose of Yester-e" enl" was very delicately expressed, the shading being specially well done, whilst the j pianissimo singing and tenderness shown inaNeidlinger's "Hush! Everyone Hush!" gave infinite pleasure. Both works were warmly received, and extra numbers were added. Hammond's dramatic cantata, "Lochinvar" was given a telling interpretation. A stately unison began the' work, thereafter the voices moved into harmony which was pleasing and capably ' done. In "He Stayed Not For Brake," the, tenors emitted a clear tone, and the basses, low degrees were full and deep toned, whilst a nice feeling for rhythm was exhibited in "So Boldly He Entered." j "So Stately His Form" was sung in a] convincing manner, cleverly vocalised; was "And the Bridemaidens Whispered," ( and brilliantly sustained was the An, i Ah, chorus at its close. Graphically ■ depicted was the departure and the ] responsive -singing in "So Daring in love" I 1 was attractively achieved. The solo parts were tastefully rendered by Messrs. T. B. Rowe and W. Hague. Hatton's "The Lark," with solo by Mr. C. F. Perfect,' tenor, was suitably delivered, and j Lovat's "Boat Song'"' was given a bright | and pleasing performance. Brewer's' "Woodland Morning" received a colour- j ful rendering. Delicaitely given was the I opening verse, and the basses suitably! sustained their degrees and made a fine tone in "The Trees are Swaying." Forcefully presented was "Arise, Arise," and a bright and joyous delivery was obtained of the closing "O, Join the Chorus." The' gradual building up of the sound in! the finale was admirably achieved. On this occasion the society had the assistance of the Kendall String Quartet, four English musicians who are on a concert tour of the world. The performer's are ladies, and made a good impression and were warmly encored after their finished . concerted playing. Misses Kendall and Brook are the violinists, and- the Misses Jones and Hanson are viola and 'cello respectively. They perform with a richness of tone and charm of phrasing, and musical sensibility delightful to witness. The constant association of the players gives them a perfection of ensemble which is very pleasing. Carefully and thoroughly studied were the pieces presented, and the result 'was of a high order of merit. Tsciiaikowsky's famous Andante Cantabile was performed with closest attention to finish and inner thought, and the Scherzo received a decisive and spirited reading, whilst the second part of the Schumann quartet in A Major was played with incisiveness and musical intensity, and Goossen's "By the Tarn," and Grainger's "Molly on the Shore," were very well handled, and gave much pleasure. The musicians were

I cordially welcomed and heartily recall-l after their performances. Miss jw£ IS8?? & W * fitud J ed of Liddle's "Easter Tide" and G«ol,iv ! "Spring Carol," an 4 receKd recalls at t-neir conclusion, and ifr T ;Bree was called back after his z__fM ; performance of Lohr's "The Wind" Th* by. Dr. W. E. Thomas, and efficients ! accompanied were the. vocalists by tol j Cyril Towsey. -x^'v