AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 144, 19 June 1926, Page 14

AMUSEMENTS.

■ "THE ONLY WAY." There are some very fine extracts from Tress criticisms culled from various Wellington newspapers appearing in our advertising columns to-day regarding the Wellington presentation at the Grand Opera House where First National Pictures Australasia. Limited, presented the double entertainment, Sir John Martiii Harvey in "The Only Way" (on the screen) and Francis Scully's "Sunbeam" Children,, from Sydney, in "The Wedding of Baby Kerr" (on the stage). The picture has a wide appeal for several reasons. The story is an adaptttion of Charles D'ckens' great work "A Tale of Two Cities."' The character of S'dney Carton is sustained by London's great actor, S"r John Martin Harvey, and tbe picture- itself is Britishmade, and an achievement that more than holds its own with any film that his been produced : n any other country. The "Sunbeim" Children are bright and talented .children.. speeial : sing in ballet work, solo dane'iis. and singing, and rr'ven vivid contract by an astoun-cPn" troupe of iuveni'e acrobats. The "pit.iomii-.rri" -s that nf a, inven'le staTe werldinor. in which Baby Kerr ippears as the Vide., .and Foster n° the "■room. The. combined onterta'nment 1. n .« Keen secured for a season a T Nation*' a*vl Lyric Theatre". starti~<r on We'lTsdav next at 2.30 at, t>e \Tt ; o"'al .and at 7.30 a f. the L't'c ; T he box "'an is now open .at Lewis R. v adv and Son. Ltd. for 'Vshf' reservation*. whilst the- mat'nee box plan is-at. the theatre in each instance. 'LILAC TIME." Commoncin. to-nif?ht at His Mn iest.v's Theatvp for a short 'season J. C. Wi'linmson's Ro'-al Comic Oncra Como°ny ar>r>par in S'hubert's .musical .play "Lilac Time." The new play i.s altogether ch.i)-min<r. It i*" wr'tten roinul an anoervphal ine ; dent in thp.li f e of F r anz S,-b'il>ert. the enmr>««er. .Many of Schubert's loveliest mplrxi'ps. the of "The Cnfinisbed S'-mpbonv." bis "Serenade." bis "Aye Maria." the meWlies of bis love sore-s, are 'inked IncPtber to form tho mu«w» of the piny. The hanny adaptation has Keen done \y : th .rPVprpnop, to the composer. No rude Vher+ies hnvc Vcn -nl-cr. Whero <Vh'iiV>er+'<> mn'- have bee- cbnnrcl. at ! r a-{ (V- ha= not been vuhrnrUe-1. T-Jrs !.«, ; ndee<! n* near as it is po^s' t.n ;.he li<rht oppra that b'TtioM'. mii»ljt • have written. And the r,IT V , i.fen.lf ba='beep built ;_ o'.if of music. Tf. is li'-p the stnrv of a son? eomne~"'l by Schubert. , Tbe =by. little mai. lov'-n-r idealisUeally, bnppv in h's loyalty in his friend, mnv not have hr p,n the Schubert of real lil>.,bnt' be ; s .tbe of the world his' nitiw made about him. and it is that idealistic world in ail the "race and manners of .an elegant nennd. flint, tbe nbiv P'-"sen's. Tt. is one of these oref-tv. seitimental cfoa-;<.« in which the tra«wlv '« npypr r]pfn"r f , 'r>'i n pof't'rfp'nnpholv w<rh. Wp know t-I'pt *bp love of «->lil)l>prt. and T.ili. which hv uphannv chn.pen. is not to be txjknow-lpdlypd Iw-fween them, wll 1,0 KM .n'.yav <n lavender, w'-ereit. will be safe from rtUilhisinnmpnt The box rdnrts for to-ni-rht are tt His Mairsfr's Then/re Kiosk, where day sale tickets are also or>ta : nnWe. COMPLIMENTARY LUNCHEON. A luncheon, given by the Fuller Havward management, in conjunction with Captam Barr, who brought the film from America, took place yesterday at the -Central Hotel, after a screening of tbe war picture. "Ypres." Mr. Henry Havward prcs'ded p\\ among the rtucsts were: TV. Mayo- (Mr. Geo. Bnildon). Colonel-Commandant H. R. Potter, Colonel J. Duigan. members of the permanent military staff, including Lieut. Judson. V.C., and Capta'n Villar, of the South Wales Borderers; Mr. A. 6. Lunn. president of the Navy League, and the Rev. Stanley Morrison, and Mr. E. H. Sham, secretary of the R.S.A. • Many references were made to the remarkable film, and it was acclaimed a wonderful prnduct'on. containing am'.arhty lesson that should not lie missed. It was also hailed as an cxamn'e of what Foe-land couM do in the film world, and Mie hope was expressed that, it would 1m? tbe forerunner of many more good British productions. ■ The Rev. Sfonlev Morri=oi proposed the toast of the Arm- and Navy. and it was responded to by Col. Potter and Mr. Lunn. "YPRES." Eight years have come and gone since the Armistice that brought to an end the greatest war ever waged in the histqry.of the world.. D"r'ng the period of peace, if it may be called so, that has passed since then, much of the horror and many of the lessons of the war have been forgotten. For the former reason it is as well. The going-by of time brings solace to hearts that were once bowed down under the yoke of bereavement and suffering. It has been a regrettable oversight on Cue part of many American film producers, however, that they have endeavoured to sustain the ghastlincss of the struggle as a means to bringing in the dollars. Scenes of battle, in all its horror, have been flung into the faces of the public in order to provide "punch"' for. in the main, cheaply sentimental films. Even the N.Z. Government Publicity Department could not resist, a snort time ago. putting a blood-red set ne of slaughtered men and thundering cannon on the end of an otherwise excellent scenic feature of the Dominion. A war film, that embodies every phase of the Great War, hut is worthy of all Britishers to lie received, even' eight years after the end, is "Ypres." which Auck landers have an opportunity of see:ng at the Strand Theatre. It is a screen chronicle of the immortal story of the fight for the salient that, meant complete defeat for the Allied forces if we failed to hold our own. It-has upon it the seal of the British Government, and, while it brings i back all the horrible details of the fight, it must be taken as a mighty achievement, embodying a never-to-be-forgotten lesson, for it is authentic. It is not used merely as the background for a plot. Its plot is the deeds of heroes, and it is the very faithfulness and absence of false sensationalism that makes it what it is. Coupled with any sorrow it may bring back, wiil be the awakening of lh-3 realisation of what was really achieved in the most critical period of the war. "Ypres" shows how many of the V.C.'s won their decorations, the : attacks and repulses that are famous, and, notably, the engagement on Hill CO. No \vritten history could tell in many volumes the glorious tale this film tells so effectively, and it should be seen by all who-, call themselves British., It has the recommendation of leading citizens and soldiers, and is shown with a special prologue, in which .Miss Gladys Gammon ( sings, "A Song of England,' by Alfred INoyea. -f ■■.

QUEEN'S THEATRE. j "The Lost World," the wonderful First' National screen presentation of the novel by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is now being offered to patrons of the Queen's Theatre. The story is a remarkable one, and deals with the adventures of a small band of ' English explorers, who enter "The Lost World" to prove whether or not prehistoric monsters, of the brontosaurus, dinosaur and allosaurus types still exist. They find them there, and the manner in which monsters have been reincarnated and made to live naturally before the eyes of audiences, is a revelation of modern screen production. A second offering is "Go .Straight.'' starring Blanche Sweet and Owen Moore. MAJESTIC THEATRE. Pauline Frederick appears before Auckland audiences in "Married Flirts," a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production, now being shown at the Majestic Theatre. The film is an adaptation of Louis Joseph Vance's novel, '"Mrs. Paramor." Robert G. Viguola. directed the film, which -tells a smart brilliantly cynical story of ultra modern restlessness and the half-idle social set. 'Hie complications, which are many, arc handled with great ingenuity.. Pauline Frederick plays the title role, Conrad Nagel appears as Perley Rex: Mac Buscb is cast as Jill Wetherell, and Huntly Gordon as Pentlcy Wayne. Paterson Dial and Paul Nicholson also have two important parts, ibis picture will remind many of Pauline Frederick's remarkable role in "Spring Cleaning" which she played recently in Australia and New Zealand. The supporting programme is well up to standard, containing a review, a comedy an a novelty, j The overture is "Raymond,"• while the j All-Soloists orchestra' provides an ani- | mated interlude by playing, on the stage, a selection of the best jazz numbers. Mr. Arthur Frost conducts. i SUNDAY ORGAN RECITALS. A in' nictpal organ recital will be given to-morrow (Sunday) evening in the Town Hall by the acting, ci'.y organist, ' Mr. Ed?ar Randal. A progra .:mc of ex- ; ceptional merit has been arranged, and ncludes Guilmant'a great Sonata in D Major and Minor, Op. 42, and Bach's Prelude and .Fugue in C Minor. THE DON COSSACK CHOIR. The I'us-ir.n choralists save a further display of their delightful singing last evening. As heretofore, the new- programme co-.'umplici-d with a series of j *a<Tcd •> <-,r~s, all of which received nctcI worthy !• li'i'-rin.s. The second portion |of the even'iig v.tis devote' t.o the per- ; formar.ee of secular numbers, wherein j the siiperb bashes, and the | ure and rictij sounding tenors, and round quality oi-i ! the baritones were heard to distinct advantage. The were like the sound of distant music, whilst the fortissiraos were of telling power, and rich and full in character. The singers were very warmly praised, and responded to several recalls. To-night the final concert of the season will be given in the same hall. MUNICIPAL BAND. An attractive programme of popular musical numbers will be given by the Municipal Band in the Zoological Park at 2.45 to-morrow afternoon. Included are the bright marches " Glenavy" and "Royal Standard": hymn, "Melita"; overture, C'Zampa"; cornet solo, " Maire, My Girl" (soloist, Mr. Fred Bowes) ; waltz, "Nights of Gladness"; selection, "Maritnna": dance interlude, "Moresque"; and veil dance, "Mystic Beauty."

j GRAND THEATRE. ' Rudolph Valentino has the leading role in "A Sainted Devil," tlie Paramount feature* adapted from Kex Beach's story, -'The Rope's End."' now being shown at the Grand Theatre. -The story is _ thrilling one, showing the star, as a dashing voting Argentinian, who becomes the central figure in a series of exciting incidents, brought about chiefly when bandits, at the instigation of a scorned scno:'.ta, kidnap the girl he. love 3 and .take her into the hills. Helen D-Algy and Xita Xaldi head the supporting cast. Oilier attractions are included on the bill. DANCING. The usual weekly dance will be held at St. Benedict's Hall. Ea.-t. Street, this evening, when Walter Smith's band will feature in the latest jazz music. Perrln's popular dance orchestra will provide another bright programme of the brightest and best in jazz music, at St. Paul's Hall.'; Symonds Street, this evening, when the Parisian Dance Club will hold its usual session. The Savoy Dancing' Club will hold a dance in the Orange Hall, Newton, on Wednesday evening next. DIX T ELAND CABARET.. A grand carnival night will be held this evening at Dixieland Cabaret. Font Chevalier. Internationalists w'll provide the latestfin jazz. On Monday evening dancinsr will continue until 1 a.m., when a Rubric Service nightwill he held. Funds! will be in aid of the Y.W.C.A. Hostel. Many special attractions will be featured. RIALTO AND REGEJfT THEATRES. I "The American Venus." Paramount's I spectacular production;? heads the present programme at both the Rialto and Regent Theatres. Featured in tbe film lis Fay Lanphier, who was adjudged the most beautiful girl in America at the preat beauty pageant jat Atlantic City. This pageant forms on (important part of the picture, and it serves to introduce some gorgeous scenes in natural colour, j showing hundreds of pretty girls taking part in the contest. A'plot, not without a:s many thrills as there is fun, is told against this colourful background. Esther Kalston heads the cast. A second feature !at the Rialto Theatre is"The Bandolero," la story of Snain. j starring Renee JAdoree, while at the Regent, "The New Commandment," with \ Blanche Sweet ! and Ben Lyon in the leading roles, is j also shown. GREY LYNN LIBRARY COURSE. An evening of ""Scottish Wit and i Humour"' will be. provided by tlie Rev. J. Lamb -Harvey at the Grey Lynn Library Hall en Wednesday, June 23. The lecturer will describe the' characteristics of Scottish humour as exemplified in the works of Burns, Barrie and lan Maclaren, and will retell many stories and jokes in illustration of subject. During the. evening Scottish songs will be rendered by Mrs. D. McLaren aud Miss Grassie.