HIPPODROME AND EMPRESS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 155, 4 July 1927, Page 5

HIPPODROME AND EMPRESS.

"V\ estem dramas usually hold a strong for audiences, and "The Last Trail. ' which will commence a season at the Hippodrome and Empress Theatres to-morrow, should prove no exception. Tne Last Tru! is iih.im Fox's screen ■ e.s.on or Zanc (_.rey s wonderful novel, an- 4 stars Tom Mix and his horse Tony. , attractive and thrillinc scenes oi the film is that in which Mix drives four wlid harnessed t/> & plunsnng swaying stace coach round the hairpin corners or a narrow mountain road. Nine I other coaches are engaged in the race, ar.d ;each is driven by a member of a bandit gang, with instructions to upset Mix' coach and team. Certainly in the finish . of the race. Mix gives the "crowd which is I watching its progress, a thrill which is I described as being reminiscent of Ben j Hur. The last or the desparado drivers ;has made an unsuccessful attempt to wrecK his coach, which is by now very badly damaged, and he is apparently out of tne contest. However, he drops on to tne shaft, and releasing the king pin. lets .the bod.v of the coach go. Then, mounting one of the horse team he rides to the finishing post a narrow winner. Even then his troubles are not over, for he finds that the leader of the bandit gang has captured his sweetheart, and looting the ExDress ( ompany s sa;e. ridden away. M;t calla Tony, and sets off to follow them. Finally, when he overtakes them, he enters into a hand-to-hand fight. He captures the gang and rescues his sweetheart. An interesting supporting programme has been arranged for screening at both theatres. IGNAZ FRIEDMAN. I.ma_z Friedman's pianoforte genius will be revealed to music lovers at the three concerts which be is to give at Auckland in the Town Hail on Saturday. .July 16, Tuesday 19th. Thursday 21st. Iznaz Friedman was born at Podgorre. near Cracow. Poland, in ISB2. He took his first lessons from Madame Gryzwinska. and later studied for a lons term with the famous | master Leschetizky. whose friend and | assistant he subsequently became. In composition, he received his instruction from Hugo Riemann. In Europe FriedI man quickly won fame as a brilliant | Chopin player, and his constant recital j tours and the ccreat number of original | compositions and editions which he I undertook demanded so much of his time | that he had no opportunity to visit America until the winter of 1921. As a I composer he ranks high, having already | eighty published works on sale in practic- | a'.lv all countries. His profound musician- | shi-i and scholarly endeavour is vouch- ] safed by his editing the entire works of I Chopin and Liszt, editions used by many I piano teachers. He is now working on an edition of Schumann. In America. Friedman"# technique, his poetic pianissimos and virtuosity have caused a sensation. It was acknowledged everywhere that a Friedman recital is a "thrilling affair." The late -Tames C. Hunaker referred to him a- "the biggest pianist hit of the season." Students are beinc offered liberal encouragement to attend the concerts. Particulars oi concessions will be announced later. GRAFTON LIBRARY LECTURES. '"Round New Zealand Coasts in the Launch Ruamano" is the attractive subject upon which Mr. J. B. Jonnston will lecture to-morrow night at the Graiton Library. The cruise, which occupied nine weeks, comprised the complete circumnavigation of ew Zealand, the distance covered being 3500 miles. During the voyage nearly every port in the Doijumon was visited, and the southeni sounds were extensively explored. The lecture wil be illustrated by a _lanre number or lantern slides, many or them of grea. scenic beauty. AEOLIAN ORCHESTRA. Fiftv-three performers will be presented at the" Aeolian Orchestra's second concert of the season, to be held in the Town Wail concert chamber to-morrow night. Among the outstanding items are those by Miss Gladys Hoskinc. and Mr. SnelL Hosking will sine VellaneUa iSi bells I and "Butterfly Wings. while Mr. Snell's contribution to the entertainment will include "A Spirit Flower' •"Black Roses. The whole orchestra, will plav: March. "Gladiator's Farewell" <H. Blankenburz'i overture. 1 ■ Thomas >: String Piece. "Fruhikrgsgruss i i Schinzl): Violin Obligato. by Mr. Norman Watson. Morceaux ta) Poem. (Fucik'L (.b», "Pizzicati, trom " (Delibes): symphony. the London j iHavdn i; "Valse Ponpee ' I Poldim); sdecItion. "La Traviata" (Verdi >: "'Nachti stucke" i Nocturnal Piece*, i Schumann); j irrand march from "Tannhauser" (Wagj ner i.