AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 198, 22 August 1928, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

PLAZA, TIVOLI, AND EVERYBODY#. Milton Sills' latest vehicle for First National, '"The Hawk's Nest," will start its Auckland season at the Plaza, Tivoli, and Everybody's Theatre to-morrow; at the Plaza and Tivoli it will be panied by Billie Dove's( most-recent fflm, "The Yellow Lily," while at the Every body's "Midnight Rose will be the other big attraction. ' The recognised as being one of First Nationals biggest productions fcr the year, and wherever it has been screened it has been classed a "drawning card. It was made bv Alexander Korda, to whom must ako go the credit for "Th Private Life 01 Helen of Troy." Hungarian court lue m the days when Emperor Charles held sway in Europe's most brilliant and colourful court forms the background tor the picture. The story goes behind the scenes of royal life in Budapest, and it mingles intimate romance with its exotic colour and intrigue. It was adapted from Lajos Biro's famous Hungarian play, also called "The Yellow Lily." Korda has shown unusual skill in selecting the players to portray the fascinating characters in this story, and his treatment of the theme is indeed masterful. Clive Brook, noted English actor, was borrowed from another producing firm especially for the film, and as the Archduke Alexander he is excellent. Others in the strong cast are Marc MacDermott, Jane Winton, Charles Puffy, Nicholas Soussanin, and Gustav V on Seyffertitz. "The Hawk s Nest," it has been said, "tears the mask off the underworld, revealing its 'gyp joints,' its gang wars, its secrets —and a most beautiful romance that blossomed in its midst." Doris Kenyon plays opposite her husband.

"Midnight Rose" stars Lya de Putti. who became known to film fans through her work in "Variety." Opposite her is Kenneth Harlan. The story is one of the Gold Coast of San Francisco. Good supports will also be shown at each of the three theatres.

NEW HIPPODROME THEATRE. "Alias the Lone Wolf" and "Brass Knuckles" are the two big pictures nowbeing screened at the New Hippodrome Theatre. "'Alias the Lone Wolf," of course, is from the famous novel by Louw Joseph Vance, and is a sequel to 'The Lone Wolf." in which Bert Lytell, who plays the star role again, headed the cast. The locale of this thrilling story is a liner at sea, -nd the sequence deals with the adventures of a "gentleman crook." Gran mystery and sinister shadows embellish the plot, in which the hero pits himself in a battle of wits against a dangerous gang of international crooks. Lo_b Wilson makes a welcome reappearance on the screen in the feminine lead, and other* in the cast are William V. Mong, Ann Brodv and Paulette Duval. Monte Blue and Betty Bronson (the "Peter Pan" girl) head the cast of "Brass Knuckles," which, has to do with a youth who, after leaving prison, tries to go straight, but whose efforts are hounded by a fellow of whom he has the ill-will. The hero promises to care for the daughter of a prisoner in the gaol, and, when she is released from an [ orphanage, does so. till his former enemy starts again to make things hot for him. William Russell, Paul Panzer, and Jack Curtis complete a strong supporting cast. There are also entertaining supporting numbers at the New Hippodrome. These include the most recent news reels, showing events of interest and importance from, overseas, a beautiful travelogue and a hilarious short comedy.

SONG RECITAL. Before an appreciative audience in the Town Hall Concert Chamber last evening. Miss Beatrice Elliott gave her second song recital. A programme, containing vocal gems representing varied schools of writing, was provided, and the soprano gave studied deliveries of the works, and was warmly acclaimed after each appearance, and added extra songs. Save for * lapse of memory in the animato un poco section of Butterfly's 6cena, "Un bel di Vedremo," the singer gave an effective rendering of the hopeful music. Expressively sung was Grieg's "Ein Swan" and Schubert's "Frulingsglaube." The dreamy opening of Wagner's "Einsam in Trouben" received a tranquil performance, brightly exposed was "In Lichter Waffen," and expressively given was the closing motive. Nice command of modulation was evinced in Handel's "O Sleep," whilst broadly expressed was the same author's "Larjjhetto." Puccini's "In quelle trine Mopbide" was impressively delivered, and •tenderly rendered was Lord's "The Madonna's Lullaby." Attractively presented were works by Cesar Franck, George Hue, B. Goddard, K. Quilter, O. Rummell, O. Rasbach, and Richard Hageman. Grieg's violin solo, Opus 8, Handel's "Larghetto," and Harty's "Rigaudon" were played with good tone quality and taste by Miss Jean Allen, and she was heard in Saint-Saens' "Lie Cygne,** given as an encore. The pianoforte work was sustained by Mr. L. Whit-taker.

.EMPRESS THEATRE. '"Hen Hur," Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer'# picturisation of General Wallace's mighty story, which has already had a most successful Auckland season, will open for an extended run at the Empress Theatre this evening. Few people do not know the story of "Ben Hur," and it is safe to say that the screen version does full justice to the famous original. This film is the last of three attempts to picturise the book by the late Mr. Marcus I»oew. After making two versions at a cost of several Million dollars, Mr. Loew was not satisfied and scrapped both. It is regrettable that he did not live to see the third completed —the dream of his career realised. The final production cost four million dollars, and took two years to make. The most notable scenes are those of the chariot race, the Way of Sorrow, the sea fights between haughty Romans and determined pirates, and the bazaar and street scenes. Ramon Novarro has the title rol§, May McAvoy that of Esther. Nigel de Brulier that of Simonedes. trusted servant of the House of Hur. and Francis X. Bushman offers a parcieulaily fine piece of acting in the role of Messala. the insolent Roman "iJK'er. once the fricul 01 Ben Hur, later his sworn enemy. Entertaining numibere will accompany the film at the Empress.

MUNICIPAL CONCERT. Wagners overture to 'Tannhauser*' the outstanding number to be presented in the 1 own Hall to-night by th>' Auckland Municipal Band. Messrs. }'cL«-n----nan and Bowes -will bo rer-Don-it'.-? for instrumental solos. and vo.-al :.umber« will be sung by Miss Sarah S: j-:r;vio;e.