AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16209, 11 May 1918, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

QUEEN'S THEATBE. EXTBAOKDINARY ATTRACTIONS. Excellent attendances were recorded 9 the queen's 1 . Theatre yesterday.' wneu ;"Sou incin ,Pride" and 'supporting subjects " wer u'gaui anown. i'ney vmf iiuuu, . screened, to-day. .Wot next week'a new programme. two' extrs ordinary attactions aie unnoiuioed. ■' \&LI Uluistchurch moving 'picture pation hiive an 'opportunity of witnessing '. ij'isoliei,- vno created' such a lavmiraD»o un pkessioii by her' inimitablecharm.'and ' ex ijuisito acting- in th© Pollard-Mutual i'eatur .fiims, "Tnfl .i'e'ari ot Paradise," "The uir Who, Couldn't Grow Up,", and the lates /■ production, VAliiss' Jackie of the- Kavy.V Wei wieeK s pioductioh, in ..which Juargariti J;isoner i» starred,.>ia entitled "Miss jackii of tne Ariny." Jaclcio , i£.erwood J oj raisa J?lichdr, is the' pretty: daughter o: Colonel nerwood, and is fired with the ami' biuon lo cojcr her name wim glory by. per Miming borile wonderful deed ot .vaiour. dh< IB u» ri vJ by iho women of the Aimy. Post tc stay ut .home .and, knit, but she pertinently declares that iloan of Arc didn't knit, but . got out into the open and iought. - J ackie , organises' the knitting squad " r into' a' brigade of ' girls, "Tho . Pignting Lemons,"- but neitaer the girls nor Jackie's father are enthusiastic in the. mafter. Later Jackie is v' i ; about to run away to becomo a Red Cross JMiirse, not. without some : , regrets at leaving ' dashing .Lieut.Adair, whovis ; in love witn -' her. Just as, Jackie is 'leaving ?sbe , iwi '.something; that, decides her to stay andts engage in the . sensational, epoit .Oi -I'yhunting. She gets things ' somewhat mixed", 1 howeverj'-p.nd imagines' that Lieut. Adair • is in league with thespies to bio w'up a troop U • - train. \Vien' Jackie informs hex , father .v of her discovery ho -,givea_ her. very little encouragement, but Jackie is determined to I .... capture a spy, and 'watches around until | she sees Lieut. Adair secretly following Lieut. Wilbur. Lieut. 'Adair.has his bus-. picions, - too, and thought it would te > well .to-keep. an.eye on Wilbur, and the consequences «xe that the spies capture Adair for watching them and throw him into 1 & . ■cellar. Jackie sees' Lieut. Adair's' pred'eat'. ,ment and rushes back to inform her fatheir. On her" way she encounters many difficulties, . one of which is a 'high barbed wire fence, "which almost tears the clothes off'her. 'l'he . thrilling arrest ot the spies and the emash- ■ -ing of apparatus that was to electrically . -let off the fuse to blowup the troop train, makes Jackie the most admired girl in the Army Post. Later Lieut. Adair is "ordered to join his troops at' the front, arid ' Jackie ■promises to. become his wife upon his safe . . lot urn. . The second attraction is the opening instalment of a new Mutual serial, "A Lues of ■'the Lumberlands," which is on lines entirely different from the usual run of serial filme. The main theme of the series is thefight put up, amid rough lumberjacks, by a lovely and pretty girl, against the mighty Lumber Trust. Tho first instalment intro"dnoes "Dollar" Holmes, so-caUed because of his greed for money and power, who is o - small timber landowner in a region where .'both the Trust and a tribe of Klamath Indians hold similar lands. . He is under contract to .the combine to deliver* to it 10,000,000 feet of timber by a specified' date. A. forest fire sweeps away half of Holmes's . '"" - standing timber. Greer, president of the trust, learning of this, writes a -sneering letter. - hinting at Holmes's ruin unless he -fills nis contract in time.. This he-cannot . do unless he obtains possession of the Indian lands adjoining his. Sleepy- Dog. the chief of the tribe, refuses ■ to sell. Holmes'B wife gives birth.to a daughter, and he, in a wild rage of double disappointment curses her < and the babe, and rushes out of the cabin into the woods. He comes -upon Dill, ft bootlegger, surreptitiously selling whisky' to the loggers. Holmes promises to forbear ■ punishment if he will go into the Indian camp and sell stuff to the savages. The Klamaths are made drunk, and when they demand more whisky, Holmes offers them 100 dollars apiece if they will deed .their j timber lands to him. They do so, and j Holmes wires Greer that he will fulfil his ; contract;, also-that with the acquisition of ! the Indian lands he has obtained exclusive j ..right to use the region on the river-for log- i floating purposes, thus cutting off the Trait's land from the market. The Trust capitulates and accepts Holmes's terms, by which, he is given- a heavy interest in the < combine,. and made Director. Sleepy Dog and Holmes quarrel, and Holmes throws him ■; ~ over a cliff. The crime-is discovered by >t;' '-Holmes's. wife. In terror of her life. . the ilSh'"-'.-, - :• to the cabin carrying her infant In trying, to reach .the further fegfc&SWy • over-a jam of■ fogs, she into -the etr?>un, when a blast of

dynamite blows up iho'. king' log, and she is whirled away in the current, caufc'iu o ' to UU) log ana holding the tytuc iu no* arms. THEATRE ROIAL. 6 Mr Sydney James, his Royal Strollers, and his New . Rewue, (Company, alter an , aii-too-snorf stay, will conclude tneir Oiuisccuuioii eeaeon to-nigJit. Mr James. himself is by tar V the ;most versatile entertainer in these " parts .lor. many a <lay, and, in his leading d lady, Mas Madeline Koeeiter, he has a highi/ ' finuned artiste,, who is equally good whoUiM | delivering a sentimental musicui monologue, or executing the 'moat original of eccentric 1 dances, 'i'iw .whole company m cumpceca ox B . iiniflhed entertainers—vocalists, comedians, * dancers, and all that oan be wished lor 1.1 1 modern vaudeville. Individually tiiey are aa ~ first-class, and collectively,. in sucu . a picca j as their "potted pantoinimo" version of |. "Aladdin," they. are, far above the average. » There was another good attendance at ine k Theatre - Royal last, evening, . and the coni- , pany ia auioof a good late well audience t>or. nigiit. ; CRYSTAL. PALACE. | I ' "The programme' announced for next week i at the Crystal Palace is one of exceptional ' attractiveness, and will come near to eclipsing in variety any programme previdusly shown at tliis.popular moving-picturo theatre. Heading the'bill is'the'fascinating drama of Southern■ Italy, "The Final Payment," starring : that world-famous tragedienne, ilis3 Nance O'Neill. .. It is not so many years ago that Christchurch theatregoers had an opportunity of seeing this great'actress'in somo of her .most.'characteristic roles, and many will welcome the opportunity of renewing acquaintance with an actress of euph undoubted'ability,; and of such.-overflowing dymanic . talent.', "The'.Final 'Payment" gives Miss O'Neill great 'opportunities" for displaying'her transcendent powers us an actress, and tho story is one- that grips and enthralls. "Fatty at Coney Island," featuring- that idol of lovers of slapjack humour, "Fatty" Arbuckle, is another strong feature on the new programme, and is described as a perfect whirlwind of laughter. Little Mary McAlister will make u welcome reappearance in the "l)o Children Count" featurette, "The Uneven Road," and j ' large ■ numbers will _ welcome this charming I ; and ..guileless' child* actress. "A Marine I Miracle," the fourth episode of Anna Kathe-j rine Green's mystery serial, "Who is Number One?" and the latest American Gazette will round off a programme that it is estimated will last three hours. Vocal items will be rendered by Miss Millicent Jennings, the Christchurch soprano, whose reputation is' well; known" throughout the.. Dominion, and j whose • selections will,- it" is predicted, add I greatly to.the enjoyment of those who witness next week's' programme at the Crystal I Palace. 1 The pictures will be accompanied by appropriate selection* given by the admirable orchestra under the baton of Mr W. 11. Corrigan. To prevent disappointment, intending patrons arc'advised to reserve at The Bristol. "POLLY OF THE CIRCUS." Heading next. week's programme is the magnificent Goldwyn production, "Polly of the Circus," a film that will bring delight to young und old. Prominent amongst *ho recollections of childhood is the first occasion upon which one views all the wonders and marvels -of "the sawdust ring." Even when more serious matters engage the attention, the grown-up reverts, to that never-to-be-forgotten ■ experience, and he, or she, delights- to see the joy they experienced reflected in the happiness with which their children, enjoy the' wonders of the circus. With complete disregard .of . tho onormous expense involved, the Goldwyn producers have reproduced the. circus of childhood with careful attention to every detail, an extra circus having been leased to mako "Polly of the Circus" a palpitatingly vital picture of circus life. Mae Marsh is the star of "Polly ff the. Circus," which is a tremendous spectacle with a beautiful etory running through it. Polly, left motherless, is reared by an old clown named Toby aa a circus girl. During one •of her daring bare-backed acta she has a fall, and is left behind in a small town. It- chanofg that the - house was taken to when injured was the residence of • ? young minister John Douglas. As Polly 19 sixteen and beautiful, and the minister twenty-five and a bachelor, scandal soon gets busy. . Thus a pretty romance becomes a tragedy, for Polly is. driven by - scheming busybodies to leave -the town without a word to' the man she loves. She returns to the. circus, and the circus returns to the town and happiness returns to two loving hearts. The . whole production ie on a gorgeous scale, and is an example. of perfect photography. One of the most amazing -scenes i 9 the burning of the big circus tent aiid.the stampede-;of tho-audience, while the racecourse .scene where Polly, in a thrilling j t ...

race, rides the winning horse, holds the audiCJICO t niocj. .u'w heroine m t hirt grcau ilruuiu, und uioro t/ian lives up to t h-j imputation sue mode in "Tiie Birth of a iiatiou" and "intolerance." OPERA HOUSE. Though Friday night ia generally regarded as iun off oiLe so tur as meatres are concerned, thero was u large a-ttendancc at the Opera llous© last night, when the current vaudeville and musical farce entertainment was rep.-ated. In the vaudeville poition ot" the. i>rogrammo Hamlyn and -uuck, boiiu.l and J-tce, and Mundeno's Dogs were especially well received. The Jack Martin Company appeared for the last time, and the Jrive liewins and Bonita and Leo will say farewell to local audiences to-night. At to-day's matinee Mr Tom Haverley's Musical Farce Company Will stage their seventh production, "Murphy at the Cabaret," which 13 said to be quite as humorous us ita predecessors, and winch, gives the Kewpie Kids every opportunity to show their good work to advantage. On -uonday the following new axtists will appear:—Frank, .Lank, and Alice, two men and a girl, whose juggling turn is quite out of the ordinary; Upside-down Wright, a feature of whoso turn is his "walking" downstairs on his head; and Raleigh and McDonald, a pair of .clever wire-walkers. LIBERTY THEATRE. . "Enlighten Thy Daughter," the intensely interesting film in which the highly important moral lesson of the danger of ignorance of the facts of life is emphasised, attracted large audiences to Liberty Theatre at all sessions yesterday. The leseon is delicately and effectively conveyed, and the story which forms the background for the lesson is one that enchains the uttention. To-day and this evening will be the final opportunities for'witnessing this noteworthy and remarkable film. At the evening session a specially augmented orchestra will play appropriate selections. ' . For next week a special attraction is announced in the Triangle masterpice, "Flames uf Chance.'' In this production Margery ft'ilscn is starred. The story is produced vith all that careful attention to de-tail rfiich characterises the Triangle productions, irid i 3 one of deep human interest. GRAND THEATRE. "Blue Jeans." which is described as the mc3t remarkable feature so far produced from the Metro studios, will be the principal attraction- ut the Grand Theatre nsxt week. Vjola Dana,. the clever little actrcas, takes the leading part, that of "June," and her acting is stated to be tlw moßt appealing ever shown on the screen. While Miss Dana is known, and her work appreciated by hundreds of thousands of motion picture theatre patiuiii, r.one oil tlie vehicles in which alio j lia3 uppeareJ in before have given Jier the ' opportunity to ehow her leal class as does "Blue Jcan-s." In this play she is eaid to reach the heights and the depths cf the emotional art, drawing t-c.i:s to the eyes of the most callous from the sheer force of her great and appealing d:amat:c power. Among the supporting artists may Vie mentioned the popular Robert Walker, Clifford Bruce, Miss Sally Crute, etc. There arc many big scenes, several of which were staged in an old-fashioned sawmill built in 1869 at Rcelyn, Long Island, which is still in use by the original owners. The circular saw, four and a half feet in diameter, which has done service six day 3 a week for over 40 years, was used in tho great rescue scene, where Perry Basconi (the hero) is placed on a log carriago and left to his fate in front of the huge revolving circular saw. "Blue Jeans" as a stage production was a tremendous success, and the screen adaptation is stated to be even better. Amongst the supporting subjects are an interesting animal study, "Feeding Odd Animals," one of the famous Ditmar educational pictures, and the latest -"Cooperative Weekly Gazette." STAB LAND. The screening of "A Tale of Two Cities" and the supporting films drew large attendances at Star land yesterday. To-day the same programme will bo finally screened. The programme fornext week is a. most attractive .one. In 'The Return of Eve," a beautiful - Essanay five-reel photo-play, those favourites of moving picture patrons, Eugene O'Brien and Edna Mayo, will be etarred. Tho story is one of great human interest, and the characters portrayed by the stars give them full Ecope for the display of their great talents. There will be also screened a Joker couicdy, a Powers cartoon, and the ninth episode of "The Voice on the Wire." STRAND THEATRE. Lcrge attendances were recorded at the Strand Theatre yesterday when "The Long Trail" w»s finally screened. The new programme to bo inaugurated today is headrl by "Prinoeaa Charming,"

xeaturing the great female impersonator, Julian Eltinge. The story is the joint work of Gelett Burgess and Carolyn Wells, who ruatc amongst the foremost living American humorists. Julian Eltinge plays a dual Dart in "Princess Charming.'' and it is reported that his costumes, both masculine ar.d feminine, excel anything in which this versatile actor has been seen in previously. "Princess Charming" is dcscribcd as a whirlwind comedy, and is sure to be popular. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. Large attendances were recorded at Everybody's Theatre yesterday, when "Betty Takes a Hand." the comedy film featuring Olive '1 hemas. wee ag.iin screened. it, with the supporting subjects. will be finally screened to-day. "A TALE Of TWO CITIES." L uniisti:l:ab:c evidence of the popularity of the cinematograph version of Diuktw's M.i.ciiis e'.oiy at tiie French Revolution. "A l.aie ol Two Cities," was given yesterday, when crowded altcndar.ces were recorded bom the C.rystal i'amce ar.d at Star.and. Long i>.'i'oro the evening session i't Crystal Palace was to start the management were reluctantly to reli.ee admission to those who had failed to book scats, and who wine along after all tho unreserved seats had boon 1 aken. To-dav and this evening vii! be the filial opportunity of witnessing, at '.In Crystal Palace or at Siarland. tbia magnificent production is: which William Fainum p.ays with great success the dual parts ol Sidney Carton an! Chorles L'arnev. At both theatres there :? also Mi interesting programme ot supporting ti;m=. "SICVKN DAYS' LEAVE." On Tmsday n?xt Chri-tchurch theatregoers will have the opportunity to renew rcquaintance v.-ith Mr Aiian W ilkie, a sterling actor, who achieved a reputation in ijhakesperean roles during his first visii, to thi3 city.

"Seven Days' Leave,'' which will be staged at the Theatre Royal on Tuesday ovening. should, it is claimed, do much to fan the fhime of patriotism, and to make people recliss move deeply what incdorn warfare moans. The sloiy <•.{ this- piny is based on

«.i incident in tiu p;es;i:i war, and it shows that the ]srit:-h officer is more than a mulch for-the cievertet German spy. Mr Allan \Vi!i;i? will p'av Lieutenant Terence Fielciin;,'. and Mi-3 Marie Ney will appear as Lady Mary Heailier, an athletic member of the British artetociacy, whose deeds show that courage is not confined to the men of the nation. Several artists well-known to Chiistchureli will appear in the production, among them being Mr Vivian Edwards, Mr Robert lnman, Mr lionaH RiVv. Mr Honri Dore, Mr V.'altcr Mr Herbert Leigh. MisiS Iscl'iiv b'ei'grojii, Miss :1j le 111man, and M'is Olive Stevenc. The "do:; plan'is nov: open at lan Bristol Piano Co.. whsre seats may be booked without e::tra fee. TIIK KLLV.'OOD RECITAL. Xj! since their concert here a few yeara u-':o upon their return from Europe after cjmuletifig tlieir studies under tho world's must famous trnciiers hive tile Messis fljrry and George Kilwood given a lecital, and the announcement Ih-Jt iheso talented imuiciiiiis— in association with Mr Ernest Empson, tho well-known pianist- -are giving a rec.ital at the Choral jlail cn May 23rd next, will no doubt be welcomed by a!; lovers of music. Miirf Miiliecni: .lenniugs' will sing, and seals may be reserved at, Robl. Franci3'a, Ltd., from 10 11.m. 011 Thursday nc::t. SKATING RINK. All .:«ssion« at. the Skating Rink yesterday were attended b - large numbers of enthusiastic skaters. The morning and afternoon sessions have shown a big improvement since the school vacation* commenced. The learners' session shows a steady increase, with a larger attendance at night, when Mr C. Dunn's band supplies music, which adds greatly to the enjoyment of the popular winter pastime. To-daj' the rink will be open at tile usual hours, viz., 10 a.m. to 12 noon, 2.30 to 4.30 p.m., 5.30 p.m. to 7 p.m. (learners' session), and 7.30 p.m. to 10 p.m.