AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16396, 16 December 1918, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

OPERA. HOUSE. A first-class programme, and large and appreciative audiences at both afternoon and evening performances, marked the re-open-ing of tho Opera House ou Saturday. The biU was an all-vaudeville ono, and the change from revue was greatly appreciated. By way of a novelty, the first half wns devoted to ono oi the old-time "nigger-min-strel" entertainments, and as the caste was good and the fare offered excellent, tho innovation proved a complete success. Mr Era Delavale, who acted as interlocuteur last time a minstrel show was seen at the Opera Honse some years ago, was again in tho same position, and he controlled affaire in excellent style. Practically all tho members of the troupe wer-6 old favourites in Christchurch, and each received a hearty and well-deserved reception. Miss Winifred Lumley, a charming young eerio, delighted all with her singing a-nd dancing, and Miss Gwen Has to contributed a catchy song and a particularly lively ballot dance. Miss Lily Vockler's lilting chorus songs wero an immediate success, and Miss Marjorio Alwyn proved herself a contralto of very considerably more than average merit. Her songs were pleasing, and .her voice sympathetic, and altogether she provided one of the most popular turns on. the bill. Gale and Sadie appeared to advantage with eong, dance, and patter. Of the male members of tho tronps Mr Walter Emerson, an elongated comedian, who has always been popular here, gave a couple of whimsical ditties, and also put •in a lot of good work on the corner, while the opposite corner was under the verv capable management of Mr Ward Lear, an oH-timo comedian who has always been in his element in the burnt cork entertainment. Incidentally Mr Lear wa« responsible for some very fancy "work" with tho "bones." Mr Charlie Delavale was highly successful with a most unorthodox ragtime eong and a clever eccentric dance, for which Jio received a double encore., and Mr Warwick Lumley sang a couple of comio 6ong3 well. On the whole, the entertainment was a refreshing change from tho more stereotyped vaudeville. Heading the second part of ths bill was Romaine, an extremely clever violinist, who affects the vagabond style, and his turn was a really delightful one. Whether 'he was playing classical music or popular songs, he got the very best out of his instrument, and he was immediately on good terms with Christchurch vaudeville patrons. Mr Leonard Nelson, who is perhaps the most popular comedian in Australasia, made his re-appear-anoe after an exteneivo tour of Japan and the East generally. Unfortunately he has been seriously ill in Christchurch for the past ten weeks, but nevertheless, although he could not work so hard as would otherwise have been tho case, he was the same clever comcdian as of yore. Of "his numbereT his eong about the "dihkum boneer boys from old New Zealand," and his recitation, "Clause," were perhaps the best. Maud Courtney and Mr C. had a whole collection of new songs, local hits, and stories to offer their delighted listeners, with a number of new veroea to their topical eong, "I Would , Still Love You." Mr C. has a really re-] markable stock of anecdotes, which he unloads at express sp"od, and he and. Mias Courtney must be classed as two of the best entertainers at present the Fuller circuit. Miss Nellie Kollo received an uproarious reception, and with chorus songs old and new she could have sung to tho audience the whole evenipg had she been, so inclined without palling upon them._ Boy Bonham, the remarkably clever juvenile contortionist and acrobat, completed one of the best bills seen here for a long time. It was pleasing to notice that th<> orchestra was again under the baton of Mr Alber» Brlgood, and included Messrs Clarence Crawford. H. Fox. and Bunz. Tho entr'acte "By Heck," in which Mr Crawford gave a fine exhibition of his qualities a clever trap drummer, proved as entertaining and as pooular any turn on the bill. Both he en-1 Mr Bidgood have recently returned from camp.

"HEARTS OF THE WORLD." Durin? the coming theatrical season the J. C. "Williamson, Ltd. management will have quite a number of companies touring New i Zealand, including the New Musical Comedy Company and the Muriel Starr organisation, but one of the biggest attractions is the sone&tional motion picture triumph "Hearts of the World," which is to bo presented at the Theatre -Royal on tho afternoon of Boxing Day. The fact that "Hearts of the World was produced by tho famous D. W. Griffith indicates to those who know anything at all about moving pictures that it will be something right out of the ordinary, but when it is generally known in New Zealand, as it is already known in other parts of the world, that his latest creation is by far Mr Griffiths best achievement, the public will doubtless flock in such numbers to witness the colossal war picture that it is expected to break even the wonderful records established in the Dominion by his other two big eucccsecs, "Intolerance" and "The Birth of a Nation." "Hearts of the World," so far as the story is concerned, is simplicity itself. It's simply the love of a man for a woman. But that age-old theme received fresh value from the fact that it is set forth against the background of the great war. To obtain the war pictures Mr Griffith had to obtain the special permission and assistance of the British War Office, which was. procured by the film producer after a long interview with Mr Lloyd George. The tatter's official interest in "Hearts of the World" is shown in the prologue, which presents England's Prime Minister in the act oi shaking hands at the British Cabinet Offices, Downing street, with Mr Griffith, prior to the latter's departure for the battleSelds of Franco. Special music which was written for "Hearts of the WorUß' will be played by an operatic crchc-eira, and mechanical effect's will be worked by a team of mechanics from the J. C. Williamson, Ltd.'a Sydney Theatre. CRYSTAL PALACE. Large audiences assembled at Crystal Paiaoe on Saturday. The two star pictures were

"Tho Painted Madonna" and "A Branded Soul," the former featuring Soma Markovu, the famous Russian actress, who in a play yl exceptional strength of plot is afforded opportunities of showing her capabilities/as an actress of iutenso dramatic power. in "A Branded Soul," a favourite William For star, Gladys Brockwell, plays tho leading role, that of a beautiful and devout Mexican p-irl. The plot is set amid tho turbulent surroundings of a Mexican village. An American oil-well owner figures largely m tbo btorv, and there is plenty of excitement and stirring denouement. A Sunshine, comedy and a Paramount Gajgtto lurnish tlio topical interest. GRAND THEATRE. At tho Grand Theatre on Saturday thi patronage at both sessions was very satisfactory. The programme was an excellent one. Tho' leading picture was a Metro drama entitled "The Trail to featuring Bert Lytell, an actor new to Christchurch, but who promises to become a favourite, so excellent is bis work, 'me twelfth episode of ' tho serial "The Great Secret, was oj whit behind its predecessors in interest, while Billy West in x'he Goat was responsible for a riot °f mirth, ing subjects wero good, while the orchestoa added not a little to the pleaaura of the entertainment. STRAND THEATRE. At the head ,of the fine programme preeented at the welcome re-opening of the Strand Theatre on Saturday was 'Key» *{"> Righteous," featuring Enid Bennett in tho role of » young and pretty girl, the story of whose devotion it tolls. Included in the programme, which will be shown till Saturday next, was ."Imbad the Sailor" (connc) and gazettes. ' QUEEN'S THEATRE. The re-opening of tho Queen's Theatre on Saturday was marked by a fine programme headed by "Julee of tho Strong Heart,' a story straight from the pinewoods, and featuring that delightful character-actor George Beban. Supporting films were chapter two of the great serial "The Railroad Haiders," a Mack Sennett comedy entitled "Friend Husband," and American and Australian Gazettes. The programme will be repeated at two sessions daily during this week. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. June Elvidge has the star part in "The Oldest Law," which is being shown at Everybody's Theatre. June, living with her father in the mountains, loses him, and goes to a large city, where she tries to earn her | living, and fails. She is found in a fashionI able restaurant, where to be seen alone is ! supposed to have only one explanation. A; man whoso wife has been divorced sees her, I and his curiosity is aroused. - She learns to love him, and exciting situations prevail. Tfiere is a strong supporting programme, which with "The Oldest Law," will be repeated this week, including, during the day sessions, tho appearance of Douglas Fair- < banks in "The Good Bad Man." LIBERTY THEATRE. The Liberty Theatre re-opened on SaturI day with 'a first-class film, entitled "Dodging a Million," in which the favourite comedienne Mabel Normand is seen in a serious 'role, of which makes an outstanding success. The picture is one of gripping interest ,and is magnificently set. Another debut in serious drama is that of Gloria Swanson in "The Runaway Wife," a splendid Triangle drama. This picture, too, is rei markable for its lavish setting and fine ef- 1 fects. The eighth episode of "Hie Fatal Ring" serial, the latest Paths Gazette, and some interesting views of the Balkans are included in the programme, which is well worth seeing.