AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16397, 17 December 1918, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS.

'HEARTS OF THE WORLD."

While "Hearts of the World." which is to ! bo pres?nted by the J. C. Williamson. Ltd., management, at th? Theatre Royal, on the afternoon of lioxing Day, -unfolds a pretty love story, it also presents ucc urate and vivid pictures of the atrocious methods adopted bv tie German soldiers after they had savagely captured a small village in France. It id typos o' these happenings which will tell againsi the German nation when the peace "terms are being- discussed. "Hearts • of tho World" is divided into two parts: , the first dealing vith _ evenis prior to the German entry into tho village, and tho , second with the German occupation. In ; length the film is similar to "Intolerance," ■ and far exceeds that production in human : interest. The climax of the story comes . after Robert Harron. as the boy, has entered tho German-occupied village as a spy, and has, by chance, come upon his sweet- i heart (Lillian Gish) outaide the village inn. ■ Discovered, - they tako refuge in one of the ' upstairs rooms, and there develops the I "Griffith Situation" of the attackers endeav- j curing to break in the doors, and the de- i fenders fighting to prevent it. Tho situa- j tion is worked -up with great power, and j when the Little Disturber (Dorothy Giali) ■ disperses the Germans with o well-directed hand grenade, just as the French retako the village, the audiences have consistently broken "into applause. A largo operatic orchestra will play the specially selected music and original effects will ass;st in the reality , of tho episodes depicted in the picture. Tho tour of the film is in charge of Mi John Farrell, who will arcivo from Wellington this morning. . , .

OPERA HOUSE. | Large audiences attended both tho matinee ] and evoning performances at the Opera House I yesterday, when the current bill wa« repeated. I -The "nigger minstrel" entertainment, which j occupies the first half of the programme, again found favour, and tho work ox all tno : troupe waa most effective. Leonard Nelson, : the popular comedian, made an immediate "hit" with his latest eonge, and waa recalled time and ag-ain. A turn that cam© in for much appreciation was that of Romaine, who delighted his hearere with some excellent pieces on the violin. Maud Courtney and Mr C.. provided a good fifteen minutea' entertainment, and Nellie Kolle received a great reception. Boy Bonham'e turn waa also well received, and ho did his work with an ease and grace that showed him to be a pastmaster in acrobatic and contortionist 'stunts. Tho samtf itema will be given again this evening. CRYSTAL PALACE. Holiday audiences gathered at the Crystal palace Xheatro at yesterday's sessions, when ' baturday s double programme was repeated. Soma Markova was featured in th» William Fox production, "The Painted Madonna,"' whilst Gladys Brockwell was starred in "A Branded Soul," The same piotuies, ■ with supporting programme, will be screened again' to-day. STRAND THEATRE. "Keys of the Righteous," featuring Enid Bennett, was repeated at the Strand Theatre yesterday in the presence of holiday ivudienoee. Supporting pictures included "Inbad the Sailor," "The Finish," and a- Topical Gazette. Tho same programme will be screened at to-day'e sessions. EVERYBODY'S! THEATRE. "The Oldest Law," a World drama, featuring June Elvidge, was screened at Everybody's Theatro again yesterday, in the presence of large audiences. An excellent supporting programme included "Bairnsfathera Cartoons," "Our National Parkß," "Making of an American Office,", the latest Gaumont Graphic, and "The Good Bad Man," starring Douglas Fairbanks. The programme will be repeated to-day. 1 QUEEN'S THEATRE. This week's programme at the Queen's Theatre includes "Jules of the Strongheart," chapter 3of the "Railroad Raiders," Friend Husband," and American and Australian Gazettes. GRAND THEATRE. "The Trail to Yesterday" waa repeated, at tho Grand Theatre yesterday. Supporting films were opisode No. 12 of "The Great Secret," "The Goat," "Their Anniversaries," and "Volcanoes of Java." The same pictures will be screened to-day. LIBERTY THEATRE. Mftßel Normand appears in the star item at tho Liberty Theatre this week. A. Goldwyn comedy-drama, entitled "Dodging a Million." Episode Bof "The Fatal Ring' is also shown. The programme will be screened again to-day.