AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16406, 28 December 1918, Page 11

AMUSEMENTS.

-HEARTS OF . THE "WORLD." Another capacity house »re«t«d D. "VV. Griffith's gTeat picture, "Hearts of the "World," lost night, in the Theatre Roral, and the simple and poignant story <jf the loves of the younjj Englishman fighting with (ho French Army, and his betrothed, went straight to the hearts of the largo audience. "Hearts oi the World" has none of the intricacy of Griffith's other huge productions. The plot is plain and •uniiivolved, but the effect of the whole is none the less striking for that: in fact the simplicity of tho theme, with its direct appeal to humin feelingl really makes for power. The story is a love story much above the average, but it is a lovo story set among scenes of' ■unparalleled furv, devastation, blood, and mis-, ery. Toe audience is not spared the horrors of war. and the terrible and heart-rending treatment meted out to helpless and unresisting civilians in the war zone will harden the hearts of any civilised people towards the authors and instigators of the world war. The picture tells of the life of a young man and a girl, who are the son and daughter, respectively of two English artists, who. in their young days, have taken up their abode in France. The young couple, iu the days just before the outbreak of war. fall in love, and are to be married. Then the war clouds hurst, and the boy enlists in the French Army, lor he says "A country worth Jiving in ii worth fighting for." The Huns swarm over stricken France, and the French und British troops are seen in many a battered trench fighting for their lives aud for precious time. Tho many scenes of warfare screened are realisiic in the extrome. All j the mcdern engines of destruction, from rifle and bayonet and huge loincli naval guns, mounted on railway trucks, to tanks, are saon in action, not to speak of poison gas. liquid fire, and bombs. The fighting of the story cenlrss round the village where tli© hero and his betrothed lived, and there ar® some terrible scenes when the Huns take the placc, and the civilian population is horded into cellars, and later on driven forth like slaves to work in the fields, and deported into Germany to work iu munition factories, or to a worse fate. At times the audience i 3 yorked up to a high pitch of emotion, but always behind is the thought that everything will comc out all right in tho end, "and victory crown the efforts of the Allies. The acting •of the principle characters. Robert Harron and Lillian and Dorothy Gish, v/aa excellent, and the supporting caste was very good indeed, while the effect of the picture was distinctly enhanced by the fine orchestral accompaniment undor the baton of Mr J. F. "Woodward. Tho picture will bo screened again . tlii3 afternoon and this evening. OPERA HOUSE. Capacity business was done at the Opera. House last night, when Fuller's Vaudeville Company repeated with great success their current programme. In the hand* of the Mammoth- Minstrels "Fun in a Cabaret" proved exceedingly mirth-provoking, and tho bright and varied songs. dances, and witticisms of the minstrels were appreciatively received, In the. second part, Leonard Nelaon'e topical'eo'iTgs were immensely popular. Maud Courtnev and Mr C. kept the audience rippling with laughter, with their humorous aongs and stories; Rontaine's violin selections greatly pleased; .Miss Nellie liolle'# ballaQd were again enthusiastically received; and the clcver juvenile acrobat, Boy Bonham, was very successful with his different featfi. Today, at 2.30 p.m., there will bo a . holiday matinee, and thero will be the usual evening performance. It is expected that the first appearance on Monday of Madame Sa-Hera, described as tho "mystic thought-reader," will draw a crowded attendance, and a large number of intending patrons have already made their reservations- - This lady has been a, big ntlraQtioij during her Australasian tour; and has bewildered .critics and audiences everywhere. ' 'She : p4rfprrns her feats tinder the eyes of ar committee chosen • from tho audience, ■ and : is said to be able -to * answer any question put to her. She will V"* supported by a very strong vaudeville programme. Tho 'plan is * now on view at Milner and Thompson's, - . ' FISK JUBILEE SINGERS.

Speaking of the JTfck Jubile<> Singers a Melbourne paper says: —"They came, they conquered! They sang to us and wo hive benefited by their■ visit, for such harmony, such blending 1 of voices, such execution, we have never before htard. It reminds U3 of a huso organ in its dyinT and swelling tones— in fact, during the •whole musioal we had the extreme'pleasure of' listening ' to, makes us admit without doubt, the Fisk Jubilee- Singers 3tand alone. . . . We owe them our sincere gratitude ' for the great j pleasure they gave us, and we must confess ; we are indebted to them for their only too brief sojourn'amongst us." The Fisk Jubilee Singers will appear at the Choral Hall tonight. The bis plan will bo at The Bristol until 12.30; after that hour it c«n s be seen at the Toy Cave. QUEEN'S THEATRE. "The Country Boy," featuring. Marshal Keilan. the Muck Sennott comedy "That Night," and the supporting films will be finally screened at the Queen's this afternoon and evening. Next week's programme will include:—"His Majesty Bunker Bean," featuring Jack Piekfofd, and "His "Wadding Night, featuring Koscoe ("Fatty") Arbuckle. STRAND THEATRE. The popularity of Marv Pickford in "Amarilly of Clothesline Alley" has kd the management of the Strand to postpone' the final screenings till this afternoon and evening. The headlines of next week's programme will be "Madame Jealousy," featuring Pauline Frederick, favourably remembered for lier exquisite acting in "The Etcrr nal City.". Thp. supports will be the Mack Sennett cofnedy, "Her Blighted Love," aud a Burton Holmes travelogue. GRAND THEATRE. The M-otro feature.' "The Slacker.'" and the supporting films will be finally at the Grand this afternoon and evening. Next week's ■ programme will be headed by Viola. Dana in "Breakers Ahead." There will bo several good .supporting films. CRYSTAL PALACE. This afternoon and evening will eee the final' screenings at. Ciysta-1 Palace of "A Soldier's Oath." "Tho Magic Mirror." and "Two Tough Tenderfeet." Next week's programme will be heod-cd by the William Fox pantomime, "Jack and the Beanstalk," in. which those old favourites, Francis Carpenter and Virginia.' Lee Clorbin, will appear. Ihe Giant is played by J. G. Torver, who is over eight feet in height. SupDorts will bo "My Husband's. Wife'' (Sunshine coinedv),. and the latest American. Gazette. LIBERTY THEATRE. The final screenings' at Liberty of "The Belgian"- and the supporting film* will be made this afternoon and evening. Next week's programme will comprise:—'.'The Vnasiy" fieaturing Kitty Gordon), "Madaiu Sphynx" (starring Alma Rubens), " The Fatal Ring" (chapter 10), and the Pathe Gazette. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE, "The Knife" and "My Old Dutch - ' will be screened at Everybody's for the last times thi3 afternoon and evening. Ncxi <fck the etar attraction- will be the select sup»r-featura entitled "The Lor.c Wolf," which is said to oven rival that Treat nictv-•» "The Whip." It features Bert Lytell and Hazel Dawn, and contains many staggering r.nd exciting "stunts." There will also be screened "The Rise of Susan, - ' starring Clara Kimball Young, the latest Pathe Gazette, and a comedy entitled "Twin Troubles."