AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16479, 24 March 1919, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

THEATRE ROYAL. "TARZAN OF THE APES." The fight between Tarzan and the huge lion in the masterly motion picture, "Tarzan of the Apes," which comes to the Theatre Royal, commencing at 8 o'clock to-morrow night, under the direction of J. C, Williamson, Ltd., has been accredited with being one of the moat exciting episodes _ ever photographed. The "Scientific American" Bays:— "I* is the ultimate of illusory expression. Imagine a beautiful maiden within a hut, an open window, a bloodthirsty lion crouched ready for his spring. The cowering girl stands petrified, when like a bolt from the sky, Tarzan leaps from the fringe of fungus and lands full on the lion's haunches. After a terrific combat the king of the forest lies dead. The maidem gazes spellbound on the magnificence of the jungle mail, whom she js destined to love through one of the most alluring and exciting romances that wo have been privileged to see." This, it is claimed, is only one of the many incidents of this colossal picture. There are in all their wild

state all the species of monkeys, gorillas, apes, lions, tiger a, leopards, panthers, elephants, boa constrictors, crocodiles, and all the other terrible beastß of the jungle. Interwoven is a gripping domestic drama, dealing with the usurping of Tarzan'e place and position by unscrupulous _ aristocratic relations, who are exploiting his rights in socicty circles in London, whilst Tarzan, in the wilds of Africa, has only the society of tfci apes. A full dramatio orchestra will give the special musio. The box plan is at Milner and Thompson's, where seats may be reserved without extia charge. OPERA HOUSE. The high-class programme offered at the Opera House last week proved very popular,

judging by the large crowds at both performances on Saturday. This week the principal new turn will be 4 provided by Raynor and Brennan, a tenor and eopraiio, who specialise in ballads and duets. Those popular French performers Rieuse and Roger will b© seen in a fresh selection _of eccentrio songs and dances that aro certain to find favour. Sterling and Love will give a new musical and vocal comedy sketch, while _ Fred Bluett will be heard in another selection from his extensiv© repertoire, including as a special feature "Tho Sundowner." James and Selma have a collection of topical comicalities to offer,, and othtrs to appear are Baron von-1 triloquist, now in his last nights, Nellie Kol]e, and tho Klentos. The plan is at Milner and Thompson's. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. There is plenty of action and interest in the powerful Triangle production, "You Can't Believe Everything," which ia to be shown to-day and throughout this week at Everybody's Theatre. Gloria Swanson has the lead. "Society" gets a succession of vigorous raps in the story, in which all the characters are guests at a summer hotel. Host of them spend their time in tearing someone's reputation to pieces, and the male beings are worse than tho women. The story tolls how.eoandal tried to ruin ■ a beautiful and innocent girl's reputation. She was

blamed for the folly of another girl, whose weak character was eventually revealed. A novel situation is a "Neptune" party, with all the guests in bathing dresses. Supporting items include episode three of the big Pathe serial sensation, "The House of Hate," entitled "A Woman's Perfidy," the latest Pathe Gazette (topical), "The Chief Cook" (comedy), and "The Battle Hymn of the Republio" (drama). Specially selected items will. be played by Everybody's "Select" Orchestra. The theatre opens twice daily—at 2 and' 7 p.m.—with the programme commencing half an hour later, CRYSTAL PALACE. A big double programme is billed for this week at the Crystal Palace, the feature film being a Fox masterpiece entitled "Chesting the Public." This is a seven-reel picture with a purpose, dealing with the food problem, profiteering, and labour troubles, and, it is said to be a strong rival to. "The Honour System." Though strong in love interests, it chiefly tells of the hardships experienced by wage-earners .when trying to live under the handicaps created by greedy profiteers, who do not even fear to defy the Government The second star feature to be presented is

a lively five-act comedy-drama starring the Lee Kids, Jane and Katherine. Owing to the length of the programme it will be necessary to start the evening session at 7.15 o'clock. "Cheating the Public" will be screened about 8.15 in the afternoons and about 8.15 at the evening sessions, as it will take a full hour and three-quarters to unxolL Seats may be reserved at The Bristol. ■ QUEEN'S THEATRE. "The Girl in his House" is the title of the star film at the Queen's Theatre this week, and the plot unfolded in -thia quaint and original play is particularly interesting. The chief parts are taken by Grace Darmond and Eaile Williams, who give a very fine performance. The story tells of a young man

of wealth -who left home and spent a number of years in foreign countries. When he returned he was surprised to find hia house mysteriously occupied by a beautiful young l girL It would perhaps spoil the plot to say how the young lady came to occupy tho house, but it will suffice to say that the solving of the affair affords some meet exciting incidents. The supports ar© well varied, viz.; the latest Topical Budget "His Lesson" (comedy),- a British official film showing "The Bedford Regiment," and an Edison educational film, "Ycoemite Valley." An additional film of topical interest will be "How Wellington Welcomed the Body Men," showing the reception given the Hororata on her arrival in Wellington harbour. GRAND THEATRE. Francis X. Bushman and Beverley Bayne are the two favourite artists who will lead in the big feature photo-play entitled "Under Suspicion" at the Grand this week. The story is one in which society and the workaday world, humour, and thrills and effectively' contrasted. An elaborate charity ball is one of the noteworthy features in this play, and for the staging of this fashionable evert one of the largest and most elaborate interior settings ever erected by Metro was built at the New York studio. There will be some excellent topical and humorous supporting filma "War Times at the Zoo" is oqe of the moat interesting pictures of its yet shown here, while "The Co-operartfo Weekly" contains many items of interest to aIL "Betty's Big Adventure," one of the famous Christie comedies, is a most mirthful production, and the Uinta episode of "The Scarlet Runner," with Earle Williams in the lead, provides ireeh thrills to followers of this fine serial.

STRAND THEATRE. A story of the lumber camps of Canada in tho 'SO'e, when might was right, is unveiled in "Blue Blazes Rawden," which headed tho now programme screened at ihe Strand Theatre on Saturday. "Blue Blazes Rawden" is a pictorial drama that grips and holds the audience's interest from beginning to end. It features the inimitable Bill Hart, an® Hart acts in this latest picture as only he can act. Vivacious Vivian Martin, ifl featured in "A Petticoat Pilot," a pkee which, is almost tho antithesis of the big picture. Here charm is the impelling motive of the spectators' interest. One of the supports is a farcical Mack.'. Sennett picture entitled "Summer Girls," in- which not only a,bevy of beauties in:bathing costume entertain. th«( audience, but some very clever tricks are performed' by eeals. Episode No. 3 of "The Eagle's Eye" describes the, "Naval BaJl Conspiracy," vhen the German spies plotted to blow up the Ansonia: Hotel, but wero thwarted by the Criminology Club. The programme will be repeated at to-day's sessions.LIBERTY THEATRE. j The star featuro at the Liberty Theatre this week is a powerful drama entitled "The Whirlpool," in which Alice Brady—an actress of chaxm and fascination—plays the lead. The story, centres round Bella CavaUo, a. gambler's stepdaughter, who gains tho love of an American' judge, and eventually marries him.- - The husband's suspicions are aroused when ho finds 'his wife entertaining a man named Harlem, who is_euspected of murder. The judge, ■, Rivorton, overhears his wife make an appointment with Harlem, and Riverton, mad with -jealousy, prepares himself for the situation with a piatol. But ho discovers, after all, that his wife is quite honourable, for when Harlem returns begging her to elope with him, she draws from him tri« confession -of murdering his uncle for his wealth, and the manner in which the appearance of another man mado it_ poeiiMo for him to escape detection. Besides this picture theio will be the latest Pathe G<vzette, a Triangle comedy, "Petticoat Perils," and an interesting science film, "Hunting the Aigrette in America."

ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY'S CONCERT,

The box plan, for the Christchurch Orchestral Society's concert, to bo held in the Choral HaJl on Wednesday, will be opened at The Bristol this morning at 9 o'clock. Patrons ere asked to reserve scats early.