AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17291, 1 November 1921, Page 11

AMUSEMENTS.

! GREATER CRYSTAL PALACE. p.troM of Greater Crystal Palace have - j,tbo many onllian„ prothat v - M - ■'?; "for them, had such an ex«l- ---* Unt all-round bill submitted to them as tna, " tim last night to. a capacity house Pas. - .J; fcgrammes ibat were charactered by rJ ■ SaMtnow blending of the moat mspmns « ? crchostrai music with rhc highest s.andard ? of iaoring pictures, were easily cchpsed bj '• lb# fare provided last night. Appreciators o: v both orchestral music and of motion pictures bed-had their interest thoroughly nrousco by ' n tie aanouncement 01 the engagement o. Jw ' Artlwr Gordon, a violinist with an inlernaft tonal reputation, and the screening cf a pjetnm in which Prisciila Dean was asserted M "o-hnva excelled any of her previous screen vfT ' S The anticipations raised m ic"Wi cf 'mnsician. and actress were entirely r fnWi'tcJ. ilr Goidon, v.-ho ia an art;s"._ to •• ha finger-tips, festanlaneously wo« the iovoar and warm appreciation of the musical part of the audience the moment he produced the first note m. Vieiixtemps s c»«s?Jcal "Grand Concerto. Mr Gordvn s perfect maatery of instrument immediately nu- ' u'ecsed his audience; the note upon which lie 0-jcnwl, after the introduction by the ' Symphony Orchestra, was produced cicany end definitely, and prcvi-i the prelude t'j a wondrous mccessioii of eoually pleasingly # V artistically" created' harmonies. Tne "Grantf Concerto" of Vieuxtemps is a notab'.o production, not only from u musical point of view, but also from an historical standpoint. The "Grand- Con-certo is netable, as music-lovers and students ira ■ aware, from the fact, that the composer revolutionised orchestration by the (■ introduction, in the interlude, of wood, - wind, and brass —an innovation afterwards : ' eeaed upon, and amplified by "Wagner. The ' , ; effect is, of course, to throw into bold relief the surpassing superiority of the wondrous harmonies that masterly executants like Mr Gordon can invoke from th© violin. Last mght'sinterpretation of the "Grand Concerto" was the first occasion, it is understood, that - it 'has heen given with full orchestral effect in New .Zealand. Noteworthy amongst the selections' given by the Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Mr Alfred J. Bunz, was the Adagietto," from Gustave Mahler's stJi Symphony. This is one of .the finest of modern symphonies, and the interpretation of . this movement by the Symphony Orchestra last night was perfect. Mahler is a composer whoie work should be better known to music-lovers. > The other orchestral selections were bright and varied, and were given with the artistry that has characterised the Symphony Orchestra's performances in the past. The TTniveisal-Jewel production, "Reputation," which headed the motion picture programme, is one of those classics of the Uni- ; versa! studio tliat marks the highest standard, not only of tho motion picture art, but also of the histrionic art. Priecilla , IV*n is a well-known and much admired I screen, actress as far as the patrons of i: Greater Crystal Palace aro concerned, but 'S ~ in* "Reputation" nhe completely eclipses any .« j of tho other roles, sho lias been seen in |l ' hero. Her powers as in actress are submil ted to a severe test; she is called upon y to'pffurtray an actress who, after reaching the i s highest pmnaole of fame, descends to the / lowest depths of degradation, and on the other iiend, to' present the character of a pure, ujrauflified woman, frothing finer than . . . tho manner in which Prisciila Dean responds ia _ this aov«re test can be imagined.. She 'r -ilt'-in fact, in, the low, diegTaded creature.of "the gutter, and eho is also, 'in fact, the .a fallen' actress's daughter, untouched by. the ■.; . filth, and Blime of utter ' depra-vity. The 'I * tC '.? r j 3 drum a (do and a. poien- ! tntly human oiic. It is oplendidly produced', : and some of the costumes worn by Prisciila ... ■ 'Dean, as tho moUier, when at tho height of . . tft iamie, are rich and daring in their novelty. A well-selected oast supports-the , itar. Other pictures screened were the Cen- . tury' comedy, "On Account," in . which, a . dover baby actor takes part another inS XiVilment of the serial, "The Diamond in. which further sensational a'ivepjJPitures befall the heroine: and. an intercatin" ■ . Series^of International Newß. ° The. same programme will be submitted for the Remainder of the jreek. OPERA HOUSE. ' One of the brifffctrtt VauiJeVfllS~a"tfd rerue . 'fer-Ggramffite submitted at the Opera House lot wttie, woeks was presented, last night, : . there was a capital attendance. T-hree i feood 'turns wori presented," all of them i being of a high order... A very warm rec«ptfon was accorded'to Miss Bessie Slaughter, a brilliant English contralto, whose position in randeville is 6imilar to that of Dame ■ Clara Butt on. -tibe conoert platform. -- The P-i,possessor of a full rioh voice, whose notes ?' jet aa immediate response from .'those forgh to hear iher, Kiss Slaughter . enviable. siage pjeaenoo, • which <iuate to make' her appearance a She was with'the Fuller cir? -ears ago, when die gained for i putation as' a soloist that, singing last nightj ehe will have ' in maintaining. She was vantage in a number : of well s. whioh immediately established m favourite with those hearing > first tame, and made her a uite with those who had heard ily._ Her first solo, which she ehind the scenes,' was an opera* ;, her other numbers being rted,"V"The Lost Chord," and by Your . Window." So iiv 1 .the audience, however, that pf t the stage ehe llad to .'give a' A successful first appearance y Richardson Bros, and Cherie, dainty little lady, who wat not ing into the good graces of ihe rhe three appeared in a smart f il» which eon'ga and jokes wets Iternated. They xevived- pleasm in their - oohohiding item, and. I Were Young,- Maggie,' 1 i M if r.ever be aljcJude their; turn. Gardner and have had successful seasons in s since leaving' Christehurth, some reappearance in a sketch, iudeville. Late-comers in the ivide;.most of the subject mat hits, which succeeded in raiding, ghter ■' and rounds of applause. ? -and Tommy' Long put on a . whioh the lady as « gymnastic found herself faced with a height made her'a very diminundeed, but whose agility showed t' apt learner of gymnastic feats, to this he did some capital jug*ith liis partner conomded tne Cakewalk, in. which hjs ight was accentuated' by a closesuit, the lady being attired in crinoline, frock. There was ibdut the genuineness of the rea- to' Sam Stem, the - Jewish ®w in the second .week of his s first-: song was "The Jewish ind a well-merited recall followgiven "The Tiddisher Band Wedding," which , the lendid opportunities for txhibitit. and which he took full adHis last number, aqd.his sketch in which he appeared as m.' operatic, star, who hut been bus wife and left with a tiny ads voice failed him, necessitating an organ on the streets to • He was quaintly pathetic in it' Sfap, Roselta, Sleep," with r'he endeavoured V> get tneohild he new musical -rerue, "Get To4uoed_ -by the Walter Johnson »t with a swing that made for .contained! some pretty sceuery, 1 characterised by tuneful rnelosque dances, and dainty oosJever: performer made her first (ih the company in Miss Nellie » of the "Odds and. Ends" comiang a number of songs in a Jccetsful manner, besides taking e. sketches., ' She is a decided > the company, possessing as she ting.'personality, a fair voice, King woy of impereonating her rs who weire successful in their Messrs Ernest Crawford, Yorke. Wallace, Ken 'Allen, Kennedy ick Spnghtiy, and Misses - Lydia il Oliver, Myr& Rowe, - Flo 5» de Lars, Ivy McKay, and I<. IBAND THEATRE. of the Night," a mystery film> inch of the life of the under- »' head-liner in the programme j t this-.week, at the Strand le story deals largely with the band of "crooks,"- and contains incidents. . V?m. Russell, as a gnate, who' : becomes leader of "crooks," ia featured in this Another, big attraction is It is an interesting story of Paris, and shows how an inno--1 be easily involved in intrigue. >n is the star. The supporting) w Australian Gazette and a

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. One would have tc go a very long way to find a»bettcr entertainment than is provided at Everybody's Theatre this week. The programme catsra for every taste, for it embraces gnpping drama, romance Eefc in the midst of ruggedly beautiful scenerv, and broad comedy, whih for music-lovers there 13 a eplendrJ selection cf grand opera, musical comedy, and masterpieces. During 1 the few months of its existence, or its reincarnation, the "Select" Orchestra has become deservedly popular, and it now occupies a ve. i y place among picture-house musical combinations m the Southern Hemisphere. Once again it proved last night thnt it is a splendidly balanced col.cr.ion o: musicians, each cf whom is a luusiied performer with his or her particular instrument. Tfye overture, Svppe's tuneful t Pique Dame," was r.ru; of the cl tiie , evening, nnd each n>c\ci>ient wan brilliantly played, the contrast of diminuendo 2nd in particular being excellently brought out without any exaggeration I'apmi s "Romance" afforded the" trio, ilissc:Florenco Miliur (second »-iolin) and Doiothie (piano), and Mr Harold jJu': ('cello), a fine oppcrtunity of showing tlu-ir combination rr.d individual bviljiar.ee, while Mi--■« Irene Morris (first ■violin), with Millar, gave a splendid interpretation of Jloskowski's "Allegro Mr Clarence Crawford wan responsible for Ihc- t-Lici itaturo of (lis entr'acte, 'in Mouleiey," i|nd his xylophone ph'.ying greatly pleased tie j crmyile! house, as '-ii'l his jazz effects in I "Wild Vt imen." Mr Herbert i'ox, one | of the best cornet plavetß in the Ilominion, i va.i notiwabie righi through the programme. Tha grand opera selections, from "* Meyerbeer's "liobcrt lc 1 liable," and Ofi-n'jach's "liencvifve de Brabant," considerably enhanced tho orchestra's reputation, being given with a fino appreciation or the ,-piril controlling each, while amongtt the lijjlit selections, excerpts from the "Count of Luxembourg," "Avalon," a fox trot, "Wild Wimen" (jazz), and "My Swnnee Pf.vndise" all were excellently played. The orchestral suitca were unusually good, and such picco* no "Dance Bentonne" (Wider), "Vakj Caprice" (Rubenstein), "Scene de Bailet" (Teohtvpninc), and "Pussncglia" (Cecil Scott) were given with unusual sympathy and understanding. There were various other popular pieces, of which Sousa'-s 'Stars and Stripes" wa& not the least pleasing. The picture programme, a really fine one, wa-s headed by Wallace Heid in "Tlie Love Special," an adaptation of Frank 11. Spearman's popular r.ovel, "The Daughter of a Magnate." The work of the hardy civil engineers who put through the great transAmerican railroads is always a certain "winner" as the theme cf a novel or a play, and "The Love Special" provides a sterling story of such an. enterprise. As the engineer, Wallace Heid is superb. Ilia comedy, though th 9 character does not make far obvious comedy, but rather humour by suggestion, is excellent, nnd his extreme naturalness again stamps him as one of the best leading men in "a man's part," in the screen world to-day. As his leading lady, ho has the beautiful and talented young actress, Agnes Ayrcs, while Theodore Itoberta ire the president of the railroad is immense. The story tells of manly deads amongst men who know how to appreciate them, while running through it is a strong vein o? exquisite comedy, a love romance, and a hint of villainy. On® of the outstanding features i-s the scenery of the- great American "Rockies," while the representation, of a real mountain blizzard is very realistic, ar.'J lends a fine interest to the running of the "Love Special." Another fino film is "Proxies," featuring Gorman Kerry, Lena V. Keefe, and Raye Dean. The theme is the determination of two master crooks, now butler and lady's maid, to go straight, and their temporary diversion from the narrow way to "double-cross" _ a villain and to lielp their master. The picture is excellently produced and well acted, while it teems with dramatic situations, leading up to a. most -unexpected climax. Ihe Paramount Magazine" " provides a most Laughable trick film <if the cartoon type, excelling in fun and. originality ovoxi tbe Bud Fisher productions. , The whole programme, which will be repeated throughout the week, is well worth seeing by pictUT© "fans" and music-lovers alike. LIBERTY THEATRE. "The Passidh Flower," the principal film in'this week's programme at the- Liberty Theatre,' is a.- fine romance of 014, Spain., Jt is a picture-drama of more than ordinary interest and the settings are remarkably good, there being several fine representations of Spanish scenery and old customs. NormaTalmadge has the-.leading part, and the roll affords her many opportunities to 6how her - versatility. "The ' Passion Flower" is a cinema adaptation of a successful stage play, arid the screen, version, with its wider eoope, affords a more powerful presentation of the romance of simple Spanish peasants. Larry Semon, the acrobatic screen actor, ia starred in a hilarious' comedy, " "Solid Concrete." There is also it good supporting programme of topicals and pictures of interest. The , large audience last night was well pleased with the contributions by 'the Liberty Grand Orchestra. The overture thi® week is "Carmen" (Bizet), and the incidental music to the picture programme includes"Peer Gynt Suite" (GTeig);. "Feast of Brittany" (Kriens); "La Fete de . Seville" (Tavar); "Adrienne Leoouvreur" (Cilea); "Tristan and Isolde" (Wagner); "Herodias" (Massenet). GRAND THEATRE. j The current programme at the Grand I Theattre contains two capital photo-dramas. 1 One is "Felix O'Day," a highly entertaining l production, -based on Hopkinson Smith's novel. It has an appealing theme, and is full of'human touches and suspense. H. B. Warner,- in the name part,* is seen in one of the finest roles of his successful career as a screen actor. The other feature is "Passers By," an adaptation from the l stage play of the : same title, by C. Haddon Chambers. It is a> pulsating story of London streets, and is produced on a most extensive scale. The leading part is played by Herbert Hawlinson. The supporting, programme includes a comedy, "Why Be Jealous " and. a Gaiii mont Graphic. As a prologue to the picture, "Felix O'Day," Mr Alan Snrimpton,\ a bari- , tone lately with the "Odds and Ends"'Company, sings "My Tumbledown Shack in Athlone," "Dear' Little Shamrock," and I other songs.