BAND CONCERTS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 17989, 5 February 1924, Page 7

BAND CONCERTS.

The Tramway Band will play the followin™- pro 'wuimo on Victoria square rotunda tJiiiant:—March, -Underhili House <iiay fc 3); "Waltz, "Sunset on the St. -Lawrence" (Hellei); Selection, "Songs or Great Britain and Ire.a.nd" (Ord Hume); los. Irot, -Happy" (Hugo Frey); Fantasia, "Kichelieu" atobinson); Fox Trot, "I Wish I Knew 1 (Spencer:); March, "The Statesman ' (Dare) j "God Save the King." A collection will ho taken up in aid of the Band's funds. Derry's Private Band will pJay the followin"- progiimmo on the St. Albans band rotunda this evening:—March, "Aeroplane (Shanks); Valse. "Red, White and Blue (Tobarri); Selection, "So Long, l*t*y" (Carroll); Fox Trot, "Oh, Star of Eve' (David) Selection, "Katinka" (Friml); Yalse. "Thru the Night" (Logan); Selection, "Going Up (Allen); March, "Diamond Crown" (Burt); "Ood Save the King."

GREATER CRYSTAL PALACE. A SPLENDID PROGRAMME. VAUDEVILLE, MUSIC, AND PICTURES. There is w something about a programme at the. Greater Crystal Palace Theatre' which defies imitation, but at the same time it holds an irresistible appeal to the amuse-ment-loving public. When one cornea to analyso "such something," one cannot fail to recognise the fact that it rests in the variety of programmes which are presented there, and which in themselves constitute a formidable array. They have each and all been chosen by Mr V. M. Beebe, and each separate week's offering seems to excel its predecessor. There is always something surprisingly fresh' about the programmes, but to this alone can. be attributed only part of the appeal. There is, besides, the general merit and standard of high attainment which has never once flagged. Thus patrons of the theatre can always be suro of securing the best possible evening's amusement when they attend the Greater Crystal Palace Theatre.

To-day the management has eeen fit to afford their public or a. treat which enhances the general picture p-rogramrue. This takes the lorra. of vaudeville 01 a very high class and that it adds to the entertainment value of the bill is proved by the enthusiasm with which it is. greeted. This week's vaudeviue offering was contributed last evening by Miss Audrey Knight and tho Two Vagabonds. u%^ n ' eht l * Wlth on 'y a brief acquaintance with Chnstchnrch, has already endeared herself to the hearts of her audience. Durin- the last lortmght Christchurch. theatregoers have had an opportunity to judge her ability, and last evenings welcome as she first apoearcd ™„,,. ? . S f bor ° efficient testimony "to her popularity to convince even the most scop' C " t ?U £rSt numl -«-* aeries of -patter sketches-was sufficient to win for her the immediate goodwill of those who had not vulsed'"JS"" h j? r ' and thc ho " Se ™* convulsed with merriment at all of her rallies, iter burlesque of a, London housemaid, in which she introduced melody into her funmaking, was most enjoyable, but her third number, thc impersonation of a youn~ ladv of some ten years, to whom fathers in 51T unnecc **»7 encumbrances, was the » he -J"- tUiS Bk,!tch she ° Utli ™d the rather bewildering shortcomings of hei dad-from tho Bma ll girls' point of view, and her interpretation was added to by the appropriate costume which she wore. -The Inst number, "On the Road to Anywhere" *as, as she announced, writftn by her-' „L ?* i r aß ,- r a Eketch depicting an enisle in the life en an English tamp, and incorporated a number of witticisms, m the dehvery of which Miss Knight is a past master. The Two Vagabonds (Messrs Dane Burt and Carlton Fay)' are an entertaining duo, /whom the audience last night were unwilling to part with. Dane Burt is tho violinist and Carlton Fay the accompanist. Both arc particularly able musicians and separately would gruco any concert platform, but together they are refor an excellent offering. Both are essentially humorous, and it might be mentioned that real humour is extremely difficult to extract from such staid and solemn instruments as the violin and .tjia piano. There are any number of artists who can appear before the footlights and produce a sufficiency of good melody to impress aji audience, but there are few who can both play splendidly and present thb essential of light humour at the same time. From their first appearance each secures thfc goodwill of tho audience. Carlton Fay strolls on to the stage in oostumo reminiocent of the Parisian Apache, while his companion appears a little later dressed in an easy-going Bohemian costume, more familiar to tho Dominion. The pair come direct from tho Tivoli Theatre, Sydney, with something of a reputation. Their first number last evening . was "Narcissus," familiar • «u nearly all pianists. But tnose who expected something of a Eemi-classical nature did not have their hopes fulfilled, although they could scarcely bo described as disappointed. From classical to grand opera, and from grand opera to the lightest variety of ragtime and jazz, the selections passed with bewildering rapidity. They included, for example, "The Intermezzo" from "Cavalleria," "The Bonnio Banks of Loch Lomond," "Ye 3, We Have No Bananas," "Georgette," and an infinite selection of other pieces. It is certainly an unusual turn. "The Clean Up" is tho principal number . amongst the pictures. H. H. van Loan is | tho author, and the Universal Film Producers are responsible for its production. It is a farcical film, but in its very lighthcartedness it contaius a striking moral, one which is not thrust under the noses of those who witness its screening, but nevertheless one which cannot be ignored. Tho star is Herbert Rawlinson, an actor who stands amongst the foremost of screen staTS of the day, and who is really worthy .of h's prestige. There is entertainment -in every foot of tho production_ which tells a fclory at once entertaining and instructive. An oocentrio millionaire uncle leaves 50,000 dollars to each native born . inhabitant of a. tiny backblock American . village, but to the nephew who has hitherto reclined in tho lap of luxury there is left the sum of one dollar and a. deceased uncle's goodwill. These prove most unsatisfactory as far as the nephew is concerned, but tho town enters on a period of prosperity? which is unequalled in ony other part of the U.S.A., and the sudden acquisition of wealth by the hittherto only middlingly affluent population has tho effect of "turning the upside-down." The nephew commences in earnest to fend for hnmself and by the* judicious sale of his motor-car he secures enough to purchase the local store and motor garage. Helped by h]3 friends, he is instrumental in setting tho town once more tho right way up, and at the end of a period of thirty days, which time ho is commanded to stay in the village according to a stipulation in his uncle's will. !je learns he has become heir to a considerable sum. He also wins for himself a very charming wife. Claire Adams play 3 the principal feminine role in "The Clean Up." The musical portion of tho programme submitted by the orchestra under the ccnduetdrship of Mr A. J. Bunz proved espeoialy enjoyable last evening. The overture was the popular "Turkish Patrol" (Michaelis). This selection opened with a double pianissimo movement, pkiyed delightfully by the 'cello and the bass, and gradually worked up to double fortissimo, gradually dying away again to tho slightest murmm. The fortissimo movements wero played with splendid marshal precision. Of tho suite music, "As You Like It" (Roger Quiltor) proved a favourite. Throughout the nhole selection there is 'a delightful syncopated rhythm. Tho opening movement "Shepherd's Holiday," has a pleading lilt, v.Lili the second movement, "Evening in the Forest," opens witr. a beautifully subdued violo solo, the melody being taken >.p by the oboe. "Merry Pranks" is the third, and emphasises the syncopated rhythm, the whole orchestra deserving especial credit lor tho manner in which the suito was nindied. "Princess Gioia" (a suite by Campbell) was also included in the programme. Tho jreludo ia written with beautiful Sustained notc3 for tho wood-wind with a sharp s.-mi-quaver figure for the strings. The wj oie movement is riqhly scored, and the jeautiful piano cadenza was brilliantly played by Miss Lawlor. The second movement U a delicate waltz number and the thud—"The Dwarf King's Dance"—is a s;>irif.2d allegretto. A beautiful andante by Zdenko Fibich waa also played. It has been splen'didly arranged by Adolph Schmidt. Eer(Friml) has an undulating- 'c'linnnet obligato, which proves very effective against the flowing melody of the strings. The orchestra made much of the grandiojo n.cve-mt-nt, which precedes the return to the principal subject. Amonjrst the lighter n:a.il>er3 were the entr'acte, "In Your Arms" ,Onighmnn). and "The Lovelight in Your Eyes" (Johnaton).

An old gum digger, who was admitted to the Costley Home, Auckland, recently, had a peculiar request to make, and that was as soon as the wet weather returned lie would like to go back to his old whare on the Kumfields so that he might earn his own living. He was very "pleased to be at the home, and the weather had been delightful, but hot weather was no good to the gum diggers because the ground uecame too hard and they could not seek out the gum. The old experienced men knew that little gum could be got from any depth till the ground became thoroughly soaked by repeated rains, so that they could pursue their calling with as little manual effort as possible, states the "Auckland Star." Most of the "men in the district he came from had whares on small quar-ter-acre blocks, and many of them had come through varied experiences, some being soldiers and some sailors, with records of valuable services to the Empire in different parts of the world, but what they valuett most in their old ace, he said, was their independence, and taking it all round they were a happy family, their wants were few, and they led the simple life.

QUEEN'S THEATRE.

ANOTHER PARAMOUNT PROGRAMME. ITEIGHAN IN CHARACTERISTIC ROLE. •&• Programme of high degreo aptly describes that which was shown for the Srst time at the Queen's Theatre yesterday, and will continue throughout the week. p eter B. Kyce's sea sfcries contain so much action and human interest that they make ideal subjects for the screen; they could not, in fact, be excelled. It might almost be thought; that in writing them the celebrated American author saw in each of them their possibilities from a scenario point of view. One of the best of his stories is undoubtedly "The Li;ht to Leeward," which has been filmed ard put before the public under the title of "Homeward Bound." In thinkin" of the actors St to interpret the part of Peter B. Kyne's heroes, none comes more readily to the mind than Thomas Meighan, and this artist it ' 3 v ' h ° has the principal role of Jim Bedford, the gallant mate of the Newport, and subsequently the skipper cf a better vessel, m "Homeward Bound." The story of "Homeward Bound" briefly 13 as follows:—The Newport, an overdue vessel, is homeward bound. Her skipper, a man weakened by years of dissipation, is unable to keep his grip of the crew, who, when the ship seems to them t-o be in danger of foundering, go to take charge of tno boats. The mate, Jim Bedford, risking the charge of mutiny which might bo laid against him, takes command from the hand 3 of the master, and is able t-o save the vessel, which enters port battered but safe. The master, instead of giving the credit t-o his mate, takes it himself, and is acclaimed throughout the land a» a hero. Bedford does not sav the word that would the true- position known, but when he learns that, as a reward for the services he (the master) did not perform, the latter is to be eriven conmiir.fi of the steam yacht on which Mary Brent, daughter of his employer, is to go for a pleasure cruise, he considers it time to bo up and doing. Accordingly, ho informs the captain in a polite manner, which loses none of its effect thereby, that if he dares to take the vessel to sea with thegirl aboard the true- story of the former vessel being brought safely to port will be told to tho newsoapers. The threat suffices, and on tho excuse of being suddenly taken ill, the master relinquishes the command to his mate. More than one attempt is subsequently made to discredit Bedford and to prevent him from becoming belter acquainted with Mary, with whom, by the way, he ia now deeply in love, but he is able to survive them all, and at last achieve the object of his desire. The picture is brim full of incident and adventure, and is embellished with many magnificent scenes cf the sea. Some fino glimpses are seen of ships tossing on mountainous waves, with decks awash, when it appears that every moment will be the last of tho bravo men comprising the ship's complements, and one splendid piece of work is when the heroine is transferred inmidocean from one vessel to another by irplna of a chair affixed to a lino. Considerablerisk must have been involved in taking this stunt.

Thomas Meighan, as usual, gives every satisfaction as the hero of the piece. He is favoured with a fine manly face and figure and, in addition, knows how to act in what the Americans call "tho man" parts. He is given able support by dainty Lila Lee. The second" film in point of merit is the screaming comedy ""When Knights Were Cold." There are knights of all descriptions in tho picture—good knights, bad knights, hot knights, and cold knights—and many and varied are the adventures they go through boforo the picture runs its course. Ono ot tho most comical incidents is when an arrow is shot after a knight who has been marked) down to die. The arrow goes on its way arid its prospective victim does likewise. Luckily he is possessed of a good turn of speed, otherwise the arrow would lay him low, a3 it persists in following him in all directions until b'oth man and arrow get tired. This is easily ono of the funniest comedies yet screened at the Queen's. A beautiful Burton Holmes travelogue shows the Pyrenees, those pplendid heights which mark the boundary between France and Spain. In many respects they are similar to our own glorious Alps. A gazette and a cartoon are also screened. Under Mr H. G. Glayslvr, the Queen's. Select Orchestra plays a fine programme ot music, which includes tho following selections:—Overture, "Chevalier" (Peters); entr'-a-cto, "Through the Air"; piccolo solo (Mi A. Hutton). Other items: "Melodique" (Frimi); "Mignonette" (Friml); "Dance ot the Hours" (Ponchielli); "A Life on thi, Ocean" (Binding); "The OTchid" (Monckton); "Adieu!" (Beethoven).

GRAND THEATRE. "THE PILGRIM." "BEYOND TB.JG IiAINBOW." Before an audience which occupied all iha available seating accommodation, there wa3 screened at tho Grand Theatre last iii£ht a programme which in assured o{ popular support throughout its run. "The Pilgrim,". a First Kational production ol fun, featuring the popular and versatile Chaiica Chaplin in his latest comedy, heads the programme, and it is quite safe to declare that no funnior film has been seen in Christchurch Bince the screening of '"'The Kid," of which "The Pilgrim" is a worthy rival. The utoiy is a luubi amusing una original onej anj it tells 01 Uic huiuoious adveumrej that befell tno luckless Leity lionibaid. Tlio Kev. Kobei'l bamueis, •eniorgmj from a plunge iu a, secluded pool one spring day, was stunned to nnd that his c.othes hud disappeared and in. tneir place waa a vividly fctripcd suit of prison armour. There waj notrang to do but to don mmou.- and foot it to the nen.ro.9t village. In Uie inear.time, he who had made rapid/exchange was "beating it" to .th-3 distant railway station. An odd figure, in ill-fitting clothes, the trousers, too big, and the b.uoi clerical coat far too tight, Char-es Chaplin —aiias Lefty Lombar"—ambled m.o tkd station and consulted the timetable. UnaOio to decide where to go, he shut iiis ej«.s ana became a man of chance. VVich deteiin nation he poked a spot at random with hi 3 finger and struck Devil's Gu.ch. Thus ha charged heedlessly and fearlessly out upon his new and daring caireer, knowing not whither ho was bound or what late held in store for him. His subsequent adventures make one rock with laughter.

"Beyond tho a masterpiece irom tho Masterpicturo studios, features the charming Lillian "Biilie" Dove and tho stalwart lidward Mallory whose acting in this film surpasses anything previous.y attempted by either of them. Wonderful comedy and stirring drama p trmeata every scene, and the theme is oiiginil and unusual. It tells .how Marion Taylor (portrayed by Lillian "Biilie" Dove), a stenographer in the employ of Edward ilal.ory (Harry Morey), a "Wall street magnate, is, with difficulty, repulsing his daily advances. Tommy, Ma'rion's baby brother, has been a. bright epot in her lite of privations and for nis euke she has tried desperately to keep her position in Mallory's office. One night after a trying day, she is bribed b/ him to impersonate a certain M 133 Chandler a wealthy New York scciety butterfly, and when she is at the ball, Mallory arrives and insults he?. Shortly after the lights are switched on" and .Mallory is ehot. When the lights art. again turned on B-UC3 Forbes, who is Marion's lover, is seen standin" ove T him with an army revolver in his hand. Bruce is accused of the murder and how finally the mystery is solved by the New York police makes a thrilling The ' Grand Orchestra, under the able direction of ilioa "Agnes Shearsby, A.T.C.L., offers a delightful and appropriate pro--rammo of orchestral music. Som-of the most popular .numbers wer?:- Pnnc ss Caprice" (Solespion); E Flat (Chopin); "Pasquinade" \£se, J"<«m«" Otekrade); "A Love Sons" (Bartlett): Don Quixote," overture (Gren-ro!a: Bridal Tour" "Serenade" "Moskawskian-a" (MosfcowsW): "Heart of SlTne," cornet solo played b: lit F. Chapman (Smith) ; entr'acte "Down Wa-ga Way," xylophone solo (Edwards;: "Hu to America" (section); "Musical Switch _ (AjfordV there were also many foxtrots includinV «Fwm Frou." "Live Win," "Jimmy Sale Kag," and "Pretty Madge.