AMUSEMENTS

Greymouth Evening Star, 24 June 1925, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS

‘ ‘HUNCHS A OK’ ’ PO PU LAR. The second screening of the “Hunchback of Notre Dame'' was given last evening to another ' large attendance at the Opera House. A specially augmented orchestra did its part to provide appropriate “atmosphere,” and added greatly to the success of the picture. ‘‘The Hunchback,” as portrayed by Lon Chaney, known as the “Man of a Thousand Faces,” will live long in the records of screen achievements, and his striking characterisation of “Quasimodo” makes an impression not soon to be forgotten. A weird figure is this deformed bellringer of Notre Dome, hideously repulsive physically, but possessing many redeeming traits. Lon Chaney must be acknowledged as a master of the art of making-up. He completely disguises his own personality, and anyone would find it hard to realise that, when off the screen, he is as other men. Quite credible are the statements that he took hours to make up, and that he could work in character for only a short period. Superb is he in his demoniacal defence of his beloved Cathedral against the mob, while his death ultimately is the height of tragedy. Chaney became famous as the pseudo-cripple in “The Miracle Man,” but his masterpiece is “Quasimodo.” He was well supported by a brilliant cast and thousands of extras. As Esmeralda., the dancer-heroine, Patsy Ruth . Miller scored a distinct success, and Norman Kerry, as Phoebus, made a dashing soldier-lover. Clopin, King of the Underworld, was well presented by Ernest Torrence, and the rest of tho ;ast was of corresponding ability. The aansfer of Victor Hugo’s work to the ;creen has been worthily accomplished, and gives rise to all the human emotions.. The climax to the picture is wonderfully conceived, and the death of the Hunchback at his post, after being stabbed, is a finished piece of melodrama. The picture will he screened again tp-night, and on Thursday evening for the last time. TOWN HALL. To-night, Patsy Ruth Miller interprets the role of Alice Neal in “A Selfmade Failure,” the latest First National release to be shown at the Town Hall. She is a newcomer to the screen, working up from the ranks of the “extras” until she was regarded as one of the best ingenues and leading women. She played the feminine lead of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” and appeared opposite Owen Moore in “The Breaking Point.” The supporting pictures include a further chapter of “The Fast Steppers,” and a tworeel comedy. EUCHRE ASSEMBLY. There was a large attendance at the Excelsior Euchre Assembly last, evening and the games were keenly contest, ed. Prizes were won as follow: — Ist, Mr Nelson ; 2nd, Mrs H. Moore ; 3rd, Mr Stanton; 4th, Mrs De Freatns;; sth, Mr J. Cosgrave. There will be another tournament on Friday evening when special prizes will be awarded. MUNICIPAL BAND. The concert by the Greymouth Municipal Band, in the Town Hall last evening, was successful, not, only from the point of patronage, for the hall was packed, but from a musical standpoint also. The Band, under the baton of MT A. McMastac-rs, d_id splendidly, and continues to make steady progress.

The Band’s contribution to the evening’s entertainment, opened with a stirring march, “Ravenswood.” a we 1 !- known and popular number with bands. The “Barcarolle,” from. Offenbach’s “Tales of Hoffmann,” wliich

is always a popular selection with orchestras and bands, lost none of its beauty in the Band’s reading, and a graceful rendering resulted. The “Jolly Blacksmith,” a descriptive, humorous polka, received a quite dramatic reading, the descriptive musical interludes suggesting the opening day, cock-crow, the smith at work, and the end of the day, were well executed. The gem of the evening, howcvqy, was the contest selection, “The Poacher, ’’ which gave scope for solo work, in which the cornet, euphonium, and trombone were good. The selection afforded an opportunity for the bandsmen to give an exposition of’ musical technique, which, together with excellent interpretation, amply showed 'the high standard tho Band has attained in its music. The Band’s rendering of a “Humoresque” provided an enjoyable number, which took the form of a medley of wellknown airs. The solo trombone player, L. Carruthers, is a lad of fourteen.. His work last evening was fti.ll of merit. The programme was augmented with acceptable contributions from Miss Doreen O’Hallahan —monologue, “The British Legion” (encore), “The Green Eye of the Yellow God” ; Mr D. Douglas, song, “Songs of Araby” (encore “Keep on Hopin’ ”). Miss E. McMinn danced an Irish Jig, for which she was encored and repeated a portion of the dance. Mr J. Smith scored in his song “Why does the World go Round?” and had to give a double encore.

The citizens have good cause to be pleased with the Band’s efforts last evening, and, indeed, freely express their appreciation of last night’s programme.