AMUSEMENTS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume XVII, Issue 1730, 26 September 1922, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

EMPRESS THEATRE. The feature attraction at the Empress Theatre to-night is "The Ten Dollar Raise," an adaption of the .story from Peter B. Kyne. The hero, William V. Mong as "Wilkins," has slaved away his life as a. book-keeper at a miserable salary. He lives in constant fear ol his employer. Although ho has been promised a rise every year for fourteen years the advance never came. He has a romance that has nearly burnt itself out through the patience of years. So he plods his ivay through life. Then one day he asserts himself. The worm turns and Wilkins is the recipient of a snug fortune. The supporting programme includes The Gaumont Graphic," a. Reelcraft comedy, and "Hitting the High Shots," a Chester outing scenic. The programme will be repeated to-mor-row night. BROKEN BLOSSOMS.

Undoubtedly one of Ihe greatest dramas on the screen is the presentation of "Broken Blossoms," which will be screened at the Empress on Monday next, A picture which holds the breathless attention of the audience for over an hour must be a good one. The scene in the Buddhist temple, where the young Chinaman (the hero) is receiving the blessing of the priest before he sets out for Western civilisation, as well as instructions as to his behaviour in the countries of the Anglo-Saxon race, in his mission to bring peace to those addicted to the barbarous methods of war, is particularly striking. The drama, is then transferred to the well-known Limehouse quarters of London, where poverty wretchedness, Chinese shops, tragedies and horrors live cheek by jowl in their uncanny surroundings. TLe villain in the piece is a prize-fighter of the worst type, brutal and selfish, admirably depicted by Donald Crisp. Lillian Gish (the broken blossom) gives a wonderful representation of the waif battered about by her grandfather The opium den, the fan tan game, the prize-fighting episodes, especially the rounds between Battling Burroughs and the Limehouse Tiger, will all challenge the criticising cxperte. E. CHARMERS' SEASON, On Friday night next, Sept. 26, at the Municipal Hall, Te Kuiti, Errick Charmers, an Australian dramatic lyric tenor, will give a song recital. This famous operatic artist has sung important tenor roles and principal tenor parts with diaries Manners, of the Moody-Manners Opera Company in England, and has also sung with Sir Joseph and Sir Thomas Beecham's season of opera comique, and Russian, German, Italian "'and French opera companies in London. Operatic and oratorio selections, modern and old British ballads will be included in his vocal programme on Friday next. Miss Esme Watson (A.T.C.L., L.T.C.L. and medalist) will play piano solos, and act as - Mr Charmers' accompanist. Vocal and instrumental quartettes, violin and piano duets will also go to make a highly enjoyable and interesting programme.

On Saturday Mr Charmers will hold a social evening and dance at the Municipal Hall, and his orchestra will provide the dance music. At intervals between dances he will sing popular tenor songs. Refreshments will be provided. On Sundaya sacred song recital will take place at the Empress Theatre, when Mr Charmers, accompanied by his company, will sing sacred solos.