AMUSEMENTS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17903, 24 September 1918, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE. A large audience was attracted to the Opera House last evening, when a change of programme was presented by the Fuller management. In the vaudevillo section of the nrogramme two new artists made their appearance, Lew James and Reina Selma, a talented duo who presented a bright little confection of quaint dances and -humour of a broad but thoroughly , enjoyable typo. Lew James, who is a comedian of the vigorous order, was particularly enjoyablo in a Hebrew impersonation which transcended in every wav the usual offerings of this nature. Another welcome turn was provided by the Gilfain Trio, three accomplished artists, who created quite a furore last week. Although all the items this week are not new, they are so excellently interpreted and all of them bear such unmistakable evidcnco of the real artist, that the efforts of these throe entertainers were as popular as when first given. The turn consisted of a number of representations of international songs, interspersed with comedy and dances, the most popular items being the Highland dancing and . the Irish -melodies which were played with vigour on two concertinas and Irish pipes. Violet Trevenyon, the dainty English comedienne, appeared frocked in the latest fashionable London and Paris creations. The popular artist \ contributed four vocal numbers with all her accustomed naivete and sweetness. The most successful number was “On the Day on which Peace is Declared/* and was full of local allusions which caught ihe publio fancy. Sidney Jones and Agnes Raines had a fresh concoction of songs, pianologue3 and patter items, and these two entertaining artists presented another particu arly pleasing fifteen minutes. The second half of the programme was devo cd to Walter George’s eighth revue, “In Sunny Japan,” a production which is in every way up to the high standard sot by his previous presentations. As in its previous pieces, tho present revue is tastefully staged and elaborately gowned, and although the story is both tenuous and quite superfluous to the evening’s business, the whole presentation is full of attractive items. Tho comedy element is again in the excellent hands of George Storoy and Georgie Martin, and these two artists have never had better mpportunities or made such use of their chances. George Storey, as a most facetious waiter, found the part a particularly appropriate one, and ho regaled the audience with somo particularly laughable burlesques. Georgie Martin, the vivacious little comedienne,- was specially enjoyable in “ I’m a Middy,” being assisted by the chorus, who looked particularly business-like in their Failor uniforms. To 'Hylda Shannon, as usual, the vocal honours of iho rovuo fell, arid in her two solo efforts the popular singer again mado an excellent impression, A duet, sung by Barrv Hitohings and Holly Leslie, “ Larboard Watch,” was vigorously encored bv the audience. Polly M’Larou, the charming dansouso, was effective in a sailors’ hornpipe, whi’e May '• Geary found plenty of scope for her vocal abilities in the numbers she essayed. Wal'er George. Dulcie Milner and Frank Earning were others who added their quotas to the success of the revue.

Miss Akerstein and her small hu* tuneful orchestra acquitted themselves well throughout tho evening.

ALLEN DOONE COMPANY. The inimitable Allen ..Doone and his favourite company, hoadecl by tho charming young actress, Edna Koeley, open a brief season in the Theatre Rova! to-night. There is no greater favourite in Allstra.ia.sia thim the young Irish actor, Allen Doono: ho has a charming personality, which wins its wav into tho, hearts of his patrons, his interpretation of the choice and sweet Irish songs puts his hearers in the best of humours. Since his last visit to New Zealand Mr Doono has plaved to -wonderful business all over Australia and America, and it ■i 3 anticipated that he will b-s accorded a great reception on his appearance in Christchurch this evening. Tho p.ay selected for the opening is a very damty piece, entitled "Lucky C’Shca.” whs play will be staged for three nigh's. On r riclay the favourite comedy-drama. "Tho- Parish Priest,” will be presented! tbo season “ To-n Moore,” "The Bold Roier Boy.” and "Molly Bawn ” will be staged The plans are on view at The Bristol.

KING’S THEATRE. At the King’s Theatre last evening Lee Toy Chung, the Chine«e .magician, and Professor DAlma-'ne. repeated their performance before a ciowded audience. Lee Tov Chung porplexed the audience with a budget of e'ever sleight-of-hand and conjuring tricks, all of which were dex'erouslv done, and drew loud applause.. Professor D’Almaine’s exhibition of hypnotism fol owed to some oxtent his Saturday evening's seance, but manv variations were introduced. +he most notable of these being tho suggestion to his svbier/s that they were in a ballroom, their aPenints to give realism to the characters they were assuming being very en'ertaining. Percy Gow contributed several songs with much success. The entertainment will bo repeated this evening.

CRYSTAL PALACE. The week'y chango of programme at that popular report of high-class kinematography, Crvstnl Palace, was inaugurated yes’erday afternoon, when a very attractive assortment of pictures was introduced, in the presence of a large audience. The leading film is another of the William Fox masterpieces, 'entitled “The .Conouaror,” an eigh‘-part_ photo-drama, portraying leading incidents in the life of the famous American pioneer-soldier, General Sam Houston, whose close association with the settlement and development of Texas is known to all familiar with the colonisation of the United States. Without the romance inseparable from love, almost any story, ei'her in th? novel, on the stago or on the film iB -insipid, and in this story there is a fascinating love romance which cannot but appeal. When Houston moots Eliza Allen ho at once becomes her slave, but the girl is city bred and will have nothing to do with a lover who outwardly possesses none of the characteristics which appeal to the feminine mind and heart. Tho part of Houston is admirably taken by the well-known player William Farnum, whose persona'ion of a hero of whom tho American nation is deservedly proud, is magnificent, whilo tho part of Eliza Allen was allotted to the charming and winsome Jewel Carmen. Houston’s disappointment in his love affairs impels him to de’ermino to improve himself, but the girl whom he adorea sets him what to most men would appear an impossible task—tells him that she would marry him only when ho became a Governor. The troublous oouree of Mexican affairs gave him his opportunity, of which he took full advantage, and he is enabled to reach the position for which he had striven so persistently and for which he had laboured with indomilable courage and resolution. The climax of a magnificent film is reached when one is given a vivid picture, of a sanguinary battle during en attempted invasion by the Mexicans, “ The Conqueror ’’ was heralded as a picture of outstanding merit. No one who saw it yesterday can be of any other opinion but that all written descriptions have done it but scant justice. Without doubt it is a masterpiocc—a picture of _ historic and gripping fascination, and brimful of interest, incident, excitement, humour and pathos. Tho supporting propamine is in every way worthy of the leading film, and includes another of the ever popular Mutt and Jeff cartoon comedies by Bud Fisher, a Sunshine comedy, and the always popular “ Gazette.” At the session do luxo in tho evening the Crystal Palace Orchestra played tho overture “ Oliver Cromwell.” The same programme will be screened at the various sessions to-day.

QUEEN’S THEATRE. . Margarita. Fisher, who made many friends as “ Jackie of the Navy and Army,” is appearing this week at the Queen’s Theatre in a very fanciful play, “The Butterfly Girl.” It is a story in which a young girl, Pop O’Malley, is sent with her little sister to live with an aunt who is a performer at a sideshow in the San Diego exhibition. Tho children arrive with the assistance of a young man named Whipple, who is the inevitable prodigal son of millionaire parents. The manager discharges the aunt and engages the young girl Pep, but he behaves so cruelly towards her that she escapes, and with Whipple's help gets a position in the Hawaiian village as a hula hula dancer. Here ■Whipple is discovered by his parents, who carry him off home, Pep being left to fend for herself again. However, this distressful state of affairs is not continued very far, and tho picture has a happy conclusion, in which tho young couple are united, and Pep’s dreams come true. Miss Fisher’s acting

throughout the piece is very clever, and she is suppor'ed by a very strong cast, including Jack Mower, J. Gordon Russell, Dell Pringle, Marie Kiernan, Jo3eph Harries and John Steppling. The scenorv and mounting is excellent. A very welcome place on the programme is supplied by a two-reel Mustang d'araa, entit’ed “Jack.” in which the parts of hero and heroine are played ’by Frank Borsage and Anna Little. Tho story opens with a young Wes'era girl returning to her father’s ranch with an Eastern schoolmate, who has been brought up in luxurious style. The oity girl falls in love with a handsome young cowboy, and they become engaged, but, once ban! in the city the girl is ponsuadedl to go back on her engagement in favour of a b’aso young city club man. Arrangements are in hand for the wedding, when word com ee that the young lover in the country is =eriously injured. The girl strips off her wedding finery and rushes off to the country, whe’e she is just in time to save the life of her lover, and a re-engagement is effected very happily. In addition to this very pretty film there was a genuine comedy, entitled “ D-elinauent Bridegrooms,” starring Ben Turpin, and another good picture, a Gaumont special, dealt interestingly with “The Science of Palmistry.” The new, programme. will be repeated continuously from It o’clock this morning. The Dainty ’ orchestra, wi.l provide a high-class programme of music at the evening session.

EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. The ‘new programme at Everybody’s Theatre yesterday was headed by a Goldwyn film, “ Fields of Honour,” featuring the charming Mao Marsh and her sister Marguerite. The girls are French, and they emigrate to America with their brother, nnd make a circle of friends, including one Hans, a German, who_ falls in love with the younger sister. The elder sister, whose part is played by Mae Marsh, is befriended by a young artist, who wishes to marry her forthwi.h. He is persuaded to think the matter over, and while he is away on a short trip to San Francisco tho war breaks out, and the brother sets out for France, Hans managing to get a fireman’s job oh tho same bont. In France, Hans is killed in action, while serving in the German Army. Meanwhile, in the United States, the younger sister is going through a very Bevere illness, and when she learns of Hans’s death she commits suicide. The elder sister is on tho point of putting out for Franoe when the hero returns to New York in search of her, and is just in time to recover her on board ship and take her back to the altar. The picture, which 13 not without dramatic force and a certain charm, extends to six reels. Another film, of local inforest, gives some beautiful views of heavy seas at the Napier breakwater, and a splendid view of Cape Kidnappers, with the famous gennet rookery, showing these migratory birds on the nest and in the air. The near views of the eggs and the young chicks, which are of a woolly whiteness, form a good object-lesson in natural history. Another very good film showed Chinese labour battalions at work in France under British offiesrs, a striking feature' of the picture being the good physique of the Chip amen and their evident good humour. The ’’Pathe Gazette ” was of special interest, and tho whole programme was most enjoyable. The new films will be screened continuously today. v

LBERTY THEATRE. The new programme presented at tho Liberty Theatre yesterday had for its principal feature a five-act Triangle photo-play entitled “ The Patriot.” in which William S. Hart played the leading part Bob Wiley, an ex-soldier in the United States Army. This play antedates in period of action the present great waT, which nowhere enters int-o tho story. The story is a lucid and clear one. Bob Wilov. occupant of a Government selection homestead in New Mexico, finds gold on his holding and starts to wash it up, ignorant of his legal position. A corrupt speculator and a venial registrar of lands conspire together to rob him of hiß homestead and claim the minora! rights. Wiley goes to Washington and interviews a high official., who says tho law is against Wiley. On his return to his homes’ead- Wiley finds himself evicted and his little motherless son dead of fever. From a warm patriot ho is turned to a hater of his country and its flag. Later he conspires with a guerilla leader to betray a border settlement into the hands of Mexican raiders. Defending troops are decoyed to a distant part of the frontier, but at tho last moment Wiley is led by the affection 1 of a little boy, orphan of a refugee, thrust upon his care, to repent of his treason. He holds up tho bandit troops by parleying with their leader as long as possible, and then escapes and takes a daring part in the defence of tho settlement, which is safely held till the troops, summoned back by Wiley, return and completo tho rout of tho invaders. Wiley and his new-found little adopted son then steal quietly away, and dawn finds them on their way to begin life anew under happier auspices. Among the supporting films the opening chapter of the new Pathe serial. “The Fatal Ring,” featuring Pearl White, deserves especial mention, for there is more sensational adventure and desperate fighting in its two reels than would furnish a dozen ordinary photo-plays. An interesting “ Gaumont Graphic ” rounds off tho programme, which will be repoated at all sessions to-day;

GRAND THEATRE. A very enjoyable programme was soroened at tho Grand Theatre yesterday, and there wore large audiences at both afternoon and evening sessions, many being unable to gain admittance. The principal item was -the Metro comedy-drama, “With Neatness and Dispatch,” maturing tho popular Francis X. Bushman and Beverley Bayne, in what might ho termed one of their best productions. The story, which was written by Konnelh R .Roberts, has surprises every minute, and contains real wholesomo amusemont. It is a good dashing adventure story, exciting things happen, and there is genuine love interest throughout. Mr Bushman has the role of o youug man who poses as ft crook in order to bo of service to the girl with whoa he falls in love at first sight. The play

sparkles with comedy,, while there is sufficient of the Bushman vigour to . satisfy the most exacting patron who revels in thrilling episodes, Mr Bushman conceals his usual debonair identity very cleverly, and his oomedy work is excellent. “ With Neatness and Dispatch” is what one would call a “ surprise-a-minute" picture, and must rank as one of the most pleasing films of the year. Certainly Mr Bushman and Mies Bayne have not appeared to such advantage in any previous picture. Tho scenes, which are a special feature of the film, were taken on a beautiful estate in New Jersey. The eup v porting cast is a strong one, with Frank Currier, Metro’s sterling character actor; Miss Ricca Allen, Hugh Jeffery, Walter Miller, Arthur Houseman, in roles well ■ suited to their talents. , The supporting films were 'g° o| L and of a varied character, including one of Charles Chaplin’s best, comedies, The Tramp,” "The Great Secret” serial, and an interesting scenic of the Swediah-Baltic coas,t. The musical selections again were a feature of the programme, and the Grand orchestra surpassed itself in appropriate music, while Miss Irene Morris was enthusiastically applauded for - her violin solo “ Cavatina ” (Raff). The same programme will be shown to-day and to-night.

STRAND THEATRE. Tom Sawyer’s adventures, as set out in the Paramount film based on Mark Twain’s well-known\ story, pleased young and old alike, at the Strand Theatre yesterday, jack Pickford finds a congenial * rol® in Tom Sawyer, and gives a fine representation of that young scamp. The part of Huck Finn, who can give Tom many points in general mischievousness, is also in good hands. The story is admirably staged, the costuming oi the “ respectable ” people conforms to that of'the period of the events, while that oi the three desperate young pirates carries conviction in every rag. The other Paramount feature screened was “The Mysterious Miss Terry,” in which the ever-popular Billie Burke ie starred. As the capricious social butterfly, eager for sensations that tho con- t venturns of society do not ordinarily permitto social butterflies, Billie Burke add? to her long list of triumphs. Mixed with tho mystery of the play is much piquant humour; making the film a thorough.y enjoyable one. The same pictures will he shown at all sessions to-day. SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA.

At the Choral Hall last night, before a very good attendance, the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, under the conductorship of Mr Alfred Woraloy, gave its second concert of the season. A pleasing and wellvaried programme was presented, the chief number in which was Neils W. Gade’e Symphony, andan.o and finale movements. The andante, an exquisite movement, , rich y scored, melodious and beautifully harmonised, was played by the Orchestra on r previous occasion, but the performance las night was much superior to the former effort the combined effect being really -good and evoking hearty appreciation. The finale aid not display the same evenness of production, but was commendably played, nevertheless. Weber’s “Invitation to the Dance” and Mendelssohn’s • “ Spring Song ” were neatly and prettily, interpreted, as was Sir Edward Elgar’s “ Serenado Mauresque," whi.e tha performance of Massenet’s entr’acte, “Don Caesar de Bazin,” was bright, smart and fu.ly effective. Ralfo’s overturo “Tho Siege of Rochelle,” was also included in the pro gramme. , The vocal soloists were Mis: Lena Volvin and Mr A. L, Cropp. Miss Velvin, who possesses s tuneful light contralto voice, and displays temperament and decided ability, was making her debut on the, local concert platform. Her programme numbers were “At tha Dance(Tschaikowsky), “Nightingale Sing” (A. Jeiilf), “ Mignon’s Song ” (Schubert) and " The Blackbird’s Song ” (Scott). Mias Volvin sang confidently and with much success, being deservedly encored at each appearance. Mr Cropp, who is always a welcome performer on the concert platform, gave an excellent account of himself ‘in Handol’s aria. “St Tra I Ceppi,” and was accorded a hearty recall. The accompaniment# were tastefully played by Mr Worsley. . >

SYDENHAM PICTURES-. ” The Patriot,” featuring William S. Hart, and tho first chapter of tho Paths serial, 1 The Fatal Ring,” were shown before large audiences at the Sydenham Picture Theatri last evening. The same pictures will be screened to-night.