ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17110, 15 March 1919, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

" Going Up," with its many happy incidents Jfhd bright musical number?, nightly gains the approval of large audiences at His Majesty's Theatre. Its connected plot and good " book " alono would place it far in advance of most of the more recent musical comedy productions. " Going Up " will be staged at a matinee this afternoon, this evening, and finally on Monday evening.

THE DANDIES. Tho innovation of a combination programme of pictures in the first half and the Dandies occupying the second half, will be made at the Lyric Theatre this evening. This idea was introduced in southern towns and cities, with, it is said, marked success. The picture to bo screenod this evening is " Peck's Bad Girl," a Goldwyn production, in which Mabel Normand takes the leading role. The programmo to be submitted by the Dandies is described as boing particularly bright. The company b said to be most versatile, the various members each being gifted in the vocal sense, thus enabling the management to include several excellent harmonised numbers and an operatic selection from Ed. German's opera, " Merrio England." Tho visiting company makes a feature of light comedy numbers, which are said to have been most acceptably received in other parts, and as the public to-day appears to desire amusement of the lighter order, the Dandies claim to meet the demand in presenting a varied and pleasing bill of fare. The artists appearing to-night are Miss Christine Andrews, Scottish soprano; Miss Madoline Knight, contralto; Mfss Lenore Graham, soubrette; Miss Kitty Gelhor, pianist; Mr. Renn Millar, basso; Mr. Kingsley Chapman, tenor and light comedian; Mr. George Livingstone, comedian; and Mr. Kennedy Black, musical director. The plan is at Burkey's, Queen Street.

OPERA HOUSE. The present programme at the Opera House will be repeated this afternoon and this evening. It is composed of the revue, " Two Peas in a Pod," and of several good vaudeville items. MUNICIPAL ORGAN RECITAL. Tho city organist, Mr. Maughan Barnett, has arranged an attractive programme for tho recital in the Town Hal! this evening. His solos will include organ works by Wolstenliolrao, Horsman and Dubois, a scherzo by Hollins, and the '' Rosamund ' overture. Songs by Clay and Toßti will bo sung by Mrs. Cyril Towsey. NATIONAL THEATRE. " The Heart of a Lion," an adaptation of Ralph Connor's novel, " The Doctor of Crow's Nest," will bo screened to-day at the National Theatre. In this picture William Farnum plays tho role of Barnoy Kemper, who discovers that his brother is a scoundrel only after he has found his sweetheart in Dick's arms. He takes refuge from civilisation among the forests and does his best to forget everyone—his brother, his sweetheart, oven his God — among tho lumbermen. Dick, however, has been awakened by his brother's anger. He makes up his mind to study for tho ministry. When he is ordained his youthful enthusiasm gains for him the place of clergyman in the same camp where Barnoy now lives. Barney discovers Dick's presence, but keeps himself closely hidden. When Dick is attacked by the leader of the woodsmen, however, Barney is forced to come to the front, tell tho truth to his mates and- do his best to bring his brother back to health. The long struggle aeainst death brings to tho foro all of the spiritual qualities which Barney thought he had lost. After many vicissitudes Dolly again warns Barney of Texas's intentions, and, Dick lying mortally wounded, Barney decides to take his brother's place. He goes to tho church and lays his gun before him on the pulpit. He then begins to tell the story of the two brothers. The crowd is sympathetic, and Texas loses ■ his influence over it. Concluding his sermon with the words, "Forgiveness brings happiness, for 0110 day the two brothers rhet again," Barney startles Texas and the crowd by giving back the 3000 dollars ho had Won from the saloon keepergambler. Texas, not to be outdone, announces that he will give it to the new church. Even Texas is redeemed. Dick, repentant and happy in the reunited love of Barney and Margare't, dies from the bullet wound. The lovers decide to > remain in tho camp and, with the promise of a golden future, take up a new life with the clouds behind them.

GRAND THEATRE. I Charlie Chaplin will appear at the ' Grand Theatre this week in his million : dollar film, entitled, " A Dog's Life." It . is one of hie most successful productions. I The supporting drama is entitled, "The I Seal of Silence." In the principal role is , Knrle Williams, assisted by Kathleen Kirkhara. The story is, briefly Hugh Loring is a wealthy young doctor. Mrs. Loring, his wife, is fond of society, and frequents a gambling resort, conducted for the convenience of wealthy patrons. Ruth Garden, a friend of Mr. Loring, is her companion, and assists Mr. Loring in his laboratory work. Loring is a oloso observer of heredity. He holds the opinion that 6ome slight trick of manner dis played by a child reveals the parent. Mrs. Loring has an admirer. Loring learns that he is the one who to taking his wife to the gambling resort. He follows her there and admonishes hoi- for frequenting such places. His wife, humiliated, leaves j him. After thiss'age of the play, many exciting and thrilling indents occur, and I a ?ood climax is reached. Other films . will be shown.

TIVOLI THEATRE. Marguerite Clark should be provided with a congenial rolo in the picture version i of Grimm's fairy tale, " The Seven Swans," to be screened to-day at the Tivoli Theatre. This is the picture ckosen this year by the Paramount Corporation for its annual fairy-tale production.' Of this photo-play a Southern critic has said: " ' The Seven Swans' is a storv for thnso i who have not lost their make-believe. For children the picture is ideal, and grownups, too, must derive pleasure from it, for it is a welcome chance from heavy problem dramas. Dainty Marcuerite Clark has the leading role, and the generallyaccepted version of thiß delightful and fantastic fairy story is closely followed throughout. Tho settings are on a scale which have seldom been surpassed. ' The smallest child will fina pleasure in followine the adventures of a sweet little eirl, who, for the sake of seven brothers, suffers pain, hardships, insults, almost death itself, to save their lives." STRAND THEATRE. A new programmo will bo screened at the Strand Theatre to-day, when tho irrepressible Mabel Normand will appear in her latest comedy success, " Peck's ' Bad Girl." The stoiy is quite original. In brief, it is as follows For years the I staid old village of Yaptank has been both ( amused and shocked by the pranks of Mabel Penelope Peck (Miss Normand). There are but a few of the villagers who | have not at some time or other been the j victims of Mabel's little jokes. Cyrus i Gordon feels the sting of her hatpin while his tooth is being extracted at the dentist's ; Adam Hobbs, Yaptank's fattest citizen, is talking to Sue Mason, the village I belle, when suddenly all of Adam's weight | is sprawled on the sidewa'k, Mabel having tied her dog's chain to Hobbs'scane and then whistled for the dog. But with the, arrival of Richard Hayes, Mabel decides i to change her mode of living, and obtains a position in the millinery shop; for Richard soon takes a fancy to Mabel and she to him. Hayes poses as a jewellery salesman, but is really a private detective to whom word has come of a plot to rob the Yaptank Bank. While working late one night. Mabol'a curiosity is aroused when she finds somo candle grease near a trapdoor in the floor. Mabel investigates, ■ and her discoveries and subsequent action ! bring the play to a successful conclusion. A critic has' said of tho photo-play :— "Mabel Normand is at hor very best. First you see her as the town nuisance, playing so many tricks and pranks a that any one of the townsfolk would give a year of their life if someone, would take;,

Mabel Penelope Peck and throw her inf.<j trie river. Then something happens'. An adventuress visits Yaptank. Somethii.g more happens! Three criminals from som;--whero put in their appearance, and then the real trouble starts. Mabel has her «].-> picions, ec she watches them! And Mabel saves the day for Yaptank." PRINCESS THEATRE. ' A programme of exceptional attractiveness will be presented for the week at Hi Princess Theatre, commencing ~to-da . That remarkable genius for facial ar I pantomimic humour, Charlie Chaplin, w.l complete his Auckland season, appearir ; in "A Dog's Life." This world- > known screen comedian has contracted <> present eight comedies, for which he receives one million dollars. Every natio - ality in every part of the world Mils wit i delight the famous Charlie Chaplin. J.i Prance he is known as "Chariot," ai I his appearance always means a crowd- I house. This is the first of th? Milli< i Dollar super-features which Chap]. t ai ranged to make for the First Nation I Exhibitors. Tho play is in three rec. , and is therefore longer than Chaplin 3 usual comedies. Notwithstanding th ; , the action from first to last keeps at tl > highest pitch of interest. In America »' > picture was everywhere received wi. 1 great enthusiasm. The following is .. 1 extract from a review:—"A Dog's Life ' ;= true to the well-known Chaplin method, lot at the same time it is full of originality. Ludicrous climax characterises ".l'j picture. In this picture a nondeschipt v « of a do? accompanies Chaplin in his r..'ventnres with police and desperate chain - tors, and the excellent work of the photographer in catching suitable expressing on the doc's face is noteworthy. If th * picture may be taken as a sample, Ch.v. - lin's own productions will increase t! > popularity of the actor. Interest shou' I centre in the acting of the distinguish. 1 screen star, Ma-dame Olga Peftrova at t! » theatre where sho has scored so ma; 1 triumphs As Lucille Canuthers in 11-1 six-act play "Tempered &oel." said l.i be a strong dramatic story of the stag', Madame Petrova is reported to have mail 3 the greatest success of her career.

QUEEN'S THEATRE. Bessie Barriscalo will appear at, ft 3 Queen's Theatre to-day in a new photdrama, entitled "The Outcast." Ti a story tells of an orphan, Pansy May, wl ■> works in an , exclusive bo;irdirighous>. Pansy May does her best to please- &■ , and whan sne is compromised with one » I the boarders and is denounced by the mi, i who pretends to be fond of her, she '9 filied with a burning desire for reveng.-. Her chance does not come for sever..l years. She is then a stage' star of prominence, and Guy Henley, the object < E her' hate, is the husband of one of tl, j boarders in the old days at Mrs. Hondo,!Ware's. Henley recognises her, and fal .i madly in love with the exwaitresss. H 3 wife also starts a flirtation with an admirer. The play is said to be most exciting.

GLOBE THEATRE. The interest of the fine Paramour!/ serial spy play, " The Eagle's Eye," wjil be carried another step in the third episode to be screened at the Glo'oo Theatre to-day. The picture is foundel on a story by William J. Flynn, recent! v retired chief of the United States Secret Service, in which he exposes the- German Government's spy menace. The purpose of this production is to present _ in p. convincing form the fullest possible ' information . in. reference to i Imperial Germany's invading, spy army. The events of the war have shown, tho value .of the motion picture as a medium for inciting publio interest. For this reason the screen was selected as an effective weapon to combat the German system of military, naval, and industrial espionage. Tho present episode deals with a plot to wreck the United Stat'a navy. On the 6amo programme will ba a comedy-drama entitled " Playing. Fair,"and a rollicking comedy entitled " Soaring Lions and. Wedding Bells."

LYRIC THEATREMabel Normand will appear at tha Lyric Theatre to-d.iy in h<"-.~"ist «w"eg«ful com?dy drama, entitled, "Feck,* Bad Girl." The play is s id to ou extremely amusing. The "bad girl," is a, lively schoolgirl, in a small village. By her practical jokes she becomes fears 1 and disliked by. the old maids and bachelors of the village. Many amusing'be i-> dents occur. PALACE THEATRE. Norma Talmadge will appear to-day at the Palaco Theatre, in .The Secret <f the Storm' Country," the 6equel to " Te£? of the Storm Country." PARAMOUNT THEATRE. A good programme of motion pictures will be screened to-day at the Paramount Theatre, Parnell. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. "The Firefly of France" will bd screened at Everybody's Theatre for the first time to-day. It is said to'be a clever photo-drama,