ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17275, 26 September 1919, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE.

Patrons of the Opera House this week , are assured of a good vaudeville entertainment. In addition to excellent individual items, a clever revue is produced by the Bert la Blanc Travesty Stars. ORPHANS' CLUB CONCERT. A concert will be given by the Auckland Orphans' Club on Thursday evening next in the Town Hall, in aid of the St. John Ambulance Association appeal. EMERY BROTHERS' CIRCUS. Emery Brothers' Circus will close its Auckland season to-morrow evening. A matinee will be given to-day. The circus will appear at Otahuhu on Tuesday next, Manurewa on Wednesday, Patumahoe on Thursday, and Waiuku on Friday. . TIVOL.I THEATRE. Bryant Washburn, the versatile American actor, will be seen for the last time to-day at the Tivoli Theatre in the splendid him entitled, " The Way of a -uan with a Maid." It is the second Paramount production of Mr. Washburn, who is a picture artist of long standing. It is an expensively staged photo-play, showing scenes of American city life. It points out the selfishness of some girls who allow men to compete with one another with expensive gifts and entertainment, which, in many cases, the men can illafford. The girls take a different view when thev are engaged to marry a manIt comes 'home to them then how the monev wasted on gifts would be better used m helping the couple to set up housekeeping. In " The Way of a Man with a Maid," Bryant Washburn is seen as Arthur McArney, a clerk who is fascinated by a stenographer, and strains his financial resources to appear wealthy in her eyes. He nearly ruins himself, but fortune favours him, and he wins the girl and obtains promotion. AH Mr. Washburn's productions have been unqualified successes. He is popularly said to be the best-looking motion picture actor in America. Mr. Washburn is a natural actor. While his histrionic'powers are considerable, there is in his work no unnecessary straining after effect. He is a virile type of man, and makes an excellent hero. His splendid performance in " Till I Come Back to You,*' will not easily be forgotten by lovers of the photo-play. A special attraction is promised for tomorrow, in the appearance of that famous screen star. Man- Pickford, who will be seen in her greatest success, " Johanna Enlists."

NATIONAL THEATRE. The current programme at the National Theatre will be changed to-morrow-, when two feature films will be screened. One, '• Hell Roarin* Reform," will have Tom Mix, the clever Western actor, in the principal role. The play deals with, the evil spirits of Tarantula—a bandit-ridden town whose outlaw residents oust the preacher and it is Mix's task to shoot religion and ' righteousness into the place. The cowboy is said to do this with his customary dash. Numberless new thrills are promised in Hell Roarin' Reform." Among other things, Mix leaps on horseback from the upper balcony of one building to the roof of another, plunging through the roof with his horse he rides down a steep mountain trail at a headlong gallop, routs a band of stagecoach robbers by firing three guns at one time, and shoots a pipe out of a man's mouth. The other film is entitled "Her Price," and will feature charming Virginia Pearson. It tells of Marcia Calhoun, a woman of laudable ambition and an iron, determination to scale the height*, be the cost what it may. How Marcia discovers that there are" more valuable things in life than the plaudits of a public which but too easily forgets, bow she meets the supreme crisis of her life form the most thrilling situations in the film. LYRIC THEATRE.

Charming Norma Talmadge, the famous screen star who has appeared in " Intolerance" and " Hearts of the World," is seen at the Lyric Theatre on the current programme in a Chinese drama, " The Forbidden City." It is a most unusual film, and is well produced. To-morrow a newactress, Gertrude McCov, will be featured in "The Silent Witness." When "The Silent Witness" was screened in Sydney recently it was shown at the two largest theatres Crystal Palace and Strand —simultaneously. It was a great success. The story opens in an American city, where a young woman is engaged to a college student named Morgan, who disappears after a dormitory fire, in which he is believed to have lost his life. Shortly after, a boy is born to her, and she takes up her residence elsewhere. The action then jum-is ahead a number of years, and the mother, who has taken the name of Morgan, is enabled by her industry to send her son, whom she has named Bud, to college. Because he is of poor parentage he is mistreated by wealthy fellow-students, one of whom has learned the secret of Bud's life. PRINCESS THEATRE The last day is announced at the Princess Theatre of " Under the Greenwood Tree," in which the beauty, grace and art of Miss Elsie Ferguson is wholly delightful. This fine and artistic production, together with the unique comedian, "Fatty" Arbuckle, on the same bill his made the Princess Theatre very* popular during the week. A Cecil B. De Mills special Paramount attraction, entitled " Don't Change Your Husband," is to be presented in the new programme to be screened to-morrow. It is described as one of the most important pictures of the year, both in subject and in the luxury of its production. A critio says :— Once again Cecil B. De Mille has given the screen another example of the perfect photo-play—the utmost offering of the artistic shadow stage." " Don"t Change Your Husband " is said to be luxuriously presented by the famous director. Beautiful Gloria Swanson plays the principal role and is supported by a' fine cast, which includes Sylvia Ashton, Theodore Roberts and Elliott Dexter. In addition to the special attraction, the latest two-act Mack Sennett comedy, " The Village Smithv " and the newest Weekly Gazette will" De included.

STRAND THEATRE. To-day wffl give patrons of the Strand Theatre the last opportunity of seeing dainty Anita Stewart in "A Midnight Romance." It is a truly commendable photoplay. To-morrow Irene Castle will be seen in her latest success, " The Whirl of „f' ,fe -" A critic "writes of the play •—■ •' This picture, by Vernon Castle, has been well named. The life it illustrates is a whirl both m the dancing sense and in that of continuous change. In form the story purports to be autobiographical, and doubtless much of it is from life The famous dancers, -when the play open* are sitting by the fire in fond embrace, recalling in lover-like fashion their first meeting, the events of their courtship days her fathers refusal to give his daughter to a man whose brains -were in his feet ' their elopement, their experience in Paris grave as well as gay, and the triumph on their return to America of their new style of dancing. • J

QUEEN'S THEATRE. The last screenings are announced a the Queen s Theatre to-day of the present programme, which, in addition to Clyde •Fitch's story. "'Her Great Chance " featuring Miss Gail Kane, includes a Christie comedy, an educational film and the Co operative Gazette. The principal feature in to-morrows change of programme is a Jewel drama, entitled " Pay Me," and is said to be of the thrilling order. Interest is attached to this production by reason Philips app€arance of Miss 'Dorothy EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. A new programme of motion pictures will be screened at Everybody's Theatre ft? 7 '™ m C P. ulol P al film will be The Devilstone, said to be an excellent one. GLOBE THEATRE. An excellent programme of motion pictures is screened at the Globe Theatre llie principal film is entitled "The Spender, ' and features Mr. Bert Lvtel], who is a splendid actor. He is seen' as L gay, young spendthrift, who Uvea on^it 0? til £2 nne f J*™*™- the uncle tires of thw etat* of affairs, Md finally Dick »

forced to set to and work for himself. An excellent climax is reached. A new' feature programme is announced for tomorrow. GRAND THEATRE. The inimitable comedian, Charlie Chap* lin, will be seen at the Grand Theatre for the last time to-day in his masterpiece, " Shoulder Arms." This remarkable photoplay has created much amusement whenever it has been screened, and presents the famous actor in one of his most laughable roles. He is seen first as a newrecruit, who cannot adapt himself to camp routine, and who is placed in the awkward squad by the regimental sergeantmajor. A drama, " Primitive Woman.'' is also screened.