ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18089, 13 May 1922, Page 11

ENTERTAINMENTS.

— «t> KING'S THEATRE. A season of drama will bo commenced at the matinee at tho King's Theatre, Newton, this afternoon, when Mr. George Cross and his company will present "Mother o' Mine" for the first time. This is a drama that Mr. Cross purchased in London recently, and* it is said to be a first-class play, now running with great success in London and provinces. It is now some months since Mr. Cross has appeared in Auckland, and his reappearance will bo looked forward to with pleasure by tho King's Theatre patrons. Associated with the popular actor as leading lady is Miss Vera Romee, who will be remembered as being here with the Geo. Willoughby and Ceo. Marlow company. It is Mr. Cross' intention to inaugurate a stock season of drama here and continue through the winter months. During that period he will stage many plays new to Auckland. Tho box plan is now open at, Finlay's and Richardson's.

STRAND THEATRE. The fact that heart interest is one of the main essentials if a picture is to be. a complete success has been s>> borne in upon the minds of American directors of tho movies that it would seem to 'have Decomo a fetish. Latterly many of tho large studios have been "producing films in which this essential has been supplied by mother-love. In "Tol'able David,' tho chief attraction on the current programme at the Strand Theatre, we have another example of this elevating motif. | The wholo scheme of the story in this lino photo-d'-ama is based upon the tie that binds a mountain mother to her son. It is a tale of tlie Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, and as the youth David, tvho, having seen his father and his brother killed, takes up tho feud and goes out after vengeance, Richard Barthelmesa, the young actor who played the lead in "Way Down East," is seen in a characterisation -which would be difficult to surpass for earnestness and sincerity. The picture was evidently filmed in "the heart of the mountains, in tbe locale around which the story was written by Joseph Horgesheimer, and under the author's own direction. The characters comprise tho primitive folks found in this mountain region. The theme relates how tho Hat--1 burn family are forced to give house | room to lawless relations who nave been ! driven from another part of the country. Allen Kinemon, driver of the _ stage I coach, and elder brother of David, incurs the hatred of the outlaws, who injure him so badly that David is allowed to take the driver's seat, thus fulfilling his youthful ambition. However, he has the ill-luck to lose the mails on the return trip of the coach, and they are found by one of the outlaws. David goes back to recovor them and has to engage in a fight with an adversary greatly his superior in size. This scene is one of the most thrilling in the picI ture, tho suspense being mainTained in a remarkab I ©. manner. Gladys Hulette, !in tho role of Esther Hatburn, plays i opposite to Barthelmess, sustaining well | a heroine's part, in the exciting events lin which she figures. In the affecting j part of David's mother, Marion Abbott I gives a character study of infinite depth. I Her work is unspoiled by the least artificiality, indeed she seems to live tho ! poignant moments in which the mother j pleads with her boy in the effort to keep him safe at home. The supporting films | include a liveiy and diverting Mack j Sennett comedy, and excellent topical | gazettes. At the evenincr sessions Mr. I Herbert Tanswell sings " When the Sands of'the Desert Grow Cold " and " Because."

PRINCESS THEATRE. The feature picture on the new programme at the Princess Theatre- this week breathes the air of old Louisiana. It is, "The House of the Tolling Bell," Ja J. Stuart Black ton-Pa the film of distinctive merit. Few pictures have been presented here which carry more convincingly the atmosphere of their locale. The exteriors are perfect, showing that the producer must have gone into the very heart of the country with which the' story deals and shot his scenes direct from the original. The story is absorbing and moves with increasing speed as the action reaches its climax. It has to do. with the struggle for possession of a half ruined o'd manor house, believed by the superstitious natives to harbour "spooks." The atmosphere of mystery and superstition is- closely interwoven into the theme, and convincingly exploited in the picture. Not only is the film extraordinary in its sincerity, but it is well nigh porfect in its careful attention to tocbnica.l details. It tells a "worth while" story and tells it well. The outstanding performance of the picture is that o: May McAvoy, a thoroughly charming girl Bruce Gordon plays the leading male role with vigour and unaffectedness. A striking bit of character I work is that of Edward Elkas as the old French inn-keeper. From the slouch of his ragged cap to the frayed ankles of his wide pantaloons he is the personification of the low typo of Apache. Eulalie Jensen handles the role of the iriD-keeper's daughter, half wild, im?etuous, and dnngerous, with real ability, 'he rest of the cast is well placed and registers favourably. There is a strong and attractive supporting programme, and exceptional music is provided by the Princess orchestra. An attractive scheme of decoration and display has been carried out in the entrance lobby of the theatre. Pursuant to the theme of the chief picture, "The House of the Tol'ing Bell," there have been suspended in the passage-way a number of painted bells artistically'grouped. Sinmounting them i"is a scenic cut representing a house with I a turret tower, in which has been hung an actual bell, the tolling of which is to be heard at brief intervals. The general effect is exec'lent, especially with the illumination of the electric lights in the evening. QUEEN'S THEATRE. Both novel and amusing is " The Dangerous Paradise," which holds pride of place on the new programmo at the Queen's Theatre. Yesterday's sessions were nurnerouslv attended and the picture made a generally good impression. It is an American story from a new angle. A considerable amount of comedy is the outcome of the extraordinary procedure of a young woman who pretends to he j married, believing that single girls do not I get the fun out of life that matrons do. ! Most of the' action takes place at the fashionable resort, Newport, and the settings arc very handsome, while the dresses are also a feature. The production- is by ! Selznick, a firm noted for its elaborate I effects and its attention to technical infection. The star of the cast is Louise Huff and the leading actor is Harry Benham. They are excellent in their depiction of the game of cross purposes which is played between the girl, Ivis Vnnastor, and her lover, Norman Kent. At the ago of 18 Ivis lias come to the conclusion that only married women have any real freedom. Single girls, she finds, are so chaperoned that they cannot have any' fun nor flirt as they would naturally like to. She declines to marry a nice quiet old gentleman her aunt selects for her. She wants Norman, who is nearer to her own age. So she decides to pretend to be married and hires a man to pose as her husband. Norman in due course discovers his adored one's little scheme and enters upon a counter-plot. This works like a charm, and the culmination is happy. There are excellent supporting films, and the music is of' a very pleasing description. j*VERYBODY'S THEATRE.

Amusing and dramatic in turn, " Garments of Truth," to bo screened for the first time to-day at Everybody's Theatre should entertain the many patrons at each session. It will continue to be the chief attraction on the bill next week. The picture introd'.es a handsome and youthful leading man in Gareth Hughes, who should easily attain popularity. He portray* the part of Lester Cropo, grocer's assistant in the trny town of Barnrleld. Lester is fond of imagining that ho lives upon the hi»h seas, and that he is for ever rescuing beautiful girls from brutal bullies. i.ven-

tually be begins to relate bis dreams as real happenings and earn:- a reputation as tbe village Ananias. One day he overstet>s the mark by declaring that tbe dam overlooking the township has burst. There is a panic, of course, and when the truth | is known indignation breaks out and Lester lis banished. He goes to a doctor, who : cures him of telling untruths, whereupon, humorously enough, he docs inure damage 1 than before. The only position open to i him as a truth-teller is that of station | agent, and be takes it. Then romance in the |>erson of Catherine Willis enters into his life, and tbe rest of tho tale is a clever blend of comedy and sentiment. Kthel ,Grandin is a piquant Catherine, and the | remaining parts are in capable hands. j There is a strong supporting programme I comprising topical films, comedy, and other | suhje-cts. CONTKRT IN SCOTS HALL. A concert under tho auspices of the ! Auckland Tramways Recreation Club will ' Ixi given in the Scots' Hall, Symonds ; Street, on Tuesday evening. A programme containing a, number of attractive features has been prepared, and the musical portion promises bo be of outstanding merit. Tho Lyric Quartette will be heard in ballads, solos, and humorous recitations, and Miss Jessie Bartlett and Mr. Henry Engcl, in songs and violin solus respecj lively. Mrs. A. 11. Ripley will l>e the accompanist.

CHORAL SOCIETY CONCERT. The Auckland Choral Society will present Haydn's most popular oratorio, "The Creation",'' in tho Town Hall cm Thursday evening. This will bo tho first performance by the society this season, and tho following soloists have heeir engaged : — Mrs. E. G. Alcorn, soprano; Mr. Arthur Ripley, tenor; and Mr. R. Romani, bass. Tho box plan will open at Lewis R. Eady and Son, Ltd., Queen Street, on Monday at 0 a.m. to subscribers, and on Tuesday at 9 a.m. to tho general public.

VARIETY CONCERT. A concert will bo given in the ScotV Hall on dune 22 and 25, by tho King's Troop of Entertainers, assisted by several Auckland artists. A varied programme has been arranged, the artists including Miss Laura Stono and tbe Lyric Quartette.

ORGAN RECITAL. The programme for tho Municipal organ recital in the Town Hall to-night will include, for the first timo, Bach's great " Passacaglia." The. city organist, Mr. Maughan Barnett, will also play Mendelssohn's " Spring Song," and works by Dubois and Morandi. Mr. Barry Coney will be tho vocalist.