ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18389, 3 May 1923, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS.

NATIONAL THEATRE. There are many fine thrilling scenes in the new William Fox special production, "My.Friend the Devil, which is to be the chief attraction at the National Theatre to-morrow .'for the ensuing week". A private screening of the pictarw yesterday morning was attended by some 300 or 400 invited persons, including representatives of the clergy and high culogiums were passed upon the- theme and its likelv effect and influence. The story of My Friend the Devil " was adapted from the novel, "Dr. Ratueau," by the noted French author, Georges Ohnet. It is a tale of faith, or to be more accurate, the lack of it—a tale in which the Devil is continually whispering the joys of evil doing, and the devilish- . ness of the things that are done by the characters in the. play brings a climax ; that is stirring to say the least. Dr. George Dryden is in his way a kind sympathetic soul, a great surgeon, yet a man whose acts are guided and coloured bv his belief that science and not the Great Master rules humanity. The story of tms man and his conversion is most absorbing, and the moral is convincingly impressed upon the spectator. Charles Richman and Barbara Castleton play the chief roles. ' EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. The final screenings of " On© Exciting Night,'' and the supporting programme, . will be given at Everybody's Theatre today and this evening. The chief feature . of the new bill to commence a week's run to-morrow is, " Dangerous Curve Ahead?" a Goldwyn picture-play based on Rupert Hughes' comedy drama of American married life. The theme of the film is on© that sets out to prove that the highway of love is just one dangerous curve aftei another, and the warning in the title is for husbands and wives as well as for motorists. The picture purports to present a road map of matrimony,' with all the bumps, grades, and ruts sharply defined, and to show what happens /when md dozes at the wheel and disaster looms up on love's highway <ahead. It. is said that, with a light touch, Hughes has presented a panorama of modern life which is thrillingly real, unbelievably humorous, search ingly true. Helena Chadwick and Richard Dix play the young married couple who traverse . the great highway together. Of intense interest, it is said, are the scenes depicting the period, of adjustments between husband arid wife, their problems bringing out their innate qualities. '-■':';'"'• ' - •■ QUEEN'S THEATRE. There will bo a complete change of pro. gramme, at the Queen's Theatre to-mor-row. Heading the bill will be Harold Lloyd's first five-reel feature, " Grandma's Boy," described as at once intensely comical and absorbingly human."; Llovd : appears in the role, of a young mail' wlio' has been mollycoddled, and has come- to :.-.■■• believe ■ that ho is a coward. His grandma, however, "takes him : in : hand, and ■ there ;- is a most amusing transformation. - . the village, butt proving his true- mettle under most ' amusing ,'circumstances. Also on. the new bill will be " Peace. of Roaring River," starring '. Pauline ..Frederick, , and " Between the Acts," a Larry Semou comedy. ''■-.■■ '"" >■'".'' BROADWAY ; THEATRE. The change ';■; of.-. programme •'-■. to ■..'. bo screened at tho Broadway Theatre : - itns :; evening and for the two following:evenings and a matinee on Saturday, - will in- \ clude tho Paramount picture i version- of - the successful stage j play, ".Bought ■ and Paid , For." This features Agnes Ayrex and Jack Holt vm, the married l couple whose love, is almost wrecked by the in- . temperate ; habits of the husband. Ani other strong attraction will be, '. V Oath -'* : bound,'' starring Dustin :'.', Farman in - a ■•■•.' characteristic part. * There will :bo . good , supporting films..' ■ -, : . , ST. JOHN'S COLLEGE CONCERT. '..-,: A successful concert arranged by ■'■ th» , students of St. John's College, whs- given in St. Mary's Hall last: evening. The following took part:—Rev. J. T. Me Will lam, and Messrs. Burrow, Bradley; Graham, Dorrington, Roberts, Dodd, Avcrill. Tnkn- ■'••■. rangi, Kapa, and Rich. There was a - good attendance. The concert will be icpeated in St. Andrew's Hall, Kp*om, this ; evening, i/ Half the 'proceeds go toward the fund* of the Now Zealand Board of Missions. '~-.•: -■;;"''. :.---■;',■ _ , Y.M.C.A. CONCERT. A concert in aid of the V.M.C.A. fundi was given in the association's = building':'. in : Wellesley Street last evening. A.' 1 ; feature ; of ; thei performance ■ was the boll iteme by a team under Mr. In'nes. ■ ; Othw items ■•';. were given by Misses R. Smith, •D. Hislop,,' K. England, and Stretton, 'and \. Messrs.' Lambert. Mount, McPhcrcon, Eevtiti, and Campbell. ; ' • HAMILTON COMPETITIONS. Competitions in music, elocution, and dancing, will be held at Hamilton for a" period, commencing to-day and extending till Friday, May 11. There are 1000 performers. The competitions, which arc ; under the auspices of the Hamilton , : Musical and Elocutionary Society, .will bo held in thp Town Hall.