ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18455, 19 July 1923, Page 11

ENTERTAINMENTS.

STRAND THEATRE. :\ The final screaming* of *} Brawn of th« North" will be given at : the Strand, ,: Theatre to-day and this evening. The principal attraction to-morrow and for > ■-.- the ensuing week will he, "Teas of'.the Storm Country," with Mary Pickford is. . the title-role. The - favourite .star:* - £***>...■.:■. ■,-..■■; filmed this story about eight years ago. The new edition has been made at the ;; _. request of numerous admirers, and it i \ represents an effort by Miss 'Pickford to.. _, improve upon the first version in every ''..;■,■ respect. The result has been described x as a masterpiece that deserves - to live— ' a combination of a popular artbt and * , popular film-drama. In the role' of Tess, Mary is said to be truly at her very best, ;•.- her performance revealing the finished V touches of artistry which are so distinctly her own. The story of "Tess. of tho Storm Country " is a most appealing one. Tessibel Skinner, daughter of a poor fisherman, lives with her father in a "squatter " village against the wishes of the rich man who owns the land. Exciting conflict follows the owner's efforts to evict his 'undesirable " tenants," and difficulties are multiplied when his son, Fred, falls in love with Tess. _ About the same time, ' moreover, the rich man's daughter, Teola, becomes entangled in an unfortunate love affair. How.Tess saves this girl through an act of noble self-sacrifice, and how she suffers when her own father is falsely accused of murder, constitute the basis of the drama. There is a strong love interest, and Maty brings many a. laugh as well as many a tear in the course of her inimitable impersonation. The squalid surroundings in which much of the action passes are lighted up by the bright personality of the star. Lloyd Hughes plays the role of Fred.

• EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. Mary Pickford in her laughable creation of "Suds," the little "laundry girl, will again be the chief attraction at Everybody's Theatre ' to-day and this evening. The new programme to commence a week's season to-morrow will bo headed by, " Minnie," a Marshall Neilan production for First National. The skilled director _ named is; said to have once more distinguished himself in this film creation. It is claimed that it offers exceptional entertainment in its display. . of original character-studies and situations. It is rich in comedy values of a nature' that will be appreciated. At times the story is said to be ■uproariously' funny without being broad. Most of the time there is an undercurrent of amusement that is said to be new and delightful. Minnie is a character who wins sympathy even while the spectator Is laughing ai her. The sentimental, apical is there without attention being unduly called to it. .Minnie'is the type called "unbeautiful," No young man flatters her with attentions. She has no mother, and her father is too busy getting maxried < (he tries It seven times) and perfecting his new invention, to help Minnie improve her looks. The excellent quality of Leatrice Joy's performance in, the title-role is described as a revelation even ito those who admire her. She is said to go about the task of impersonating an unattractive girl with a thoroughness that ensures success. Matt Moore plays the role of an ugly newspaper man who is Minnie's only true lover. 'QUEEN'S THEATRE. A. new triple bill will be screened afc the Queen's. Theatre to-morrow and for the following week. One of the leading features will be, " Isobel," an interesting James Oliver Curwood .story of the North, with House Peters and . Jane Novak in the chiof parts. This is described as a compelling tale of warm hearts in the frozen wilds, the vital story of.',--a,-strong man's love. There is said to be a strong heart appeal cunningly contrived to hold the suspense in increasing .volume to the last ecene. ■ Not, a little of the> value or the story is said to be due to the.introduction of a mystery child who 'grips the hearts of the : onlookers and ; wins their instant sympathy. The second feature of the new bill will be, " The Cradle," starring; Ethel Clayton. This is a film version of Eugene Brieux's ; stage play. The story is said to : contain an undercurrent of tense emotion, A Mermaid comedy will also be . shown. - '!\ : ?V;: ;' BROADWAY THEATRE. There will be another change of programme at the Broadway Theatre, Newmarket, thi3 evening, .' and - the ; new bill will be screened : for the 7 remainder of the week. .It will be headed by, " The Young ! Diana/' a Paramount-Cosmopolitan' fea- . ture, : starring ■■■ Marion Davies. ■■:: This is a . spectacular romance founded iv: on -Mario Corelli's novel. The producers are said • to have invested the film: with much of ; the authoress', well-known mysticism, vision, and imagination.' Pedro de Cor- - doba and Forest Stanley figure in tho cast. The second feature will be '* Th« Kid," with Jackie Coogan ■ and Charles Chaolin. , in ; the pleading; roles,, inducing laughter and tears in turn. ! ' .

A PRINCESS • THEATRE. • . * Till We Meet Again," will ,be screened at final sessions to-day and tonight at the Princess Theatre. Another complete programme - Vl wUl\ ; .be:' provided by Associated Exhibitors to-morrow mi. for the following week. The leading attraction will be, " Conquering .; the '-JWoman, 1 !' starring 'Florence Yidor. This; ia described as a picture offering : pleasant '; diversion. It deals with the theme, of taming a wilful woman '.■ in an % entertaining , fashion. Much of the action takes place -:at sea, and there . are several very thrilling scenes."..... V.' ;■"". ~ HIPPODROME .THEATRE. An unusually strong attraction is to be screened at the Hippodrome Theatre for the week commencing to-morrow. This is the William Fox comedy film, " A Friendly Husband," starring one of th« funniest comedians of the day, Lnpino ! Lane. He is an, excellent pantominust and a fine acrobat in addition. As a .henpecked husband in this picture he has many humorous adventures. A prijje is l offered by the Hippodrome management for the person who supplies •'.'; the ■']] best \ answer to the query, " What is" a friendly; husband?" ' . -'":-■ y' ;: ;. ' r ' " ORGAN RECITAL. Tthe municipal organ recitals .' in ; ; the Town Hall will be resumed on ; Saturday evening next, when a specially popular programme will be -x. performed by the.-; city organist, Mr. Maughan Barnett, Mrs. Cyril Towsey, vocalist, and Miss ; Dorothy Baker, violinist.