ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18664, 21 March 1924, Page 11

ENTERTAINMENTS

LYRIC THEATRE.

The new programme to be commenced at . the Lyric • Theatre this . evening is headed by Pola Negri's second Americanmade picture, " The Cheat." Jack Holt, Paramount star, is leading man, while Charles Roche, the popular French screen star, now a member of the Paramount Stock Company, , heads the supporting cast. It is one of few pictures in which the celebrated Polish star has appeared that has a happy ending. Jack Holt plays the role of a husband in the picture. Two of the greatest dramatic situations ever employed ■ on the screen are presented in the picture when Pola Negri as the wife is branded by the spurious prince to indicate that she is his property; and the Courtroom scene, where, in order to save her husband from prison for the shooting of the Hindu prince, which she herself did, the star bares her shoulder and displays the scarthe brand of the Hindu. Immediately a riot ' ensues, and ' the verdict is set aside. The beauty of gowns is exemplified in a marked degree.- The episodes, where Miss Negri selects her trousseau afford opportunity for a pageant of fashion. Her own gowns, designed by Howard Greer, are nothing short of exquisite—daring, unconventional, and of the most superb materials. But it is in the acting of her difficult role that Pola Negri proves the possession of that fire, verve, power, and magnetism which have made her name a household word everywhere. George Fitzmaurice, who produced "The Cheat," ' has achieved the bizarre in the lavish Oriental setting for the garden fete in the prince's grounds. More than 3500 toy balloons were used in this scene, some as clusters of grapes, others dropped from above in a shower. A fountain plays during the entire scene. The 300 minor players, all in Oriental garb, carry Chinese lanterns of special colour and design, each with an incandescent light inside. It is interesting to note that Dorothy Cumming, an Australian, who has won prominence in the motion-picture . field, nas the second feminine lead. The story itself w«> written as an original for the screen, and as a result of the instant popularity it was adapted for the operatic and speaking stage. It has also been .made the theme for novels in various languages. The story is by Hector Turnbull, and reports tfrom America indicate that the picture has scored a remarkable success because of its drama, love appeal, and happy climax.

QUEEN'S THEATRE. "The Covered Wagon," which has enjoyed a remarkably successful season at the Lyric and Princess Theatres, will be transferred to the Queen's Theatre today for a further week's screening in Auckland. "The Covered Wagon ' is a splendid educational drama, covering the tremendous hardships and the huge pioneer waggon train travelling - to', open up land in Oregon. .. Magnificent horsemanship, the crossing of huge rivers, fights "Indians, and grass fires, and many other scenes thrill the spectators as the blundering : train, daily growing smaller from, one cause and another, makes its ■ way westward. The picture abounds in interesting characters, among which the guide, a grizzled hunter, stands out, and will be enjoyed and long remembered by those who see this remarkably fine production. The story of "The Covered Wagon deals with : a young army officer who is accused of theft by his rival for the affections, of a young woman attached to the waggon train. There are many thrilling moments in the development of Emerson Hough's . fine story. Th« great train of 1848 sets out for Oregon. MoDv Wingate, the heroine is loved by both Woodhull and Eanion. She favours JBanion, but : will not wed a man under a cloud. But during the journey Banion saves ■; her life several times, and finally is enabled to prove his innocence. A Sid : Chaplin comedy, "The Submarine (Pilot," will also be included in the programme. : : »

GRAND THEATRE. f

"Man and Wife," the new Arrow production", the screening - of l which " "will commence at. the Grand 'Theatre to-day, is said to' boast a, highly-dramatic story and a splendid ( cast. The story deals with the adventures of ; two country girls, sisters, -who both marry the same man. The elder girl ' has run away from a, farm, - seeking romance in the city. There, after a pitiful struggle, she finally realises she "., is only a drop in'an ocean of humanity, and, .overcome by loneliness, she tries to commit suicide, but, is saved by a famous surgeon who nurses her back to health and later marries her. ; After many months of happiness the doctor, who is away on a; case, receives word of his wife's death in a restaurant fire- \ Be goes to the country 'to try to mend h» broken ' heart, and Fate .'directs. him ;to his wife's old = home, where he : meets her sister. Prompted by loneliness and pity for the girl, who he knows loves him,. he 'A marries her, unaware of her relationship to his first wife.- From this point onward ; a .great problem arises. The cast includes - Gladys Leslie, Maurice Cbstello, Robert : -Elliott sand Norma' Shearer. Bert Watson, the expert London dancer, will appear in the vaudeville section ■ of the programme.

"['.'. TIVOLI THEATRE..'- ■ "Daring Years," a Daniel Goodman production, will take pride of place in the new programme to be shown: at the Tivoli Theatre , to-day. This is the ' story of a young college attractive, charming and richwho falls into the clutches of a Broadway vampire, and mistaking passion for love, falls deeper and deeper into the mire until he is accused of a crime he did not commit. How he is saved from the electric chair by an' event that is almost a'miracle, and- finally : finds love and understanding with a girl who has always adored him, forms one of .the most dramatic and compelling photoplays of the year. It is youth that is .placed under the inquisitional microscope in this picture. '. College boys and cabaret girls, white lights and jazz, the impetuosity ot the unsophisticated and the red, sparkling wine of youth "letting itself go" form the kaleidoscopic background of the train of events. The cast is an unusually strpng one. Mary Carr is said to give a wonderful mother role, while Charles Emmett, as the college boy, gives to the part all the vim and fire that the producer intended. Mildred Harris is excellently placed as the seductive and unscrupulous cabaret dancer. The programme, in addition, contains the usual number of interesting and amusing • supports, pictorial gazettes and comedies, while the Tivoli Orchestra maintains its usual high standard. ;;.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE; The popular . Mary Pickford, film, '•Rosita," ' will be - screened at Everybody's Theatre to-day for an extended Auckland season. So far the picture has enjciyed a remarkable popularity based not only upon the charm and personality of the star, but also upon the artistic character of the entire production- ' It is , one of the most pretentious offerings of Mary Pickford's career. The story deais with the adventures of a little street singer, Rosita. who has thrus't upon her the lore of a king. Miss Pickford is seen in a very emotional role and rises to greater dramatic heights in this than in anything she has ever before attempted. The world sees in "Rosita" an entirely different Mary Pickford, appearing as a grown-up young woman, fevealinsr a seldom-seen '.'quality of the personality beloved the; world over. In this picture she enters into .her rightful heritage M glorious, vital, alluring womanhood on the screen. ■; The picture was produced by the ; great ; European director, Ernst Lubitsoh. 1 Special music will be played by. Everybody's orchestra at the evening sessions.

, EMPRESS THEATRE. " The Power ; ; Within," a r Pathe : productionj featuring Pauline Garon "and William H. -Hooker, will be • the leading ■■■ feature at the Empress Theatre this evening and to-morrow. It is described as absolutely clean, morally, and presenting a good lesson through an 'interesting story. The author has gone for his theme to the Book of Job, and has introduced scenes representing the Biblical character and compared Ins experience with, those of a prototype of to-day.

MUNICIPAL CHOIR RECITAL. Choral works by Purcell, Byrd, and Sullivan, Bizet's "Habanera," from "Carmen," a group of organ pieces, and Beethoven's " Moonlight Sonata," will be the principal items of the programme for the organ recital in the Town Hall tomorrow evening. The "performers will consist of the Municipal Choir, Madame Irene Ainsley, vocalist, Mr. Leo Whittaker, accompanist, and the city organist, Mr. J. Maughan Bamett, who will play organ and piano solos.