ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18799, 28 August 1924, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS

LYRIC. THEATRE. , "•■ A double-feature programme will be shown at the Lyric Theatre for the week commencing to-morrow. "The Coward," a Paramount picture, made-'by James Cruze, will be one of the principal films. Based on Booth Tarkington's stage play, "Magnolia," it is described as an immensely entertaining picture with good comedy as the outstanding element. Everyone knows Booth Tarkington's wonderful insight into human nature and his excellent psychology' in showing the underlying traits of human nature that actuate his characters. These- have been handled in a delightful comedy vein in "The Fighting Coward," and transferred to the screen with a maximum of laughs. Cullen Landis is said to surprise his admirers by his work in the title role, while Ernest Torrence never did anything better than in the role of the hero's blustering pal. Mary Astor is the heroine. A Selznick picture, "Cause for Divorce," will be the other featured " film. .; It is the story of a girl's marriage to an impecunious football "rep." in preference to a rich widower with an adult daughter. There is an all-star cast. TIVOLI THEATRE. A fine double programme is promised at the Tivoli Theatre for the week commencing to-morrow. A Selznick production, "Pagan Passions," adapted from Grace Sanderson Michie's novel, will provide the dramatic element. It is a lavishly-produced film, contrasting the allure of the Orient with the modern atmosphere of California. Wyndham Standing, Rosemary Theby, June Eividge, Barbara Bedford and Tully Marshall are included in the cast. A second attraction will be a remarkable travel film, "Around the World in the Speejacks,*" illustrating the honeymoon trip of Mr. and Mrs. A. Y. Gowen, of Chicago, in their 98ft. launch in 1921-22. Among the places visited by this adventurous couple was Sydney,' and intimate glimpses are given of Sydney Harbour, tho Randwick racecourse and the Australian aboriginals. In addition to the usual evening sessions a matinee performance v/ill be given each afternoon, during which a five-reel comedy, "A Prince of a King," will be shown, featuring,' Charles Chaplin's four-year-old find, Dinky* Dean. STRAND THEATRE. To-morrow's new programme at th» Strand Theatre will feature a Warner Bros.' screen version of David Belasco's delightful stage play, " The Gold Diggers." The title refers to a class of women, supposed to be well represented in musical comedy choruses, who manage to " work" their gentlemen acquaintances for furs, limousines, and jewellery, without making any adequate return. The story takes the form of a comedydrama, and introduces Hope Hampton, Wyndham Standing, Louise Fazenda and others in delightfully, humorous role*. In support of the leading film will be a Mack Sennett comedy, " The Daredevil," an interest film, " Battling with Salmon," and tho usual British gazettes. Mr. Fred Baker, baritone, will sing at the evening sessions. , QUEEN'S THEATRE. The new programme at the Queen's Theatre to-morrow will include a British film, " Laddie," of wffich good accounts have been heard since it was first released in Britain. Miss Sydney Fairbrother, the famous" character actress, will be seen in the principal role. The story, which was written by-'Gene Strat-ton-Porter, is said to be an ' absorbing one, in which the busy life of London is contlasted w.th the quiet, old-world life of England's villages. Another fine British film, "The Sport of Kings," dealing with life in | the sporting world, will be shown. Its action is said to'be vigorous, including a heavy-weight boxing contest for the amateur- championship of England. An interesting travel film, Living London," will be included in the programme PRINCESS THEATRE. The popular Western film actor, Tom Mix, will be seen.in his latest picture, The Trouble Shooter," at the Princess Theatre to-morrow. This thrilling drama was written after a searching study of the lives and duties of Western linesmen employed by the power companies, which string wires through the mountains and the desert wastes of the American Continent. Mix and his little horse, Tony, achieve some spectacular feats in the course of this exciting drama. A picture of equal strength will be the Paramount version of Zane Grey's, "The Call of the Canyon," featuring Richard -Dix, Lois Wilson and Marjorie Daw. It shows the part the Western .people played in bringing America to a greater love of wholesome prosperity and life in the out-of-doors after the war. REGENT THEATRE. One of the best crime and mystery. stories produced for some time on the screen will be shown at the Regent Theatre, Epsom, this evening and tomorrow evening. This is "The Acquittal," a Universal-Jewel production, based on Rita Weiman's famous stage play.. The been said to rival that of "The Bat," as a creator of thrills and mystery. Norman Kerry plays the leading male role, while Clare Windsor play's opposite him.' " DREAM OF GERONTIUS." "The Dream of Gerontius," which will be presented by the Auckland Choral Society next Thursday, is said to bo not only Sir Edward Elgar's best work, but also the finest choral composition of the century. ,An exceptionally strong orchestra has been rehearsing the work for the last.month and d. fine rendering, both from the choral, as well as the orchestral, point of view, is'confidently expected. SCOTTISH HUMOUR. fi A lecture on Scottish Humour will be delivered by Mr, J. W. Shaw m St. Andrew's Hall, Lower Svmonds Street, this evening. Musical illustrations will ba given by Mrs. A. W. Buckie, Miss M. Grassie and Mr. Jack McDougall. The lecture is in aid of the Presbyterian Orphanages.