ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18942, 13 February 1925, Page 13

ENTERTAINMENTS.

NATIONAL AND LYRIC, "Classmates" and "Christine of the Hungry Heart," two First National productions, head the new programme shown «t the National and Lyric Theatres for the first- tirno yesterday. " Classmates " is the story of two young men from different social levels, who are thrown together in a military camp, where Bert. Stafford, the son of wealthy parents, is compelled to take orders from Duncan I Win, the son of the village postmaster. Bert's hatred ' of restraint is multiplied a hundredfold under these conditions. Further fuel is added to the fire by the rivalry of the two young men for the love of the same girl in their home town. Finally, under the sting of a bitter insult, Duncan strikes a blow which knocks his rival to the ground and leaves him apparently blinded. Dismissal from the camp is the result for Duncan, but a -itill more bitter pill awaits him when the girl ho loves, hearing a distorted account of the affair, refuses to seo him again. In the meantime, Bert becomes lost while on an exploring expedition in the jungles of South America and, determined to bring him back and make him confess the truth, Duncan sets out to his rescue. The.ro follow many stirring scenes of adventure in the jungles, ending in terrible hardships and peril for all concerned. . The picture is most realistic throughout, and the acting is of a high order. Richard Barthelmas has the leading role, and is ably supported by a strong" cast. " Christine of the Hungry Heart," which is adapted from a popular" story by Kathleen Norris, tells of a woman who, after securing a divorce from a drunken inebriate and marrying a doctor finds that the hunger of her heart is still unsatisfied. It is a picture filled with deepest feeling, that keeps the attention fixed from beginning to end. TIVOLI THEATRE. V Metro picture, "The Man Life Passed Bv," and a Universal production "The Sawdust Trail," are the two chief attractions at. the Tivoli Theatre to-day. A man who is constantly buffeted by an unkind fate is the centre of the story ia "The Man Life Passed By. _ After working for years on an invention, John Gorbin is robbed of it by Jonathan Moore, an iron magnate. The death of Corbin's mother results from starvation in consequence of this, and under the blows of fate ho loses his grip 011 life and gradually sinks until he is prepared to kill the' man who has robbed' him. Dissuaded from this course, he attempts to wreak vengeance on his enemy s daughter when she comes within his power. Later on his prospects appear to be brightening, when fate again steps in and he is shot bv* an attendant at the home of his enemy. One of the most effective scenes in'the picture is the Roman revel given by the younger sister. The garden 13 decorated to resemble an arena, and the guests are all attired in the togas and draperies of the days of Nero and Titus. A chariot race is run around the "course," with the young men of the party acting as horses. Ths cast includes Percy Marmont, as "the man life passed by," Hobart Bos worth as "Iron Man" Moore, Jane and Eva Novak as the elder and younger daughters respectively, and Cullo'n Landis as Moore's secretary. "The Sawdust Trail" is an amusing comedy with Hoot Gibson in the leading role. It tells the story of the weakling son of a wealthy man, who joins a Wild West "circus. Still posing as one of nature's unfortunates, he meets "Calamity" Jane, a strong woman in every sense of the word, and resolves to win her love. This he accomplishes after a wild and reckless motor rido around and through and over the circus. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. A picture photographed entirely in natural colours from first to last by the famous technicoiour process will be the chief attraction at Everybody's Theatre today. This is a Paramount production adapted from Zano Grey's well-known story, "Wanderer of the Wasteland." Those who saw the colour photography in Cecil B. de Milk's masterpiece, "The Ten Commandments," will be able to form some idea of the beauty of this picture. The story has a strong interest of its own and does: not depend upon the colours for support. For this photography in colour a special camera is used, and two films pass behind the lens simultaneously instead ,of one. Prisms separate the reds [ and greens of the picture. On one film the reds are recorded and on the other the greens. These are combined in the develop- | ment at the laboratories so that there is no running of colours into each other. The story tells of two brothers who struggle for possession of a revolver. The weapon explodes and the younger brother receives the bullet. The older brother believing himself a murderer goes out into the wastes of the desert. He comes successfully through many adventures, and eventually has the satisfaction of learning that his brother was not killed, but merely slightlv wounded by the explosion of the revolver. PRINCESS THEATRE. "Daughters of the Night," a William Fox picture, with Alyce Mills in the leading role, will head the new programme at the Princess Theatre to-dayf The story centres round two young men whose millionaire father, tired of their irresponsible behaviour, turns them out of doors to raake men of themselves. One of the sons, Billy, follows his father's advice, while the other, Jim, continues his old manner of living, and eventually joins a gang of safe-breakers. Billy becomes a telephone linesman and meets Betty Blair, who is a night telephone operator with the 1 same company. A rapid succession of thrilling adventures occur one night when the gang of which Jim is a member attempts to open the safe of the local bank. Betty has her suspicions aroused, and informs the police Of the raid. Billy fol- ! lows the escaping robbers on a motor-cycle j and keeps the police informed over the i wires, through Betty, of their movements. | Fire breaks out in the telephone bui'ding where Jim has taken refuge, and Betty and Jim ar<J trapped in separate rooms. Jim manages to get into communication with his mother by telephone, informs her that he will soon be, with her, and is then killed by the collapse of a wall. Billy rescues Betty just in time, and the two find happiness together. "Life's Twist," the story of a slum girl and a girl from unner classes, who were strikingly 5,1 ike, with Bessie Barriscale as the heroine, is also included in the programme. STRAND THEATRE. An exceptionally strong cast is a feature of "Broadway After Dark," which will head the new programme at the Strand Theatre to-dav. The leading role is taken by Adolph Menjoi!, who met with great success in "A Woman of Paris," and ha is supported by Willard Louis, who recently appeared in "Babbitt," and other popular favourites such as Anna Q. Nilsson, Carmel Myetft and Norma Shearer. The picture was directed by Monta Bell, who worked with Chaplin in the production of "A Woman of Paris. ' The story tells of Rose Duhine, who has been imprisoned for stealing money with which to provide her dying mother with luxuries. After her release she meets Ralph Norton, the son of wealthy parents, who has become disgusted with the artificiality of the social circles in which he formerly moved and has decided to seek more natural surroundings. Ralph, attracted by the girl, conceives the idea of dressing her as a lady of fashion, and, as an experiment, launching her out in the social circles which ho has himself forsaken. Rose creates a wonderful impression and attracts the attention of a fashionable young man, who in turn wins favour in her eyes. But the detective who secured Rose's former conviction reappears, and again accuses her of theft. There are many complications before the tangle is finally straightened cut and Rose finds happiness.

GRAND THEATRE. A bathing beauty competition to discover Auckland's most beautiful bathing girl has been arranged by the management of the Grand Theatre. Motion pictures of the competitors, who must be between the ages of 16 and 30, will be taken on the various beaches, and each girl will be allowed one minute before the camera in which to show to the best effect her endowment of beauty. An expert cineJtttttoarapher has been secured to take the photos., and the girls will bo chaperoned by a matron. The pictures will bo screened at the Grand Theatre, commencing on Tuesday next, and voting papers will be distributed to Ihe audience, who will act as judges. Already many of Auckland's "Mack Sennet" girls have applied to be filmed, and more applications are being received daily. The first prize in the competition will be a first saloon return trip to Sydney or its equiva lent in cash. Two other prizes -are also offered. QUEEN'S THEATRE. "The Flirt," an adaptation of the story by booth Tnrkingtoii, which heads the new programme at the Queen's Theatre to-day, lifts the roof from a middle-class house, and discloses the Madison family, who, though short of money, find some recompense in the love that exists between them. One daughter, Cora, however, is selfish, lazy and intolerant, but her pretty sister, Laura, is a reflection of Iter gentle mother, Hedrick, the baby brother, is the proverbial "little pest." Cora's flirtations with the men of the town, the struggle of the father to make a living, his entanglement in a confidence game and the eventual triumph of love combine to make an interesting story. Many of the scenes are intensely dramatic, and a mingling of compelling humour and a little pathos tend to dispel any suggestion of monotony. "The Lady of the Dugout," with A 1 and Frank Jennings in the leading roles, and a merry comedy featuring Baby Peggy completes the programme. CAREY-HUTCHENS RECITALS. Mr. Frank Hutchens, pianist from Sydney Conservatorium, and Mr. Clive Carey, vocalist, from London, will give two combined pianoforte and vocal recitals in the concert chamber, Town Hall, on Wednesday and Thursday next. Most New Zealanders know of Frank Hutchens, who was born in Hawera. Mr. Give Carey has sung and staged several modern operas in London, and for some time he took the part of Macheath in the " Beggar's Opera," which has had such a remarkable run in London.