ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18965, 12 March 1925, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"THE O'BRIEN GIRL." Owing to a rearrangement putting for* wan) (he date for the opening of Hugh J. Ward's Company of comedians at tho Grand Opera House, Sydney, it has >bfVrT found necessary to curtail the Auckland season, to allow the company to leave hv the Ulimaroa next Thursday. "Tiro O'Brien Girl" therefore will enter tonight on the last. thrca nights of its season, which terminates on Saturday. It will be followed on Monday by the second production, "Little Nellie lvelly," which will run for three nights and one matineo only. " Little Nellie Kelly," which is i also by the famous author, George M. Cohan, has been described as " Tho O'Brien Girl's" cousin, and also en,-, joyed a successful &ix mouths' run in Melbourne. TIVOLI THEATRE. " Happiness," with Lauretta Taylr.r and "On Time," featuring Dick Tab madge and Billic Love are tho principal ;; attractions on the new programme commencing at the Tivoli Theatre to-morrow'. "On Time " is an unusually fantastic story into which are woven by turns adventures of the most thrilling nature, uproariously funny comedy, exciting ; action and swift-moving melodrama, filled'' with suspense. The hero is Harry" Willis, a young man destitute of everything but a desire to make good and supreme confidence in himself. His road to success proves to be not an easy one and he is called upon to surmount, obstacles as an unscrupulous villain wh* strives to take his life, a band of masked marauders and an insane doctor with $ penchant for transferring gorilla's brains to lmr.i<in beings. " Happiness" is based on the stage play, by J. Hartley Mantiers and has been described as most delicious bit of art." The cast is an unusually strong one and includes such favourites as Hedda Hopper, Pat. 1 o'Ma)ley, Cyril Chadwick and Edith Yorke STRAND THEATRE. " Captain Blood," a picture that is claimed to be bigger and better than the "Sea Hawk," will be the chief attraction on the new programme at the Strand Theatre to-morrow. The production is a massive and spectacular one and the cast, alone includes over 4000 players. "lha film is based on the most popular romance written by Rafael Sabatini. Eleven editions, more iban 300,000 copies of the book, have bev.n sold-in less than two years, and it is claimed that the story, has been read by more than 20,000,000 subscribers to newspapers which have published it in serial form. " Captain Blood ' : is a story of those adventurous and romantic days of the late seventeenth century when men were condemned as slaves by the cruel King James, and buccaneers terrorised the colonists of the West Indies and •» merchant vessels on the high seas. There is a stirring, naval battle between ancient ,galleons of great size. The explosion which sinks the Victdrieuse, one of tlun traitorous French ships, is said to he one of tho most remarkable scenes ever filmed. This galleon, carrying more than forty guns, is utterly destroyed bv the force or" hundreds of kegs of powder in its hold. The sinking of the Arabella, the flagship of Captain Blood, makes another marvel-, lous sea scene. More than a dozen of these full-rigced thirty-six and forty-gun fighting galleons take part in the great sea fight-. These ships are not miles apart as they fight nowadays. They come close together and the broadsides and boarding parties heighten the conflict and colour it with fearless, reckless adventure. This scene is peopled with hundreds of figures, all combining to lend a rich interest. The photography is excellent and especially when tho ships are caught, full 6ail„ against the horizon. NATIONAL THEATRE. Another double-feature programme, in» chiding the Paramount attraction, "Dan. gerous Money* and the First National production, " Idles Tongues" will b» shown ;.t (be National and Lyric Theatres for the. first, time to-day. Bobo"' Daniels has the leading role in " Dangerous Money." which tells the story of a girl brought up in miserable poverty, For generations her family has been almost destitute, the only thing of potent in L value which* It owns being a couple of acres of undeveloped land on the Brook by waterfront. A dispute over a will keeps the land practically valueless, but, finally the iangle is straightened out and the gii'J..Adftle Clark, the last of her family, finds herself in possession of untold wealth. On ; nt rip to Italy she is tricked into marrying a fortune-hunting prince. TW suddeu discovery of an old will which threatens to give the fortune to Adele's former lover brings the prince and his wife hurrying back to America. There are a number of exciting incidents before a happy ending is reached. " Idle Tongues " is adapted from Joseph 0. Lincoln's story, " Dr. Nye." Percy Marmont and Doris Kenvon arc in the leading voles. GRAND THEATRE. The bathing beauty contest at the Grand Theatre has now reached an extremely interesting stage. The contest will close in a few days and at present the two leading competitors are separated by a margin of only one vote. Under the circumstances there is naturally keen rivalry and much speculation as to the final result. The picture programme is headed by an exciting Fox drama "Hearts of Oak." The story tells of Terry Dunnivan, a rugged seaman, who lias adopted, two children, a boy and a girl. They live happily through the years, and when , the picture, opens Terry realises that his love for the girl has developed into the natural love of a man for a woman. Unknown to Terry, the hoy and tho girl are enamoured of each other. But) rather than cause their benefactor suffer- , ing. the girl marries Terry. It is not until" biter,"when the boy. in his grief, has set, out upon the downward path, that Terry learns of the sacrifice of bis adopted J children. He then rights the wrong he feels he has done in a manner which provides a dramatic climax. HIPPODROME THEATRE. Fred Thomson, the world-renowned athlete, arid his wonderful horse. " Silver King," will appear on the screen onc.o : morn in their latest picture, " The Mask of Lopez," which will be shown for the first time in Auckland at tho Hippodrome Theatre to-morrow. For three years Thomson held the championship of the world as an all-round athlete, and he shows his prowess to good effect in this picture. He performs seemingly impossible feats witfi the grace of a deer, and " Silver Kine " aids him with remarkable intelligence. The story is a delightful mingling of romance, trials, and tribulations, calculated to hold tho attention of the audience from beginning to end. One of the most exciting scenes ends with Thomson rescuing the heroine while the 1 horses of both rear up on their hind legs at the. edge of a steep cliff. The supporting cast is a strong one, and includes such popular favourites as Hazel Keener, Wilfred Lucas, David Kirbv, Frank Hagnev. Georgo Magrill, Dot Fnrley. Pee Wee Hohncs, Bob Reev6 and Dick Sutherland. MUNICIPAL BAND. Tho Auckland Municipal Band rendered 3 programme of military band music in the Domain Gardens last evening under the baton of Mr. Christopher Smith, handmaster. A large and appreciative audience assembled and heartily applauded the performance of the band. Among the most popular selections wcro, " The Turkish Patrol," " The Maid of tho Mountains," and " Ballad Memories." MUSICAL RECITAL. A musical recital will bo given by Mjss , Maida Hooker, Miss Bertb3 Carr, and Mi.-'s Margaret Stoddart in tho Town Hall coni cert chamber on Thursday, March 26. The i programme will include vocal, and piano* tortc items.