ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19032, 1 June 1925, Page 13

ENTERTAINMENTS.

NATIONAL AND LYRIC. \ ictor Seastrom, sometimes known as 'the Griffith of Sweden," has greatly increased his already high reputation by his masterly handling of "Name the Man!" the film version of Sir Hall Cainc's "Tho Master of Mail," now showing at tho National and Lyric Theatres. "It is the greatest event, so far, in tho screen's history," wrote Frank A. Tilley in tho London Kinematograph Weekly, , when Seastrom joined the Goldwyn Pictures Corporation. " Seastrom is the biggest—artistically, spiritually, and mentally—of the few (oh! they are a few) who produce motion pictures.from the sheer love and joy of self-expression," wrote the London journalist. Tilley met Seastrom in his Stockholm studio in 1919 when the Swedish director's work first began to be noticed and appreciated outside of his own country. ''And tho appreciation, I found, affected him deeply and strangely, for lie was abashed by it, accepting it shyly yet, with sincere delight. Never has praise, criticism or blamo caused him to swerve from his creative art, nor to prostitute his talents to commercial crudities. And now ho has gone to America. Whether America knows it or not, it is tho greatest thing in the history of motion pictures that she has ever done, if ifc be that she has seen and understood what Seastrom was doing and would have accomplished in Sweden. Seastrom is the one man—l will not except Griffith. Gance or Lubitsch—who can establish the motion picture as an art, who can save its withering body as well as its starved soul, for ho is at once an idealist and a realist, ho is sane and sincere. Recognition of him has been slowly forced on the world because he is an artist who had had one aim: to show lite truthfully and with clear vision. His soul has eyes, in a world where most souls aro blind beyond all hope. What has always struck inc. more than any other thing about Seastrom is the utter absenco of egoism. He is natural, honest and sincere; ho believes not merely in his art and in his work, hut in truth and beauty, fundamental truth and beauty, as the only real things, tho only things worth while." HIPPODROME THEATRE. "Galloping Gallagher," featuring Fred, Thomson, tho world-famous athleto who has come to bo known as Torn Mix's only rival, heads tho current programmo at tho Hippodrome Theatre. The story tells how tho hero. Bill Gallagher, comes to a small Western town while two bandits arc robbing tho local bank. He overcomes one, and his horse, Silver King, corners the other.— Bill is made sheriff of the town, and one of his first duties is to welcome a voung lady evangelist who comes seeking converts. Tho picture contains an abundance of romance and thrills, and a charming romance adds to the interest. Another programmo of vaudeville trials has been arranged for this evening. Items will be contributed by a number of well-known artists. KREISLER CONCERTS. Fritz Kreisler, acclaimed by public and critics aliko as tho gieatest of living violinists and recognise/l as one < whose name will live in the annals of music, will give three recitals in tho Auckland Town Hall, on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, Juno 2, 4 and 6. The_ coming of this great musical genius is eagerly awaited by music lovers, for Kreisler's creative genius, his superb mastery of tho bow and his powers of interpretation of the masterpieces of his own and other's compositions rank him as a master of his art. Ho, has tho distinction of being beloved by tho greatest artists with who;m ho is a contemporary, for true genius is the quickest to recognise supreme gilts and Kreisler is supreme. He comes at the very summit of his amazing powers, charmed by the genuine friendliness of tho people of New Zealand and inspired by the beauty of the country, two conditions that, "to a man of-wholly artistic temperament, have a stimulating effect on his powers. The box plan is now open at Lewis R. Eady and Son, Ltd.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. " Tongues of Flame," a Paramount picture featuring Thomas McigHan, heads tho current programme at Everybody's Theatre. Tho story tells of tho efforts of a manufacturer m a growing industrial centre to obtain land from the Lidians at much less than its market value. The hero is a young man who had commanded a company of Indians during the war and had completely won their confidence. He is tricked by tho manufacturer into aiding his plans, but the "plot is discovered in time to prevent its successful conclusion. In the end it is found that the Indians are the real owners of the whole town. Tho supporting cast includes Bessie Love, Eileen Percy, Cyril King, John Miltern and Burton Churchill. THE MUNICIPAL CHOIR. The Municipal Choir, assisted by tho city organist, Mr. Maughan Bamett, and Miss Mina Caldow, vocalist, gave a recital in tho Town Hall on Saturday evening. Thero was an* appreciative audience of about 1500. Tho choir sang several enjoyable numbers, including Elgar's "Light of tho World" and "After Many a Dusty Mile," and Liszt's "March of the Crusaders." Miss Caldow sang very pleasingly a negro spiritual, "Go-down Moses" (Burleigh), "A Memory" (Goring Thomas) and Cowcn's "For a Dream's Sake." Items by Mr. Bamett included works by Cesar Franck, Tschaikowski and Rubenstein. Mr. Edgar Randal was choir organist and Mr. Cyril Towsey accompanist. RADIO BROADCASTING. An instrumental concert will bo broadcasted from station IYA this afternoon, between 2.30 and 4.30 o'clock. From 6.45 until 7.10 p.m. "Uncle I'cter" will talk to tho children. A concert arranged by Mr. Kenneth Impett will be broadcasted this evening, commencing at eight o'clock. BAND CONCERTS. ! Musical selections were rendered by the Municipal Band at the Zoological Park yesterday. The programme also included a piccolo solo. Tho Port Auckland Band played at, Point Chevalier yesterday afternoon.