ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19040, 10 June 1925, Page 13

ENTERTAINMENTS.

NATIONAL AND LYRIC. f.' 7 ' Richard Barthclmess, w'ho lias appearod in mahy excellent dramatic productions, turns his attention to, a now field, that of comedy, in " New Toys," a First National picture which will be one of the featured attractions on the new programme at the National and Lyric Theatres to-morrow. Eased on a successful stage play, the story deals with the domestic affairs of a young couple and efforts of a former sweetheart of the husband to regain his love. The picture begins as-a thoroughly enjoyable light domestic comedy with a number of excellent' and amusing and thoroughly human situations involving the early married life of tho young couple. A farcical note creeps in after a few reels and later develops into broad burlesque. Tho comedy scenes are said to bo effective throughout and the picture has been well produced. Richard Barthelmess does good work, particularly in the earlier scenes, while Mary Hay, his wife in real life, makes a good impression in the same rojp on the screen. Clifton Webb, as a concoited, "stagestruck" young man, who spells "art" with a capital "A," contributes some excellent comedy. " One Year to Live/' another First National picturo, is the second feature. The story tells of Elise, maid to tho leading lady in a Parisian burlesque show; who is told by her doctor that she has' but ono year to live. The doctor delivers his verdict in the hope that it may lead Elise to reciprocate his love for her. Elise, however, decides to take the opposite course, and succeeds in winning tho affections of the owner of the show. The plot is then worked out to a, satisfactory conclusion. The picture .is said to speed along at an entertaining rate for the greater part of its length. The cast includes Antonio Moreno, Aileen Pringle, Dorothy Mackaill, Sam de Grasse and Rosemary Theby.

STRAND THEATRE. ■ The current programme at the Strand Theatre, headed by " This Freedom," a Master picture, and " Prehistoric Hayseeds," a Beaumont Smith production, will be screened for the last time to-mor-row. Jackie Coogan, the ever-popular boy star, will appear in " A Boy of Flanders," a Metro picture which will be the principal attraction on Friday. The film is an adaptation of " AJDog of Flanders," a story by Ouida,, which is beloved by children all over the world. Jackie Coogan returns once more-in this picture to the ragged clothes in which ne became famous. The story tells of a little Flemish boy who, on tlio death of his grandfather, is left with a big dog called Petrasche, as his only companion. Gifted with remarkable artistic talent he sketches a likeness of a girl playmate. But the sketch falls behind the tafile and is overlooked by the judges.' Disappointed and alone the boy wanders away and becomes buried in. a' snowdrift; He is rescued just in time by his faithful dog. The part of Petrasche is taken by Teddy, the- hero of so many Mack Sennett comedies. N

BROADWAY THEATRE. . Another series of the popular vaudeville trials will be presented at the Broadway Theatre this evening. The principal film . attraction will be ' "For Sale." a First National picture, with Claire Windsor, Robert Ellis and Adolphe Menjou. in the leading roles. It is a society drama with scenes laid in the fashionable quarter of New York and the Montmartre section of Paris. No attempt is made to condone the tendency in certain quarters of high society to supplant marital happiness by stark financial-considerations. The story concerns a well-to-do New York family, which finds itself on the verge of bankruptcy and moral ruin owing to the indiscretions of the husband in the world of finance. The daughter, whose love for a young man of few. monetary pretensions is no secret, discovers, to her chagrin; that her parents expect her to abandon tlie affair in preference for a profitable match with the son of a millionaire. The supporting cast, includes John Patrick, Mary Carr and Tully Marshall. •-\ 5 '

"BRITANNIA THEATRE. " Sherlock Junior," a Metro production featuring the popular comedian, Buster Keaton, will head the now programme at the Britannia Theatre, Three Lamps, (Rox Woodward's Pictures) this evening. It is claimed to be one of the most amusing comedies ever filmed.' It is a satire on village detectives, and also on motion pictures, and gives Keaton a splendid Opportunity for tho pantomime in which ho specialises. In addition a number of items will be given by tho Dixie Jubilee singers, including the Sunset Quartet.

EMPRESS THEATRE. The D. Wv Griffith masterpiece, " Love and Sacrifice," is the chief attraction at the , Empress ; Theatre , to-day. . • Carol Dempster and -"■ Lionel Barrymore have the'leading roles, and give excellent pei'formances. The film is a thrilling story of the American War of Independence, and tho various incidents selected have been handled with consummate skill by. the director. The doings of Walter Butler, the most notorious villain of American history, are portrayed at considerable length and servo to lead up to a highly dramatic climax. An appealing lovo story adds interest to the plot, throughout.

KING'S THEATRE. A first-class programme is to be presented at tho King's Theatre this evening. The Dixie Coloured Singers, an excellent combination which is not new to Auckland, but appeared with much success at the Town Hair some months ago, will givo a number of items. They should be remembered as a group of artists who sing harmoniously and melodiously many old' favourites. A featuro of the programme presented by tho company is the excellent work of tho male quartette. In a scries of quaint plantation melodies and original numbers in lighter vein they furnish a highly-pleasing musical entertainment. The Dixie Singers aro making their final appcaranco prior to their return to America. A good picture programme will also bo screened, tho principal attraction being " The Breaking Point," a Hodkinsoll production, featuring Bessio Barriscale. It is an adaptation of " The Living, Child," bv Miiry Lerner. Tho breaking point for tho heroine comes when, goaded by her husband's licentiousness and de-prived-of her child by his brutality, she shoots and kills him. It is a drama, of domestic tragedy, sot in the higher social strata of society.

galli-curci concerts. Galli-Curci, whoso first concert in Auckland is to bo given in the Town Hall on June 24. in.writing to a London journal, said: " It is a platitude to say that God has give speech to all and song to the few. I would add emphatically from my own wide and varied experience of-would-be great singers, that even fewer candidates to singing fame will submit to living with the rigour and restraint. They will work hard, but they will not fast hard. They will sacrifice in parts and in spasms, but without that regularity. and consistency which is so absolutely essential to success, I have known singers whose natural vocal gifts came perilously near to the croaking frogs of Aristophanes, yet who made good by tho stern discipline and saintly rigour of their lives; and I have known others with the song of the lark who went out like a flash because of their habitual excosses."

THE MUNICIPAL BAND. A grand concert is to bo given to-night by the Municipal Band in tho Town Hall at eight o'clock. A splendid programme will include tho "Flying Dutchman" overture. Schubert's Unfinished Symphony, the Finale to Tscliaikowsky's Fourth Symphony, and "Finlandia"- (Sibelius). Operatic vocal items will be given by Miss Lois Evans and Mr, Arthur H. Ripley.