ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19119, 10 September 1925, Page 13

ENTERTAINMENTS.

PRINCESS THEATRE. Adventures which arise from the greed of men for gold form' the theme of "Gold and Girl," a Fox production, starring Buck Jones, which heads the new programme commencing at the Princess Theatro to-morrow. The hero is surrounded by < a capable cast including Elinor Fair, Bruce Gordon, Claude Peyton, Lucien Littlefield and Alphonz Ethier. Edmund Mortimer directed. The scene is laid in Chance—so named, perhaps, because of the desperate chances that had been taken within its borders. There is a goldmine several miles distant, from which a waggon carries goid" along a winding trail where bandits lurk. Buck Jones, in the role of a daring young insurance detective, is sent to Chance to try to put an end to the frequent -attacks on the gold waggon. He immediately challenges the outlaws by driving the waggon from the mine himself. Action begins at this point, and is fast and furious to the end, when Buck succeeds in capturing the bandits and winning the girl. It is described as an exciting film, well worth seeing. The second feature will be "Secrets of the Night," a story of mystery, comedy, and impending tragedy. The story concerns a bank president and his three directors who have lent so much money to a promoter as to place the bank on the vergo of failure. Thrilling developments occur at a week-end party. James Kirk wood and Madge Bellamy are the featured players. STRAND THEATRE. 1 A picture which should be of unusual interest to Aucklanders will commence at the Strand Theatre to-morrow. It is "The Adventures of Algy," Beaumont Smith's latest production, in which there are a number of scenes filmed in various parts of this. city. A considerable number cf those who appeared in Beaumont Smith's recent screen tests appear in the cast, and the leading role is taken by Bathie Stuart, who is well known throughout New Zealand as a singer of Maori songs. Claude Dampier, who has already been seen as a screen hero, has the leading male role and Eric Harrison appears as the villain. The story is. said to contain a skilful combination of drama and comedy. It opens in England, but soon the scene moves to Australia and then to New Zealand, where .Algy and his cousin, Murray, have inherited two sections from their uncle. By a trick Murray secures for himself the better section, which contains rich sheepcarrying land, and leaves his cousin a barren and useless tract. Both cousins meet and fall in love with Kiwi McGill, daughter of the manager of Murray's newly-acquired property. Algy is too shy to declare his love, but Kiwi repulses Murray and goes to Australia, where she takes part in a theatrical production, hoping with her wages to aid heir father who financial difficulties. Murray buys a controlling interest in the theatre, and when Kiwi again spurns him he has her dismissed. The ballets in which Kiwi takes part during rehearsals of the production are said to be a striking feature of the film. A happy ending is finally reached when oil is discovered on Algy's barren property. Claude Dampier is, of course, responsible for most of the humour, his efforts "o solve a cross-word puzzle being especially amusing.

NATIONAL AND LYRIC. A spectacle of unusual magnitude is promised at the National and Lyric Theatres to-day when the First National picture. "Quo Vadis?" will commence its Auckland season. The almost unanimous praise of the critics when the picture was first shown in New York testifies to its excellence. "Quo Vadis?' " said the Daily Mirror, "is a stupendous achievement with the incomparable Emil Jannings in the role of Nero. This new version of Sienkiewicz's novel opened before a gathering that delighted in it as a spectacle and a smartly directed and acted drama. We heartily recommend this picture. The critic of the Evening Post wrote : "A burning Rome, a blazing crucifixion, 'a revolt, a gala day in an amphitheatre where blood brings a satisfied smile to the lips of Nero —and Emil Jannings. There you have 'Quo Vadis?' the story of the doctrine of Christianity rising "above the licensed murders of a Caesar. Adding, of course, a lovo theme, 'Quo Vadis ?' marks a triumph for First National, for the Apollo and Emil Jannirigs. There is mechanical bigness beautified by gheer artistry, and the film should have a long life." The HeraldTribune added its .measure of praise in these words: —"In Jannings' hands, Nero becomes, a gross, sensual, .gargantuan being, half homicidal maniac and half child, yet withal a humoroua fellow with something of the soul of an artist. His performance was an achievement that stands high among the cinemi characterisations of recent seasons."

"THE TEN COMMANDMENTS." Cecil B. de Mille's great Paramount triumph, "The Ten Commandments," will commence another brief season at Everybody's and the Tivoli Theatres to-mor-row. The film is already well-known to Aucklanders, but still maintains its position as the greatest production the screen has yet seen. At the time of its release .the following criticism of the picture appeared in the American trade publication, Moving Picture World: "Cecil B. de Mille's master production, 'The Ten Commandments,' as it unfolds on the screen reveals the startling fact that in many respects it exceeds even the extravagant advance reports concerning it, for it contains effects so startling as to be almost unbelievable, and which words are inadequate to decribe fully. In scope, grandeur and impressiveness this Paramount production easily occupies the position at the top of • the ladder of screen achievements." The film has not yet been displaced from this proud position, nor does it appear likely to be for some time to come. GRAND THEATRE.- " The picture has a liberal percentage of value in the intrepid work of the star, and the almost human intelligence, interpreted in actions, of a wonderful horse," says a reviewer of " North of Nevada," which will head the new programme at the Grand Theatre to-morrow. Fred Thomson, the popular western star, has, the leading role, and he is ably supported by his almost equally popular horse, Silver King. The picture is full of thrills, and Fred Thomson performs many remarkably daring feats. One writer declares that the story appears to have been selected by the producer "in order to give the hero an opportunity of outdoing Tom Mix., Hoot Gibson and others in the way o:f haphazard and foolhardy ' stunts.' " The story tells of an old man who intends to leave his ranch to his foreman, Tom Taylor. But just as he is, about to affix his signature to the will the old man dies, and the ranch goes to a niece and nephew. The efforts of a syndicate to buy the water rights of the. property at a very cheap rate lead to a series of exciting adventures. Hazel Keener and Josef Swickard aro included in the supporting cast.

MUNICIPAL CHOIR. The Municipal Choir, of 120 voices, will submit a mo§t attractive programme at the Town Hall on Saturday evening. The choir will feature several numbers of special interest and will be supported by Mrs. Cyril Towsey, who will be heard in some delightful new song numbers. Lovers of the grand organ will have the opportunity of hearing Mr. Maughan Barnett, the city organist, in compositions of outstanding interest. The setting apart of a limited number of seats which may be reserved at the box office should further build up the popularity already enjoyed by the municipal concerts. The box plan for Saturday's concert is now open at Lewis R. Eady £nd Son, Ltd. MUNICIPAL BAND CONCERT. The Municipal Band will give a free musical recital in the Town Hall next Sunday evening from half-past, eight. Many of the band's most charming numbers will be presented.