ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19125, 17 September 1925, Page 13

ENTERTAINMENTS.

NATIONAL -AND LYRIC. Difficult solo dances by Blanche Sweet i are a feature of "His Supreme Moment," a Goldwyn production released by First National, which will head the new programme at the National and Lyric Theatres' to-day. Miss Sweet learned to dance almost as soon as she learned to walk, mastering the difficult technique of the art under the direction of her mother, Pearl Alexander, a former stage dancer. In "His Supreme Moment," in which she is featured with Ronald Colman, she plays the role of a Broadway actress and dancer. Two of her dance numbers, an Oriental fantasy and a wild Spanish fandango, are presented on the. screen in natural colour by the improved technicolnur process, by which a portion of the picture was photographed. In addition to Blanche Sweet and Ronald Colman the cast includes Jane Winton, Bcllp Bennett, Cyril Chadwick, Ned Sparks and Nick do Ruiz. The story is an adaptation of a new novel by May Edginton. Tha second attraction is "The Heart of a Siren," a First National picture, with Barbara la Marr and Conway Tearle in the leading roles. The picture is adapted from William Hurbbut's stage play "Hail and Farewell." The story tells of a siren of the Riviera, the gayest of Europe's gay spots, who resolves "to crush the man who had ignored her presence She accomplishes her purpose, but loses her own heart. Barbara la Marr is said to make the most of the opportunity for brilliant acting afforded by this dramatic theme. EVERYBODY'S AND TIVOLI. Rudolph Valentino appears once more in the type of role that made him famous in "A Sainted Devil," a Paramount adaptation of a story by Rex Beach, which will be screened at Everybody's and the Tivoli Theatres for the first time tomorrow. Valentino takes the part of Don Alonzo, a fiery young Argentinian, who, according to a contract between their parents, is to marry a girl named Juliotta. Alonzo, a man of the world, has not seen his bride-to-be, a conventbred girl. Carlotta is in love with Alonzo, and when she finds that he loves Julietta she plans to get the latter out of the way. The night of the wedding, bandits raid the unsuspecting house and carry off Julietta. Alonzo is wounded and his father killed. Recovering, Alonzo sets out to find his bride, and locating the bandits, sees a girl in bridal costume in the leader's arms. It is Carlotta, but he is not aware of this, and thinks that Julietta is like other women. He becomes bitter against all women, and waits only till the time when he can be revenged on El Tigre, the bandit leader. He goes to a den in Buenos Aires where El Tigre had worked, hoping that the bandit would reappear there. At this cafe Carmelita, a former favourite of El Tigre, works and loves Alonzo. It is she who sends word that El Tigre is at the cafe. Alonzo hastens there and a quarrel ensues. -El Tigre is killed and with him apparently the truth about Julietta, but Carmelita sacrifices her love by telling the truth. The supporting cast* is headed by.Nita Naldi arid Helen D'Algy. All the players are said to give excellent performances and the work of Valentino is declared to surpass any of his previous efforts. PRINCESS THEATRE. Wvndham Standing, for years one of the screen's. most popular and bestknown leading men, will be seen again in "Strathmore," a William Fox picturisation of Ouida's ncivel of j the same name, which has been [ read by millions of people all I over the world. The picture will comi menee at the Princess Theatre to-mor-row. Standing has the role of Daniel Strathmore, American diplomat, silent, cynical misogynist, who falls under the hypnotic spell of Marion Vavs*sour, beautiful courtesan heart and home wrecker. His work, according to critics, is one of the finest' pieces of acting of the screen. Throughout the picture Strathmore is .forever the victim of circumstances which leave him in continual conflict with himself. When he meets the beautiful Marion and fails in love with her after bitterly denouncing her for ruining the life of one of his young friends the dramatic nature of the scene is said to make a deep impression on tho audience. The second feature will be "Grit," a Selznick melodrama, in which Glenn Hunter plays the leading role. GRAND THEATRE. A six-reel Selznick comedy entitled " Luck," and featuring Johnny Hines, will be the principal attraction at the Grand 'Theatre to-morrow. Johnny Hines has won a great reputation both on the stage and tho screen, and in "Luck " he is said to have scored one of his greatest successes. His work has been compared with that of Harold Lloyd, but critics declare that his work cannot fairly be compared with that of any other ictor. He is as individual as Lloyd or Chaplin. He has developed a comeay technique all his own, and it is bearing fruit, as his rapidly growing popularity attests. " Luck " is the third lull-length screen characterisation that this versatile young man has attempted, following on the release of the now famous "Torehy " series "of two-reel comedies. The first two were called " Burn 'Em Up, Barnes," and " Sure Fire Flint," and both won success in all parts of the world. " Luck" is described as a worthy successor to its two predecessors. QUEEN'S THEATRE. Hoot Gibson's Universal production, "The Hurricane Kid," will head the new programme commencing at the Queen's Theatre to-morrow. The story, which is ! crowded with action throughout, tells of a cowboy, who, while endeavouring to capture a wild- horse,, falls and is injured. A young woman discovers him and tends his injuries and takes him to her father's ranch, where he soon becomes convalescent. The foreman of the ranch is a bully to all around him, and soon lets the hero understand that his presence is not welcomed, The hero bides his time, but is further-incensed when the foreman attempts to force his unwelcome attentions upon the heroine. The hero ha 3 now almost completely regained his strength, and & furious fight ensues. The bully is compelled to leave the locality, and happy ending results. The second feature is "Where the North Begins," a Master picture, in which Rin-Tin-Tin, the famous wolf dog, plays a prominent part. A Universal comedy, "Raisin' Cain," completes the programme. .ALTHOUSE AND MIDDLETON. Of Althouse and Middleton, the tenor and baritone who are to give four recitals under the direction of J. and N. Tait, at the Town Hall on September 26, 28, 30 and October 1, the musical critic of the Sydney Daily Telegraph wrote:— " Nothing less than a furore was created by tho singing of Paul Althouse and Arthur Middleton. Althouse is a tenor of the rare Caruso order; indeed, in his singing he stands comparison with the famous Italian. The audience was simply enraptured. Arthur Middleton has an exceptionally sonorous voice of great compass which he employs with subtle changes of tone colour. Both artists have much in common, they aisplay the same perfection of phrasing, enunciation and sensitiveness of tone colour. They are keen on scoring the full meaning of their songs and the art of both is delightful in its cultured ease." Although thin Althouse and Middleton programmes will contain excerpts from oratorio and opera they will also embrace many lighter and popular numbers. ROYAL AUCKLAND CHOIR. The Royal Auckland Choir will give a concert in the Town Hall this evening. The soloists will be Mrs. Cyril Towsey (soprano), Mr. William Farrow (tenor), and Mr. G. Larnont Gurr (baritone). An instrumental trio (violin, 'cello and piano) will be formed by Missc3 Ida, Winifred and .Marjorie Moore.

HIPPODROME THEATRE. Two excellent Western pictures will be screened at the Hippodrome Theatre to-morrow, and a highly-popular Western star has the principal role in each. In the first, - "Out of Luck," Hoot Gibson is said to be seen at his best. It is a delightfully amusing comedy, telling of a cowboy who finds himself unexpectedly on the quarter-deck of an American warship. From the moment the hero sets foot on the deck the officers are beset with worries that are said to make the picture irresistibly funny, as well as highly exciting. The second feature is "Hell Bent," Harry, Carey's latest production for Universal. Un--usual outdoor sets, an exciting fight and a tense climax are said to make this one of Harry Carey's best pictures. THE MUNICIPAL BAND The programme to be given by the Municipal Band at the Town Hall next Saturday evening promises to surpass anything so far attempted. The assisting vocalist, Madame . Veta Cornwall, a soprano of the brilliant dramatic type, will sing a series of numbers to speciallywritten band accompaniments. Beethoven's First Symphony will be presented in its entirety, and other band items are: " Zampa " overture, a specially-composed suite for military band by Vaughan Williams, in three movements —" Seventeen Come Sunday," " My Bonny Boy," and " Folk Sengs from Somerset." A novelty will' be a narrative poem, " The Never-Never Land," by Ernest Austin and a grand selection from Verdi's " Aida." The box plan is at Lewis R. Eady and Son, Ltd. DIXIELAND CABARET. Dancing session? will be held at Dixieland Cabaret this evening from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., and to-morrow evening at the same hours. Saturday evening will be observed as a special football night, and the session will be from 8 p.m. to midnight. Reserves may be made at Lewis R. Eady and Son, Ltd. ALOHA ORCHESTRA RECITAL. The box plans for the Aloha Orchestra recital, to be given in the Town Hall concert chamber next Thursday, Friday and Saturday, will open to-day at Lewis R. Eady and Son. Ltd.