ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19133, 26 September 1925, Page 15

ENTERTAINMENTS.

ALTHOUSE AND MIDDLETON. Mr. Paul Althouse, tenor, and Mr. Arthur Middleton, baritone, from the Metropolitan Opera Company, New York, will commence the first of the four recitals to be given in the Town Hall at 8-5 o'cioek this evening. These great artists come under the direction of Messrs. J. and N. Tait. The concert this evening should be something in the nature of a musical festival. The items will include "Forza Del Destino" (Verdi), "Your Eyes" (Rabey), "Song of the Flea" (Moussorgsky), "Hawaiian Love Song" (Bennett)., "Volga Boatmen" (Russian folk song). "The Great Awakening" (Kramer), "Barber of Seville" (Rossini), African aria "0 Paradise" (Meyerbeer). A number of folk lore songs and popular ballads will be giver! by way of encervss. Sir. Edward Harris will be at the piano. There will be further concerts on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday next, with entire changes of programme. There will be a great audience at the Town Hall to-night as the box plans, with Lewis R. Eady and Son, Ltd., are filling rapidly. The plans will be located at His Majesty's Arcade this afternoon. PRINCESS THEATRE. Whether in a seventeenth century costume or in his favourite cowboy garb, Tom Mix has the reputation of being always original in his exploits. Aided by Tony, his wonder horse, Mix outwits his foes and escapes by a clever ruse in his latest William Fox starring vehicle, based on Zane Grey's " Riders of the Purple Sage," which heads the current programme at the Princess Theatre. Mix enjoyed performing the thrilling feats of Dick Turpin in merrie England, but there were many incidents during the production of " Riders of the Purple Sage" to indicate that he was happy to bo back in a western setting. He is always planning deeds of new daring. One of his most brilliant feats in "Riders of the Purple Sage" is his escape when ambushed by hired assassins of his arch enemy, an unscrupulous cattleman. At the first volley, Mix tumbles from the saddle as if wounded, taking with 'him one encl of his lariat. The other end is knotted to the pummel of his saddle. When he has tied the loose end of the lariat to a big sage bush, he signals Tony to proceed. Crouched on his improvised sage bush sledge, Mix is shielded from view of the gunmen by the intervening brush. By the time they have reached the spot where Mix tumbled from his horse, he has been drawn to safety by the faithful Tony. He mounts and gallops away. Mix had been studying the problem of how to escape from ambush. The idea, of the sage bush sledge came to him spontaneously while making the scene. There are many other incidents of great daring in the picture. The second feature is " The Mad Whirl," a Universal picture, starring May McAvoy. EVERYBODY'S AND TIVOLI. " The Dressmaker From Paris," the Paramount attraction-featuring Leatrice Joy and Ernest Torrence, which opened at both Everybody's and the Tivon Theatres yesterday, is the story of Fifi, a little French midenette, who becomes Paris' foremost fashion designer, and of the complications which arise when she commences business in a sleepy-little American town. Described as a carnival of youth, romance and gorgeously gowned feminine beauty, it is a picture which should make a special appeal to women because of the beautiful frocks, which are a feature of the production. The latest fashions from Paris, displayed by the 14 international beauty models, ate an attraction in themselves, and when this is combined to a first-class love story the appeal should be irresistible. The story opens with the meeting of Fifi (Leatrice Joy) and Billy Brent, an American army officer. They fall in love, but Brent is ordered to the front. The scene shifts and Brent is seen as the junior partner in a department store owned by Angus McGregor (Ernest Torrence) in a small American town. Brent's ideas of salesmanship are totally different from those of his senior, and he sends for the famous Madame Louise to stage a fashion show to bolster up trade. To Brett's surprise Fifi puts in an appearance. He explains that he is engaged to McGregor's daughter, but things go wrong because Madame .Louise has acquired notoriety as the result of her publicity agent's operations. Besides being a lively comedy, the picture is said to be notable for the display of gowns. " Straight Through," a Universal production featuring William Desmond, is screened at the Tivoli Theatre. HIPPODROME THEATRE. Gloria Swanson's great Paramount production " Zaza " heads the current programme at the Hippodrome Theatre. " Zaza " is the romance of a star of the French music halls. Zaza had fought her way to a place of popularity and into her life came Dufresne. Florianne, another artist, had thought that she was the recipient of his admiring glances, but when she learnt the truth of hid visits to the theatre her jealousy was unbounded. In a rage she half cut the ropo of a swing on which Zaza swayed over the auditorium in her act. But through this accident Zaza and Dufresne knew the beginning of a great love. Happiness was, however, denied them, for he was married. When Zaza found out she sent him away, while she went back to tho stage with only bitter memories. Years had passed and now Zaza was a star, worshipped by all Paris, and one day Dufresne again came into her life. Thea it was that eher knew her love had not died, that she could never kill it no matter how; she tried. And Dufresne. too, could not forget, and the two found happiness at last. An excellent supporting programme is also screened. RIALTO THEATRE. " Betty Compson shines and scintillates with a glamour that she has never equalled in the past." says a critic of " The Enemy Sex," the Paramount production which heads the new programme at the Rialto Theatre. Percy Marmont and Huntlv Gordon play opposite Betty Compson, and the cast also includes Sheldon Lewis, Kathlyn Williams, de Witt Jennings and Dot Farley. The second attraction is the melodramatic Selznick picture " Grit," which tells a stirring story of New York's underworld. Glenn Hunter and Clara Bow are the featured players. QUEEN'S THEATRE.. Fred Thomson and his wonderful horse, " Silver King," share the honours in "The Dangerous Coward," a fast-moving Western drama, which heads the new programme screened at the Queen's Theatre for the first time yesterday. Thomson has won world fame as an athlete, and his i-eputation as a W T estern star is constantly increasing. His horse. " Silver King," is a beautiful animal and displays almost human -intelligence. The amusing Beaumont, Smith production, " Prehistoric Hayseeds," will be the second attraction, and an excellent comedy will also be screened. " REWI'S LAST STAND." " Rewi's Last Stand" will be screened at the Theatre Royal, Te Aroha, next Monday and Tuesday, there being a special matinee on Monday; at both theatres at Otahuhu on Wednesday, there being a matinee at the Gaiety Theatre only; at the Lyric Theatre, Helensville on Thursday; at the Empire Theatre, Dargaville, on Friday; and at Te Kopurn on Saturday. The success attending the production had been most marked, crowded sessions being the rule. The picture possesses educational as well as entertainment value, the historical scenes being faithfully reproduced.

STRAND THEATRE. It has been said that to film a literary classic with any success is practically imEossible: the impossible, however, has een achieved in the screen of Charles Dickens' masterpiece "David Copperfield." Tho picture, which made its first* appearanco at the Strand Theatre yesterday, approaches perfection from tho point of view of accurate following of the story, and in acting and general staging. To put the whole of a book like David Copperfield into a film of an hour and a-half's duration could riot be done, and parts of the story have had to be omitted. But the plot is accurately followed, and it is only some of the detail that is missing. The producers have taken every care to keep the spirit of Dickens alive in the picture, and they have succeeded admirably. His quaint humour, his inimitable knack of caricature, his power of pathos, and his knowledge of human nature, are all there. The film is also remarkable in its representation of the Victorian atmosphere. The air of artificiality which was characteristic of the period is well represented and the picture also shows the comparison that Dickens himself wished to make —the comparison between the smiling countryside, of England and the slums of London. The* characters have been well chosen. The parts of David Copperfield and Mr. Micawber are splendidly played. Dora Sparlow and Agnes are both particularly appealing, and the others arc all well above the average. To those who have read Dickens the picture will serve to introduce old friende; to the few who have not, it will be none the less attractive, and will doubtless give them a liking for one of our greatest authors. There is a good supporting programme, and at the evening sessions Mr. T. Harris gives several excellent studies in costume of characters from "David Copperfield." "CAPPY RICKS." The Auckland season of /' Cappy Ricks " will commence at His Majesty[s Theatre next Saturday evening. This play, which is based on Peter B. Kynejs well-known book, is presented by J. C. Williamson, Ltd., by arrangement with Phillip Lytton, Ltd. The comedy has just completed a season of three months in Melbourne and ten weeks in Sydney, and in both cities it received very favourable notice. The characters are all said to be life-like, and to carry out the intentions of the author. Ward Lyons has the part of the bustling arrogant Cappy, a man with a stormv exterior, but with a heart of gold. lie is described as giving a likeable interpretation of the lovable old fellow with a pardonable extravagance of speech, who is weakness itself in the hands of his charming daughter. Mr. Lyons is supported by a selected cast. A strong vein of sentiment and love interest runs through the story. From a scenic point of view two scenes have been singled out for special mention, one being Cappy Ricks' office on the waterfront, San Francisco, and the other his home overlooking the Golden Gate. The box plan for the Auckland season of seven nights opens on Wednesday at Lewis R. Eady and Son, Ltd. ALOHA ORCHESTRA RECITAL. The Aloha Orchestra gave its second recital in the Town Hall concert chamber last evening, again drawing a large audience. The final performance will be given this evening, when the supporting artists will again include Misses F. Sutherland, D. Greening, G- Cain, G. McNaughton, Lili Okalani, Messrs. S. David and A. McElwain, the Aloha Ladies' String Quartette and Walter Smith's Aloha Jazz Band. SCOTTISH CONCERT. The Auckland Pips Band will give a Scottish concert in the Town Hall chamber on Tuesday, October 6. In addition to numerous selections by the band there will be songs and instrumental items by leading artists, and the presentation, for the first time in Auckland, of the Lochaber broad - sword dance. BAND CONCERTS. A recital will be given by the Municipal Band in the Town Hall to-morrow evening, commencing at 8.30. The band will play a varied programme and a cornet solo, ''The Lost Chord," will be played by Mr. F. Bowes. Admission to the concert will be free. The Municipal Band will play in tho Zoological Park to-morrow afternoon, .commencing at three o'clock. The Ponsonby Boys' Brass Band will render a musical programme in Albert Park to-morrow afternoon.