ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19149, 15 October 1925, Page 15

ENTERTAINMENTS.

" SNAP DRAOON." The first presentation of the novelty revue " Snap Dragon" at His Majesty's Theatre last night was given -a, good reception by a fairly large audience. It is produced by Miss Cecil Hall, and no efforts have been spared to make the performance a success, enthusiasm being noticeable throughout. Miss Hall has been fortunate in having such a wide range of talent from which to select, but this has also had its disadvantages, as it tends to make the programme rather long. The standard of the revue work was fair, but more attention was paid to ballets, lighting and general effects. These were of a very high order. 1 here is a plot in the revue, but as in most others, it is only an excuse. The idea of a "personally conducted Cook's tour" serves to introduce scenes in various countries, and these are.all well handled. After a very pretty prologue in which a Hunting Dance is a fine item, the performance opens with a scene on Blackheath Common. This is well arranged and contains several fine features, among which are a song, "Caravan Da vs." by Mrs. Gordon Nicholson, a song by Miss Nancy Ousley, with a chorus by a ragamuffin ballet, and the babies' revels, in which several tiny children appear. The second act introduces several boudoir ballet and solo dances, the finale. "The Butterfly and the Storm being well executed by Miss Daphne Polglase and Miss 1). Dickenson. The Dutch scene was well presented, and contained some good work by Miss Beryl Nettleton. The second part, however, was remarkable for Chinese and Persian scenes, which were produced with splendid effect, th.: dresses and grouping being well carried out. The revue works up to a finale when the party of tourists visit the Carnival at Nice.' This introduces some dance numbers and a duet, "When Are. Married," by Miss Beryl Nettleton and Mr. R. Davidson. Of the principal parts, thai of Lord Algernon Montague was handled with success bv Mr. James D. Swan. Miss Bettina Edwards was very good m the role of the nursemaid, Angelina, and is seen at her bast in several solo dances. Miss Beryl Nettleton and Mr. Robert Davidson were both successful in their respective roles of Gretehen and Hans, the two lovers from Holland, while Miss Doreen O'Sullivan played . the part of Fleurette, the French g»l. vivaciously. Miss Mabel Andrews and Miss Isabelle Brooks, specialty dancers, were both very good. The revue will be repeated to-night and to-morrow night. The box plan is open at Lewis R. Eadv and Son, Ltd. " SPRING CLEANING." Commencing on Saturday evening for a short season of seven nights only, Messrs. J. C. Williamson, Ltd. (by arrangement with E. J. Carroll), will present at His Majesty's Theatre, the idol of the American stage and screen, Pauline Frederick, | who is supported by a specially selected company of theatrical and screen artists. Miss Frederick and company have had a wonderfully successful tour of Australia, and the press are unanimous in acclaiming the star as being "even greater on the stage than the screen." " Spring Cleaning," the comedy-drama to be presented here, is by Frederick Lonsdale, author of "Aren't We All?" The play is described as a frankly daring comedy of modern life. A husband objects to his wife's associates, and when she is giving a dinner party he firings in a chance acquaintance (a lady) from the street, and sits her down with the guests. The situation from then on is electric and full of surprises. The critic of the Sydney Herald said: "There is a happy ending—as the curtain fed there was protracted cheering, and of couse demands . from the gallery girls for a speech. Miss Frederick and Miss Elvidge both said a few words of thanks." The company's Wellington season was a series of triumphs. The Times critic says: "The crowded audience last night did more than renew acquaintance with an old favourite. They came to admire the woman as a woman, they left with the recognition of a supreme actress." The box plans for the season are now open at Lewis R. Eady and Son, Ltd. NATIONAL AND LYRIC. The old saying that "all the world loves a lover" was proved anew upon the publication of Elinor Glyn's most famous novel, "Three Weeks," which has now been picturised and will commence at the National and Lyric Theatres to-day. This novel dealt with the fervid love story tween the young Englishman, Paul Verdayne, and the Queen of Sardalia, of whose identity he was ignorant and who had been estranged from the King by his dissolute behaviour and his cruelty toward his subjects. The story created a sensation upon its publication in book form and has continued to be widely read throughout the world. The picturisation has been directed by Alan Crosland, who directed such productions as "Enemies of Women," and "Under the Red Robe." The resulting film is a love romance that should hold audiences enthralled. Another of the great casts which Goldwyn Pictures Corporation has been seletcing for its productions, appears in "Three Weeks." The role of the Queen is played by Aiieen Pringle, who has demonstrated acting abilitiy of an unusual order in her previous Goldwyn appearances. The role of the young Englishman who talis in love with her is portrayed by Conrad Nagel, and he is said to do in this picture even more accomplished acting than he did in Marshall Neilan's "The Rendezvous" or in Victor Seastrom's "Name the Man!" Other distinguished players in the cast are John Sainpolis, H. Reeves-Smith, Stuart Holmes, Mitchell Lewis, Joan Standing, Robert Cain, Nigel de Brulier, Dale Fuller, William Haines and many others. "Three Weeks" is claimed to be a picture destined to make as big a sensation on the screen as it did in book form. The photography is unusually beautiful and the sets are a radical departure from the ordinary type. The authoresses' fearless analysis of the love passion and its effect on character, has been faithfully transposed to the screen. "The picture "should satisfy the most captious patron of films," says a critic. "The storv is found to be not a story of illicit passion for its own sake, as many critics of the book, upon its first publication, contended, but the romance of a great love which transgressed the laws of man and was punished for that transgression.' PRINCESS THEATRE. An interesting piece of American history forms the background of "The Trail Rider," Buck Jones' latest production for William Fox, which will be the principal attraction at the Princess Theatre to-mor-row. Not many years ago there was fierce strife bat ween the cattlemen of the northern and southern ranges of Western America, owing to the fact that nearly all the cattle of Texas were infected with the Texas cattle fever tick. The fever was fatal to cattle, and when the Texas cattlemen began to drive their herds northward, the ranchers of Kansas barred their way at the border. Many a rancher met his death in the resulting battles. The powerful story of "The Trail Rider," written by George Washington Ogden, Ims tliat old cattle war as a basis. It is a tale that develops thrilling situations and gives the dashing Buck Jones ample opportunities to show that the man who lived longest was the one whose gun leaped from his holster first. His escape from the forefront of a herd of stampeding cattle is also a wildly pulse-quickening incident. Nancy Heaver and Lucy Fox play opposite the star. The supporting cast is an excellent one. The second feature, "Youthful Cheaters," is a Selznick production, starring Glenn Hunter. It is a story of modern youth and its frivolous outlook on life. The plot is laid amid the innermost circles of New York wealth and society.

EVERYBODY'S AND TIVOLI. At both Everybody's and the Tivoli Theatres to-morrow " New Lives lor Old," a Paramount production featuring Lois Wilson, will 'be the principal attraction. The star, as Olympe, is a music hall dancer of repute. On her annual vacation ghe rests, under the name of Pauline, at a country farm where, on this particular occasion, several American soldiers are billeted, among them being a young officer. The pair meet, and it is a case of mutual love. The soldier notes the remarkable resemblance between Pauline and Olympe, and tells the girl of it; but she replies to the effect that it ss only a coincidence. When the American is hurriedly called to the front, the regiment moves off, accompanied part of the way by Pauline, several villagers arid a clever goose; the bird ambles along in amusing fashion, and is said to he responsible for much laughter. The French Army headquarters are troubled at the amount of private business which is being made known to the enemy, and the services of Olympe are requisitioned. She is enrolled as a spy, and soon discovers the original culprit, who escapes for the time being, but the heroine frustrates the plot to annihilate the American regiment which is supporting the French line. When the war is over hero and heroine marry. Some time later the sister of the soldier is to be married to a foreign count. When the heroine finds that the bridegroom elect is none other than the German spv, she is at her wits' ends to stop the marriage. If the true particulars are told, she breaks her oath to the French Government; if she refuses to an innocent girl is being victimised. The German inters the heroine's bedroom, and the latter tries to buy him off. Just when the latter has passed over all the valuable jewellery the mcther-in-l&w comes along unobserved, summons her son, and tells of the perfidy of the daughter-in-law. Just when explanations seem impossible, there is a very happy turn of events, and the finish is eminently satisfactory. At the Tivoli " Dangerous Innocence," an unusually attractive feature starring Laura la Plante and Eugene O'Brien, will also be shown. STRAND THEATRE. Speed, laughs, humour, thrills and hectic romance are among _ the features which are promised in Johnny Hines' latest comedy, "The Early Bird." The picture, which is said to be one of the fastest comedies yet made, will commence at the Strand Theatre •tomorrow. The film deals with the meteoric rise of a milk man to fame and fortune, and since a great part of the situations take place in a milk-bottling plant. C. C. Burr, the producer, decided to construct an actual bottling machine in the studio. The technical staff was able to secure the co-operation of the Sheffield Dairy mechanicians, and after two weeks of consistent work the task was completed. Two hundred gallons of milk were poured into the vats arnKthe mechanism started bottling 48 bottles of milk at the same time. The rapidity with which th.s machine literally "ate up" the bottles was remarkable. " The Early Bird is none other than Johnny Hines cast m the role of a milk driver who surmounts numerous obstacles to gradually become the moving spirit in an organisation of milk drivers who form their own company to combat the milk trust. The twist in the plot that enables him to attend a party of society folk and the ensunig comedv situations are described as nothing less than side-splitting, but Johnny manages to put a touch of pathos into his role that is said the appeal to even the most hardened. The supporting programme will include an Our Gang come j, " The Buccaneers," " Lizzie's Last Lap and a Pathe Review and gazette. During the interlude saxophone items will be given by Fred Cope. GRAND THEATRE. A picture, which once seen will ne\er be forgotten, is the description of "Cocaine," which will head the new programme at the Grand Theatre to-morrow. The. plot tells how a "reputable" citizen gives' lavishly to charity from th® enormous profits "he reaps from his dealing in drugs. He has a daughter _ wiiom he keeps away from night life, tor his conscience makes him remember the thousands of young girls, like his daughter, whom the terrible drug has ruined. He" is afraid that she, too, might somehow get cocaine and meet the same fate as countless thousands of other human wrecks. He wishes her to marry his partner, known as "No. Two," but she turns from him with an instinctive dread to the arms of a man she loves. She leaves home and goes to a friend of her schooldays, one who has tasted cocaine and, like the others, cannot do without it. The story of how the daughter of the man behind the traffic is given cocaine. and how the father, discovering it, shoots himself, is vividly told. QUEEN'S THEATRE. A Universal production entitled "Straight Through," featuring Willia.i Desmond, and "Long Odds," a British racing story, will be the principal attractions at the Queen's Theatre to-morrow. ''Straight Through" tells of an evangelist who goes to a far Western town, and endeavours to convert the hero. The latter promises to change his mode of life if, in his own opinion, he ever does anything wrong. He is beguiled by the female accomplice of a well-known gambler into doing what he believes to be wrong. He keeps his promise and soon gains a reputation for uprightness. The story is described as an unusually interesting one, and contains many dramatic and almost tragic situations. HIPPODROME THEATRE. The programme at the Hippodrome Theatre will he changed to-day. The principal attractions for the ens'iing week will be "The Man Life Passed By," a Metro production, featuring Percy Mar-" mont, and Jane Novak, and Forty Horse Hawkins," featuring Hoot Gibson. Also in the cast of the former picture are Eva Novak, Hobart Bosworth, and Cullen Landis. KINDERGARTEN CONCERT. Auckland's leading artists will present a most attractive programme at the concert to lie given in the Town Hail this evening in aid of the Myers Free Kindergarten. Of the 14 items on the programme two are humourous contributions by Mr. Alan McElwain. By permission of John Fuller aitd Sons, Limited, Mr. Vernon Sellars and Miss Patsie Hill, both very popular artists, will contribute selections from their extensive repertoire. The Rev. Jasper Calder will be heard in an item entitled " The Mystery." A ballet, " Babes in the Wood," will be staged by pupils of Miss Daphne Knight, and another dance item by pupils of Misses Nettleton and Turner. Mr. J. Barker will present a character sketch, and M iss Netta Gittos will entertain the audience with a whistling solo. The following vocal items will be sang:—"Sorts of the Sea," by Mr. Barry Coney; "My Prayer," by Miss Ngaire Bowles, and another to he selected, also by Miss Bowles. In addition, Mr. W. Innes will give a selected item. During the programme a number of articles, including a doll's pram, dolls and sweets, will be auctioned by Mr. W T alker. The box plan is at Lewis R. Eadv and Son. Limited. MUNICIPAL BAND. The Municipal Band will give a recital in the Town Hall on Sunday evening at half-past eight, A varied and interesting programme will be presented.