ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19667, 20 June 1927, Page 14

ENTERTAINMENTS.

GRAND THEATRE. The war picture, "Mademoiselle from Armentieres/' heads the new programme which -Wjjll commence showing at the Grand Theatre to-day. The fact that the film comes from a British studio should be a sufficient guarantee of its superiority. A further claim to eminence is made by the engagement of the new English star, Estelle Brody. Probably the most enthusiastic praise the film has yet received was given by a writer in an English motion-picture magazine:—"No picture yet has been so convincing, so appealing as the war picture under its gay, i n . triguing title, 'Mademoiselle from Arrnea- x ticres'," he said, "and yet it can hardly bo called a 'war picture.' It paints, or rather reproduces, tlio most harrowing scenes of slaughter; it depicts the inferno that was Flanders; and it reveals the glories of war, yet it seems but a background for the cheerful good fellowship of the soldier and the touching love story of 'Mademoiselle.' " "Battling Butler," starring Blister Keaton, will also bo shown. •' HOTEL IMPERIAL." "Hotel Imperial," a sensational drama of the Russian invasion of Hungary in 1915, adapted from the stage success by Lajos Biro, a well-known Hungarian playvvright, is the principal attraction on the current programmes at the Princess, Tivoli and Everybody's Theatres. Pola Negri gives a splendid portrayal of a chambermaid in a hotel in a small Hungarian -town, who has riches bestowed upon hor by the, victorious Russian general. A powerful climai is provided. The supporting cast, includes a number of Europe's foremost players, notably George Siegmann, Otto Fries, Michael Vavitsch, and Nicholas Soussanin. The chief supporting film at the Princess and Tivoli Theatres is Fred Thomson's latest success," Hands Across_ the Border," and at Everybody's Theatre, "Looking for Trouble," starring Jack Hoxie. NATIONAL AND LYRIC. Two featured films, "Long starring Harry Langdon, and "Simon the Jester," are on the current programme at the National and Lyric Theatres. The first is a comedy describing the feelings of a young country boy when ho owns his first pair of long pants, and the scrapes in which he becomes involved. Gladys Brockwell, A 1 Roscoe, Alma Bennett, Frankie Darro and Priscilla Bonner have other leading roles. In "Simon the Jester," Eugene O'Brien is cast as Simon de Gex, a wealthy young man who has only a few months to live. A friend, Dale Kynnersly, falls m love with a circus rider, and in attempting to save his friend from what he considers would be ruin, de Gex falls in love with the girl himself. Complicating situations arise, but the story has a happy ending. MUNICIPAL CONCERTS. Municipal concerts will be resumed in the Town Hall next Saturday evening. An " all-operatic " night will be given by the Municipal Band, with vocal assistance by Miss Alma McGruer, Jtfr. A. H. Ripley and Mr. Ernest Thomas. Band items* will include Wagner's masterpiece the " Tannhauser " overture, a grand selection from Boito's " Mefistofele," a fantasia from the works of Offenbach, a selection from " Lilac Time " and other lighter operatic excerpts. The vocalists will give a splendid selection of solos, duets and trios from Gounod's operas " Romeo and Juliet " and " Faust." Booking arrangements are advertised.