ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9720, 24 July 1917, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

NEW orange randies. Melody and comedy most happily blended greatly delighted the largo audience which assembled in the concert chamber at the Town Hall last night. Whether in dance or song, concerted items, solos or duets, broad farce, or serious earnest, the Now Orange Dandies, proved equally pleasing, as was abundantly shown by tho hearty laughter, the repeated rounds of applause, and the frequent encoresMiss Ivy Davis daintily sang of “Santa Claus,” reciting ns an encore “Seoin’ Things.” Miss Linda Bradford’s charming song, “The Bells of Twilight,” was heartily encored, and so was her rendering of “My Dear Soul.” In response she gave “Coming Home,” and as a second encore, “Gather Rosebuds While Ye May.” Dorothy Aj’anning was also well heard in her sole, items and in her duet with Linda Bradford. Of tho gentlemen, Air Harry Graham, Mr Courtney Ford, and Mr Andrew Pace excelled in comedy,, while Mr John Welby’s powerful yob pleasing voice was heard to great advantage in “Gentlemen, the King l .” the ewer-popular “Father O’Blynn,” and “Oh, We’em Come Up from Zummefzot.” Some good funny business was seen, and some most amusing parodies heard in the comic quintet, “Has Anybody Here Seen Kelly?” and there was also most excellent fooling, and delightful melody in. “Tho Ragtime Postman,” tho humorous trio “Tooralladdy,” “A Musical Restaurant,” and “Happy Families.” r ' " HIS MAJESTY’S. Notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather, His Majesty’s Theatre was liberally patronised last night, when tho customary change of programme was introduced by. Fullers Vaudeville Company. The Boyle Trio, a lady and two gentlemen, made their first appearance in a swell song and dance act, which was artistic and entertaining. Their items included “Hullo, Winter,” and “The Front Door Key.” They danced exceptionally well, and at the conclusion were demonstie,lively applauded. The ventriloquial profession has of late years become rather crowded, but there is always a demand for a performer of the'ability of “Baron,” who also made his initial bow. Air Taylor and MoQuain again figured in a refined vocal scena. . lb is a considerable time since local vaudeville has been favoured with so gifted a baritone as Air Taylor, whoso contribution, “A Chip of the Old Block,” won most enthusiastic plaudits. His partner scored well with a soubretto ditty “Just Like a Man,” and their duets “Tumble in Love” and “Contradicting” were thoroughly enjoyed. The Xhsons, three talented instrumentalists, contributed most acceptably banjo, and clarinet, violin and piano and saxophone trios, and Miss Ibsen played delightfully “Somewhere a Voice is Calling” as a saxophone solo. Maud Panning and the three clever Elliott sisters were as usual in- great demand. The-'acrobatic cycling and - vocal act by Rose and Doll is one of the best on the bill. Popular also are: Tilton and West (vocalists .and comedians), Billy, and, Doris (agile song ahd. dance artists), Tiny Tots . (juvenile acrobatic prodigies), and Haig and. Haig (hand-to-hand balancers). The company will repeat the programme this evening.

“FORTUNES OF FI-FI.” A charming drama, with that bright particular star of the film firmament, Marguerite Clark, as the heroine, is now shotting' at the Queen’s Theatre. The story is that of a little French girl, unsophisticated and pretty, who goes to Paris to seek' her fortune in the days when the great Napoleon was at his zenith. She is befriended by an honest actor Cartouche, whom she learns to love. Cartouche has been a soldier 'lucky enough to come under the notice of the Man of Destiny, who vists the theatre where Fi-Fi and her friend perform. This results in a rise in Cartouche’s salary, and' ho decides to buy a fur coat for Fi-Fi. He raises the money and hands it to her, but she buys a wonderful dog with it instead—to the annoyance of the honest Cartouche., The nest event in the lives of the friends is the winning of a lottery prize of 100,000 franca by Fi-Fi. Oartouohe goes to the Emperor for advice and Napoleon hands the charming little actress over to a lady as her ward. This latter has a son, who is a strictly proper person, very genteel and conventional, • He aspires; to Fi-Fi’s hand, but this irrepressible damsel wants to marry the honest Cartouche, who will not hear of it, as he considers he is not good enough for the lady. However Fi-Fi has her way. She runs into a perfect riot of extravagance, and appears before her intended husband and his mother in a gown that reveals more of her charms than these strictly proper persons think correct. The yourr man almost faints. When Fi-Fi, go” ing from bad to worse, gives the’rest of her fortune to the soldiers’ orphans, she is promptly shown the door and goes back with her handsome, gowns to her faithful friend, who will net act the part demanded of him. But Fortune favours Fi-Fi. Nanoleon has heard of her good deed, although it was done in disguise and sends for her to render her public thanks. ' g} le goes and has bestowed upon her the Emperor’s gratitude. Ho asks her if she has any wish and she asks him to command Cartouche to wed her. Cartouche, as a soldier, must perforce obey, and all ends happily to f!ho sound of wedding bells. Marguerite dark throughout gives a delightful interpretation. of the. part of Fi-Fi She moves throughout the piece like an Airy spintr—“a creature not too bright or good for human nature’s daily food ’’ The drama is a charming one and the role of Cartouche-is played with tnanii ness and dignity. Tho nart J peleon w played to the life and the pictures of the French social and tj entrical life of the period are interesting and historically - accurate The film is one that cnn’be honestly recommended to young and old.

CROWN THEATRE. Another large audience tv as present at the Crown Theatre last night, when “Truthful Tullivcr,” featuring W. S. Hart, was shown. Truthful is seen as a newspaper editor in a lawless raining camp, known as Glory Hole. He tames the bully of the camp, and frames laws for all and sundry. There is a touch of romance throughout, and all ends happily. Commencing tonight, Bessie Barriscale will be seen taking the role in “The Snarl.”

“INTOLERANCE.” Tho world-renowned picture, “Intolerance,” which was shown here recently with such great success, under the J. C. Williamson management, was icvived at the King s Theatre last evening. A crowded audience showed that the interest in this masterpiece is still well sustained. It has the reputation, with its four-told stones—three historic and one raodern—of being the most extraordinary demonstration of the progress of the moving Picture art winch has yet been put forward. Its rapid action is exhilarating; and the maimer m which the different stones are mtoijfroven so as to secure practically spontaneous production is a marvel of skill. From all points of view intolerance” is remarkable, and the hall of Babylon especially a most impressive spectacle. As before, there was a fine musical accompaniment to tne unfurling of tho amazing reels and the exhibition gave the greatest satisfaction. Two performances are announced for to-day. , , The management had invited wo members of Parliament because the picture and censor had been so severely attacked by certain people, the most prominent of whom admittedly had not seen it. Feeling that a great injustice had been thus done to the author of this great work and to the Censor of Films, the management especially arranged a return, season, so that ail members of Parliament might have tho opportunity of judging tor themselves upon a matter .whioh_ is ot vital importance to tho whole picture world and to the general public, claiming that “Intolerance” is not only a Biblical education, but an eloquent and appealing influence towards all that is good and uplifting to the naTho following members attended: — Sir Joseph- Ward, Sir James Carroll, Hon. Buddo, Mr McCallum, Mr Glover, Mr Parata, Mr Ngata, ,Mr Forbes, Air Young. Air Hams, Mr Lee, Air Talbot Mr Anstey, AJr Payne, Air Hindmarsh, Air Poole, Air Parr, and others. EVERYBODY’S. Shadow photography, and wonderful darkened room effects wo used with great effect in “The Argyle Case.” In one instance Robert Warwick is seen entering through a raised window, and the Test of the scene is in almost total darkness, relieved only by the twinkling flash of the night-torch used swiftly by the detective. Particularly interesting is the use made of the dctectaphone and the dictophono in this play. 'William J. Burns, the noted American detective, was specially engaged in the production to provide modem methods in crime detection. An interesting supporting picture shows America’s preparations to enter tho world war. THE EMPRESS. Lilian Walker makes a bonny Scots lassie in “Kitty Mackay,” now screening at the Empress. She dances a fine Scots reel close to the camera’s eye, cracks a succession of. perfectly delightful Scots jokes, and frolics and dimples through the story, until the tragic moment arrives when she thinks that her: life is to end in dismal heartbreak. Sadly she returns to slavery after her pilgrimage to the homes of the rich and great, and in these scenes her acting rises to great' heights. However, the story has a glorious ending. The second instalment of “The Iron Claw” contains a succession of new and wonderful thrills. .