ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9722, 26 July 1917, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS

THE ORANGE DANDIES. Another large and appreciative audience Was entertained at the concert chamber of the Town Hall last night bv the Dandies with music, song,- and story. The company is well equipped with vocalists, and both solo and concerted numbers are exceptionally good. A change of programme is announced for to-night. THE CROWN. The chief attraction at the Crown Theatre last eveninv when a change of screening of “The Snarl.” in which BesTho principal characters are twin 'sisters, alike as two peas. One of the sisters, who is a gifted singer, secures an engagement as a prima-donna in an opera, company. She is shortly afterwards knocked down bv a motor-car owned by a young millionaire. As a result of the accident she becomes paralysed from the waist downwards. A theatrical manager arranges for the crippled girl’s sister, who has no pretensions as a singer, to impersonate the prima-donna. whilst the crippled girl sings her part from behind the scenes. The millionaire falls in love with the singer, and at a midnight supper with congenial friends proposes to her and is accepted. Those present ad-' journ to the marriage ceremony, and,following that embark on the millionaire’s yacht, "The Snarl.” Shortly after departure from port through the explosion of some gunpowder, the millionaire i« temporarily blinded. They put back to poi . .0 ..u- _services of a doctor, and then the cruise is continued in the hope that the patient will recover his sight. Taking advantage of her husband’s blindness, the young wife flirts with bis secretary and persuades her crippled sis or ro taXa her mace, ine crippled girl falls in love with the patient. but remains loyal to her sister, whom she upbraids for her duplicity. The husband recovers his sight, unknown to the company on board, and detects his wife attempting to rob him prior to eloping with the secretary. A desperate struggle ensues between the two men, the yacht catches fire, and in a panic which follows the millionaire’s wife and the secretary are capsized and drowned. The crippled girl regains the use of her limbs through the excitement, and the millionaire recognises her devotion, and the usual happy ending results. “INTOLERANCE.” That the wonderful spectacle. “Intolerance,” has not yet spent the full extent of its ponWarity wasricadp <Sfiuo-/-strated last night at the Theatre. At both sessions there was a full attendance of enthusiastic picture-goers. No doubt there are many who have taken advantage of the return of the filin to see the picture the second time. The historic features of this production are enough in themselves to draw people, with .'- takiuv irto congi< , »-a«”on .. In" lavishness of the staging. Words fail to give adequate praise to the achievements of the producer (Mr D. W. Griffith), but the unprecedented success of the venture is no doubt the best testimony to hie achievement. The underlying motive, “Love thy neighbour as thyself, s« a most inspiring one. and could not have appeared at a more opportune time, it is safe to say that this gigantic production is 'nnsu-passed, the rnn-iv and varied scenes being af a most lealistio natiire. The Governor-General Liver -00 l were present at the Theatre j; last nivht, when they saw Intolerance for the second time.

EVERYBODY'S. Shadow photography, and wonderful darkened room effects axe used with great effect in “The Argyls Case. In one instance Hobsrt. Warwick is scon entering through a raised window, and the rest 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 detectaphone and the dictophone in this play. William J. Burns, the noted American detective, was specially engaged In the production to provide modern methods in crime detection. Ah interesting supporting picture shows Americas preparations to enter the world war. THE EMPRESS. Lilian Walker makes a bonny Scots lassie in "Kitty Macfcay," now screening at the Empress. She dances a, fine Scots reel close to the camera’s eye, cracks a succession of perfectly delightful Soots 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.