THE LORGNETTE

Observer, Volume XXXV, Issue 49, 14 August 1915, Page 6

THE LORGNETTE

[By Peomptek.]

AT the Opera House one of the thirty-two Fuller vaudeville houses scattered around Australasia, the selection of artists from the firm's large stock shows discrimination. Billy Wells and the Eclair Twins are billed big, for reasons that are justified. They whirl clubs with finished abandon, effecting combinations hitherto not attempted by this school of public entertainment . As professors of the art of dancing they are in the front row. Tliere is verve, dash and; originality about their turn that is good to see. Maud and Gill, the "Trampoline Stars" are again doing their acrobatic comedy act with new features. Frank Herberte, of Australia, entertainer, has made his initial bow to a New Zealand public, and the public hopes he'll bow a lot. He has a good deal of talent as a provider of the goods the people want. The Musical Goolmans, from America, are adepts in the use of weird instruments built to their specifications. They have an exaggerated violin, the size of a small cottage, and the Goolmans go for it with a collection of bows of different sizes, knocking out a whole heap of acceptable music. They likewise provide musical solace with half a gross or so of alarm clocks, and possibly use up their spare time keeping the collection of wierd instruments tuned to concert pitch. The concertina music of the Clarinos is excellent. Using the instrument either as itself or a peal of church bells or the Town Hall organ, they extract the maximum amount of melodious sounds from it. Ernest Pitcher differs from the best known brand of vaudeville comedian in that he doesn't seem to strain himself to be funny, or scream himself blue to rub in a joke. He just oozes fun quietly, and he is rather musical. Coco and Cbico, the Javanese acrobats and ladder walkers, are grateful and comforting, and never hurt themselves. They are a couple of elastic bands, and don't care which end springs back. The Colliers, happily so well known, are amusing the myriads with their specially selected 1 quips and songs and patter. Nat Hanley is a dancer and pianist—a novel combination, and Victor, the illusion gentleman, assisted by Madame Clothilde and little Gladys, puts up some particularly adept legerdemain, cabinet and other illusions.

"A Hero of the Dardanelles," a film story showing at the Globe, is an officially sanctioned cinematogram played by Australian sailors and soldiers with great realism. A portion of coastline, as nearly resembling that of the Gallipoli Peninsula, was chosen near Sydney, and it is impossible to believe, without being told, that this is mimic warfare and not the actual conflict. Based upon Ashmead Bartlett's and Captain Bean's accounts of the historic action, innumerable incidents are witnessed, and there is throughout a healthy, romantic touch that makes is useful for home consumption. The vigour and precision of the attack and) the results show that the Australian troops Avho "acted" it were not aware that their mimic fight was to be made the basis for a movie picture, and) therefore there is a spontaneity, dash and realism in the three-reel story. "The Social Splash" shows Keystone acrobats dressed in evening clothes falling into a swimming bath and sliding off roofs and tumbling out of windows and hitting the earth and bouncing again. It is very comic. "When the ifange Called" is the story of the cowboy who was left a fortune, went

to the city, got disgusted and fired revolvers at his guests ana went back to the ranch again. "Wanted, a Nurse," is the best true comedy I've seen in Auckland this year. The co median (who is not a farcemonger) is a pearl. Then there's a fine Pathe War Special.

"The King of Crime," a picture melodrama starring at the Princess, makes you want to live a good quiet life, after you have watched it run its course. It has in all respects every concomitant that makes melodrama in the "flesh and blood" stage a joy to myriads. The hero is untellable. A dozen; police chase him over roofs, firing all the while, but never hit him. He smashes a pair of steel handcuffs with a blow on his knee, he bowls over police like ninepins, wears whiskery disguises, and pulls them off while the policeman turns his back, and is in all respects a melodramatic 'hero of the deepest Italian dye. I haven't enjoyed anything so' much for weeks. The whole company gesticulate dictionaries, and the criminal is brought to bay—ha! ] ia !—in a masterly fashion. There are trapdoors and comic relief, and hiding behind trees, and bright revolvers, Austrian generals are kidnapped, and it's absolutely glorious. Not a soul laughs. Charles Chaplin is seen "In the Park," and he's like good wine as a pick me up and stimulant. He is in splendid fettle in this picture, and the audience is very glad. "The Boob and the Magician" tell of the things done to a chawbacon by a smart conjurer, and is a comic with a high degree of excellence. A beautiful series shows the trouble that is taken to rear tame pheasants so that they may be scared up and shot at great expense when the season arrives, and the European war topical is a fine addition to-the history of the war.

Charles Chaplin, the great comedian, is to be seen at the Queen's "In the Park," and the eccentric behaviour of the earth's funniest film actor is a revelation. He is aided and abetted by people who know their jobs and fall about in the approved way. "The Way of a Woman" is a natural little story, proving that this woman's love was at least the tunselfish, article, and not the kind that is being examined by a Supreme Court judge as I write. There are a number of charming situations in this drama, which is delightfully enacted by excellent players. "Paillette's Necklace" is a domestic drama which will move you to tears, unless the well is dried up, and is told in a wealth of choice photography by clever people. "When Father Fetched the Doctor" is good, breezy, healthy, domestic comedy for which the audience isi thankful. Then there is "Algy's Little Error," and you are expected to know what sort of a chap Algy is by this name. The name Algy was specially created in the sixteenth century for the use of scenario writers. The topical pictures dealing with events far and near and the war are up to date and full of interest.

The King's Pictures have an unusual American back-country drama, "A Child of God," in which a touching story is told, and the simple lives of the ranchman, the parsons of the plains and the isolated school teacher of the great prairies are shown. These American plains dramas are always alluring, mainly because American movie men choose their characters with such care. One never sees a miner who looks like a greengrocer, a schoolmarm who appears to 'be a factory hand, or a ranchman who ought to be a draper. The real charm of this story is its touching simplicity, its expression of human devotion and unselfishness. You're bound to think better of humanity for seeing it. A very fine series of views of Switzerland out of the beaten tourist track is shown — a noble contribution to scenic masterpieces. The "Cause of Thanksgiving" is true cpmedy-d'rama; a drama in which the laugh does not come because somebody falls seven feet or puts on his coat backwards, or site in. a box of eggs, or chases his hat up a house, or summersaults backwards into the mud. A record

of the inspection of the N.Z. Hospital ship is shown and there are a number of other news; items. A fine Sydl. Chaplin farce is a healthy lung-opener and "Gussie's Backward Way" is a fine farce, too.

The high quality of the Lyric pictures has never been better exemplified than during this week. "Who Goes There" is an exceedingly amusing comedy with a topical touch of soldiering about it that makes, it delightful. You don't merely cackle at it—you laugh and the show that makes you laugh in war time is a good show. "The Story of a Story" is really a work of genius in which the incidents are so gently and faithfully presented as to be unforgettable*. A wholesome moral goes with the story for all those who are able to understand that lives may be changed for the better by good picture plays. Mac McDermott and Mabel Trunnelle play in "His Convert" and play well—'and the "Convert" himself is good dramatic goods. People who have money and who have not will be interested in the "Royal Mint," where the article is made. It is the only place you can see a sovereign, nowadays. "Miss Tomboy and Fickles" is a bucolic comedy of the open air and the gay sunshine and love, laughter and happiness. Lillian Walker does "Tommie" deliciously. "Their One Love" is a comedy-drama, too, and it has a touch of pathos. You will understand the kind' of pathos should you ever go into the house of a childless married' couple. The Gaumont Graphic of the moment is as good as its long list of illustrious predecessors.