AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16253, 2 July 1918, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS.

THEATRE ROYAL. In view of the uncertainty regarding the lighting of the Theatre Royal laet night, the Brandon Cremor Company did not produce "The Shamrock and the Rose." The piece will bo staged to-night. OPERA HOUSE. The quality of the entertainment provided at the Opera House last evening was worthy of a much larger attendance, but the heavy rain had the effect of keeping the majority of theatro patrons at home. About 8.30 tho lights failed, but with commendable foroeiglrt the management had made provision with kerosene lamps, candles, etc. These had just been arranged in position and light ed when the electric current was turned on again. During the few minutes that the theatre was in darkness Mr Harry Farrow kept the audience highly amused with his humorous remarks concerning tho lights, etc., and his impromptu effort was extremely clever and successful, even allowing for the fact that he is a first-class comedian. The Farrow company's performance of "Tho Forty Thieves" went on practically without interruption, and the audience showed their appreciation of the performers' efforts. In the .vaudeville portion of tho bill. Graham and Graham made their first appcarance in a human marionette entertainm' -t, and they were received with vociferous applause. The artiets put their h-er. Is through a black curtain in front of which were small bodies, and the heads on the small frame® looked very funny indeed. Mr Graham's impersonations of well-known music hall artists were exceland were much appreciated. He was particularly good as Charles Leybonrne, ©inking "Champagne Charlie" as the la to Harry Rickards singing "Cerulia," also in imitation of Charles Coburn- and the famous Scotch entertainer, Harry Lauder. lie act w'a very fine one indeed. Miss Maud Courtier and Mr C. made a complete change of unj >, which further increased their firm popularity. Bertram and Raymond contributed a hisrhly amusing eketch of Australian way back life, entitled "Sam's Second Attempt, which earned them. liberal applause. Mr Ward Lear's new songs were warmly appreciated, and the Balancinos successfully repeated their athletic turn. The same programme will be given to-night.

CRYSTAL PALACE, William S. Hart, one of the brightest of stars of the screen has recently joined i? a 1! 8 ? ce ' famed aa tho producer of 7?°. Ar J? raft Pictures. His first picture under ™~ direction is entitled "The Narrow Trau, an interesting feature- of the picture ll was written % Hart himself. ™? K a , rr< ?y . Trail" is a drama of the West, but it is a long way removed from the average Wild West picture. It is one of the finest, if not best, "Western" dramas to date. Sensational and thrilling to a degree, it never descends to the use of the unreal .to make sensation. The plot deals with an .outlaw "bad man" named "Ice" Harding, who catches and tames a horse of wonderful speod which savos his life on many an occasion when "Ice" is h»:d pressed by sheriffs or Vigilance Committees. The affection which the outlaw bears for this hoxeo leads him on to a great adventure, whereby he reforms and wins for himI self a beautiful wife. There are big scenes in profusion—in fact every scene in this picture is in the naturo of being "big"— I for all are taken against the most wond:rf jl j background of canyons and rivers and wild ! rugged mountain scenery. There is a breathlessly exciting "hold-up" of a ooach, long and stern "chases," pictures of wild horses stampeding, and dozens of other incidents any one of which would, in itself, mut-> enough "thrill" for an ordinary picture. William Hart as "Ice," has a role which sets ideally upon him. Hart is wonderfully popular with picture-goers, his name in front of a theatre being in itself sufficient guarantee that the programme is worth seeing, 'and it ■ is safe to say that '"The Narrow Trail" will increase his popularity fourfold. *" He is supported by a big cast, included in which is Sylvia Bremer, who is well remembered in this city as a favourite Australian actress who haß gained further laurels in America. It will interest play-lovers to see how she has mode headway in her art. The humorous clement of the programme is supplied by a riotous Mack Sennett comedy entitled "Sheriff Nell's Tussle." As may be imagined from the title, the picture is a Wild West ' one, with cowpunchers and bucking broncos and revolver play a-plenty. A3 usual there ia the "bad man" who after a triumphant career of crime, is apprehended by tho capable sheriff Nell, at the end of a series of exciting adventures and "chases." This week's edition of the Paramount Weekly Gazette is of varied interest, the sccnes depicting America taking a hand in tho European business being particularly interesting, while there are others showing such items as the launching of Bhips and 'it-.c coal-saving; campaign in Washington-. The eleventh chapter of the exciting Paramount serial "Who is Number One?" is the best to date. It shows among other exciting incidents a , motor-car • chasing a train, and the heroine of tho picture jumping from tho car on to the moving train, "holding-up" some desperados on board and recovering lost paperß of enormous value. Tho orchestra' is by no means the least enjoyablo of the many good things at the Crystal Palnco. Last night it played the overture "Jolly Robbers" as well as contributing bright music throughout the session. Mr James Cocks, the favourite baritone, who has been engaged to sing, at the evening sessions, was in fine voice last ni?ht, and contributed "Corisande" and "The Old Fashioned Town," having to respond to an insistent encore. The Crystal Palace is now open from noon daily. j

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. A picturo of joy and beauty, of charm and loveliness is "Sunshine Alley," which heads the very attractive bill at -liverybody's this week. "Sunshine -Alley" is the latest Goldwyn production, and from the point of sheer artistry it is the supreme achievement of this firm. "Sunshine Alley" will make one weep and laugh at once, it will find a warm place in every heart to whom humanity ia dear. It is full of sweet,-gentle, folk, with •the simplicity of a by-gone generation, whiie thcro is just enough of the wickedness of the world in it to set off the beauty of the very old-fashioned plot it contains. The story centres about Nell Harbost,"the granddaughter of Harbost, who runs an animal and bird store in a poor quarter of a great city. Harbost is injured by an automobile belonging to a millionaire, Morris by name. Mrs Morris, by way of forestalling his possible claim of damages, offers to buy a beautiful bullfinch; but Harbost refuses to sell it because it is so dearly loved by his granddaughter, Nell. Ned Morris, son of tho millionaire and also a member of tho automobile party, is much taken with_ Nell's quaint charm, and having given her his card, bid her call on him wherever he may be of assistance. The picture goes on to show how Nell goss to Mrs Morris'B costume ball, attired in her best clothes, her grandmother's wedding dress. When she arrives, Ned, who has fallen in love with her, introduces her as his guest, and she becomes the belle of the evening. The bird requires her attention longer than was expected, and Nell remains, for tho night.. In the meanwhile her wild brother Dave, influenced by an evil companion who persuades him that the millionaire was unjust to the grandfather in not paying him any damages, comes to rob tho Morris home. He gets tho jewels of Mrs Morris, but starts a burglar alarm. _ Nell hides him, and presently he escapes with the jewels. Nell follows to recover them, only to be promptly suspectcd of the theft. How she i 3 cleared of the subsequent charge and united to har lover constitutes what is by no means the least interesting part of the action. The Nell of the picture is naturally enough Mae Marsh, than whom a quainter and more bewitching interpreter of the part there could not be found. It has long been conceded ini America that there is ro greater actress of the screen than 'Mne Marsh, .and it is in such pictures as "Polly of the Circus" and "Sunshine Alley" _ that she reaches her greatest emotional heights. She is supported by Bobby nrd a typically Goldwyn-strength cast, included' among which is Dion Titheradgo, who will be remembered in Christchtirch' for his 'promising acting with several leading dramatic companies. The quaint menagerie of birds, cats, and dogs, and monkeys and mice, which is kept., by old Harbost, is not tho least attractive part of the picture, which i 9 produced with a marvellous attention to detail and a sense of true artistry. "Sunshine Alley" is a picture to see not once, but many times. It has a quality of greatness about it that should include it among the select and unforturately rather, few classics of the. rcreen. The supporting projrrammc includes an interesting number of tho Paths Gazette, and an exciting hiatalment of "The Mvstery of the Double Cross. Everybody's orchestra, under the direction of Mr W. J. Bel'ingham, supplies tuneful music at the evening sessions, a violin solo by Mr Vere Buchanan, ard a 'cello solo by Mr Martinengo adding materially to the enjoyment of the programme.

QUEEN'S THEATRE. Failure of the supply of electricity yesterday morning and afternoon resulted in many patrons of tho Queen's Theatre being disappointed, but in the evening the new programme was shown to large and thoroughly pleased audiences. Admirers of that highly talented emotional actress, Gail Kane, were delighted to see her in a part which gave considerable scope for her groat powero. "The Serpent's Tooth," the American film feature drama, which heads the new programme, tells a rather unusual story, and one that palpitates with human interest. A young well-to-do country artist marries a beautiful young girl, whoso ideas, contrasted with those held by the set which her husband aff"cts. are decidedly straight-laced. Faith Winthrop, played by Gail Kane, .is, indeed, d-wribed as a Puritan. Winthrop grows rich, and become entangled with a fascinating widow to such an extent that the breath of scandal is becoming busy. Faith Winthrop, who is recovering from an illness, is given an alka*. loid drug by Dr. Jack to aid her recovery. Tho desiring widow sees ill this a means of separating husband and wife, and incites him to encourage his wife in the uso- of the drug, the explanation being that in that particular Stats of America the over-indulgence in tho drug habit is a cause for divorce. In the end both husband and wife become addicted to the habit, and there are some strongly emotional scenes, in which Gail Kane and William Conklin (the husband) ifre seen under the soul-destroying influence. A very consistent and realistic'presentation of tho character of the wife ia given by Gail Kane who, in the earlier etages of the story, plays with charm and feeling, and in the later stages with much emotional and dramatic nower. William Conklin also gives a good internretation of the frail husband, and Edward Peel,- as the doctor, and Jane Pascal a» the fascinating widow, are also well fcast. There was atao screened tho eighth episode of the serial "A Lass of the Liimberlands." featuring Helen Holmes; and a two-reel drama, "Th-; Gamble, featuring Harold Lockwood. "Tho Kid from timaru" was again screened, and was thoroughly enjoyed, as was also Mr Barrie MVirschel's reciting of the poem. To-day and this evening the same programme twII be shown.

LIBERTY THEATRE. The Liberty Theatre is showing: a programme this week mliich is well up to the high standard eet by tlnS""hi<»h-cla6a picture house. In the first place, the bill contains a big film featuring Robert "Warwick, whose handsome features and manly form have more than once earned for him th" sobriouet of "The Picture Girls' Idol." His present vehicle is entitled "The Silent Master," and it is adapted from the stirring novel by E. Phillips Oppenheim, master of mysteryetorice, entitled "The Court of St. Simon.'"" Robert Warwick 'takes the part of the Marquis de Sombrenil in most excellent fashion. The story _ tells of romance on two continents, ranging from the Paris -underworld to fashionable society in New \ork. The master of a mysterious "Court of St. Simon," who calls himself Valentin Simon, initiates* a neurotic youth into the mysteries of the ■underworld. Simon adopts hie real name, Marquis de Sombrenil, goes to America, and there meets and falls in love with the young man's sister, ignorant at first of her relation to the youth. Simon marries the sister, and eventually rehabilitates himself in the eyes of his wife. In this photodrama Mr Warwick has the support of an unusually distinguished cast. Olive Tell, his leading woman, has appeared in many Broadway successes in succession to Olive Thomas, also a former Broadway star, now known as "Triangle's Chocolate Cream" from her many picture successes under that banner. The programme is lightened by a riotous Triangle comedy, called "Her Uncle Dudley," in which is featured - Polly Moran, a one-time vaudoTllle star, who is making great headway in

picture work. She is a born and in any picture in which ehe is given full soope for her talent, the \fun ®*jr* Jo b© fast furious. Items of topical interest are furnished by two interesting numbers of the Gaumont Graphic, in which all the most interesting happenings of the day the wor.d over are shown. For varied interest it would be hard to beat the Liberty programme this week. The musical part is furnished by the admirably chosen Liberty orchestra.

grand theatre. The programme shown at the Grand Theatre yeeterday proved a most popular one. "The Chain Invisible/' featuring Bruce McRae and Gerda Holmes, was a photoplay Quite out of the common, being admirably adapted from the thrilling novel by the celebrated author Richard le Gallienne. It » a wonderful drama of romance, adventure, and powerful interest, and is aptly described as a big heart-gripping 1 story of primitive lo\'e > and a marriage vow made before ''The Ring of Fire" (the eymbo] of their passion). It telle of the great adventure of a man who loved a woman who hated the man, both wrecked on a, lonely island, and is an altogether new method of dealing with an old subject, as old as the first primitive passion in the Garden of Eden. Charles Chaplin delighted his numerous admirers with bis antics in "His Night at The Show." The irrepressible Charles, as usual makes himself a nuisance to everyone in the show which he patronises, annoying the patrons, the orchestra, and attendants in turn. He is soon for the first timo in a dual role, that of the inebriated man in evening dress, and of an irresponsible patron of "the gods." The other films on the programme are of equal merit, and t well worth seeing. STARLAND. "The Love Question" heads the programme at the Starland Theatre this week. Miss' Nance O'Neill is seen at her best in this production, which is ore of hi'/h quality. The pathos and dramatic force of the story, together with its originality of characterisation and treatment, secure for it a high standard in the film world. The plot revolves on the hatred of a Mexican president for the family who are opposed to his politics. To make matters worse, a young nobleman of Spanish descent to whom the President's daughter is engascd. falls in 'ova with the daughter of the hotcd family. This last-mentioned young lndy, together with her newly-won lover, then stand _in a very precarious position, but she is possessed of hypnotic powers, and of these she makes novel, but effective, use. The story is one which sustains tie interest throughout. There are interesting supporting films.

STRAND THEATRE. At the Strand Theatre last night the pleasing comedy, "The Mysterious Miss Terry,' in which charming Billie Burke is featurod, was screened to a delighted audience. Today and this evening the same programme will be shown. SKATING RINK. \ . In view, no doubt, of the big. carnival to bo held in the Colosseum on Wednesday ond Thursday nights, tie heavy rain last evening did not deter a large number of skaters attending the rink. Waltzing and two-step-ping were practised by many coup lea, who intend competing in th«ee events at the oarnival.' The day sessions were also well attended, and the male skaters made the most of their opportunities for practice at hockey and other competitions. Large entries have already been received for all the events, and everything points to a most successful carnival. Intending spectators may book their seate at the Theatre Royal Confectionary Shop. The Rink will bo open as usual today.