AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17114, 8 April 1921, Page 10

AMUSEMENTS.

bpERA HOUSE, Walter George's Sunshine Players are meeting with success nightly at the Opera House in the playlet, "Down Kentucky Way." Those contributing to a capital vaudeville programme are Miss Gladys Verona, Australian soprano, Le Brans, the Two Fishers, Huley and Bent, Miller and Rainey, and Captain Charles Erard. GREATER CRYSTAL PALACE. A musical treat is enjoyed at the night sessions at the Greater Crystal Palace, the melodious part singing of the Lyric Four and the solo playing of Mr Howard Moody being of outstanding merit. The latter artist is accompanied by the full strength ,of the Symphony Orchestra. The principal picture is the Universal Jewel production, "Under Crimson Skies." QUEEN'S THEATRE. "Darby and Joan," a splendid film, is proving a big draw at the Queen's Theatre. With its supports, it will be screened again today. STRAND THEATRE. "Sunset Sprague" is the title of the chief picture now showing at the Strand Theatre. Buck Jones is tho star. "Checkers," the famous 'racing melodrama, has been made into a motion picture .by William Fox,' and will be seen at the Strand Theatre to-morrow.: The picture, directed by Richard Stanton, is a mammoth spectacle, -with most zealistjc scenes. "Checkers" is the main character in tho play. He is a reformed race-track tout, who falls in love with a Southern beauty, and gets into the most thrilling adventures. How the horso Remorse wins the big stakes; how "Checkers" risks his life many times, and how he finally overcomes all obstacles, is told, it is said, with an elaboration of detail which makes "Checkers" one of tho most photoplays presented this season. LIBERTY THEATRE. , "Banjo" Patterson's famous poem, "The Man from Snowy River," has Ijeen dramatised for the film, in .which form it is now' being exhibited at the. Liberty Theatre. Miss Lily Glover, soprano, is a contributor to the programme. To-morrow "The Wnder Man," starring Georges Carpentier, soldier, sportsman, social favourite, andtchampibn boxer, will be screened. Why Carpentier has been called "tho gentleman of tlie iring" is explained in convincing fashion in this picture, which is a remarkable one in many respects, and particularly noteworthy because of the jact that it shows for the first time in the history of the screen a pugilist who is as capable an act« as he is a fighter. Carpentier. with his magnetic personality and real ability as an actor, is a noteworthy advent to the, screen, and aB the hero in- "The Wonder Man,"., an American society drama, he g^ives !' a capital interpretation' of a French .secret servioe agent. One .of the many thrilling features of the picture is a real boxing match, in which the famous athlete ia seen fighting four rounds with the villain in the picture, < Robert' Barrat, an actor, and amateur boxer ; of ability. The film is well produced, and the settings and- photography could not bo improved upon. The supporting oast includes Fair© Binuey, Florence Billings, Downing Clarke, Cecil Owen, and Francois Descamps, ' Carpentier's manager. Other films on the bill aro the Path© Gazette, Topical Budget, tho latest chapter of ."The Invisible Hand" (serial), "Overall Here." (comedy), and "Getting, a New Angle' (Outing). An added attraction is the special eni gagement of Mr Wyatt Hadland, a talented English tenor, who will be heard in a budget of the latest songs. >. GRAND THEATRE.' , . To-night will witness the final screening of the. presentprogramme et the Grand Theatre, comprising the Davis Cup'film and "Two \?eek6" (Constanoe Talmadge). To-morrow there will be an entire change of programme, when there will be two star features. The first is "The Invisible Divorce," which is founded on Leila Burton Wells's ' poignant drama of domestio doubts. A very excellent picture of Maurice TouraeurVia."The County Fair," -ishich is described as a "big special,". full of the joy of living, with Wea. Barry inhis greatest role A big race is a special scene in this gTeat drama The .prices'are as ÜBual, and the box plan is at The Bristol, or seats may be reserved at the Grand Thcatro; 'phone 2934 I:, EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. !.. "Humoresque," the great Artoraft Royalty masterpiece, shows no Bign of abating in popularity, Everybody's Theatre; being filled at.all sessions. A capital supporting film is' '■" A Full/House." ,•>• , ~-.,-.: - .;.:-,.- : MADAME STRATHEARN.' Madame ' Strathearn will give first popular recitaliiri Cliristchurohat the Chorftl Hull to-morrow night. Madame Strathearn will «ng aongs which have delighted and inspired our men at the front during the terrible strain of. the war, and. wifl narrate , some of her experiences in the .-Home oampa' and in France. Her recitals have been very popular in the cities of the North Island, and it is confidently expected _ that large audiences will gather here to listen to her splendid singing of some oi the most beautiful songs in the language. During the oven--ing Madame will give imitations of the cornet' and troinbone, which are said to be wonder-fully'-natural and effective. RIDGWAY'S CIRCUS. ._'... , Ridgway's circus and trained animal- show will .appear at Oust to-night,. Rangiora. on Saturday, Wpodend- on Monday, and Kaiapoi on Tuesday.,