AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17128, 25 April 1921, Page 9

AMUSEMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE. Iu view of the Anzac Day memorial services, tlie usual holiday matinee at Jhe Opera House will not be held to-day. At night, however, the usual change of programme will be submitted, when the Mam'selle Mimi Diggers will present an entirely_ new rejection of music and comedy. In the first half a first appearance will l bo made by Emerald and Dupre, who will be seen wo. clover comedv sketch, entitled "Billeted. .After a lengthy absence, ft re-appearance will be made by that old favourite, Phil Percival, in his celebrated "Alcoholiday." Ivew items will be given by Haagen Holenbergh, the brilliant Danish pianist, and Wendy and Alphoiise, musical comedy couple. Huloy and Bent will be seen in ft new sketch, "A Case of Bigamy," and Sumas, the clever novelty musician, will introduce the "Dancing Axe." Soata may be reserved, all, day at the Opera House. THEATRE ROYAL. A Competitions Demonstration Concert operated as an irresistible magnet at the Theatre Royal on Saturday night, and every part of the building was crowded long before tlio entertainment opened. The items on a lengthy and well varied programme included:—Piano duet, "Midsummer Wight's Dream," Elsie Ives and Jessie Clark; children's chorus, "Hail, Smiling Morn," Edgeware Choir; character recitation, "Johnny, Mo and You," Nancy Abernethy; mezzo solo, "Two, Roses," Margery Nelson; recitation, "Be Thorough," Alex. McDonald; piano solo, "Fairy Dance," Dorothy Dixon; song in character, "The Next Horse I Ride On?' Pennie Marshall; English song, "The 'Windmill," W. J. Richards; duet, in character, "An Irish Courtship," Mavis Ritchie and Kathleen Philpott; recitation (N.Z. author), "Bugler Allan," Barton Ginger; Bristol Scholarship, "Rhapsodie No. 6" (Liszt), Aileen Minson; vocal solo with obligato, "For All Eternity," Elspeth Denholm; Tecitatiou, "Break, Break," Kathleen Thomas; nwncloijue, "Victory," Frank Bown; English song, "Orpheus -with his Xmte," Corric ,Asian; champion solo, "Arioso," from "Pagliacci," David McGill; humorous sketch, "Mrs Gollop on Hamlet," Enid Frye; champion solo, "Douglas Gordon," Phyllis Massey; Shakespearean recitation, "Queen Margjret'a Warning," Irene Round; vocal eolo, "You are All that is Lovely," Cicely Audibert; tenor solo (saored), "The Lord is My Light," S. H. Gibbs; character recital, "Ophelia," Eileen Carter; piano solo, "Etude," Op. 10 (Chopin), Bonnio Young; recitation, "Como," B. A. Ginger; Scotch song, "Comin' thro' the Rye," Corrie lAsliu; operatic eolo, "0 Del Mio Dolce," Sarah Down; male quartette, "Absence," Richmond Party. Another demonstration concert will be given to-night. NEW PROGRAMME TO-NIGHT GREATER CRYSTAL PALACE 1 . Greater Crystal i'alaoo will bo closed today until 6.80 p.m. on account of Anzac Day, but will open at that hour lor tho usual night session do luxo, when this week's new programme will be. presented for tto first time, "Onco to Every Woman," tho big Universal-Jewel screen classic, is tho niaiu item on the lengthy'bill, and tne manager,' Mr V. M. Beebe, considers it tho beat picture he has ever presented at the big theatre. Miss Dorothy Pldllips, ono of the greatest • of screen slurs, plays tho -leading part in "Onco to Every Wouian," and like most of her big successes, this etory was written and directed by Allen Holubar, who seems to possess on almost uncanny sight into human nature, and who is always able to ptit on tho Bcreen the thoughts, ideas, and aspirations of tho average human being. It is this human note that makes "Once to Every Woman" a great picture, without even taking into account jts wonderful acting, lavish settings, and scenic beauty. In "Onco to Every Woman" Miss Phillips appears first as a country school girl, who has been spoiled by her family because sho is better looking than her two younger eisters, and because sho possessea a sweet voice. It is this .voice whioli finally interests a patron of musio, who 6ends her. to Italy to study for grand opera. Later, in a series of the moßt magnificent settings seen in motion pictures in years, Misa Phillips appears as a prima donna making her Hew York debut in a new opera. A jeaioiis Italian lover creates a terrific scene in tho opera house, and as •a result of the ehook the singer loses her voice. The social world, which had been at. her feet during her success, deserts her in the hour of need, but sho is tho same beloved child of the old folks at home whom she had neglected. She returns to tho humble home, where she quickly finds that which is said to come onco and only "Once to Every Woman." During tho screening of\ "Onco to Every Woman" Miss Louise Hannay will sing "Ben ": -Bolt,-" and a special musical • programmo by tho big Symphony Orchestra will accompany the picture. This week, the patrWns of Greater Crystal Palace" will revel in the mysteries, thrills, and sensations of a huge American circus, as, in addition to "Once to Every Woman," the first instalment of tho huge Universal super story, "King of the Circus," will be screened. Eddie Polo is tho star of "King of the Circus," and it is said that three of tho largest tent shows in America were combined in the making of the picture, which means that the oircus proper is oven bigger and better than Barmun's. Tho latest copy of the International News film, and the twopart Century comedy, "His Fearful Finish,' will complete tho picture portion of the programme. The conductor, Mr Alfred J. Buna, has selected a .very attractive musical programme for tho Symphony Orchestra, and Borne of the numbers are:—Overture, "If I Were lung (Adam); entr'act, "Prelude 111. Act, Lolwn. grin" (Wagner); "Barcarolle" (Hoby); The Piegt of Rochelle" (BalfeJ; "Procession and Children's Dance" (Humperdinek); " So «Jy Awakes My Heart' (Saint-Saens); and Mr Howard Moody, solo pianist, will play The Rustling of Spring" (Sinding). The box plan is at The Bristol, or Beats may be reserved by telephone number 3758. "SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT." AT EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. A vivid story with a theme standing out in striking contrast to "Why Cbaose Your Wife?" "Male and Female," "Don t Change Your Husband," and any of hj» previous successes marks "Something To Think About, Cecil B. Do Mille's Paramount-Art'-i-al., Royalty ' masterpiece, which will be shown at Everybody's Theatre to-night at 7.30, and then twice daily throughout this week. Iho ' idea of ■right-thinking furnishes the ba*io idea, of the story. In tho early rceiies the quaint rural characteristics of Lulie Anderson, a blacksmith, and his daughter. Ruth, have a. rollicking humour that as captavatir.gly presented. When the/daughter, already engaged to a rich young man pf the neighbourhood, elopes with Jim Dirk,, a handsome newcomer, the clouds of tragedy gather quickly. Then a series, of swift climaxes develop in rapid succession until will power brings with, it the restoration of the heroine's happiness through the instrumentality of her little boy. Gloria Swanson, who had the. leading feminine role oppoeito Elliott Dexter in "For Better, For Worse," appears in <a eimdar capacity in "Sometbins; To Think About." Theodore 'Roberts, veteran Paramount oliavactor, has one of the most difficult parts of his screen career in tho part of Luke Audorson, the stem father who blinds himself in a fit of rage. Roue, gambler of the twantieth century, and spaed driver in his many varied rotes Mr Roberts declares that the part of Luke represents the hardest work he ever did. in his life, necessitating as it did a eiudy of all the characteristics peculiar to sightless men. Others in the i-ast are Monto Bluo. who has an important supporting part, Claire McDowell, Micky Moore, Julia Faye, James Mason, Theodore Jvosloff, and Togo Yammamoto. Ethel Clayton plays a sort of feminine Jekyll and Hyde m her latest Paramount photoplay, "Sins of Rozanne, whioli will bo presented as tho second attraction on the programme. The picture 13 u mystery romance, with the bulk of the action laid in South Africa, and was adapted from Cynthia Stockley's popular novel. > The heroine ia an English girl who waa moUered for tyo vears bj»* Malay .woman, and was imbued by her with a passionate desire for bright stones, and tho strange- powoj to cause injury to those whom she might hate. When she sees jewels, she comes under the influence of her craving, and will not stop at anything oven theft, to obtain them. When tho We » taken away,, the becomes a«uin a gentle, loving personality. A beautiful romance- develops, according to the story, and destroys the spell. An excellent cast supports tho pretty star .in Sine of Rozanne." Jock Holt is tha leading man, and Fred. Malatesta and Clarence- Ge,dart are «-lso in the company. The story was directed by Tom Forman. Everybody s "Select" Orchestra, under the gi'idance of Mr W. J. Bellingham, F.S.M., vvilr provide an entirely new musical programme. Reserved seati may be booked at The jJristoi or by telephoning 4923. LIBERTY THEATRE. Crowded houses prevailed at the initial screening of the new programme at the Liberty Theatre on Saturday, the headline attraction being the Vitagraph pictuneation of the popular novel by James Oliver Curwood, "The Courage of Marge ODoonc, i which has created something of a sensation ' in film circles. The picture is ono of the ! moat fascinating and thoroughly enjoyable seen for some time, and the story k one I tlrat is out of the ordinary, havipj both freshness, of plot and distinction of celling. I "The Courage of Marge O'Doone" is a thrii- | ling and intensely gripping etory cf tho Canadian wilde, with eloquent backgrounds, and not the least of the many spectacular I features is the bear fight, which looks like g. battle foe the .world's chamsionehiD. There

is also an exciting man fight, but the bear iipfht is the real novelty of tho production. The settings are all in tho Alaskan and Oanadian wilds, and most of the scenes were taken during the winter. The director. David Smith, has caught ii wealth of interesting details, and some magnificent ecencs of the snow country. Tho characters are excellent in their parts, and not the leaet interesting are tho Canadian Indians, who havo splendid screen presence, because they are just themselves and nothing else. Pauline Starlto ia a charming and attractive herodno, and gives a. performance of unusual brilliance. She is ably supported by Miles Wekh, a popular young actor, in the role of David Raine. Other interesting films on the programmo were the Pathe Gazette, Topical Budget, the latest epieode of the Vitagraph ecrial, "Tho Invisible Hand," Pathe Review, and an,amusing Goldwyn-Capitol comedy, "A. Fly. in the Ointment.". Mr Allan Shrimpton, the popular baritone, wm greatly appreciated for hie excellent singing of "Around the Galley Fire," "The Blind Ploughman," and "The Mountains of Mourne," and splendid musical selections by the Liberty Orchestra included the overture, "Martha." STRAND THEATRE. The new programme at the Strand Theatre delighted hundreds of patrons, on Saturday during the day and ovening. The leading film wns a picture story of love and tragedy) the aotion taking plaoe in a Canadian .village, and partly in high Circles iu New York. The noted screen artist, William Famum, took the chief part, and hq wae ably supported by a versatile company who threw much spirit into the tion. Tho etory centred round thv career of Pierre Fournel, a village violinist in a email settlement in Quebec. A wealthy, party from New York the village, and an atmosphere of love andi jealousy ie set up. Pierre's sister ia married ineffectually to a gentleman who turns out to bo a thorough paced rascal, and a medley of movement between ull the pajtiea leada >lo ft very dramatic scene wherein the violin player. causes the model of rasoalitr to legalise the marriage by the argument of a red hot iron. Further exposures and denouncement* follow, and the story, end* with the eanoothing over of all difficulties between the musician and the New York lady of high degree. There were many intense momenta during the running of the film, and for anybody with a taste for tho dramatic this picture may be recommended. An excellent relief was afforded by a most entertaining Sunshine comedy, also u new series of Mutt and Jeff cartoons. Topical pictures contained in a World's News, and an Au«tralian Gazotte were witnessed with keen interest, GRAND THEATRE.- ft The new programme shown at tho Grand Theatre on Saturday was quite up to the standard of this popular theatre. As usual, there, were two star features/ of excellent merit! "The Prodigal Wife" features Miss Mary Boland and Imoy Cotton, with an alletar cast. Dr. Frederick Farhain, an ambitious young physioian, with his wife and four-year-old daughter, occupy humble quarters "in a boarding-house in New York, the front parlour of which the doctor, at certain hours, uses as his office. Mrs Farnbam, robels against the of her life and her husband'* devotion to his career, and accepts the attentions of ono who has suddenly become rich. "Dollars and the Woman" features Misa Alioo Joyoo and her performance in the Vitagraph production is one of her best. The presentation follows on the lino of the eta?* "play, and is just as full of inoideut and interest. Good judgment has been iwd in the selection of the cast, everv member of which is a character artist. Altogether it it a powerful pioture, with remarkable scenic effects and photog- 1 rapny. Another of the popular chapters of the remarkable perial, "The Moonriders, wae also- shown. ROYAL MUSICAL SOCIETY. The Royal Musical Soojety annouiioo their fust-concert, whioh is fixed for the King Edward Barracks on May 28th, when Handel a oratorio, "Judas Maccabeus," will be performed. The cast of soloists selected will be announced in a few days, and is expected to five satisfaction to subscribers and rnusio lovers generally. The marked progress made by tho Society lait year shows no sign of. abatehient, and the chorus and orohestra continue to grow in numbers and quality. The , Society's funds are also in a healthy state, permitting a generously progressive policy to be adopted, and the engagement of only the ■verv best of soloists. Last season an increase of 50 per cent, was made m subeonbin" members, and many more were refused. Additional subscribing members can now be taken, as the concerts this year will be given in the King Edward Barracks. MUSICAL RECITAL. A recital by A. Stanley Warwick, formerly of the State Conservatorium of Music, N S W., and elocutionary ."*£!«» at the Wellington and Chrißtchurch competitions, he given in the Choral Hall on felay sth. Mr WMrwick'will be assisted by leading lecal artists.