AMUSEMENTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 August 1928, Page 1

AMUSEMENTS.

EVERYBODYS PICTURES. • WHAT PRICE GLORY.” TO-NIGHT. Every decade there appears on the theatrical horizon a stage or screen presentation so powerful in its appeal, whether it .be comedy or tragedy, that it at once radiates its fame to the remotest writers of the nation. It immediately grasps attention and becomes a byword and the topic of everyday conversation. Everyone will admit that there is no more positive proof of this than “What Price Glory.” As a stage play it was a sensation. Now comes along that most powerful and searching of all agencies that reflect and recreate, the motion picture, and the sensation takes on all the widespread and interest arousing energy of a furore. This is exactly what has happened to William Fox’s screen presentation of this celebrated play, which comes to the Princess Theatre tonight. The 'nation’s foremost screen critics have been unanimous in their commendation of this motion picture masterpiece, declaring that it surpasses the. celebrated play by Laurence Stallings and Maxwell Anderson in every particular despite the greatness of the stage attraction. It is proclaimed by all those in authority as the greatest motion picture of the year. It is not a war picture. War is its background. It is no more a war play than a love comedy laid in a sylvan setting would he called a rural play. Its authors took war as the canvas on which to sketch their story, was as the great influence of men and women that would bring out pathos, comedy and human appeal as no other crisis in the affairs of the nations could bring. Above all else there is comedy. Probably no picture ever made along the edge of a great world tragedy ever bad so much comedy. “AYliat Price Glory” on the screen is peopled with 'real and human characters that will at once win favor. They are not just tpyes. They are the genuine thing in front of the camera, which makes no mistake. “What Price Glory” is not only a great and absorbing picture with thrills and heart throbs, and a world of comedy, but it is crowded with incidents that will bring a chuckle and a thrill long after tlie moment you see it. Special prices will be charged for this big production to-night, viz. Circle 2s, stalls Is fid. children under 12, fid. ALFRED O'SHEA. FAMOUS IRISH-A USTR ALI AN TENOR. At the Princess Theatre on Wednesday, August loth, music lovers will have the opportunity of hearing one of the world’s greatest tenors in Alfred O’Shea, who makes his first platform appearance in Hokitika. It may be of interest to read nil extract from the “Daily Guardian." Sydney, on a recent O’Shea concert in that city. “When the Town Hall was crowded on Saturday . night for the third- concert by Alfred O'Shea It plainly showed that Sydpey musiclovers know of no off-season for front rank Artists, It was his group of French songs—especially “Crepsuele” —that Mr O'Shea’s absolute delicacy of tone was best revealed. Flis pianissimo notes in these songs were exquisite. Then for encore that most lovely song, “At the Mid-hour of Night.” In his operatic numbers, including “Che Gelida Alanine’’ from “La Boheme” lie was delightful. It is a severe test for a young tenor to essay numbers that have such, traditional interpretations behind them as Caruso’s and McCormack's, but O’Shea has established for himself a definite place in the world of song, his rendering of the two “Rigoletto” numbers alone revealed it. For 1 iis Irish songs, Mr O'Shea lias the national temperament which alone can properly interpret such gems as “His Sorrow Thy Young Days. .Shaded” and “The Snowy Breasted Pearl." His final encores “The, Last Rose of Sunimei and “Annie Laurie” were beautiful.’ Mr O’Shea’s programme on Wednesday will include some of the richest gems of liis vast repertoire and intending patrons would do well to reserve. their seats at Misses Mclntosh. No extra for retrying..,