AMUSEMENTS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 28, 29 December 1916, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

FOLEY'S PICTURES. “THE GOOD BAD MAN.” A Triangle feature entitled “The Good Bad Man” is the star attraction at His Majesty Theatre to-night. It is a fine real drama, and features Douglas Fairbanks (the second highest salaried comedian in the world) and Bessie. Love (the second Mary Bickford). The picture deals with the lone outlaw “Passin’ Through” and his life. He becomes an outlaw on account of doubts as to his parentage. Later he discovers who his parents were and that a leader of a band of outlaws called the Wolf killed bis father. He vows vengeance and later finds that the Wolf has taken away the girl of his choice. The picture has a dramatic ending, and shows where the girl ( and Passin Through leave to cross the border. How the gang of desperadoes is exterminated and how Passin’ Through avenges his father’s death is told in the latter portion of the film. Supporting items are “Women Workers for Victory,” a very interesting subject, War Gazette and other interesting subjects. The usual matinee will bo held on Saturday at 1.30.

the big push. RACE NIGHTS. No war picture ever shown in England created such a sensation as the official lilras of “The . Big Push, as the battle of the Somme is called, which is to be screened in Strattoid at His Majesty’s Theatre on Race Nights. A writer in the Loudon ■ Weekly Despatch estimates that neatly a. million Londoners attended the screening of these pictures during tho first few days they were shown. The troops are seen to spring Irora the trenches for the long-an aiteu hand-to-hand tussle with the enemj,

or such of him as is left in the front, trenches after the frightful liammei" ing the big guns have given him. Nothing quite like these films hate been previously seen here, bring home to the people a sense of the difficulties tiiat confront the Allies and a realisation of the war as it actually is, and not as many are too apt to imagine it is. Mr Lloyd George had no doubt this in mind when he issued the instruction to the War Office; “See that this picture reaches everyone.” It should be remembered that this picture pays a special war tax on its export from England, and thus those who see it are indirectly contributing to the war funds.

BEAUTY AND THE BE'AST. RACE NIGHT. Arrangements are now complete for the spectacular pantomime, “Beauty and the Beast” to be staged in the Town Hall ou race night (Monday next). The ballets dances, marches, and transformation scenes, some of which are new and distinctly novel, reflect the liighest praise on the directress, Airs Mcßeth. Lester’s orchestra lias been specially augmented for the race night programme. Electrician Bob Jackson has been working at the final preparations nightly and will present some elcc•.rud mechanical lighting effects not hitherto seen locally. Patrons who are fortunate to get a seat on race night in the Town Hall will carry away a lasting memory of- “Beauty and the Beast” pantomime, the net proceeds of which are to be donated ;to the Lady Liverpool Fund. Re- ' serves at Fox’s music depot, Broad--' way. RETURN VISIT OF M. OSSIPOFF.’y

Since M. Eugene Ossipoff’s first visit to New Zealand in 1910-1911 the

Russian basso cantanto has visited India, China, Japan, the Philipmes,§ and even going as far as 1 hldivostok, and in each country has scored dis-jl tinct successes. This celebrated vocalist is again visiting New Zea- jt, ; laud, and his coming will be welcom- b ed by all music-lovers who have al- || ready listened to his brilliant renderiug of the arias from the operas of such famous composers as Verdi,,. Dounizetti, Gounod, Biset, and Glinka M. Ossipoff is a dramatic baritone,, with a fine range and ringing robust ' quality, and his interpretation of such., numbers as the Toreador’s song fioni| “Carmen” and the prologue from “I Pagliacci” are worth going a long way to hear. During his present 5 tour of the Dominion M. . Ossipoff will be supported by three young and « clever Australians, Miss Bessie Rogers (elocutionist), Miss Etlmee Clegg (mezzo-soprano), and Miss SylviaRoberts (pianiste). M. Ossipoff will ,* give one recital in the Town Had on v, the evening of Tuesday nexT. The 4 box plan is now open at Grubb’s.

GRAND OPEN-AIR CONCERT. j

Many hundreds' of people in the ” Stratford district are looking to the open-air concert in the A. and?* P. Showgrounds by the popular Gar-.-risen Band from Wanganui on Sunday afternoon. The Band’s items at. the similar gathering at Ngaere last year will not soon be forgotten, and* this outing at the people’s doors so to speak will provide another intellect trial treat. Every penny collected at the gates will he devoted to tliQ f local fund for Wounded Soldiers, which object needs no second appeal; to the hearts of all Britishers. The concert commences at 2.30 with Si march entitled “Washington Greys”,' followed by the overture “Zampa,”which is a standard work of known excellence. A cornet solo “The Ros-’-ary” will he played with band accompaniment. A splendidly arranged selection from “Maritana” will be, given, also a lovely chorus froim Gounod’s Mors et Vita, entitled' “Judex.” The contest selection. “Polinto” is a magnificent work, and' shows the band’s fine combination to advantage. The fantasia “Simeon” should also prove very popular, the bell effects produced being most realistic. The contest march “Th% North Star” will conclude a musical treat.

Arrangements are being for a visit to Stratford of trie Boys from the Elthaui Boys’ Home. The. Salvation Army Boy’s will I>© remembered by many, in this district, saw their drill and tableaux at the Showgrounds lasi Easter.