AMUSEMENTS,

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 17021, 18 December 1920, Page 4

AMUSEMENTS,

OPERA HOUSE. At the matinee this afternoon the popular Revue company will be seen in their third I entirely new production "The Rajah of Danapoor."* This deals V.'ith the troubles of an Eastern »uler who is unable to find contontment until ho wears the shirt of a happy man. As it happens, a marine btcomea stranded in this potentate's province, and his shiit is the luck-bringer. Plenty oi smuiiiiT complications ensure- before the etory comes to its inevitable happy conclusion. Good parts are allotted to all the principals, and the music, dancing, and drosses are 6>ud to be of the latest. In the vaudeville section Kenneth Machine will continue with his clever son«s as will Leonard Kelson, the popular comedian. Others to appear are Nr.* Hanley, mad musician, and the Sinclair Bros., equilibrists. The box plan is on view at The- Bristol. LIBERTY THEATRE, The seven reel \itagraph super-production " "The Fortune Hunter,'' will receive its initial piesentation at the Lioertv Tueatre 011 Saturday, as the headline attraction of a now and excellent programme. "The Fortune Hunter" presents as its star, the popular favourite, Earle Williams, ii-very scene, cvfrv bit of comedy, and each intricate piece of business that held the Ijill on tho boards at the Gaiety Theatre on Broadway, for over a year, are found in the screen version, and Earlo 'Williams never showed up to hotter advantage. His impersonation of Nathaniel Dunham defies criticism. His personality beconics identified with that of tho character ho portravs. Jean Paige earns hes right to special mention in tho character of Betty Graham, the industrious daughter of tho village 'nobodv. Tom Terris directed the production. "The Patho Gazette, Topical Budget, the 9th chapter- of "Smashing .Barriers" npd a Nestor comedy, "His Royal Nibs," will alfo be screened. An additional feature of interest is tho special engagement of Mr Harold Preacott, tho popular Christchurch singer, who -will sin- n number of \'ocal items, including "The' Bloom is on tho Rye," "AwMie, ' and "Tho Littlo Irish Girl." EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. Thomas H. Ince haa taken Gouverneur Morris's powerful narrative, "Behind the Door,',' and moulded it into a. motion picture of tremendous dramatic strength. It will be screened next week' at Everybody's Theatre. The story blends a lovo of touching tenderness with a strong mail s power to suffer and repay. Its linale, which is disclosed by shadows "bohiud tho door, breathes tragedy l>orii of the relentless vengcanco of ft man who li*i3 btn-n deeply wronged. .To that virile actor, Hobart Bosworth, Mr Inco entrusted the leading lole. His is a wonderful perfonnav.ee. Jane Novak has the strongest role of her career as the suffering wife driven; to madness and death by a brute, and Wallacc Berry shares the honours with his wonderful portrayal of this latter rolo. Dsccribed a3 a super drama, "Behind the Door" was originally published in "McClure's Magazine." In addition to ~ the above feature Charles Ray's latest Paja-mount-Artcrft photoplay, "Paris Green,' will be screened. It is : a delightfully romantic coniedv m which we are taken from beautiful Paris "to tho freshness of a Now Jersey farm.. The story was written by Jtilien Josephson, and directed by Jerome Storm, who is remembered for several other Hay successes. Popular Ann May plays opposite , the star in this amusing picture of lovo and | youth. Everybody's "Select" Orchestra will supply tho musical programme. The box plan is at The Bristol. GRAND THEATRE. "Salome" will bo shown at the Grand Theatre to-day and to-night, Five thousand players are featured in tho production, which is said to bo ou a colossal scale. The scenic effects are marvellous, and Old Jerusalem reconstructed in its entirety, from tho historic Jaffa Gate to Herod's bizarre palace. The aphendours of this most extravagant, court of all time are faithfully reproduced. All the historic scencs that frightened the Mighty Herod, the arms and trappings of tho moving soldiery, gleam and glisten in tho Eastern sun. Salome's dreams cf dominion are interrupted by tidings of a Strange Crier in tho Wilderness, she meets (.lie man who piques her curiosity, tho first good iran to come into her life. The stern ascetic proves impervious to Salome's blandishments, her prido hurt by her first rebuff, wilful Salome's revengeful nature flares up. She pursues her vengeance until finally she is able to Eay, "And now my wish —I want —I demand—the head of Jolm the Baptist in ft silver charger." In the supporting programme will bo another exciting episode of "The Great Gamble" and other excellent pictures. CRYSTAL PALACE. A picture that should set a new fctandaid of British production will be teen at Crystal Palace to-day, in the British Actors dramatisation for t-he screen of Lord Tennyson's famous poem, "Lady Clare," 0113 of he best known n:id most popular of the Poet.Laureate's efforts. '"Lady Qa>re" is a production that has evoked the highe-st praris-j and greatest enthusiasm of any English production up to t'hc present. The rode, of "Lady Ckire" is taken by luary Odette. In. the Paramount-Art craft version of W. Somerset Maugham's well-known play, "Jack Straw," featuring Robert Warwick, tho stt)Ty unfolded is eo leaded with delightful love interest that the spirit of roinanco will permeate ail who ten it. Jack Straw is n. chivalrous icoxnan, who, after many vicissftudes, ia palmed off 011 ilia socially ambitious mother of the girl ho loves as > tho "Archduke, of Pomera.nia." Of course, exposure follows, but the actual denouement will come as a big surprise to all. ilobert Warwick was novor more happily cast than as tho blase iceman, and nmong those who play - opposite him are Charles Oglo and J. M. Dv.mcart, who will bo re- > mombered as "Tho Dopo" in "The Miracle : Man." Tliess two pictures will be screen- j ed to-day at 2.15 tind 7.30 p.m., and during next week. QUEEN'S PICTUEES. Heading a fine new progTanlm© at tho Queen's Theatre to-day wi'l be a high-class ■ society comedy film, "A Fugitive from Matrimony," starring the English actor H. B. Warner and Seena Owen. The picture gives Warner a <- hance to appear in a role similar to his "Alias Jimmy Valentine.' which made him famous as a scresn star, as well a.a on the speaking stage. As a breezv, -whimsical young who fle-33 "from matrimony as it were from a p.ague. lie is in his element, and is more than capably supported by Seena Owen a« tho giil In tho caw.. Many cleverly devised, humorous situations are revealed in tlio picture, which has not a dull moment in its composition. Included in tlie bill will be a Pathe coloured scenic, "China and the Chines?," another chapter of the serial, "Mystery of "3," and a Gaumont Graphic, and an additional attraction on will bo Clara Kimball Young in an adaptation of Cynthia Stockley's famous novel of the great Africa* veldt, "Tho Claw," in which the beautiful star has many opportunities of proving her uuiquo versatility. STRAND THEATRE. • Tom Mix wiy bo seen at tho Strand Theatre to-day in the role of Bat Carson, a United States Deputy-Marshal sent to investigate mysterious ieuliages of gold in shipments. Carson suspects Sheriff Car.by and Con Norton of tl;e ihcits. He also discover that Canby and Norton have as their tools Fay La " Cross, a dance hall girl, ami. Phil Harland, her suitor and confidential secretary' to the president of the nunin-jr company. Carson lavs a trop for Harland and Norton's gang of outlaws by ordering a shipment of gold in the presence of Harland. The- truck carrying the gold, and driven by Carson, is waylaid by tho bandits in thi mountains, but Carson foils the highway men by jumping it across a ravine. In tho cast surrounding Mix is the beautiful Francelia Billinctor.,' whoso excellent work opposite the tfar in "Desert Love," earned her a large following: Lester Cuneo,- Charles K. French, Lucille Ycur.ge, Joseph Bennett, ar.d Wilbur Highly. the supporting picture? on tho programme are .Ford Educational, Australian Gazette, Fo>: World's News, Sunshine Comedy, and a Mutt and Jeff Cartoon. PIANO EVENING. Tho recital-by tho students of Mr Ernest Empscn will take place in the Choral Hall on Monday next at 8 p.m. Tho programme, which aiuy ba sren on the first page o: this issue, reveals an attractive variety cf classical and modern compositions. Additional interest, will be Tent to tho recital by the singing cf Miss Olga Wacked, who will eing "Fear Not Ye, O Israel" (Dudley 3uck) and "I Gave You Roses" (Florence Aylvard). The plan is open £.t Robt. Francis, HigJ street.