AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17319, 3 December 1921, Page 12

AMUSEMENTS.

PICTURE HOUSES. v GRAND THEATEB. "THE MASTER MIKD" AN*D "THE LITTLE FOOL." There wil> be a complete change of programme at the Gwnd Theatre to-day and j to-r.ight. As usual, there will be two star j pictures, one featuring Lionel Bam-more in I "The Master Mind," and the other an al!star cast in "Pjb Little Fool." Daniel O. Carter's powerful stage- success ''The Master Mind" ie graphically depicted en the screen with Lionel Barrymore, who is recognised a; America's premier diaroitie star, in the best role of his bnlliir.t career. The play is based on the mysterious power of strong wills over weaker ones. Mr iiarrymore, known os oi-e of the most phasing artists of the stage and ecreen, himself st.ites that he has n-.ver had a role which has provided a wider latitude, for his remarkable talents. The- play !» really a masterly production, worthy cf this great artist. In the other picture, a real Cahtorma story with a natural California back-rround furnishes the theme and setting for the pio turiwUbn of "Tk-> Li'.Me Fool," based 0:1 Jack Locdon's novo! 'The Little Lady cf the Big House." The btory deals with typical California ranch life among the immensely wesithy, who own vast acreage cf productive soil. Hirrhly animated and unusual eccnei are ir.cr«rporatcd m the picture, which arrests and holds attention. A.huge concrctelin:A swiniming tank formed in b natural depression of the earth furnished tho setting for thiiiling scenes, turne of which, ae called for in ths scenario, caused no liitlo concern. Some of tho most daring required persona possessed of rare nerve. One seine in particular called for the heroine to rido down the spillway of the tank, mounted on a fiorv steed. After this feat w.13 accomplished; a dive from a sixty-foot platform—also necessitated bv the demands of the manuscript — peosibly "seemea tame to the daring littlePiula, a. role enacted bv Ora, Carew. An exciting water-ball contest also takes place in the immense swimming tank, participated in br the guests at the "big house" on a. weekend partv. The notable cast for "The Little Foci" includes such well-known players aa Milton Sills. Xigd Barry, and Byron Jlunton, in addition to Miss Carew. A fine fupportiwr programme is also being shewn. The*prices will be as usual. Seats may be reserved at The Bristol until noon, and after 'hat hour at tire theatre, telephone number 2934.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. WALLACE REID AND ALICE BRADT. Wallace Keid, although one of tho youngest stars in the profession, is a screen pioneer, who has proven himself to lie a. man of action, not only in hie Paramount pictures, but also an the application of his many other talents. In the motion picture profession, Mr Reid'e activities have not been limited to tho acting field. In his early experience, he was a cameraman. Then he became a leading man, and later served as scenario writer, director and star in a series of pioturea. There is no dearth of action in "Too Much Speed," which is another, typical Wallace Keid vehicle, an auto race story which will doubtless prove even mor9 popular than "The Roaring Road," "What's Your Hurry?" and "Excusa My Dust," which were axnonj his most popular successes. One of the most famous racing cars that ever sped around the course, and which won, j perhaps, more speed' victories than any other car in existence during tho short time that it was in tho field, is driven by Wallace Beid in the breath-taking scenes Of "Too Much Speed," his latest Paramount Picture, which will be seen at Everybody-a Theatre next week, oontmencing at the matinee on Monday. There ere many exciting j and humorous situations in the story. Agnes Ayree and Theodore Roberts share the honours with the star. The support generally is of the best. "How do they do it? _<s a question which spectators in motion picture theatres often ask as they watches picture oa the screen. Scenes which will doiibtless prompt that question are those in "Too Much Speed," in which are shown close-up views on Mr Reid and his mechanto in their racing car, as the machine speeds around the course at a hundred miles an hour. To photograph the close-up scenes jn action, it was necessary to strap the camera on to the (rear «»d of another racing car which was capable of making as muon spaed m the one which the players drove. . The supporting attraction is The Fear Market," * drama thrilling and pulsating with life, whioh brings Alice Brady back into theheaxtsofacreer.fan« everywhere; Basedon the play by Amelie Rives, it gives the popular star an opportunity to display her Mstrionio talents to the full, and as the oharming, adorable Sylvia Stone, # brought upu In New York's most exclusive circle, she is whirled through a maze of astounding events. The ending is a pleasant surprise. Another brilKant musical programme will be given by Everybody's "Select* Orchestra, under the corriuctorahip. of Mr W. J. BelSrn, F.3.M. The items will include the* following: - Ovwture, (Schubert): trio.. "Allegro" (Op. 352) (Carl &hmrK<" o noe Miliar, Dorothy %lhngham, and Harold Beck; 'ceEo solo "Trauma™!" (Shumann), Harold. Beck; quarX "Moltrilligro".(No 6) (Morart) strong quartette; Entr'acte, 'Feather Your Nest" (Kendis);-orchestral suite, ''Norwegian Rhapsody" (Svendsen), "Dans* Macabre*' (Saint Saens); grand opera selection, "La Nerma" (Bellini); hght selections. Pi; rates of Penwince" (Sulivan). "Smbad (Romberg), "Whispering" (Scho-W-r;, ••Happinei" (Meyer); "By Heik" (Henry). As usual, seats may be reserved either-at The Bristol of by telephoning number 4920. j STBAND THEATBB, j At fte -Strand Theatre to-day George Walsh wiU be seen in "I'll Say So," a. etory of rapid action and breciy adventure, and Peggy Eyland in "The Web of Chance. John Harrison, of a detective agency, and Dorothy Ha*. (Peggy Hyland>-his niece, and secretary,, are approaching the end of the vacation. Arthur Brown-*t the earn* hotel-falls deeply in love with the girl, but owing to circumstances under which he is living, leaves the hotel with his companion, Thorne, to escape temptation to propose to her. Returning to his office, Harrison holds a close conference over a puwsUng oSse? A million dollar Government contract Sarfield Company, and the.agency has.bean hasbeea stolen from the 'private jUesjrt; the Commissioned to recover the lost tione, valued at 60,000 dollars. k«"*> n suspects a young employee of the firm, Arthur Brown, and has detailed his men to I uet a line on Brown. Dorothy overhears lb» conversation, and in the absence of a iroman detective who ia desired to aid, ' takes it upon herself to discover the criminal. Her pursuit of Brown involves a wries of exciting adventures, for he knows she is following him, and consequently le*3s her a hard chase. In the midst of her most exciting experience her oar runs out oi eas. «nd she is left behind by the laughing Brown. After he has sufficiently enjoyed her predicament, he returns am* offers his cervices in the capacity of a friend. Only now doe* he allow her to know he has recognised her as the girl of has vacation. Dorothy, however, is still resolved to cap* lure him red-handed. At what appoara to bs the crucial moment she accuses him of the theft of tho specifications from the Sarsfield files. Brown, enjoying the situation heartily, introduces his companion, a Mr Button, as the executor of the estate of the senior Sarsfield, who died two years before, and discloses his identity as Arthur Browß-Sarsfield, heir to the great business. He further explains that he used the nam* oi Brown to fulfil certain conditions imposed by has tatter's .will. Dorothy'* em*?* humour serves her wall, and she enjoys toe situation m much as do the others. Whan young Brown proposes she 3««epiiihimsvsn agreeing to his demand that they be married at once, and a Justice of the Peace is called in. Another of .Harrison's detectives has captured the real oriminai, and when Dorothy telephones her uncle that she has nailed her xuaa-rArthur Brown—he is nonprossed, until she explains the entire situation, then he smiles and pours his congratulations through the 'phone. Supporting subjects are "Hula Hula Town" (cartoon), and an Australian -New*.

LIBEETY THEATRE. At the Liberty Theatre to-day the initial I screenings take place of "The Foolish Matrocs," the latest Associated Producers' offering, and a special Pathe photoplay, "The Girl in tie Web," starring Blanche Sweet. "The Foolish Matrons" is a drama of exceptional charm, and it skilfully and artistically produced. It is based on the old proverb, "Every wise woman buildeth "her house; but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands." "The Foolish Matrons" is considered one of the biggest And most I vitally interesting" moral drlrnaa of the day. It is the story of three women who married, the first an actress, who married solely for love, and the others, who married for social standing, and the* luxury that they thought their husbands' wealth would buy thera. The picture contains a ■wealth of social glamour, and depicts the night life of New York. Hobart Bosworth and Doris May have the principal roles, others in the oast being Kathleen Kirkham, Charles Meredith, Betty Scbade, Mildred Manning, and Wallace Mac. Donald. In "The Girl in the Web" Blanche Sweet is seen in a role that is quite different from any of her previous productions. This is'her latest and most successful feature under the management or Jesse D. Hampton, and is an excellent adaptation ot the widely read novel, "Mias Maitland, Private Secretary,' by Geraldire Bonner. It is an entertaining mystery drama, and Nigel Barrie, Tboma* Jefferson, Adele Farrington, and many others- surround Miss Sweet in the leading- supporting roles. Ah adequate supporting bill consists of the Pathe Gazette. Topical Budget, Pathe Review, an exceptionally clever and highlv entertaining Christie comedy special, "The Restless Sex " and special musical selections by the Liberty Grand Orchestra. GREATER CRYSTAL PALACE. EXCELLENT PROGRAMME OF MUSIC AND PICTURES. 'The Fatal Hour." "Opened Shutters," and the current successful programme of music and pictures will bo presented at Greater Crystal Palace for the last times this afternoon and to-night, and the worldfamous Symphony Orchestra of twenty-iwo players, under the distinguished conductorship oi Mr Alfred-..J. Biiaz, will play at both ' sessions. An excellent programme of music and pictures is announced ior next week, the bill being headed by a big Goldwyn super-feature in sis ports, entitled "Bonds of Love," starring Miss Paulino Frederick, one of the screen's finest actresses. It is said that never before lias Miss Frederick displayed her exceptional talent to better advantage than in this great- society drama, which is from the psn ot Louis Sherwin. Miss Frederick assumes the role of Una, Sayre, who is employed a3 governess for Jimmy in the home of the Cabots. His sister-in-law, Lucy Beckrnan, and her brother Harry have been living on the bounty of their brother-in-law, Daniel Cabot, and running the household. In fear that the new governess will overcome Cabot's vow never to marry again, they vow to keep the ■ memory of their dead sister always in his hiind. The boy, however, forms an attachment for Una. Nevertheless, i the others meke her life so miserable that isEe decides to leave. Just as she is about to say good-bye, the little follow is in danger of losing his life by drowning. Naturally, ' sho hastens to his aid. Her bravery causes bis father to beg her to stay. She accepts, but still his relatives persist in their persecutions, and their comparative references to the dead wife. Despite their machinations, the little boy finds a new mother, and the "social grafters" lose their means of sustenance.

The second big picture is a fine five-part comedy-drama from the famous Universal City studios, and will serve to introduce for the first time to Christcburch theatre-goers, "Hobt" Gibson, a sterling _ actor with an original personality, in "Action," whioh has for its theme tho doings of three modem musketeers who suddenly find themselves with a- girl to raise. The cast supporting Mr Gibson includes Francis Ford, world-famous in his own right as a star, and Clara Horton, tho wonderful young emotional actress who played the name part in Eex Beaeh's big picture, "Tho Girl from Outside." The title suggests the whirlwind tempo of the story, which has a 'Western setting! without the whooping cowboys and gun-pl»y stuff usual in Western pictures. The other pictures which will go to make up a full three hours' entertainment are the last chapter of "The Diamond Queen"; the first sentfttional chapter of "Do or Vie," with the' ever-welcome Eddie Polo ar the star; a very funny twoyart Century comedy featuring the celebrated Century lions, and the latest International News film. The vot* ing cards put out by the manager, Mr V. }£ Beebe, resulted in an overwhelming percentage of patrons expressing a desire to see "Do or Die," nearly, all the scenes of whioh are laid in the Island of Cuba. As usual, the orchestral numbers for next week will be advertised in Monday's newspapers. The box plan is at The Bristol, or seats may be reserved by telephoning Greater Crystal Pa|ace, number 3758.