AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17414, 27 March 1922, Page 10

AMUSEMENTS.

PICTURE HOUSES. EVERYBODY'S THEATEE. A BRILLIANT PROGRAMME OP PICTURES AND MUSIC. "George llelford, -hose special Paramount ' productions hare a world-wide reputation, is resTX>r.=ib'ie for the superb production a: "The Great Impersonation," the E. Philiips Opper.heirr. story featuring James Kirkwcc<i, which will he shown at Everybody's Theatre this week. Mr Oppenheim writes for a bi? ; public—probably one of the largest c.aime-d by any English or American author. "The ; Great' Isaoeraonation" is one of his latest: tales of mystery, lore, and intrigue; ana it , ha 3 already gone through several editions. Tee plot deals with a mysterious mix-up i£ identities, and is concerned with incidents immediately preceding the Great War. There ; are many extras used in the various j which include episodes in German East Africa, the royal court of Ber.in, and tne ; palatial drawing-rooms of an English man- ■ sion. The famous war room of the deposed German Kaiser, known as the "Storeroom , of Ho'.och," ia ore of trie highly cicturesque | features of "The Great Impersonation." i»is : setting, which was constructed and fitted at , great expense, is Mr Melfcrd's a: : the secret Prussian Government chamber j where models of ail the engines, machines, munitions, and devices which were perfected j for use in the V.'orld War were stored. ! The tumishing-3 include a large chair, | which W2S riven to the Kaiser by the Emperor of Austria, a beautiful table desk which waa carried of: from France by tne Gcrmar.3 during the war of 1670; and many other articles of furniture. which were | brought over from Germany. James Kirk- j featured player in "The Great Imper- j eonation," has one of the most difficult dual ; roles ever portrayed on the screen. T"e ; skill required in the portrayal of this role will be understood when one. considers the fact that Mr Kirkwood must enact two racial characters with entirely different characteristics—one a German, the other an Englishman. The role becomes further involved when, as the story develops, it appears that the German has killed the Englishman and impersonates him in Britain, acting as a spy of the Imperial Prussian Government just prior to the Great War. After many thrilling scenes, a smashing surprise develops. It is said this finale is unequalled in interest and dramatic power by any similar situation ever shown in a motion picture. Mr Kirkwood'3 portrayal of this difficult iole is highly artistic. . . Some of the most charming scenes imaginable distinguish Ethel Clayton's new Paramount picture, "Beyond, which will be the second feature on the programme. The story by Henry Arthur Jone3 is one of exceptional interest, and the theme, that of communication with the world beyond the lifted veil, is quite timely. The adaptation by Julia Crawford Ivers is smooth, and the direction by William D. Taylor is polished and complete in every detail. The settings ere a particularly artistic feature. "Beyond" strikes a note of popular appeal. Aa usual at this popular theatre, an excellent musical programme will be provided by Everybody's "Select" Orchestra, under tne conductorship of Mr "VV. J. Bellingham, F.S.M., chief among the numbers being: Overture, "The Diplomat" (Souea): trio, "Rap3idie Norwegmne" (Svendsen), Florence Millar, Harold Beck, and Dorothie Bellingham; piano quartet, "Intermezzo" (Op. 2) (Mendelssohn), eo'-o pianiste, Dorothie Bellingham; entr'acte, "Some Sunday Morning-' (Karn). soloist. Clarence Crawford: orchestral suites. "Contea de la Veille" (Godard), "Imnrecsions d'ltalie" fCharpentier): ballet 'music, "Henry VIII." (Saint-Safens); son? suite. "Stars of the Desert" (Finden); light numbers, "Cataline" (Byron Gay), In Dreamy Araby" (O'Hagen), "When Dreams Come True" (O'Hagen). Reserved seats may he obtained either at The Bristol or by telephoning No. 4925. GEAND THEATRE. The quality of the new programme shown at the Grand Theatre on Saturday for the first time can aafely be predicted to fill the house dining the week. Tho innc:rul attraction is "Scrap Iron." John fitcel is one of the most popular employees of tho biggest mill in a Western industrial city. His prowess with the gloves has ii.tdc him a hero with moat o: the mill >vrrl:«:r3, end Midge Flannigan, the belle of tho village, is his girl. The one flaw in John's hr.i pincss is the ill-health of his widowed mother, and he works hard so that he can takes her to a healthier climate. At the request of his mother he gives up boxing, jir! many of tho ruen, thinking ho is cowardly, nickname him "Scrap Iron." They are convinced of this when, at the annual picnic of the mills, he refuses to hit drunken Bill Dugan. who is annoying Midge. When Battling Burke, a professional pugilist, knocks Dugiin unconscious, Midge deserts John and accepts at- | ten+ions from Burke. John gains one everI lasting friend, however, by helping Dugan * home. Then he loses his job through lateness caused by attending to th» wants of bis mother. He fails to find other work, and aa his savings disappear and his mother's condition becomes worse, he is desperate. Ho sees an announcement thjit Big Tim Riley ia looking for men to face BaUling Burke in the ring. Steel offers himself, and Riley promises him 200 dollars if he lasts three rounds with Burke, but not a ''ent if be in knocked out before that time. "Scrap Iron" goes into the Ting and takes an unmerciful beating, for, when Burke findß that Steel is giving all attention to defence and none to offence, ho throws all caution io tho wind ant! etarta for a knock-out. "Scrap Iron" lasts through the ihreo rounds nnd starts in tho fourth, with his 200 dollars sai?, to hit Burke at leff<>t a few times before he goes out. The surprise comes when the infuriated "Scrap Iron" knocks Burke out. Riley adds the winner's end to the payment he makes Steilj and tho lad hurries home to find that his mother has had a bad attack while he has been absent at the fight club. Mrdge shows up at tho house, wanting John back, but the youth's love is wrapped up in his mother, and the picture ends with them planning the trip that is to restore Mrs Steel to normal health. The part of Steel ia taken by tho popular actor, Charles Ray. The second big picture features Antonio Moreno in "Three Sevens," a mystery drama of a distinctly now type. QUEEN'S THEATBE. . large audiences attended the Queen'o Theatre on Saturday to witness tho screening of the new programme, which proved to be one of unusual merit. The leading picMire is a Selzniclc production, entitled 'Tho Last Door," starring Eugene O Brien. The piece, is essentially dramatic, and is characterised by intense interest, \ir»expected situations, beautiful photography, and splendid acting—making it altogether an outstanding picture. The story is of an adventurer who deliberately chooses a career of crime, not because he desires to be a criminal, but becauso the life, with it 3 risks and excitements, appeals to him. His exploits arc many, and all daring, and he reaches the culminating point when he kidnaps a young society man whoso identity he assumes for the purpose of robbing a wealthy home. Ho was unnble to foresee what the step would lead him to. If he had, however, it would -net have made any difference, as it turned out, because it resulted in his subsequent happiness. He was thrown in the path of a beautiful girl, with whom he immediately fell in love, and as a result of whose influence ho was brought to see the error of his ways, and to start all over again. O'Brien is supported by a powerful cast, which includes tho beautiful actres3, Martha Mansfield. "The Ihfaruou3 Miss Hevell" is a myotery story in which the solution is withheld until the last moment. The stellar role is in the hands of Aiice Lake, who has to appear in the dual part of two sisters. There is an entertaining supporting bill.