AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17430, 15 April 1922, Page 13

AMUSEMENTS.

PICTURE HOUSES. QBEATEE CRYSTAL PALACE. HOJJDAY PltOGßAiliffi. FOUR BIG PICTCKES asv superlative ircsic. "Cheated Hearts," '"The Lores of Letty," and current Euccessful prcgranuno will bo 6hown at Greater Crystal Palace for tho last, times to-day and and tl:o worldfamous Symphony Orchestra of twentj-two solo musicians, under the distinguished conductorship of Mr Alfred J. Biinz, will pia.y at both the afternoon and evening eesjions. I The manager, of the big theatre, Mr V. M. Eeebe, ha,s arranged a very fine holiday programme for Easter week, commencing Akinday, wher. a licw programme of sim?rl;it:ve music will co presented by the Symphony Orchestra in conjunction with the screening of fo:ir big pictures and the latest International' Xctys film. Tho first Jug- picture on the long three houis' programme is Samuel Goldwyn'e anl Rrx Beach's delightful picturi?;(",ion of Basil lung's gre:<t navel, "Tho Street Called Straight," a. six-nart phot---play di Ipse. Mr Besho considers this picture tho finest example of scro?n din ma whielj it has ever been hi 3 pleasure to present at Greater Crystal Palace. The story, as all readers of modern literature know, is clean, healthful, and decidedly entertaining, ■ and tells of a great love, a gTeat tragedy, and of a v.-cman's s-oul transfigured and redeemed by a man's sacrifice. It is a truly great photoplay, thoroughly appropriate "to the E<v.ter senson, and it is said that a. finer cast of <ill-:-tar artists has never appeared in any pictur?. Tho cast includes Naomi Childers, Milton SilU, the featured players, Charle3 Clary, Irene Rich, Aleo B. Francis, Jane Stirling, Lv'dia Ycamans Titus, and L&wson Butt.

' Tho soooiid big picture is of notable and decided importance, and it 13 claimed to bo the beat all-British photo-play that has ever come to' Australasia. It is a drama of British and Continental circus life ontitled "The Puppet from the world-famous novel of'the samename by Cosmo Gordon Lmmox. This excellent pholn-play was produced by tho British Cinematograph Company Limited, of London Ornnn anting on "The Puppet Han," the "Pall Mall Gazette" says:— "It migbt justly be described as a dramatic version of either Anderson's or Grimm's Fairy Tales, the plct for which has boen, woven around a, circus company. Tho ensemble of the circus in a littlo village i 3 remarkably well doue—a remark which also applies to tho interior of tho circus, where some really fir.o feats are performed by the two acrobats—especially would we commend the fall from the high trapeze, which was tho most realistic fall we reco'lcct seeing on tho screen." The "Evening News" says: —"A fine drama of circus life/' exceedingly well done, ajid. a good heart story." Tho "Daily Mail" eays:—' The improved standard of British films is well maintained. The Puppet Man' is an' outstanding success. Tie scenery novel and interesting, characterisation good, and the theme developed with much, skill." The third big picture is ''Winners of tho West,"-a red-blooded history play of educar tion&l, audi' dramatic worth. It wa/a taken from■■tli*;- life story '0? Captain John C. Pre* mtnt, who is known to all lovers of good ; book® as "The Pathfinder," and in it the tHrilling exploits of Captain Fremont and Kit . Carson are lived over again just as depicted in the great- story of "The Pathfinder." The fourth feature picture i» a . very exhilarating Jewel comedy named "Eobinson's Trousseau," starring the popular comedian Lee Mot&iu

Following the established custom, particulars of the orchestral programme will be announced'in Monday's newspapers.- During the "days that. The Bristol is closed the b6x plan will bo on ,vkw at the theatre, or seats may be reserved-by. telephoning Greater Crystal Palace, number 5758-

- LIBERTY THBATOB The new prcigrammo to. be presented today "is headed : by ' "The Cup' of; liife,'*. an Associated Producers' offering by James Kirkwood. It ia a,graphic and: entertaining picture personally cjperviseJ by Thomas H. lace, the world famous genius of ' scro'en The picture contains many impressive end .delightlully. picturesque, scenes, most of tho story.'being laid round about Singapbre. ''i'iw "Cup of £if«!' is a photo-drama of.rare; charm and fascination telling a powerful Btory of (the. Orient, which, concerns the pearl fishing iidustiy-., Thftt the picture, was produced , by. Thomais H. , lace, the great producer. of eov miny" poster filtiis,: including ."Lying' Idpi," 'is : pore than , enough to guarantee its merit. 1 It depicts tho "ttose struggle between the subtle arts of a resourceful and relentless Chinese trader and a renegade' American—a misn of iron; will, who prefers to follow the_ calling of a smuggler, and wh6 has had his son feared-in ignorance of his, (tho father s) (rue . character. The picture' is perfect in every detail, and compels, the adjuration of- the spectators. Thomas . Ince has shown exceptional skill in the selection of his company for the portrayal of the virile-character of the story. The distinguished dramatic actor, Hobart Boaworth, gives a powerful interpretation as "Bully" Brand, tho leader of the pearl smugglers, and in the two powerful supporting, roles Mtdge Bellamy, as Pain. the adopted daughter of the Chinese trader, arnd-Miles Weish, as Boy Bradloy, aie eioeedingly brilliant. Other vivid portrayals are given by TuUy Marshall, Monte Collins, and • ,May Wallace. An outstanding feature of merit is the Special Chester com«dy, "•You'll be SurJirisid,". which' features the marvellous -chimpanzee, "finooky." ■' iThia is one of the-clever-est' 6omodies presenting this Wonderful anitaal,' and introduces many new. and wonder* ful feats accomplished by "Smooky."

THEATKB.

The Strand Theatre is eure 16 draw large audiences when' the new programme an/ exceptionally etrocg, one, will be 1 ' presented ' for -the' first timo. The star; picture is the Fox production entitled "Aoe'High," in which that sterling actor, Tom Mix, is seen in one of his well-known parts. Tho story is of the Weet, and is told in rollicking style.' It is sureto bo a favourite.. The eeoond big' picture .is entitled "Jackie?' Jackie is a little' Russian waif • who haa been picked up in -London and taught to dance. She - meets' a ' young' American, who (the regards as: the most, wonderful man , she-has ever met, And arranges to meet him, his idea being. to have her sent to a famous: dancing school. Unfortunately- ahe' is apprenticed to Bowman, a coarse showman, before she can keep tho appointment, and many things happen t<>: her. betoro she sees her would-be benefactor again. Bowman later hears of a beautiful -dancer and from her description guesses - her to_ bo the girl who left him .prior to . the expiry of her apprenticeship. He endeavours to get' her. back, and from this stage the' atory increases in interest. The programme also contains a Mutt and JeS cartoon, a Fox "World's News, and an Australian •Gazette. ..

QUEEN'S THEATRE.

I "Alias La-Jy&ngerß," - whioh» will. be preeented at the Queen's Theatre to-day, as . a [new sort of "crook" play with Bert:Lytell as the star._ It is: an aitistio ensemble .of love and crime so, cunningly ■ interwoven as to make a powerful drama. In thisst-ory the orjdiuiad - child a family, of wealth iia trained by"» notorious 'eafe breaker to follow that litaeof precarious livelihood. The youth : becomes anexpert,- and because of hisalim Mid delicate hands, U known as "Ladyfingers." much ,woin4ed. by the pob'oa •who 1 learn ■ thWho-is "being -sought as the heir -of his. rich grandmother. Tbo youth, knowing .'nothing of' this relationship;,, visits the homo of the old lariy intent upon plying his professional talents, and, is informed by her of. the So far from welcomihg»ihe chance to live itt peaco and; security with the girl he laveß, >. he • determines to work aut hiß own • ealvation. The second attraction will,to "Bem'oraeless Lore," « Selz- 1 niik production with Elaine -Hammerstein' in I tho-leading j»rt.";lt.ia a romantic and tense titory" with .the Kennedy mountains • aa -» background. The ampporting-ptograiairie ineludes topical, ecenio,-and comedy. subjects.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE.

- BIG HOLIDAY PROGRAMME OP PICTURES AM) MUSIC. "Tho Furnace." 'Wiiliini D. Taylors special production for Eealait, which will b° thown at Everybody' 3 Tiestro next week, is declared to to or.o of tho richest pictures in spectacular fctneg and lavish Bettings which has been viewed for sense time past. Eeplica of loth tho interior and exterior of St. Mary's Church in. London were constructed for the big wedding scenes, and many sumptuous English society functions wero staged. These inc'udo a Louse party, 3 ir.ish garden fjte, and a gorgeous carnival dance. The interior of the famous hotel a 4 Monro Carlo wn3 also duplicated for certain scenes itt tho honeymoon sequence. A big' landslide is another detail that adds zest to a storm scene. This is a. etory of society, of two who married but lived in the continual whirlpool of suspicion. Agnes Ayres, playing tho leading feminine role, that of Folly Vallanco, the giddy London

show girl, i 3 tho earn? Agnes Ayres vfco pained fame as tho "O. Henry Girl." Sho I bus played in many features, and enjoys a | wido popularity. Jerome Patrick, a. Xew I Zcal.tnder by birth, i 3 it legitimate actor of prominence, and has a. leading malo role. I Tho character of Keene Marda.unt i; t alien hv tho popular leading man, Milton Sills. In this feature he has 0110 of the strongest roleß i of his career, portraying it in his usual masterly manner. To him falls tho difficult task of trying to save Bond's giddy, restless wife from the consequences of hi 3 own folly, aJid Mr Silla's handling of his powerful dramatic opportunity is superb. Theodore Roberts, "tho grand old man of the screen," needs no introduction to film patrons. Ho has appeared in hundreds of striking screen characterisations. He portrays with his tisual skill the rolo of an !rasciblo retired general in this play. _ . Amazing in its realism is the universal •verdict of the Paramount picturisatioa of Sir James M. Barrie's "Little Minister," featuring Betty Compson, to be &eon as the supporting attraction on the programme. Barrio is a by-word for all that is piquant and quaint, his works betraying a delicacy and charm, moulded by genius. This picture is wcnderful. It ht!s caught tho very spirit of the writer, and "unfolds tho delightful romance of the "Little Minister," and the gipsy in an appealing manner. The fin© portrayals of the players have been thrown against tho most realistio background ever filmed. Thrums is the personification of the old-time Scottish village, and js peopled with tho inhabitants of a by-gone time. A wonderful picturo throughout, there is something very human in "The Little Minister." Prepared specially for the screen by Sir James Barria from his famous book and play of the same name, the story grips and keeps one in breathless suspense until the final scene. Tho settings are beautiful in their simplicity, the village of Thrums a triumph of screen, art. Equally lifelike are tho characters and their costumes. Tho spectator is carried out of himself; a vague feeling that something has gone out of his life comes over him when ho leaves. The cast played their parts in a, whole-hearted and very efficient manner. Betty Compson is "Babbie" to the life. 'lt is only onoe in a while a chance is afforded to see a truly great picture, a class to which "The Little Minister" undoubtedly, belongs. A special holiday programme of musio has been arranged by Mr W. J. Bellingham, P.S.M., for Everybody's "Select" Orchestra* Chief among the ; numbers will be: Overtixro, "Morning, Noon, and Night" (Suppe); violin solo, "Adagio" (Mozart), Joseph Mercer quartette, "Minuet"' (Boccherini), Everybody's String Quartette; 'oello solo, "Serenado No. 2" (Squire), Harold Beck; ballet music, "Propetino" (Saint-Saens), eong suites, * Hindoo -Song" (Bemberg), At Evening" (Debussy); solo cornet, Herbert Fox; "Open Thy Blue Eyes" (Massenet); "Serenade" (Schubert); grand opera, "The Meistereingers" (Wagner); orchestral mute, "Keltic Suite" (Fculds). Reserved seats may be obtained cither at The Bristol or by telephoning number 4935.

OEAOT) THBATKB. , Owing , to the great euocess of the 13... W. Griffith's masterpiece, "Way Down it has been decided that 'the Christchurcu season shall be extended by another week. A special matinee will be given in the' Grand Theatre at 2.30 p.m. to-day, at which the full orchestra, under Miss Nellie Black, will play the ''Way Down East" special musio. Doors will be opened at 1.30' p.m.