EVERYBODY'S THEATRE.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17431, 17 April 1922, Page 9

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE.

A GREAT HOLIDAY PROGRAMME OF PICTURES AND MUSIC. "Tho Furnace," William D. Taylor's now special production for Realart, which will be shown at' Everybody's Theatre this week, commencing at the matinco to-day, is declared to be one of the richest pictures in spectacular scenes and lavish settings which has been viewed for some time past. Replicas of both tho interior und exterior of St. Mary's Church in London were constructed for the bi?; wedding scenes, and many sumptuous English society functions were staged. These include a house party, a lavish garden fete, and a generous carnival dance. The interior of tho famous hotel at Monte Carlo was also duplicated .for certain scenes in 'hi \, .neymoon sequence. A big landalido is another detail that adds zest to a storm scene. This is a story of. society, of two men who married but lived in tho continual whirlpool of suspicion. Agnes Ayres, playing the leading feminine rolo, that of FoUv Vallacce, the giddy London show girl, is tho same Agnes Ayres who gained fame as the "0, Henry Girl." She has played in many features, and enjoys a wide popuiaritv. Jerome Patrick, a New Zealander by birth, is a legitimate actor of prominence, and has a leading male role. Tho churvoter of Jtarda«. ,, t is t.jk>>n by (he po'ju'ar leading man. Milton Sills. In this iVatire lie has one of the strongest roles ci his enreer, portraying in his -usual masteriv manner. To him falls the d fncult t'isU of 'trying to save Bond's giddy, restless wife, from the consequences of his own -oily, and Mr SUlb'b handling of his powerful dramatic opportunity is superb. Theodore Roberts, "the grand old man of the screen, needs no introduction to film patrons. He has app3arcd in hundreds of striding; screen characterisations. He portrays with his usual skill the role of an irascible retired general in this play.' . . Amazing in its realism is tho universal verdict •of the Paramount picturisation of Sir James M. Byrne's "Little Minister, featuring Betty Compson, to be seen as tho supporting attraction on the programme. Barrie is a. by-word for all that is piquant and quaint, his works betraying ft delicacy and charm, moulded by genius. This picture is wonderful. It has caught the very spirit of the \vrit:r, and unfolds the delightful romance of tho "Little Minister," and the gipsy in an appealing manner.. The fine portrayals of tho players have been thrown aga'inst thn realistic background ever filmed. Thrums is the personification of the old-time Scottish village, and is peopled with the inhabitants of a bygone time. A wonderful picture throughout, there is something very human in "The Little Miuister." Prepared specially for tho screen by Sir James Barrio from his famous book and play of the same name, the story grips and keeps one in breathless suspenro until the final scene. The settings are beautiful in their simplicity, the village of Thrums a triumph of screen art. Equally lifelike are the characters and their costumes. The 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. It is only once in a while a ohance is afforded to see a truly great picture, a class to which "Tho Little Minister" undoubtedly belongs. , A special holiday programme of music ha 3 been arranged by Mr W. J. Bellingham, F.S.M., for Everybody's "Select" Orchestra, Chief among the numbers will be:—Overture, "Morning, Noon, and Night" (Suppe); violin solo, "Adagio" (Mozart), Joseph Morcer; quartet, "Minuet" (Boccheriui), Everybody's String Quartet; 'cello solo, "Serenade No. 2" (Squire), Harold Beck; ballet music, "Frosperime" (SaintSacns); song suites, "Hindoo Song" (Bomberg), "At Evening" (Debussy); solo> cornet, Herbert Fox; "Open Thy Bluo Eyes" (Massenet); "Serenade". (Schubert); grand opera, "The Meistersingers" (Wagrar); orchestral suite, Keltic Suits" (Foulds). . Reserved seats may be obtained either at The Bristol or by telephoning number 4925.

STRAND THEATRE. Tho uew programmo at the Strand Theatre drew hundreds of people on Saturday night, and is euro to remain a strong favourito all tho woek. In tho first place, there is a rollicking story of tho West, produced by Wm, Fox, and, "with, the dare-devil Tom Mix in one of his woll-known parts. _ Ho rides, shoots, and does all manner of etunts with his -usual intrepidity, and captures hearts and steers with liko dexterity. This pioturels "Aco High," and it is in the beat stylo of the sterling actor. But thero is another star attraction, "Jackie," which ie the etory of a little Euasian waif who is discovered-in London by -a, theatrical .costumiers and taught to danco. She display marked talent, and when eho impulsively stops to dance to tho musio of a street organgrinder, Bho arrests the attention of Mervyn CaTter, a wealthy young American, who resolves to send her to a famous dancing school. This arrangement.is shattered when Jackie comes homo to find that she' has been apprenticed to . Bill: Bowman, manager of a group of strolling players, and a vulgar and coarso bully. At tho inn where the company is staying the girl finds Benny, a cripple boy, who warns her to fly. Bowman, mad with drink, tries to force an entrance into Jackie's room, but with Benny's help she gets away and takes the boy with her. They again come under tho notice of Carter, who is delighted at finding them. Bowman, however, hears of ft young and beautiful dancer, and guesses her to bo tho girl who left him beforo the expiry, of her apprenticeship. His endeavour to get her back, and his oubsequent failure, form the climax of an interesting and exciting plot. Tho supports include a Mutt and Jeff cartoon, a Fdx "World's News, ■ and an Australian Gazette. GRAND THEATRE. "Way Down 'East," one of the greatest pictures ever produced, which has broken attendance records in London and New York, has evidently not decreased in-, popularity .in Christchurch. Crowded 1 housM aro. still tho rule at tho Grand Theatre, and on Saturday night many wou'.d-be patronß were turned away. Tho master mind of film drama, 1). W. Griffith, produced it, and it ranks with "Intolerance" "Tho . Birth of a Nation," and "Hearts of the World." The story.is dramatic and at times quaintly and boisterously humorous., while the ice scene and tho fierce storm eiin *truiy great. The leading roles are in the hands of Lillian Gish and? Richard Barthclmesß. The Grand Orchestra has been augmented by tb» musicians who travelled around with tho picture, and is' under the leadership of Miss NeLie Black. Tho musical programme, which was specially made up for the picture, is exquisitely rendered, and tho lighting and mechanical effects are ably managed by a special staff of mechanics. ,