AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17460, 22 May 1922, Page 12

AMUSEMENTS.

PICTURE HOUSES. LIBERTY THEATRE. "Carnival," the big attraction which heads this week's programme at Liberty Theatre, was witnessed by large audiences at the initial screenings on Saturday afternoon and evening. On past occasions the management of Liberty Theatre has shown great artistic perception in the manner ig which, by means of exquisite!v arranged prologues, the atmosphere necessary for the appreciation and enjoyment of big special feature films, has been created. Another triumph has be e n added to'the list of these artistic successes in the case of the prologue to "Carnival." Upon the stage is the representation of a pleasure gonuola, festooned with oured lights and Chinese lanterns at sternand stem; the stage boxes are similarly illuminated. The total eflect is admirable, and is heightened by the pleasing rendering of "Carnival" by Mr David McGill, to whose flexible light baritone the number' waa well suited. Mr McGill contributes another solo during the screening of the picture, in whicn j 3 = equally successful. Introductory to the picture is shown a series of. scenes,'in Venice, where the action of the story takes place, and these also greatly assist in producing the atmosphere of romantic beauty. Unquestionably Harley Knowles has produced in "Carnival'' a picture to which the description "masterpiece" can be applied with full justification. The photography ,'s exquisite, so close is it to that absolute perfection that all cinema producers desire to attain. There are ' two or three representations of St. Mark's square that are charming in their artistic realism; and there are many scenes on the gr&'nd canal, picturing that romantic waterway under various conditions of light and shade that are equally beautiful. Noteworthy, too, is the display of fireworks-on the night of the carnival. Screen representations of bal masques have been frequent of recent years, and there is r.o question that producers .have scored high success in presenting them, but Harley Knowles has bettered all previous beats. He has crfught not only the gaiety and glitter of a. scene of magnificence, but also the very 1 spirit of unrestrained jollity, the abandon and vervo of • the care-free reveller. The Interiors,' especially the rooms in Silvo's palace, are'very finely reproduced, and convey the idea of princely magnificence, tempered by artistio. taste. The story unfolded in "Carnival". i« one of intense human appeal. Silvo, -represented "by Matheson Lang, is an- Italian Irving—an actor, who has; attained a great reputation as a delineator" of : Shakesperean -characters; his wye, Simoneta, is an artistic interpreter of the great' dramatist's women characters. While the pair are : appearing, in "Othello," circumstances similar in character to those th« form the basis of that play occur in their . own lives—Silvo's greatest friend,- Count Andrea Scipione, has fallen in love witli Simoneta, and the mad demon of jealousy lias l?een aroused in Silvo's mind. He discovers that • Simoneta has been to the carnival ball,- daringly impersonating a Baschante, and that Count Andrea waa her companion. In the onlminating scene, in "Othello," Silvo, Carried away by his leal" jealousy, almost; actually smothers SiAoneta. The concluding incident, in which husband and wife- become reconciled, is . touchirigly ■ beautiful. Matheson Lang gives a truly artistic interpre- ' tation of the part of the jealous husband, and the glimpses given of his presentatiop of ' "Othello" also mark him as an actor of. great dramatic, power. Hilda' Bayley as Simoneta, the young, ,pleasure.-lovjng wife, is. also entirely satisfactory. In the ball scene -.when, in, 'keeping with' Her assumed character, she ■ gives a solo • dance . she * appears to bo thb carnival. spirit embodied- in * rythmic and ? joy- ■ ous grace iof movement.- -.-This other- char aqters are "in most-capable' hands, and-little "Twinklee" Hunter as Nona,/ Silvo'g and Simoneta'-a eon, ia .by no means the least .-convincing./ . . . Although "Carnival 1 ' -mighty with season, be considered morethanamplefare,there is avanedandbigsupuprtiag.bill.: . "Roguestlyit. delightful little- actress, 'June: Caprice,' 1b hj&ae combination of romance and revohs- - . Sunny Spam : -is~ -the locale" of the stoTy > rwhich 'moves • with a>-xapidity, that .. ahcnjld eatisfy the most exacting lover of. - .dramatio action. . Moat realistic, is the street flghtipg.that occujb when .the .revolutionaries. v»ttemp£to captirfe the :Governor of -.the city, v- is there ,is . al«a'«,jgood-■deal y>f love interest and more .than 4. suspicioh humout. The' latent: Topwal Budget is a Veritable gcfld-mine Of interesting subjects. - Sporti haa become ,the - absot-'bing'. post-war concern of- the youth of Fmptg,' and. a Soocer. football match between i of l and 1 Bfelgium, and A jeropsfoouatry run in vrhich 1300. oonipeted, teytifßio this fact. Polo: at'Caahes isijalso .the. beeutiful Bilky-coatbd'ponaes • *rf-maceable.- Xlie ,handing over, of Dub--lm' .CMtle-to the-Provisional - Government: of SoiUhehi.lrelandj and thoreivacuatioa' of the another interesting feattne.The Ijteat Parisian fad, < iqascot dolls, is A selected and admir-: ft}fly,jiatMpreted progiamme of greatly the enjoyment of this"pictmesj the selection, "Love's Old, iivith xylophone ; solo,, - warmly "Carnival" ' and the . iTpll; be repeated all this week. -

mfenagenipnt won in the' past) 'of^wbiGli' on witnessed by 1 s delighted^'audiences. The toad-' £liner-iS Bex Beach-Goldwyn-' production, v '"They Pilver Horde," a magnificent and ap- : ; pe'ali%i-version of .Ber' teaoh'a" story of the' /;-• • CentreiHjf-. rouhd -the' salmon , fiahefidsof Alaska,the- etoiy provides not ,£on«y.-ljj»ei»t' : s?'ope for highly, picturesque : effects; Cvj but altolfot of a'varied andj : /••intensely .'human interest nature. * It throbs : the introductory - incident to' ':^th© climaXj- aiidtlwro . is admirably ; . the v ; scenes i' in v 'which the primtt]tVp.assions. of : man predominate, a fine ;■ r ted -fcoijti&le'Vloye'' story that' holds" - the', 'breathless attention of. the audience.: ''Xlie Stoiie,"featuring' Conway Tearle, : '•■ V • >.whose - fino work. as an aotor patrons of ,;a» no strangers, is : ■■anoilleir vivid: .".story 4 : that ( cleverly, .comoinee . -tho ;«mtaioe,:and- niyatery of. the £aat with. ;the. matter-of-fact. of the Occident. •" •There-were'iroalistio saoaea in. the desert of . including- a.-raid.. by bandits on .a ;' 'to the" British. • The theme of I v.thfc triumph' ofa .woman's unselVv the. calculating,- selfish,, e;em- (" of one ? oft Fflihioa's - hutterf'S;'fliM^Tllie*snpp9fting'films are. excellent, 'and f v'.'iticlude->the Jateßt. Topical Bridget, which. pic-' |: other oubjectsj the big. spec* ''to.- 5 Gfeiieral: De : "Wet,, aixxnan them- whil& handcuffed, and the .'admir* items idd to the of a. programme which" will be ? '.the\week.;.. \y. . STRAND THEATOg. r. TjeSteUAA at ~the£Str»iid_ eon9titat^t£e*ngWj^rpgran^nfr ; which i A ftudletacea.at this' popular the*tr© ; on ,Batur-! kheadline "The' Devil "Within," is * Bwst'stirring.sea! "The f Sea "Wolf, ''wripp&citi otller^^v«:lEkeoe; , ' . ruling his ctew with an j ha«.':n»|'-pait' -in* t if t wtuEfc^lfe^fuUy- exploits «®i - dnunitio "possi-i "bilitieq; The siery is an abaorbingiy inter-' ojio, * in* which tlse efforta made by : faiiatical savages to wreak their revenge on; .: who; stolen- a' eacreid a- : • pi«m&»Bnt. part. The different l Exciting in- .. admirably worked .out,' and. the phofo'graphy .is excellent, i Humour is xepreeented(i>y ..the aeally. laughable Sunshine ■tomedy,. "'liorye and. War," and, by a Afcutt-' and Jw cartoon, of which the prevailing faahion of bobbed hair-cutting is the .theme. - The v \Edx News and the Australian GuetteJ •j many interesting subjects, such ae, f. oanuval: ,beld' at • Sydney "for/ of :Wck'VChalpers, fi»-^,yery t fii»i ••tie' dieArmametai"'donfereiiwS&t*/Ww ' afbsr* a<'Bso.-miles 'hike, -j eelectod- orcbeatral : ; pwasttfa; *oi r'tha-.Vfilni'j

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. MARION DA VIES AND AGNES AYEES. All the world lcves a fairy . story, for fairies brought us to our first assurance that the world was a lovely place to live in, after ogres of "all kinds had presented themselves to us in the dark. In "Enchantment," a Cosmopolitan production for Paramount release, starring Marion Davics, which will be shown at Everybody's Theatre this week, there are the nio°t captivating fairyland scenes ever filmed. The sets in the land portion of this picture, tfhich rea ' a modern story, were done by Joseph Ur an. One setting is a silhouette in black and white lighted from the background, and showing the princess as an infant. It -M the time when the prophecy was tbat the newly-born princess would meet mi.tortune through scratching her hand on a spindle. Therefore the wise kin? "sued an edict that all the spindles in the iin e dom be destroyed. And of course they **■£- except one in a hidden cave urnler his own castle. Another fanciful setting represents the neighbourhood over which the dwarf and the good fairy flew to bri«« relief the princess. It is a miniature /« udal ™ lage. The complete story of -'The Sleeping Beauty" is told in the picture, with Marion Davies as the enchanting princess. The "PhotoDlav Magazine eavs: is a beauty that is peculiarly the hereon s. It is a blending of artistic production v:ith careful lighting and rnre photcg;apnv. 100 seldom we see it. But here is a -uctuie that can claim it. an exquisite ottering, ilie story is iiot particularly strong, but if you want to rest your eyes for an hour; an-t ,et your mind forget the black and white everyday realities, see this Marion Davies production. Vignola directed it; and Vignola is an artist. He deserves great credit for this picture. As for the story, it is a humorous recounting of the frothy experiences of a vain little flapper who believes, the world to be her particular oyster. Her father induces an actor friend to become a gentlemanly cave-man. with results, (hat surprise everyone. Introduced into the picture is the legend of the Sleeping Beauty, and in these eceiies the director showp his greatest artistry. Forrest Stanley plays the hero and Miss Davies one of our most adorable heroines. She has always had unusual beauty, and ' has Bteadily progios-irsd until with this picture she more than pioves her place among the stars. Bcsnlns, the wears exquisite clothes in a charming way, and that in itself is no mean accomplishment." Supporting Miss Davies are Forrest Stanley, leading? man; Edith Shayne, Tom Lewis, Arthur Rankin, and Corinne Baker. It was directed by Robert G. Vigncla, from the story "Man-handling- Ethel,' by Frank R. Adams. A hidden will, a wild chase after a villain' by the heroine, in an old-fashioned carriage, a duel between the two principal male characters, a villain who could hardly be excelled in villainy—these are a few of the features of Sir Gilbert Parker's Paramount picture, "The Lane That Had No Turning," which is the supporting attraction. The story concerns the marriage of Madelinette to Louis, and his supposed inheritance of .an old estate in French Canadian precincts. He m injured and develops a. hunchback, but his wife sticks to him until he hftmself ends it and she marries Fournel, the right'"! owner of the Signeuhy. What is »aid to be one of the. most emotional roles ever assigned to a screen actress * fell v to the lot of Agnes Ay res in "The Lane That Had No Turning." Throughout the star plays the part of a . woman who .surrenders her own-oppor-tunities for fame and fortune, to aid her husband. - Theodore KosloS is the .husband, while Mahlon Haniilton is seen in the role of the rival.' The villaiti .is played l by Frank C.ampeau. Another brilliant musical programme, ouite in,keeping- .with the standard set at. Everybody's," will be given by the populur "Select" Orchestra, chief among the items being.the Overture, (Sousa); violin . solo. ' "Canto : Amorosa" (Mischa-', Elman), Joseph- Merper; duet, "Linto" (from. No. .2) (Moszkowaki), . Eileen Morris quartet, "Londonderry Air" (Bridge), Everybody's ' String Quartet)-; entr'afte,'. "In : Dreamy 'Araby" (O'Hagan);. rhapsody, "Espana" (Chalier); orchestral suites: "Meeting of, the CamorPsts". . .(Wolf-Ferrari), "Carnaval" • (Giiirand),. Scene -and Yalse' 1 (Giiirand); "Morris; Dtpe Dances" ?"GhotigVwflSJiikiriinn),, .VLoifel£V.<Welt):. slow waltz, "When Dreams Come True' (O'Hagan); As. usual, reserved may.be obtained either at The Bristol .or-by. 'phoning- 4925.

GRAND . • i " ■ : .■M[ ;• ' -.Tho new 1 , programme• attl?9 Grand Theatre, which" was ehown'for* theifirst timetolarfe and highly delightedraudiences" on" Saturday afternoon and evening, ; adds anothef* to'fho long list of pleasiiig}y;yariea.and high-clasß, picture offerings Jeubmittod to j patrons i of this deservedly popular motion, picture theatre.!' Harmonious surroundings' and the greatest .possible comfort add to the enjoyment with which.' 'frequenters of the Grand Theatre, witness the admirable programmes submitted,. and . tRe-' Grand. Orchestra,, untier the leadership of' Ij. tfuvton, contributing popular and classical music- iiutet pleaslhtfiyau'd'arusliciiiy.-' . / Heading tdo new programme is ."The Gulden Snare," "produced uy tne.author ol the story,, James ,Ouver.Cui-wov.d, .and starringiiiewisbtone.- 'XIm announcement - that a curwood story ii. to-be screened has ui° same iireßistioie appeal as the announcement of.pa- Mary:twkiortt 'or a Charlie' Chapiin. him.,' The illuminated. know -tnat .■ it win • be. good,..and thioy'ar©. never disappointed. ' .uoiaen Bhftie", is one ot curwooa's best stories ot .the Arctic. regions -of ' Canada,' a realm in fiction in whicn CurwoOd' has ftw equals and no 'Superiors." bergeant itaine, ot the Royal North- West Constabulary, .finely represented- by Lewis Stone, is . ordered to find. , and bring, in,-dead or alive, Bam J ohn.Bon: (Vfallace iJeery), the Canadian NorthWest prototype of'tne *wild"W«wt "bad man." Alone and unaided the sergeant sets forth on his mission—a dangerous' ono for Bam, .in addition to Mb tremendous .physical strength, has become," through', long brooding over ms wijimga-^the. killing of his father lor a murder of which it was afterwards' found he was innocent-"* " semi-maniac.' On his' way to the Arctio/ietneas to which Bam has retreated,7the sergtant cornea upon a trapper who has just buried. his; wife, • and s who is, : . himself, nigh 'unto, death.- He tells the sergeantabo.ut Bam, and how, en one occasion he hadj.followed ; his trail, and; came' upona. curiously made ; snaxe—made-by Bam. from the golden hair, of-a woman; ..The.trap- 1 per dies, and the sergeant,; taking the. trapper's infant ohild ' with him, resumes his search- for. :Bam. .How he finds him and .the .girl with.the golden tresses. from /which -the snase 'was made, makes a thrilling, throbbing story. There are .two or thrpe.especially noteworthy- and intensely - exciting incidentsone in which Bam-fights,- man to man, with a fellow "bad man," whiih for savjsge intensity and display of brute strength it would "be difficult -to • equal,* - and the other, the fight ui the Arctic... explorer's Bhip—another grim. display of stark valour. Thei;e are many; Humorous f and lighter incident*. Amongst these ape the -ingenious method adopted by the sergeant* to feed the infant—which ihust be witnessed to fully appreciate its,-' ingenuity.and humour-—and the scenes, in which infant, and the playful puppies fpre'gather and . enjoy . themselves.' i\uth Benick; is Celie, the little girl' ,that x>am. fescupd from the Arctic exploring ship, and she' is,-, a. convincing. and loveable heroine. The picture la very finely produced, the Arctio scenery being realistically pictured. "The Family Honour," .starring Florence yidor, transports' the beholder ta the sunny abuth, the "old south" of the immediatepast. The Tucker family, onoe one of. the xiphest'.ahd most highly esteemed, has fallen on evil days:, father and .mother have-passed away,-the girl, Beverley Tucker,, and her trio brothers, Pal and Ben. By dint of much, self-sacrifice,,the sister has sent Dal to college, frcm which ho returns, as she sup- . poses, a perfect Southern gentleman; instead, he comes home a confirmed gambler, takes. tip with the keeper of the; riverside gambling hell, and, when this hotbed of vice is raided, he is accused of killing one of. the police officers. ' The keeper of th|9 gambling hell waa the real slayer, but .for a time D 5 Tucker is believed to be guilty, and only, escapee being condemned by' the timely confession of an old darkey,. whose evidence fastens the crime on the real criminal.' The lesson conveyed-by the story is no doubt, --an old one, - but it is one that cannot be too often emphasised. The manner in which' it is underlined in- "The Family Honour" is calculated to impress, it very clearly upon one and all. The love story of Beverley'Tucker and Merle Cunnon, :the_ editor of the "Plesanton Argus," is-charmingly tojd. Floren.de Vilor -makes a convincing heroine, ; Roscoe Karns,. as Bad Tucker,- is .also" well cast,, and little Ben Alexander is •very naturaland pleasing as Bpn Tucker; King '.Yidor, 'the' - -produces- of "The Family Honour," has taken full advantage .of many oppbrtnaities for effective settings, the river -ipenesy' with moonlight effects, being especially-. beautiful. The - supporting ' films in--cl»de, ft Topical Gazette and a.scenic. Very, appropriate music 'was played by, the Grand Orchestra.Darkv* melodies and plantation jnusio r -accompanied ttipr screening of "The Family- Honour"; and for the headliner, there w?ir play«d, Hifidoo,'DaiKjea and the selection, '■The TDountry, Girl." Tile-entr'acte was 'the highly v popular and , naw, Fox tr6t,,"Cuddle -Closer." The §ame jprogramme will zwaixid»r . « - . L

OREATEE CRYSTAL PALACE. THIS WEEK'S FINE " PROGRAMME OF MUSIC AND PICTURES. The programme of- music. and pictures at Greater Crystal Palaoe this week, commencing- to-day, is a very fine one, and well up to the high standard set by the big theatre. Musically, no better bill has ever been offered by the world-famous Symphony Orchestra, under the distinguished con3uctorehip of Mr Alfred J. Bunz. Some of the orchestral numbers are:—Overture, "Tantalusqualen (Suppe); "Pinafore" (Su'livan); "Tales of Hoffman" (Offenbach); Trio, "Werther (Mnsfenet), Miss Hemus 'cello, Mr Ell wood violin, and Mr Msody piano; "Gipsy Love (Lobar); "St.-p It," fox trot (Cobb); 'Londonderry Air" (O'Connor-Morris); The Shamrock" iMydaieton); "Madam Boniface_ (Laconic); and "Our Miss Gibbs" (Caryil and Moncton). One of the big pictures for this week 13 on Australian nrcduction J" six reels entitled "The Blue Mountains Mystery. It is an adaptation of Harrison Owen s true Btory "Tlie Mystery of Mount jlarunga, which caused such a serration a few years ago, ant Ravmond Longford's visualisation and dsrection have consummated the bigv ß ' success in the history of picture production in M\ntralia. "The Blue M:untsins Mystery is lavishly Bet and dres3ed, and the chararactcrisations are perfect. Mis=s Marjorie Hill Osborne makes a tremond.Ttiß success in the part of the beautiful Mrs Tracey, wife of the wealthy Henr.- Tracey, wlio murdered in an hotel at Katoomba, whilst Miss Ivy Shilling's dancing, in the bis ballroom scene at the Carrington Hotel lias neVer been excelled in moti-n pictures. Others in the notable cpst are Miss Bernico Vera and John De Lacy, John Faulkner, and \ivian Edwards, most of them •- well known to Ch'vtcliurch theatre patrons. Fast action, the sparkling sentiment of an lii&h romance, blarney, and scintillating -wit aw included in generous portions in "The Scrapper," Herbert Rawlinson's latest Universal special attraction, and the second bi? picture on Greater Crystal Palace threa hours' programme for this week. Many critics have hailed "The Scrapper" as one of 'the year's most perfect pictures. It waa adapted to the screen from R. G.. Kirk a Saturday Evening Post story, ''"alloy Campeador," and was directed with infinite care and enthusiasm 'by Hob'art Henley, one of Universale top-notcli directors. subtitles are rremn. *f 'lrish wit and blarney, and the sto'ry is a thrilling one. which tells of .the love and adventure of a cheerful Irieh-American construction engineer,' whose Jri<Oi blood keeps liim in pood humour and fighting trim.' Gertrude Olmetead is the charming little .heroine, of "The Scrapper," and others in. the long cast are Edward Jobeon, William' Welsh, ."Walter Perry, and Fred Kohler. The supporting films • are the seventh instalment of "Winners of-the-West," which is based on the historical story of "The Pathfinders," ■ "Shipwrecked ' Among Animals," a very laughable Century comedy, and the latest International Newa film. The'' box- plan is at The' Bristol or seats may bo reserved by telephoning Greater Crystal-Palace number 3758. -