AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17627, 2 December 1922, Page 18

AMUSEMENTS.

PICTURE HOUSES.

! LIBERTY THEATRE. ! .Overworked romance cornea in for a few I hard thumps. The hammer ie wielded hard i against weepy maidens who build air castles, and the person who wields ihe hammer is none other than Constance Talmadge, popular screen star whose latest First National attractions, "The Primitive Lover, will be shown at the Liberty Theatre today. The lesson is emphasised by .he fact that it is the star h-rself upon whom it is impreisecVin the evolution of the picture. The conventional diatribe is turned into a triangular demonstration as to what kind of Jovo making a woman wants, for Phyllis Tomiey, imaginative daughter of romance finds" herself beset by two suitors. Phyllis has always dreamed of gallant, knighta in armour. Circumstances put \ the alternative directly before her, for one or her suitors is a thoroughly practical business man who pooh poohs romance and nonsense. The other thinks women axe susceptible to the glamour of forco and decides to try his method. When both of them try out their schemes they find themselves pitted against each other with results that are decidedly ludicrous but immensely bene- ' ficial aa far as Phyllis is concerned. Tha I desirable object oi rheir faction learns a ; few lessons about every day life and comes to a, sanor understanding of women's sphere 5 I in the world. "The Primitive Lover" is ! S | ar. original story by Edgar Selwyn, wlucb 15 ! Cvnster.ce Talmadge has turned into a breezy 'J | comedy with her inimitable interpretation ! of the romance crazed girl. Her supporting cast includes Harrison For'' •&rnn<Mh Harlan, Joe Roberts, Chas. riji), Chid Big Tree, Matilda BrunfJage, George Pierce and Clyde Benson. An added attraction to-night will ba ft bE-autifuliv costumed prologue prepared by Miss Miliicent Jennings, and ontitled "Kastern Cameos." tto fewer than eighteen iadies will take cart in the prologue-, which will be personally conducted by Miss Jennings. "Eastern" Cameos" embraces songs of Syria, solos, choruses and Oriental danoas, and the following ladie3 will take part: Misses May Crawford, Evelyn Round, Hazel Faville, Eileen Manning, Kuth Jefcoate, Ella Clark, Cecily Christian, Eileen Carter, Enid Houghton, Joan Granger Kathleen Morrison, Olive- Nightingale, Gweu Masters, Lona Smith. Violet Falkitipham, Edith Wm. Kathleen Ward, Clare Stringer, and' Gladys Vincent. Mr Erio "Wmspear will sing the baritone solos. . The box plans are at The Bristol Piano Company.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE,

"THE BEAUTY SHOP" AND "SHELTERED DAUGHTERS."

Inimitable on the stage, where his keen wit and aroL humour have amused thousands, Raymond Hitchcock proves' in "The Beauty' Shop" that ho is equally aa facile, ii fertaining, ancii comical on the screen. ••The Beauty Shop," a Cosmopolitan production made for Paramount, wili open at Everybody'a Theatre at the matinee on Monday, and will remain until the ioilowins Saturday evening. Channing Pollock anu thu late Rennold Wolf wrote ''The Beau:y ihtp" as a musical comedy, and it had a successful run in New York and on >ie road. Mr Hitchcock played the principal part in the stage Version, and is featured in the photoplay, which was adapted By Doty Hobart and directed by Edward Dilion. Eaymond Hitchcocik, one of the most famous stage comedians in the United States, ana au. popular as he is well known, is the featured player in "The Beauty Shop." He has appeared in more celebrated stage successes tcan any other actor on the stage. Among these may be mentioned "King Dodo," "The Yankee Consul," "The Man Who Owns Broadway," "Hitchy Koo," and many others. In 1915 Mr Hitchcock appeared in three screen comedies with success, but the lure of thV stage was too strong, and he deserted the screen for the time being. "The Beauty Shop," in which he appeared in New York in 1914 with splendid results, having been screened' for picturisation by Cosmopolitan Productions, he was chosen for the- role he created.on the stage. That his reputation as a, comedian of the highest class will not suffer by his portrayal in this production, the picture amply, proves... Wearing' a mask of putty thickly applied during several days of hot weather was the. task that Louise Fazenda cheerfully undertook during the filming of "The Beauty' Shop," with Raynuiid Hitchcock., Miss Fazenda, in this Cos-mopolitan-Paramount seven-reel comedy, plays the part of an ugly girl who is induced by a beauty specialist to try a paste of his own invention which :he promises will make her beautiful. She spreads the unguent over her face, and then finds she cannot remove it. A close-fitting mask' of papiermache was placed on Mies F agenda's face, and over this was put a. layer of putty half an inch thick. Slits in the mask permitted the comedienne to breathe, but she was unable to talk except in a mumble. Alter Mies Fazenda had worn the putty contraption for several days, she confessed that she understood why house painters get BUch gooci wages. Miss Fazenda is one of several eminent fun-makers in "The Beauty Shop." This picture has a. cast that looks like a roster, of stage and screen celebrities. The list of fun-makers includes Billy B. Yan, comedian par excellence, and his partner, the polished and able James J. Corbett, the v.ir.some and beautiful Fairb-inks- twinsMadeline and Marion —Diana Allen, . who graces any picture in which she appears, Montague Love, a deliriously satirical "heavy," and Laurence Wheat, leading man in many musical comedies. Gorgeous gowns from the skilled hands of Parisian costumiers displayed by. a dozen mannikins are an important feature in "Sheltered Daughters," the Reulart production with Justine Johnstone, which will be presented as the supporting attraction. These gowns, summer and autumn models, are described as the very latest word in fashionable feminine attire. A special set was constructed to represent the establishment of a Fifth Avenue modiste, where much of the important action of the picture takes place.. It is in this smart setting that the heroine, played by Miss Johnstone, is transformed from an unattractive, poorly clad girl to a beautiful young woman, stylish and captivating. Such a display of fashionable garments as this has seldom been presented in pictures. Another feature on the programme will be the fourth group of contestants in the Beauty Competition A superlative musical programme will be given by Everybody's Select Orchestra, under the conductorship of Mr W. J. Bellinghain, F.S.M. Chief among the items are the following:—Overture, "Calif of Bagdad" (Boieldieu); ballet music, "Lakme" (Dolibes), "Faust" (Gounod); opera, "Faust" (Gounod); suite, "Scheherazada" (Korsakow); symphony, "C Major" (Mozart); entr'acte, "Song of Sleep" (Greene); light selections, "Beggar's Opera" (Austin), "Wimmin" (Wilson), "Stumbling" (Whiteman). As usual, reserved seats may be obtained at The Bristol, or by telephoning 4925. QTJEEN'S THEATRE. A SPLENDID PROGRAMME. The most pleasing feature of Warren Kerrigan's latest feature, "The Green Flame,"' which will be shown at the Queen's Theatre, commencing l to-day, is the excellence of its | casting. Kerrigan is supported in thia pici ture by a group of the most talented and j popular players on the screen. The Btar himself oleverly portrays the .role.ol Frank Markham, an adventurous detective. He is } engaged by the head of a large jewellery ! concern to guard "The Green Flame," a priceless emerald which was at one time a Russian crown jewel. A. notorious clique of gem thieves launch a daring plot to secure the "Flamo." Pretending to be a guileless country yokel, Markham works himself into the confidence of the crooks, and at the moment rounds up the entire gang. Fritzi Brunette, the winning little lady who played opposite Kerrigan in previous productions, is hor usual charming self in the feminine lead. She takes the role of a resourceful young newspaper woman who sets out to gather material for a story on valuable jewels, and finds herself drawn into a bewildering maie of adventure. Claire Du Brey, onr. of the cleverest dramatio actresses in pictures, gives a flawless performance as Lou Tremaine, the conniving cabaret queen. The r.ext big attraction is : "The New Teacher," in which the dainty and winsome. little star Shirley Mason is featured. It is a capital story of a young society girl who endeavours to «irn her living- by becoming a school teacher. A ■ strong' supporting programme consists of the sixth episode of "Fantomas," j "Excuse me, Sheriff," a Sunshine comedy, ; "Vesuvius Conquered," a highly interesting ! scenio view of the fairoui volcano taken I from, a 'plane, and the latest Fox News. The I Queen's Orchestra will, render an admirable ; nn.sical programme. s

GRAND THEATRE. "JOHN CHILCOTE, M.P." A truly great star has com© to the ecra»n. It- is Guy Bates Poet, on actor of international lame who offers his first screen vehicle, "John T3hiloote, M.P.," by Katharine Cecil Thurston, » novel which enjoyed great popularity in every English-speaking country. The story has ior its plot basis the retnarkable likeness of two men, 0113 a. member oi the British Parliament and the other a struggling journalist. The former fails miserably in delivering a speech in the House, and, meeting tho journalist by the merest of coincidences, he changes places with him. The .men tre so alike than even the wifj of the politician does not recognise that the impersonator is not her husband. This brings an already extraordinary story t3 an amazing climax. To support this masterpiece tho management have secured the first pictunsation 0/ the Oliver Morocco stage success for Associated First National, "The Half Breed," which will introduce the Morosco idea, in pictures to local theatregoers. "The Half Breed" was chosen for Ihis initial effort, because it combines an unusual story with some of the moat vigoroufi action ever brought to the screen. Tho post is linked with the present in the portraying of one of civilisations, big problems, and a little Eastern society girl, transplanted t-- the big country of the ranges, finds the solution for which man's mighty institutions have sought. lioroaco'a mastery in the drama is supplemented by Director Ch&rien A. Taylor's big conception of thrilling effects. Trw melodramatic climax is reached in a cattle stampede iu the midst of which, the story races iviong with the maddened hi'id. The title role of tho ooMege-bred youth fbhi--1 ing. tho birth barrier is capably haadled . by Wheeler Oakman, who has done the beat work oi J123 years on the screen in the fascinating part. Among othwrs in the cast are Am May, Mary Anderson, Joseph Dowling, H'j;.'h Thompson, Stanton Heck, Albert S. uloyd, Nick F. "De Ruiz, Lsw Harvey, Sydney Do Grey, Herbert Prior, Eye'yn Selbis, Carl Stockpile, Eugenia, Gilbert, Lee'a Lane, and "King Evens. The last-named is a Morosco five-year-old "find. GREATER CRYSTAL FALACE. "Paid Back," "The U.F. Trail," and current programme of -notion pictures will bo presented at Groat»r Crystal Palace for tho list times this afternoon and to-night, »nd iu addition thereto the exquisite dance recital by the pupils of Mi3B Lynne Ed* wards will be repeated <at both sessions, whiiot th« worid-famous Symphony Orchestra of more than twenty solo musicians, under the distinguished conductorsbip of Mr Alfred Bunz, will perform at the afternoon session as well as tho night session da luxe The manager of Greater Crystal Palace, Mr V. M. Beebo is to be congratulated on being able to offer his patrons the enor-Universal-Jowel masterpiece, "Foolish V-'ives" for next week, commencing Monday.

"Foolish Wives" is a. ma-ssiva twelve reel photoplay, and has enjoyed' phenomenal rej cord-breaking runs wherever exhibited. !► ' took nearly two years to make and edit, and the coat of production is eaid to have been more than i' 250,000, or over £2OOO for ov«y minute taken up in the screening, but despite thi3 fact it is definitely announced that the Ohristchurch season is limited to one week onlv. "Foolish u*)*r««" j 3 claimed to be the costliest and biggest picture ever screened, and Greater Crv«t.«' Pu.lace patrons will find that it lives up to all its promiif.B. Never has there Veen such a kaleidoscopic array of beautiful setting «.nd artistic photography combined with such adept characterisation and careful direction. The best critics all over the world have proclaimed that Erich von Stroheim, the author, director and star of the picture, has made an outstanding screen masterpiece. Anyone viewing the photoplay can easily, see where Universal spent the £250,000 the picture is said to have coat. Monte Cri-10, its principal buildings, "its crowds, its activities and its very spirit have be«r» iransf erred to the screen for "Moolah w'ives." The colourful settings, th» activities of the noted pleasure resort, are merely backgrounds for the impelling 1 story of "Count" Sergus Karomzin, renegade Russian captain,. debonair adventurer. and consummate villain. The role of the bogus Count ia played by von Stroheim himself, and the character is so well drawn that you hate him—hate him—and rejoice when he comes to a bad end. All the glilter and glamour of Monte Carlo are depicted in "Foolish "Wives" "?he principal buildings fo the famous Mediterranean resort are shown in absolute detail, including the notorious Hall of Cha,nce, both exterior and interiors, and the crowd scenes on the Monte Carlo promenade overlooking the sea, are probably the finest ever screened. More than fifteen thousand actors, actresses and extras were employed in the making of the picture, and supporting von Stroheim in the leading parts are such well-known artists as Maude George, Mae Buach, Dale Fuller, Miss Du Pont and Rudolph Christians. "Foolish "Wives" will -be screened at 2.15 each afternoon as well as at the night session de luxe, and patrons who intend attending at night are strongly adivised to reserve their seats well in, advance at "The Bristol," because it is very doubtful if any seats will he left after the plans reach, this theatre. Supporting films at both sessions will include, the seventeenth, and last ohaptr but one of the fine serial, "With Stanley in Africa," a very laughable two-part Century comedy, and the latest International News film. "Foolish "Wives" will oe screened' to its own specially scored musio, but following the established custom, particulars of the other items will b". announced in Monday's newspapers, the whole forming; n>TN of *hp '""iiijVnl tv-a'» ever rff.-.r-•di hy the celebrated Symphony Orchestra. The management requests a? nt3.ny people as can possibly do so to attend the day sessions, as : there are euro to be hundreds turned away at each night session de.lme. STRAND THEATRE. "FOOL'S PARADISE." Long ago Cecil B. de Mille made a promise to the screen public. He promised that each suceeding production bearing Mb name should excel its predecessor in quality, and that oach of his photoplays should differ vitally in theme from its fellows. He has kept that promise. Each succeeding production has marked a distinct advance in the art of photo-playmaking, and each in turn has thoughts, emotions, and reactions. In "Fool's Paradise," the producer's latest Paramount production, which owing to its wonderful atractiveness will be shown at the Strand Theatre next week. Mr de Mille presented a photodrama that is unique in theme, cast, and setting from any of his previous productions. Like so many other successful Cecil B. de Mille successes, the story of "Fool's Paradise" has a two-fold source. The basic theme was suggested by Leonard Merrick'B short story, "The Laurels and the Lady." This theme was developed and elaborated, the Bcene oi the action transferred to an American setting, and a tremendous dramatic moment constructed by the authors, Beulah Marie Dix and Sada Cowan. The combined efforts of the several writers have produced a story that boasts of both power and originality, the theme—a problem of love and sacrifice as old and as new as the human race—has been preseuted and solved with the vividness and sharply drawn characterisation that is typical of Cecil B. de Mille productions alone. One of the strongest casts of players ever assembled in a Cecil B. de Mille Paramount production is seen in "Fool's Paradise." The principals are of stellar importance and include Dorothy Dalton, Mildred Harris. Conrad Nagel, Theodore Kosloff, John Davidson and Julia Fayo. The story is said to be a beautiful one, and the dramatic situations are filled with thrill and tenseness.

' ' An augmented orchestra will give a specially selected musical programme. The box plan at The Bristol. Reserved seats may also be obtained by telephonnig 2123.