AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17629, 5 December 1922, Page 9

AMUSEMENTS.

PICTURE HOUSES.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. The £.r.acu:vccrr*est in saui'icii to »-•*- customwy weekly charcgJ of bill a* Everybody's theatre, a iuvther selection o; the pictures cf the contestants in tho beauty competition would be screened attracted large audience to this popular motion P- c " ture theatre last night. For variety aE< * from the point oi view of wide general appeai, th« cow motion pieturo programme is amongst the top-notchers witnessed b>" ana ia anouicr tribute io tiio uneruiig UiiUHitr v.itu which tne manager, .ui iiarry Waters, gauges tiie taste of his audiences. The very line pr>> yii-x-iiiiL- Oi music, sell ut ted by Mr >l. J. Ueiiir.giiaiii, the couducior oi Every* body'ii Select Oroiiettia, was charming-/ appropriate and was excellently playtd.

interest in the beauty competition is evidenced by the. figures which the voting is assuming, and the keenness shown by the audience ii 'backing thai' fancies'lhe contestants whoso pictures are fcoing shown for the first time ihi3 week are quite up to the high average cf the selections previously screened and, at tha sanio time, give ample scope for the app'-'eciaiors of different styles oi feminine beauty to exercise their powers o£ discrimination. Tho Kealait production which he ; <U the row programme, is entitled! "SiidterecJ Daughters" and features that charmingly winsome and beautiful movh> star, Justine Johnstone. The story is a well-constructed and fascinatingly interesting one. Jenny Dark (Justine Johnstone) is introduced as a young girl whose knowledge of tho world and of men lias been gained', almost exclusively, from reading books. Her father is a detective but keeps the nature of his calling from his daughter. His idea of bringing up his motherless daughter is io keep lier in innocence of tho wiles and wickedness of' the world; he has a friend, also with a motherless daughter, who has adopted the same method. In both instances the lack of foresight on the part of tiie fathers results in considerable trouble and tribulation. Jenny Dark's mother waa a Frenchwoman, and" Jenay has inherited from her a passionate love of France and a burning desire to emulate Jcane d'Arc by doing some great cervica for France. The manner in which her love of France and' her familiarity with the French language are taken advantage oi by a crook, who masquerades as a French soldier sent to America to make an appeal on behalf of French war-orphans, is the principal theme of the main incidents of the story. Jenny's mate, the daughter of her father's friend, is employed by a fashionable modiste and Jenny has an opportunity of seeing the latest wh-in-.s cf fashion in exquisite gowns and, incidentally, meets the crook who in order to further his schemes, is under the necessity of producing a wife. He elcilfully plays on Jenny's ardent love of Francs und she duly appears with him at a big society function at which the appeal is launched. Justine Johnstone appears in a gown of wondrous design and! beauty of fabric and so completely dazzles' the gathering that the appeal for tho French orphans benefits to tho extent of a very large sum. Tho crook, however, da caught in the meshes of the law before he can escapo with the money. Ail intensely, thrilling scene is that in which her father, in oa-rrying out his duties, finds Jenny with the crook, and he finds his daughter's remark —"You never told me that there wero - auch men in the world" —practically unanswerable. A note worthy feature of the story is tha contrast between the heiroine's attire, and her horn-rimmed, spectacles, in the opening scenes, and tho dazzling splendour of the gown and novel hat she weara as tha supposed wife of the peeudo French soldier. The film is beautifully produoed and the star is supported by an excellent all-round rsast. The second attraction, Parnmount's adaptation of tho musical comedy, "Tho Beauty Shop," ia a riot of merriment from opening to closing scene. Raymond Hitchcock a comedian of much originality, who ha 3 a remarkable range of facial expressions, ia Dr. Buddi, who runa the Beauty Shop, but is more anxious to shine as a tromboncist. The plot is an exceedingly clever one, but not unduly complicated, and the different characters are represented by a bevy 'of highly-talented actors and actresses. Although all the humour of tho musical comedy i 3 not conveyed by the film version, there is much amusement in the cleverly worded texts. The picture is v-try finely produced.. The latest Paramount Gazette was also screened; it contains many very interesting items. A Burton Holmes Travelogue, "The Law-makers of the Philippines," rounds off an excellent programme. The programme submitted by Everybody's Select Orchestra maintained {he high standard that Mr Bellingham has set himeolf. Much appreciated items were: A complete symphony by Mozart and the "Scheherazada" (Rinisky-Korsakow). Mr Bellmgham's arrangement of Groene's "Sing Mo to .Sleep" was.played as the entr'acte. Undoubtedly when arranged by a mastorhand and played by artists, these old melodies live again and mttka a wonderful appeal. They also form a delightful contrast to the big works and afford a mental relaxation, wlvich is most refreshing. The performance of the C major Symphony was a very fine one. Both conductor and orchestra seamed to enter into tha spirit of the composition and the result was a reading keeping with the classical record of the composition and one which wus distinctly of musical andl educational value. "Faust" (Gounod) was represented by a selection of the most popular melodies and the complete set of ballet music; the ballet music from "Lrakme" (Delibes) was also played. The overture was "Calif of Bagdad" (Boreldieu), which was light and brilliant. Other light selections included) "The Beggar's Opera" (Austin), a new opera which proved very popular nt its first performance some months ago, and several new fox trots including "Stumbling" (Whitman) and "Wimmin" (Wilson).

LIBERTY THEATRE. Constance Talmadge is more delightful than ever in "The Primitive Lover," her latest production,' which is being screened before large audiences at the Liberty Theatre this week. Miss Taimadige has a charm and a personality which marks her out as ono of the finest) actresses that the motion picture art has produced. 4afco lnvariaaiy appears in loito whicn are exactly ouated i*> her talents, and the effect is always pleasing. In "I'he Primitive Lover" Miss Tulmadge has the part of a somewhat thougntiess young woman who has married wiUiout exercising a great deal of care as to whether she was really in love or not. The story is unusual, and contains many most interesting twists of plot. Constance Talmadge is supported by Harrison Ford and an excellent cast. The supporting picture programme includes tne excellent film "Pahs andi Papas," which contains beautiful views of tho "VVanganui River and of Maori life in tho North Island. There 13 also an interesting Gazette and a fine comedy. Half an hour of excellent entertainment- is provided by Miss Miilicent Jennings's party as a prologue to "The Primitive Lover." Tho prologue is entitled "An Eastern Phantasy,' 1 and it moot artistic in every deta-il. Miss t'ennings and her party are to be congratulated on thn splendid results they have achieved. The whole programme at the Liberty i 3 an admirable one. It will be presented daily tili Friday.

STRAND THEATRE. "Fool's Paradise" is continuing ita remarkable run of success at tlio Strand Theatre. The scenes are of a thrilling nature, and the acting is of the best. Conrad Nagel, Dorothy Dalton, Mildred Harris, and Theodore KoslofF liaie leading paits. Madge Kennedy is the star in the big Goldwyu production "Strictly Confidential," and. there is a big supporting programme.

GRAND THEATRE. "The Masquerader'' is the principal attraction at the Graudi Then ere tais weelc, and it is a very fine production indeed. The film is founded upon Katherina Cecil Thurston's immensely popular novel "John Chilcote, M.P." The etory i 3 in many respects unique, though it has some resemblance to tEe tbemo of "Dr. Jekyli and Mr Hyde." The difference lie 3 in the fact that there are two sepalate John Chilootes, one the genuine British member of Parliament, the other his cousin, who is similar in appearance and who finds no difficulty in impersonating him. Guy Bateß Post, who plays the double character of John Chiicot-o, is & very fine actor, and he is supported] by an excellent cast. Wheeler Oakman is the star in the Western drama "Tlfe Half Breed." It is a good story admirably interpreted. The Grand Orchestra plays a fine progm.Tv.Tne of music.

GREATER CRYSTAL PALACE. Once in a while, in these days ol superfeatures, an epoch-mating film makes its appearand a~d puts pictures one haa been wont to look upon as stupendous completely in the shaie. Only occasionally, moro's the pity, doe 3 eui'h a Sim inako its appearance, but that "occasionally" synchronises witi: the present w->ek, and the home ol the mas-i-:r-picturc- is Greater Crystal Palace. The film ii the wonderful Univorsai-Jevrei masterpiece, "Foolish Wi.'ti" and the tact that the producer id ike iljs'.er Carl Jjaemnile peaces the iiiJl-maik upon it. ' Fooli'K W'lves" is a, wond,.r:ui puiurc whichever way one looks at it. 'ihe nsished aiticie is 12,uC0 ieet in length, a woiiaertul entertainment surely bat to secure tn»t 12,WJ0 feel, no fewer tftani G-t miles of film waa exposed. The cost or tho pro-auction was JEJK'.CCO English money, which meant £2.KO for every minute of scriening, while over 15,000 peopla were employed in its making. Some picture, without u doubt, but such is tha film thtt Mr V. 11. Beebe is offering his patrons this v.T-ek, for cue week only. For one of tho very few times on record, two copies 01 the picture are at present in the Dominion and aro being shown simultaneously—Christchurch and Auckland, with, however, two very "big differences. The Auckland season i-. to last three weeks, and tho prices rango from 4s 5d to 2s 2d, at which prices capacity business is being experienced, as reports since the opening of the season last Friday, prove. Air Beebe, on the other hand, has one fixed rule. He haa a very large number oi regular patrons, end his policy is never to disappoint those patrons by showing a picture, no matter how expensive, for more than one week. Hence, "Foolish Wives" will be eeen in Christchurch for this week only. Punher, the prices for the present week aTe not being raised, and remain at 29 Od, 2s 2d, la Bd, and Is Id. Therefore, though tho Auckland and Chri9tchurch theatres are paying exactly the same price for the film, ChristchuTch is getting just the same faro as the Auckland for a little more than, half the cost, and will be able to see another set of pictures at Greater Crystal Palace next week. Truly tbe financial workings of the mind of the picture theatre manager -who aspires to pleass his directors and at the same time keep absolute faith with his regular patrons, are something weiid and wonderful, yet Mr Beebe has tho gilt, for he showo dividends and compels the approbation of all who visit his theatre. This week, more than ever, Ur Ceebe fulfils his claim that he 15 ''always on the job," and the most loyal of Christchurch citizens who know him will -wonder why ho "hides hi® light under a bushel" as _ one might almost say, by confining his activities to this city. The answer is not far to seek. Ho looks upon Greater Crystal Palace as his own baby, as it wero, and rightly so, though under his direction it has risen from babyhood, through the infant phenomenon phase, through n premature adolescence, to full-grown manhood in. tbe development if mot ia years. "On with the good! work, Brother Bcebe!"

"Foolish "Wives" is without doubt the picture of an -age. It is interesting to not© that its author-director and star are one man, Erich to* Stroheim, whos-e career itself is sufficiently dramatic. Von Strah-eim was originally &n Austrian count, hut, for political reasons, "was "banished by tile late Emperor Franz Josef, and his estates confiscated. He went to America, and»when the wa,r was started found himself mora outside the pale than ever. However, hia histrionic and literary ability came to his sal•yiatio.u, and now ho i 3 one of the foremost men in picturedoui in the States. Us has done many other things besides "Foolish "Wives," but that is his greatest effort, and if it were the only thing lie evdr did, his name would go down to posterity in the annals of the screen. Can anyone imagine the temporary building of a Monte Carlo, an exact replica of the real thing? That is what woe done for "Foolish "Wives," bo it Is little wonder that a picture, the producer of which would go to such lengths of detail and expenditure, should prove an overwhelming success. "Foolish Wives" is set wholly in Monte Carlo. Three Russian ''crooks," a pseudo count and his two attractive "cousins," have been living there on counterfeit money, and on the look-out for a plump pigeon to pluok. "Count" Sorquis, who haa a reputation as ft lady-killer, is the hope of the party, and nobly does ho -employ hia endless villainy to that end. There comes as the American Minister plenipotentiary to the Prinoe of Monaco, one Hughes, repuatedly a rich American*, and his beautiful yrifo, whom Sergius immediately singles out afl hia prey. Hughes, "Unfortunately, though deeply in love with his young and beautiful wife, who is not sufficiently sophisticated to &e-parato glitter from gold, is so tied "up with hia international duties that he cannot pay' her all the -attention he wishes, with' the result that she falls rather an easy victim to the crook. Urged on by Seiqms, she "•goea the limit" at the tables*, and wins one hundred thousand francs. Something of the sort is what the Russian has been wait- !&«• for, and under -a pretext ihe gets her to his rooms that night, and tells a pitiful of threatened honour, confiscated estates (the scene is after the armistice) and possible dsath, with the result that she £ives him ninety thousand francs. A serving maid, whom Sergius has betrayed under a promise of marriage, however, succumbs to iealousy, sets fire to the house, and then flings herself into the sea. In the moment of test, when the flames threaten to end the lives of both, Sergius shows Himself m his true colours, and a little later, his career is suddenly ended, when he tries his old lover's tricks on the innocent dflujrhter of a far from innocent Italian. At the time, his two "fair cousins" wc recogiiwea as international "crooks." while the American wife comes" to realise that a Rood, true, loving husband provides the best romance after nil. Such ia the story. It isi not » new one, hut it is th--> manner m winch it is told and set that tnak»a the picture. The scenes of Monte Carlo, with its magnificent buildings, and the excited throngs round the tables, °are most realistic, «uid at the same time the views of the city and of the seagirt monarchy are very beautiful, and splenclidlv photographed. Then one notices the great attention to detail; the croupier, even though -the picture was taken m America, speaks French, as his lip actions £ V while trivial street details, nnd little incidents of the tables, which mi?ht easily have been overlooked, are •all thtre. Th-e fire brisrado scenes, by the way, me i wonderfully realistic. The act in? is something that- _nne floes not often w even amongst Btars. von Stroheim is surely the great villain of the present decade. A very polished actor, he manages© to exude an essence of loathsomeness right through the piece that mai.63 one execrate him, while hailing him as a wonderful actor. No better villainy could ever be shown * a "heavy" man, and von Stroheim is certainly not that. He is a dapper young man, not handsome, it ia true, but one who could play heroic leads to the satisfaction of all. Hi? portrayal of ihe. bestial '"Sergius" will long live in the memories of those who see "Foolish Wives." Mim du Pont is excellent as "the foolish wife." She is a• very clever young dramatic actress, and the more one sees of her the more one likes her. Maude George and Mae Busch are first class as the two "lady crooks," and Pale Fuller is wholly convincing as the American husband. ''Flappers," in particular, ehould take notice of the wiselyconstructed sub-titles. If they do, they will not be so prone to confuse the drosa with the real metal. It is not often) that a full musical score accompanies a picture, but such is the case with "Foolieh Wives." The music, specially v.rstteu for the picturp. was written and scored by Sigmund Romberg, and was splendidly played last night by the Symphony Orchestra, under Mr A.. J, Bunz. What struck one rn.-Mt.ly W3a the exact manner in which the orchestra fitted in with the picture. For instance, when the ship's bugler put his instrument to his mouth, a trumpet-call was heard; when the ntcam was let oS( there was the ship's whistle, nnd to on. Running through tho music is the haunting "Stroheim Waltz," a very daintv little composition. A fine march marks the entry to Monaco, while the morning music, allegro con e.pirito, is especially interesting and introduces another captivating march. The Tarantella during the Casir.o scenes is Jen- telling-, and tho Gondolier music, marking the boat scenes at night, is most seductive. and gives the strings a cig opportunity. Tho storm passages are very realistic, while the mu3ic accompanying the c.ose-up o{ the maniacal servant ii almost appallingly realistic. Here and there the score is reminiscent of Tach&ikowaky's "1812" and other inspiring national works and the fact that it embraces 142 pnt?ca, and that it jumps from heavy to ligh effects in an astounding manner, reflects all the more credit on the orchestra. By the way, a ouartet accompanies the picture at the afternoon sesEions.

With it.® Kimroits, a "Centurv" comedv, STid a pyt»™l ß >ljr int-restin? in-f.-dmpv* of t, e ' ,:i ' n Star - ! «" >'*> Africa." "Fcn:i?n \live3 will be repealed throughout tho ■we&k.