AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17691, 17 February 1923, Page 14

AMUSEMENTS.

» PICTURE HOUSES.

LIBERTY THEATRE. "SKIN DEEP," A REMARKABLE PICTURE. "Skin Deep" is one of the biggest pictures that Thomas H. Ince has put on the silver : screen. It is something far beyond an in- ' terestmg story to be seen and forgotten. j one who sees this picture is ever likely to forget it. Built upon a theme that is close to the heart of everyone and tchd witn a i bold sweep of narrative that keeps one breathless with suspense, "Skm Deep" is a picture that will be talked about, and those . who see it will return to see it again. The story in briei is the story of a gunman, a , gangsier oi New Yori's tendenoui, who becomes a hero on the battiedeids of France and returns to the United btates with the firm intention oi living "straight." But as_ Samson had his Delilah, so his wicked, las- j cinaung little wile frames an act of treach- j ery which resin is in his going to prison. In i escaping item prison he falls from an aero- j plane, badiy crushing his face. He is taken , to a hospital where disabled soldiers are re- I made by, plastic surgery. Here his evil, criminal features are replaced by a face that is fine, young and frank. This man with I a new face, going about unknown among his ' old associates, gives rise to some extra- i ordinary and unusually dramatic situations. | Mr Ince has given this story masterful j handling. Whatever "lesson" there may be , in it is gleaned by the spectator from a vivid, colourful, dramatic story. There are all kinds of thrills, as, for instance, the sgcape of the hero from prison by an aeroplane, which takes him from the top of a passenger train to which he had leaped from the prison wall. In the course of the story there is an aeroplane which does a perilous "tail-spin" in mid-air. There is a leap from a pnrnupt to a vnvi'Mv movin? train. Undoubtedly the outstanding feature of the production as a whole is that, although it is in fact one of the most thrilling melodramas ever screened, it moves with a superb dignity that will meet with the instant approval of the most staid picture audience. It reaches down into the very depths of the heart and grips the human sympathy without resorting to cheap sensationalism. "Skin Deep" hold 3 the rare combination of swiftly moving action, tensely dramatic situations and the convincing reality of humanity itself. On this point alone it will establish itself as one of the most ■popular productions of the year. Being the first picture to deal witH the dramatic and sociological possibilities of plastic surgery it will attract T'ecple who ri'relv :'° to "see motion pictures. An added attraction will be the "Miserere" Duet from "H ( TrovMo o." which v-'l b* .-.htv> v- Miss Mil - , cent Jennings and Mr Claud. Haigh. Lloyd Hamilton, the popular comedian, will be seen in his latest comedy entitled "Poor Boy." \A. varied and interesting list of sunporting subjects will a! r n he --.hown. Bnx plans are now open at The Bristol Piano Company. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. "GRANDMA'S BOY" STARRING HAROLD LLOYD. 'THE YOUNG DIANA" STARRING MARION DAVIES. The picture that has never yet been equallee] for comedy is "Grandma's Boy," the new Harold Lloyd comedy at Everybody's Theatre, commencing next Monday at the matinee. It is packed with laughter etunts, and each is a distinct novelty. At the same time, a real human story threads the picture and offsets the fun exquisitely. "Grandma.'B Boy" is Harold Llovd's greatest comedy, but that'is not all. for, underlying its unbroken sequence of humour iffl a story tnat plays all roiuti tue heaxt. It ha£ been said tna.l Lloyd litres tue simplicity oi life, in natural surroundings, and witn it tuques superb oonieo.y. it is proved in "Grandma'a Boy." 'lno picture concerns a boy who, though they ar© packed, tightly away, has the qualities of a hero. .liehas belin.od ail tniougn his youth that he is a cc rjtrd and suffered accordingly at, the haaJla of hi 3 Even when it appears that, through his lack of nerve, he will lose hia girl, he cannot rise to the occasion. Then Grandma takes a hand, works a miracle and turns the milksop into a fire-eater. Every dog has his day and this is Harold's. Even the intense humour oi what follows cannot quite eliminate the beautiful human note of the production. The cast, as usual, is excellent. Dainty Mildred Davis is charmingi, Anna Townsend, as Grandma, both appeals and delights ana th\ other players are of the same high artistic standard. The demand for mystery pictures is steadily increasing. They offer motion picture fans delicious thrills and expectancy, ( anu in these respects "The Young Diana," a Cosmopolitan creation released by Paramount, starring Marion Davies, which will be the second feature on the programme, ranks among the best productions of the current season. In this picture Miss Davies is seen as a young English girl whose love romance, with a titled naval officer seemingly is forever Life loses interest to her and she develops into a spinste£ whose future is dreary and- hopeless. BuT sho goes to Switzerland, where she encounters a mysterious alchemist who induces her to subject herself to a deadly experiment with the result that sho emerges from the ordeal a wonderful beauty an*l soon becomes the rage of Eiurope. Then. m a mysterious way she encounters her former sweetheart, and what happens later is told thrillingly in a series of remarkable scenes. Naturally, she finds love and happiness at last. Miss Davies is admirably supporter in this novel and entertaining photoplay. In the cast are Forrest Stanley, leading man: Maclyn Arbuckle, Pedro de Cordoba and Gypsy O'Brien. The picture was directed by Albert Capellani and Robert G-. Vignola, two of the most capable directors identified with the industry. As usual an excellent musical programme will be provided by Everybody's Select Orchestra under the conductorship of Mr W. J. Bellingham, F.S.M. Chief among the items are the following:—Overture, "Lustspiel" (Keler-Bela); suites, "Scherzo" (Lalo); Trois Pieces (Massenet); "Scenes Napoletaines" (Massenet); grand opera, "Faust" (Gounod); entr'acte, "Tippy . Canoe" (Fisher); light selections, "Marv (Hirsch), "I'm Goin?" (Clegg), "Mello Cello" (Neil Moret), "Three Little Maids" (Rubens). Reserved seats may be "obtained either at The Bristol or by telephoning 4926. STRAND THEATRE. A story by Mary Roberts Rinehart needs no recommendation. "Dangerous Days" is the title of the film versicn of the famous writer's novel which will be shown at the Strand Theatre this week. "Dangerous Days" are those just before the war for the Spencer Steel Work 3. Rudolph Kiein is plotting to have his brother blow up the munitions plant, but Herman, having been long associated with the Spencer concern, refuses. Clayton Spencer, head cf the corporation, attends strictly to business, while his wife, Natalie, is occupied with gay social entertainments, also interested in Rodney Page, an architect in love with her. At a ball both hosts and guests barely escape destruction by a powerful explosive concealed in a fountain pen. Clayton becomes sympathetically confidential with Audrey Vaientme, whose son was among those who enlisted with the Canadians. Clayton's own son is secretly lovedl by Delight Haverford, and more openly by impassioned Anna Klein, the vpung man's private secretary, and daughter of Herman Klein. Rudolph tries to embitter Herman against the Spencers because of his daughter's love for Graham. Graham is. fond of heir. He gives her a wrist watch, and the infatuated girl is foolish enough to wear it. Rudolph discovers this, and uses his discovery to inflame Herman against the Spencers. Heiman cruelly beats the girl. Anna escapes from ber home and :'s taken to a place by Graham, this also being discovered. Herman is now bent on revenge. Anna hears a conspiracy, in which her father agrees to blow the factory up. She escapes from lier room and hurries to the workß, but is too late. Her father has started the conflagration. Audrey and Anna get caught in the ruins, and Clayton rushes to the Bcene. He saves Audrey, but Anna dies in his arms. The second feature is a Paramount superpicture, "Law and the tt Oman," starring Betty Compson. The supports include an English Topical Budget and the Jfack-Sen-nett comedy, "It's a Boy." AS DELICIOUS AS CHAMPAGNE. With all the fragrant flavour of the best Champagne, "Golden Apple" Champagne Cider can be freely partaken of by the whole family, being less than half the strength of light wines. Pints 15s doz., quarts 25s doz. I All Wine Merchants and Bottle Stores. I G6196.

GRAND THEATRE. An entirely new programme will be screen - ed at the Grand Theatre, headed by Mack Sennett's "Cross Roads of New \ork. . This production is an evidence of how the , everyday incident* of life can bo evolved ; I into a plot of strong comedy and dramatic | appeal. The producer has token types faffidr j iar to everyday life; a young toy irom th,, , country, a sentimentally-inclined landlady, a Rroadwav vamp, figures of the financial worfd re y jec\ed P suitors, policemen and law- £££ .nd combined them in a picture ot S, dramatic interest tinged with inimitable humour. The plot concerns a youngster from the country who cornea to the cit> tooued with the idea that he must nave I job with a uniform Through the influence of a wealthy urfcle, who insists that the bov must carve his own way, the newcomer lands with the- street-cleaning department. For his home he has a secondra*a boarding house, where the landlady obviously prefers him to several husky suitors for hex hand, much to the youngsters embarrassment. The uncle, however, has become the financial backer for a prospectus musical show, and finds the burden more than he cares to carry- Without a word to anyone, he departs for Alaska, leaving to : his nephew the responsibility of caring for his interests. With this as its starting point the story breezes along at a speedy gait, involving a pretty romance in which George O'Hara and ivathryn JlcGuire are' the leading players. Eddie- Gribbon, Billie Sevan, Charies Murray and Mildred June, of the Mack Sennctt company, aro in the capable cast, which also includes Herbert Standing, Ethel Grey Terry, Noah Bee y, , and Ben Deeley. ; In the same proirramme will spr»ened : another fine feature picture, "Big Stakes," ■ the star of which is J. B. "Warner. Bier Stakes" is an unusual action story of the i West. It was first printed in the "American ; • Magazine," and this etory by Earl 'Woyland j Bowman was regarded as such good motion , picture material thnt several picture pro- ; dncers bid for it. It was finally secured as i a starring vehicle for J. B. Warner. Eliror •' Fair, a well-known -screen lending woman, j appears opposite the star. Other members rif the cast are L<»s Bates, Wilamie Carson, H. S. Knrr and Robert G-rey. The picture (mens with a H<r free-for-all fio-ht scene that is full of pction, and Ihi» tempo is sustained throughout most of the picture. A gentler atmosphere, of course, is injected into the love scenes, but moke up in ardour what they lack in rction._ There are ppveral ?ood supnorHng film?, inclu'line a Bister TC-ntrvn and !»i excentiin-llv interesting Pathe" Pictorial. The first screening is at 12 noon. GREATER CRYSTAL PALACE. HAL REID'S "LAY, "HUMAN HEARTS." AND RALPH CONNOR'S "CAMERON OF THE EOYAJL MOUNTED." "Lucky uan,' "Xiie iijd a v,„u.,.,'- and the fine cuixentr jjiogiamino or HiOUuii jjicttuei wui be BLieeiicu at oiyoUU lor tne laot times tius aiieiuoou uid touigut, ana the big byiuplluiiy Urautaiia, uudtr the distinguisiieu (.onauciorsliip k! mx Alfred J. Bunz, wiu perioral at both sessions. •Au-uignt s> bcbaiou uo .uxe \ti.i nuiouuce' tiie ueautuui daucuig vurn ey lUiss Lymie h.dwaias and Mr Ineodore lrezise lor the last time. Psychologists are popping up all over the ■ world witu long woided uocuiuents aimed to prove that the mind ot the average person is a complicated airangement of comp.exes, sub-conscious desires, and whatnots. "Human Hearts," the huge eight-reel UniversaiJewel photoplay, which heads next weeu s new Dm ai ureater orystai I'aiace, is a welcome answer to all this learned bubble. It pictures the human brain of the average person as essentially simple; free, in the main, from complexes, except ior the superstructure of worldly sham that some acquire. . As one of the New York reviewers wrote I after seeing the premiere: " 'Human Hearts' is essentially a story of the average family < as found throughout the length and breadth j of the country. It is a recital of the tria.s and tribulations that might ccnie to any ' ily, even yours and mine, and that is why ! it is a great drama. It is human nnd renl to the smallest detail." The stellar role I of Tom Logan in the screen version of Hal Reid's great stage success, is played by House .Peters, one of the finest emotional actors in pictures to-day. He brings to the part a keen and sympathetic understanding that enables him to give a characterisation that is a masterpiece. Edith Hallor is the leading woman. She has an extremely difficult part, that of a selfish and bitter worldly wis9 woman, and the excellence of her performance proves her one of the finest actresses on the screen. The action of the piece is laid in the Ozark Mountains, and all the beauty of that picturesque section is reproduced on the screen. Throughout the photography is of the highest class. King Baggott, director, gathered a notable cast for *he production, including several players who are stars in their own right. Included in the notable cast are such players as Russell Simpson, Mary Philbin, Gertrude tilaire, Snitz Edwards, George \V. West, M. b. Karr. Lucretia Harris, George Hackathorne, and Ramsey Wallace. A superb picturisation of Ralph Connor's fine story, "Cameron of the Royal Mounted, is the second huge attraction on the new bill, and it is claimed to be the most magnificent tale of adventure ever pictured in the land of perpetual snow. The story of "Cameron of the Royal Mounted" concerns the adventures of a young man who is ' forced to leave college in Scotland and go to Canada, owing to the fact that he is accused of forging a cheque. In Canada he" meets and falls in love with the daughter i of a farmer by whom he is employed. Fearing to tell her about the incident of the ' cheque, Cameron leaves a note for the girl and goes to another town, where he joins the Royal North-West. Mounted Police. A situation develops, however, which brings about his dismissal from the mounted force, and th.9 rest of the story concerns his struggle to explain the and rogain the .' coveted uniform. In the end he is successful, even to the extent of winning l the love of the : girl. The supporting films are the eleventh ex- : citing chapter of "The Adventures of Robin- ' son Crusoe," a very laughable Century comedy, and the latest International News film. Following the estab'ished custom of the big theatre, particulars of next week's magnificent orohestral programme will be announced in Monday's newspapers, The box plan is at The Bristol, or seats may be reserved by telephoning' Greater Crystal Palace, number 3758. QUEEN'S THEATRE. Whirlwind action, with bright spots of romance, mark "For Big Stakes," a Fox picture, starring Tom Mix, which will be presented at the Queen's Theatre commencing to-day. This picture is replete with adventure. It has a love story, too, of exceptional charm. The sands and hills of Arizona, the clear skies, the outdoor life, are all depicted. The acting of Tom Mix is of the highest order, his riding, shooting, and reps throwing long ago placed him in the front rank of Western screen actors. His horse, Tony, deserves great praise and shows great intelligence. The photoplay is wtU above the average, the movement of the story never flags, the direction throughout is good, and thero are scveial surpris-s. There is a blight and delightful collection of supporting subjects. There is a special comedy, '•Tickie Me," in which Clyde Cook is the chief funmaker. Tho eighteenth episode of "Fantomas" and the Fox News will be showA. In addition there will be a two-reel comedy, "The Village Sheik," in which Al. St. John appears. "BEYOND THE ROCKS" ON MONDAY. "Beyond the Rocks" will be screened- at the Queen's Theatre on Monday and all the week. This big Paramount special is from the novel by Elinor Glyn, the author of "Three Week 3," and- features the screen's greatest lovers, Gloria Swanson and Rodo.pb Valentino. This story calls for scenes in beautiful English homes, and in one set particularly there are innumerable rare and ccstly articles of virtu, paintings of note, . ancestral portraits for the gallery quaint I and graceful old furniture, rich draperies, j and so on. lime. 0.1.-n, who (distantly j watched the details, saw to it that no in- ; appropriate fittings found their way into the j scenes. They are typical to the last degree of the country wherein they are located, in I this picture Gloria Swanson is cast in a role | that is romantic in the extreme, and affords j the unusual opportunities for the dspiayot , her skill and ta!ent in emotional acting, J.ne story is one of love, fervent, enduring, ro- , mantic.