AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17721, 24 March 1923, Page 19

AMUSEMENTS.

PICTURE HOUSES.

LIBERTY THEATRE. THREE STAR FEATURES TO-DAT. Norma Talmadge's many friends, who claim that she is equally attractive in calico or satins, will have a chance to prove their contention in -'Love's Redemption," to ho screened at the Liberty Theatre to-day. -<ut only does iliss Talmadge figure in the central role, but she is supported by a. cast 01 quito ungual atiiuiy, Aioiuu-gue ~„,„ aim n»rruiu roro. in J-W----ueinpUou" xaisi la.niauge appears in tae a»luj;il jKr am iu=c.—img cnnrocter w ° ums «, an orpiiau girl 01 Jamaica. v>nus<: quaint ways, lo>uu.e nana, courage, »" a l.iUUtive are responsible lor the sanauo.i. 01 a nue young who threutei.s to uewrioiute aitctjeiiier under ins influence of Ueat ind.uii inc. ia-ung l" lovo with him, tne gin risiu all ..i iiini out oi Uie vuiui 01 sua and Jinseiy mteiy 10 envelop him aitogetner. Throng-u tlie ingenuity 01 her brains, and the brave.-/ of her ncari, sne aeleats ma evil inuiiuo.l3 ol those wuo wouid pull him dawn, ana makes a maJi of h.m once more, tne sacrifice- involves, on the- surlace but uoi in real.ty, the loss of her good naiue._ 'mo end, however, is happiness ior ail. Norma s unse.lish interest and devotion brings * deeper sense of ob:igation to those with wiioin she comes in contact than could be brought by intensive study. The fiery, capricious character that the star has drawn teems with heart interest, love, pathos, Ml-* quiet humour, and makes the portrayal one oi tile most effective in Hiss ialinadgcs screen career. The scenes, lor the greater part, are iaid in Jamaica and the- surrounding country. Miles and miles cl sugar plantation roll before the spcelaor in undulating curves, to end only where the thickness oi the forests in the distance obscures further view. By contrast, other scenes of' tho picture feature the sun-kissed, shcre of Jamaica with natives loading the ships. To make tho tropical scenes of the picture, the company spent thres weeks in tho West Indies, and the life of the islands is brought out in detail by the story. Bacing plays are specialties with British producers, and they have always been successes. In "The Sport of Kings," the second big feature to be screened at the Liuerty to-dny, we have the finest example of this type of picture for many a day. Tho action is fast, and tho plot well told and interesting. There is a boxing match which is marvellously done, awl also a steeplechase full of incident, and a flat race. The scene in the club where the- hero throws the villain over the club balcony is another high light in the .production, and the whole play is so fascinating and so fresh in treatment that it .is a credit to. the producer. Victor MacLagen, the leading man, is a good athlete, of very fine physique, which is admirably displayed in on exciting glove contest in which he proves the winner. Tho heroine is played by' an exceedingly pretty girl named Phyllis Shannaw. Larry Semon, king of comedians, is featured in "A Pair of Kings," it high-speed comedy, full of irresistible humour. The latest Patho Gazette and Topical Budget complete the bill. The Liberty - Grand Orchestra, under the baton of Mr Arthur Gordon, will play a programme of delightful music. ' The box plan for the season is now open at the Bristol Piano Company. Reserves may ako bo obtained at tho theatre, 'phone 2366.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. DOROTHY DALTON. DAVID POWEIiL, WANDA HAWLEY, AND WALTER HIERS. Thoso who believe that the dance-hall gambling resorts of Alaska and the Far North are all of rough-hewn construction, entirely lacking in the gorgeous and elaborate, will be surprised when the truth is revealed in a mammoth' casino setting built for Irvin "yvUlat's new production for Parar mount, "The Siren Call," featuring Dorothy Dalton, which will bo on view at Everybody's Theatre next week, commencing at the matinee on Monday, "Gore's ©asino," ns the place is known in the story, is a Urge interior, which occupied one-half of the largest enclosed studio stage at tho Paramount studio. Adjoining the main casino is a hotel; lobby setting. At tho rear centre of the casino is a stage setting, where the dancers and entertainers perform. At the left of the stage' is a colossal stone fireplace, as wide as the side of 'an ordinary room. Next to the .fireplace is the bar. On either side of the large hall are boxes, in the nature of privato compartments, where the dancing -girls and the fur-clothed habitues of the place wine and dine and revel. Bizarre decorative gilded filagree work adds glamour to the-general interior. It is in this casino that some of the most colourful scenes of "The Siren Call" aro enacted. Dorothy Dalton, in the featured role of Oharlote. Woods, a dance-hall girl, springs to still greater fame and screen splendour by her dazzling performance in this role, which is similar in type to the nart which first won screen recognition for her in the memorable production, "The Flame of the Yuko©. I '' Her alluring beauty and personality, her charm and buoyant, vivacious spirit are utilised to the grentest advantage in the character of tie beautiful queen of the Alaskan dance palace. Miss Dalton has been for several years one of the screen's greatest luminaries. After several seasons in stock on tho legitimate stago, she became prominent on the screen. She starred in "Quicksands," "The Market of Souls," "KApache," "The Dark Mirror," and other successes. Writers of stories for motion pictures are wont to go as far as they liko in the matter of choosing out-of-the-way localities as the scene of their plots, and out-of-the-way things in general, to trim up their scenes. For the property man and the casting director may bo relied upon to furnish the correct scenery, the correct furniture, the correct types of humanity, and tho correct costumes for any locality and nationality' and any period of history. It .has leaked out .recently, however, that Elmer Harris, supervising director of the West Coast Studios and writer of many of the Rta'lart stories and scenarios, overstepped tho •mark when he concocted the plot of "Pier Sturdy Oak," Wanda Hawley's latest release, the second'feature on the programme, and wrote into .his story one item which neither the property man nor the casting director could furnish. Perhaps, to" be more accurate, one should say three items, for the script called for triplets. And not merely one set of the rare triplet babies. No, indeed! Mj, Harris had planned to have several sets of triplets shown ns the play progressed, to show the development of the babies from birth to two or three years. Want ads. were inserted in all the Los Angeles newspapers,, but no triplets were to be found in 'the famous motion picture city. So twins were called for, and then an avalanche of babies overwhelmed the studio. There were twins of-every size, colour, sex, disposition, and condition. Director Thomas Helfron confesses that it was tho worst half-day he ever spent, but a fine selection was at last made, and babies two weeks old, 18, months, and three years were finally chosen from among the swarm of infants. Only some' of the pairs wore not real twins, but separate babies which attracted the. eye of the fastidious director, who picked individuals and paired them off until he had three pairs that satisfied his artistic soul. "Her Sturdy Oak," in which the twins "'av a nassive but important part, shows Wanda Hawley as a cringing-vine wife, married to a dreamy and impracticable husband, impersonated by Walter liiers. It is said to be one of, the most amusing comedies o? domestic life in which Miss Hawley has yet been shown. A delightful musical programme has been arranged by Mr W. J. Bellingham for Everybody's "Select" Orchestra. Chief among the items are the following:—Overture, "Barber of Seville" (Rossini); suites, "Keltic Suite" (Foulds), "Scenes Pittoresque" (Massenet); overtures, "Plying Dutchman" (Wagner), "Athalie" (Mende'ssohn); entr'acte, "Liebestraum" (Liszt); light selections. "Here and There" (Chappel'e). "H.JI.S. Pinafore" (Sullivan). "Brigands" (Offenbach): fox-trots. "Learn to Pmi'e" (Hirsch), "You Gave Me Ycur Heart" (Snyder). As usual, seats may be reserved either at The Bristol or by 'phonin" 4925.

QUEEN'S THEATRE. A programme of more than usual brilliance will be presented at the Queen's Theatre, commencing to-day. Two magnificent super-features will be shown. Each- of these pictures is of - a widely different nature. The first is entitled "Just TonV," and is a Fox preductiou featuring Tom Ilix and his famous horse "Tony." This beautiful animal is seen in a wonderful series of situations that for intelligence would-be hard" to equal. The storv cer.lred around this horse tells of his ill-treatment and then his escape to the prairies. Then, at the head of a band of wild horses, ha enters upon a career of devastation and ruin of all men's belongings. In addition' to trampling down fields of corn, they break fences and unfasten stable doors, allowing other horses to escape. The added attraction will be "A Virgin Paradise," a.superspecial in eight parts. This picture did not arrive in. time for screening last week, and it is this reason that such a magnificent programme can be presented to-day. ."A Virgin Paradise" has for its' background the beautiful scenery of a South Sea Island. It is very sensational and thrilling, there being several wild animals, including lions, taking part. The story concerns a young girl lived on a lonely island for a number of years with only wild animals as her companions. Later she is rescued and taken to;- a fashionable home in America. It is here that the story becomes very tense, especially when a young suitor ia being forced upon her. The Lee Kids will appear in a bright comedy entitled "Kids and Skids."

GRAND THEATRE. "SIT OLD DUTCH," AND "DADDY LONO LEGS." Of all the pictures which week after week come and go on the local picture screens, it is interesting to reflect on how. many 1 (or how few) leave .behind a lasting impression which, as time passes, becomes a pleasant memory. Of those which achieve this uistinction, there can be no doubt that there are large numbers of picturegoers who -will welcome an opportunity of again making titer acquaintance, while many ottiersjjjiwill be glad again to get an opportunity of seeing some of those out-of-the-ordinary films. Tne two features to be screened at the Grand today can certainly claim to have made for themselves a distinct place in the memories of all picturegoers. The first one, "My Old I Dutch," is distinctive for its wonderful true-to-life portrayal of Cockney coster life. The leading actor in it, the late Albert Chevalier, famous as as the creator of the coster type in the world's music-halls, plays his part with such fidelity to life that one readily understands the enormous vogue he enjoyed—even to being favoured by the bite King himself. The story is ft homely ' one of the struggles and trials of a coster I couple and their son, in which humour, pathos and comedy are so blended as t> I give a portrayal which rings true from first j to last. This picture is in truth unique, i and probably nothing like it in its appeal ! to all that is best in human nature has been seen on the screen before, or since. The other big feature is that inimitably and > tenderiy humorous play in which Mary Pick- j ford has endeared herself to old and' young ! alike, "Daddy Long Legs." The ii'lm is j tilled with children and their doings. More- i over, the children are not everyday kiddie;;, ! with parents and homes, but the little { charges of an orphan asylum which is | sadty mismanaged. The roio of Judy Abbott i is played by Mary Picki'ord. Judy uu; i "mothered by an ash can— hv :i ; telephone directory—--reared on the wholesale plau"—but still full ot me uiiti iun, d-ug.ng the repressive methods of the superintendent I of tho "home" to run off and he.p lier '■ companions who- are faring Hjon the. miser- j able diet and poor care thjv '.'Meive. Among I the children supporting the star is the fun- i niest and most freckled boy ever seen in a picture—Wesley Barry. A supporting Mermaid comedy, "hung," provides some uproarious mirth and an up-to-date Gaietto completes the programme. GREATER CRYSTAL PALACE. OLIVE TELL IN "A WOMAN'S BUSINESS," FRANK MAYO IN "THE ALTKIt STALT.S." "The Jilt," "Fifty Candles," aiv:l the rest of - the present successful programme of motion pictures will be presented at Greater Crystal Palace for the last times this afternoon and and iho world-famous Symphony Orchestra, under tho distinguished conductorship of Mr Alfred J. Bunz, will ' perform at both sessions. Tho new programme n.r next week, comruencins Monday, is one of the mo>t interesting and entertaining ever presented at the big th.eu.lrc, tuxt patrons v/nl lincl an abundance ot good tiling both lr.\m a pictorial mid .musical standpoint. As usual there are two big pictures und a. fine variety of supporting fiiius on the long three hours' programme, mid as all are tot to . superlative music the whole entertainment -i one that should please tho most exacting playgoer. "A "Woman's Business," one ot the big pictures, in which Olive Tell is starred, is a. photo-dramatic adaptation of the popular novel, "Nothing a 'Year," by Charles Belmont Davis. Just as the book was read ami enjoyed by many thousands,, so will tile film version bo enjoyed by hundreds or thousands, for it is one of the most unusual and out-of-the-ordinary features that has reached tho screen in many years. "A Woman's Business" details u story that is highly original, ii theme that has never before been presented in the silent drama. It is' a, motion picture that will awaken curiosity and then perfectly satisfy .that curiosity. It will appeal to women strongly and deeply interest men because it conoer"6 real life drama of the present day. Beautiful Olive Toll has the- leading part in -this . delightful photoplay, and she is supported by an_all-star cast of several famous screen and stage favourites. Tho ■ second big picture will be a Universal adaptation of "The Alter Stairs, a widely-read novel by G. B. Lancaster, and has ever popular Frank Mayo in tho star part, with charming- Louise Lorraine playing opposite him. The story concerns a beautiful French girl, married suddenly to a crook and carried away by an indignant father to a- French settlement in 1 tho South Seas. A scoundrel low enough to' steal from .the ( man who has saved him'from death, and then nervy enough to come back and ask that man for a job. These three chief characters, many more characters typical of the South Sea-"!, all tho romance and wonder of the tropics, and the fine elements of a story that comes from a master pen aro the outstanding features of this fine photoplay. ' Supporting the two featured pictures are, the sixteenth chapter of The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe," a very funny Century comedy featuring- Lee Moran, ar«l tho'latest International News film. Following the established practice, particulars of next week's 'magnificent' orchestral programme will bo announced in Monday's newspapers. _ • ■' The box plan is at The .Bristol, or seats may. be reserved by telephoning Greater Crystal Palace, number 3758.

STRAND THEATRE. A Metro special production, "The" Mar- | riago of "William Ashe," from the celebrated novel by Mrs Humphrey Ward, starring May Allison and Wyndham Standing, will head the new programme at the Strand Theatre today. This Metro production is announced by competent authorities to be one of the outstanding dramatic features of the year, and one of the best in which May Allison has been seen. The scenic investiture of the picture is on the scale sufficiently lavish to classify it with the super-special pictures of the seuson, which exceiientiy compliments the strong dramutic story, in which is portrayed tno struggles of a brilliantly clever young woman against the machinations. of unscrupulous political enemios. May Allison will be seen in the role of Lady Kitty Bristol, who ilees from the convent in which she hus been placed by her parents and travels to London, where at length she makes the acquaintance of William Ashe, the Secretary lor Home Affairs in the British Cabinet, una. subsequently marries him. following her marriage. to Ashe and their honemoou aoroad,- Luuy Kitty meets Ciilie, a Kadicul, who poisons her mind with political intrigue against the party of her husband, influenced uy (June, Luuy Kitty publishes a book dealing' with uUuirs ol State, and is then discovered in the apartment of Ciilfe by her husband. *" Sue contrives to make vuud excuse, but is not credited by Ashe. She tnen returns to the convent from which she fled, only to- bo found tticro some time later by Ashe, who forgives her as.iie realises tnat he cannot live without her. Witu the iiother Superior's blessing, he takes his wife in his arms, realising that her error has been one of folly rather than of misconduct. The second feature is a'Paramount special, production entitled "North of the liio liraude," starring Jack Holt and Bebe Daniels' Supporting items include Alni-k-Senuett comedy, "Gee Whiz," mil the Knglish Illustrated Topical, i''ord l.diioatiouui, "Bee .Industry."