AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17728, 3 April 1923, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS.

PICTURE HOUSES. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. It was a brimful ho.iday hi-Ute mat night which witnessed the initial screening of the i new programme at Everybody's Theatre. That Mr Harry Waters, 'in submitting the adI mirabiy selected motion pictures which comprised the bill of fare had successfully anticipated the popular taste, was evidenced oy the warm.y appreciative c-wiaeuw of the audience at the close of the evening's entertainment. The enjoyment of the picture* was intensified by luo varKd prolamine 01 music finery and p-ea=iu fa .y rendered by lively body s oicnctia, uuuei tno experienced tonductorship or alt \v. J. in Amounts big sjectacular super feature, '.tier Uncud L-iW liiona bwaneou is seen in one of her b:st ottering*. Karons 01 bveryoody* have seen uus accomplished and fascinating scieen star in a number 01 tag .tiuua but *?.%»*»« seen her in one in which her talents as an actress and <ian=euae ale so bruiianuy in evidence. Ihe picture is produced on a Male of lavish magmhoeuce, and with a. weaitn of detail that lea/es the imagination spe.ibound. Gloria Swanson is. noted for her rich, and rare, and luxurious costumes, and in 'Her Gilded Cage" she wears creations of the modiste's art that far outshine,in novelty of design and costliness of fabric, any of the numerous fashionable gowns she has appeared in. Not oniy are these creations wonderful and dazz.ing, but Gloria Swanson giveß them added charm and beauty by the graceful and natural manner in which she wears them. The story which the picture telle is a, absorbingly interesting one, >nd the part of the cabaret danseuse, Fleur d'Amour, that Gloria Swanson plays, is one calling for a considerable amount of emotional acting. To provide for her sister who has been lamed in a motor accident, and also for her uncle, whose only occupation, and a non-remunerati/e one, is that of a man about town, Susarme Petitfils (Gloria, Swanson) becomes an artist's model, and while sitting for Arnold Pell (David Powell) an American millionaire who follows art in Paris, the artist falls in love with her. Having promised her disabled sister that she would always look after her, . usanno, though in love with the artist, seeks other I employment, and finds it as a dancer at a cabaret. Here she attracts the attention of a princeling, who is in Paris incognito, and an American newspaper man booms her as "Fleur d'Amour, the King's Favourite." Seeing her in this character, the arli t is shocked, and vows to have nothing more to do with her. The promise of a bigger salary results in Susanne and her sister and her uncle going to America, where the plot develops rapidly. There is a gorgeous setting of Fleur d'Amour's great dancing act, and the interiors of her suits at a big hotel ere triumphs of the producer's art. At her suite the great scene takes place in which the dancer's legs are decorated in the latest Parisian fashion—a scene that has to be witnessed to fully appreciate it. There is also a very gay setting picturing a fashionable freak dinner in which the gilded oage idea is utilised. All ends happily when the artist realises that Susanne hag been dancing in order to get money to pay the specialists who cure her sister of her lameness.

May McAvoy is featured in the Realart special photoplay, "A Private Scandal." This star is new to most motion picture patrons, and makes a strong appeal by her sympathetic acting. The theme of "A Private dcandal" ie somewhat unusual—an unmarried ■woman taking the blame of a married woman's love affair. "Battling Torchy" shows Johnny Hines in the rota of a prize-fighter, and is a sure laughter-producer. The latest Paramount Weekly Gazette is most interesting sporting items predominating. The orchestral itema were selected chiefly from the* works of the masters, • with a liberal sprinkling of lighter compositions, including Homo tuneful fox trots. Some of the most interesting works were those chosen from the French, school. Massenet v. as represented by "he Tasse," the complete suite being piuyed, and also selections from "Scenes Neopoltaines," and "Scenes Pittoresquca." A very delightful number was "Le Baiser cl'EUnice" (Nougueß) played as a 'cello solo. The "Lakner Bal.et" (Delibes) was also particularly well p.ayed. A selection from "Pagliatci" (Leoncavallo) Contained xaoxiy of tiia best-lcziown xxa^lodioa from this beautiful opera, and tho interpretation by the \arioua instruments, lacked nothing of the fervour and undersfcandinjif that is expected fioni the singerß. "La Parandole Suites, 1 and 2" (H. Dubois) is a work of. considerable merit, and proved most interesting to musio lovers, and at the eame time woe admirably suited to the character of the pictures. A number of popular fox trots included: "I "Want Some Morey" (Silberman), "Three O'clock in the Morning" (Robledo), "Mary" (Hirsch), containing the popular "Love and "You Guv© Me Your Heart" (SnydeT). The entr'acte, which was undoubtedly popular, was -a new fox trot eong which had been arranged by Mr Bellingham, "I Want a Boy" (Hedger), The same programme will be given for the remainder of the week. • !

LIBERTY THEATRE. "Dream Street," which was again screened at the Liberty Theatre last night before a crowded audience, is a fascinating etory of tb.«; underworld by D. W. Griffith. The acting ia of the usual high Griffith standard. Carol Dompster plays with spontaneous abandon; tho pjjrt of Uiysy, Gipsy, "gentle, brave, and gay, swilt and restless aa a bird, with a splash of southern blood in her veins." Carol is quite Dorothy Gish-ish in this part. A very line characterisation is contributed by Charles Emmett Mock aB Biliy McFadden, a characterisation which should establish his reputation in the screen world. Ealph Graves is also well cast as the pugnacious ''Spike" McFadden, in the interpretation of which part he is seen at his best,. W. J. Ferguson, Tyrone Power, and Morgan Wallace capably portray the parts of Gipsy's father., the Saver of Old Truths end the Trickster of tho Streets respectively-" Tho second star feature, "The Branding Iron," is worthy of the first place on any film programme. Barbara Caetlelort and James Kirkwood are excellently oast in this very fine production. It is a strong story of fierce l love and fiercer hate—a story that leaps at one out of the stark out-back of "Wyoming.

GRAND THEATRE. Litte Jackie Coogan, who takes the .part of "The Kid" in the film of that name at the Grand Theitre, is as funny as Chaplin himself, and their combined efforts, assisted by an extraordinarily good cast, make the picture one which lingers long in ti*e ruemoi'y. Hie story opens with the sad Bpectacle oi the girl turned out from the Cuanty .Hospital i>n to the streets. Her omy crime is motherhood. Unab.o to support herself and her chi.d, she leaves the b»by in a motor-car, and it is later dumped on a rubbish-heap by motor-car thieves, 'ihen Lhapnii, in the role 6f a tramp with ioity ideas, appears on the scene, and the milliner in which the infant is foisted on to liim Diondes some of the richest humour of s the piece. -After that, the picture is full of the moat delightful of incident, tinged hoie and there with a little real, sadness. Edna Purviance, as the mother of the Kid, and the successful actress who brings happiness into the lives of the slum children, fills the rote ti> perfection, and lends the story a toucli of ,fche sweetest refinement and pathos. The supporting film on the programme if "White Heather," a Paramount Artcraft Special. It is a gripping drama, of the heather'bells and the sea, with soma wonderful submarine photography.

I QUEEN'S THEATRE. At the Queen's Theatre, Shirlsy Mason's latest production, "Shirley of th 9 Circus," is being screened. There are plenty of "f rills in this picture, a human story of reil live people, characters portrayed by actors and actreES«s of exceptional ability, end i&em moat important of all there is Shirley Mason, whose dainty beauty and comp?llin;j i.ersjnality cheer throughout the entire entertainment. The glamour and glitter of the "big! top," tie beauties and the roaring beasts, the clowni. the contortionists, ac obata snd 'he side shows cm" human and inhuman freaks, through which runs a story of love, revinge and retribution, make this a firpt-class romance. One of the bright of this production shows the eha ming little Fox sta,r in a fascinating sword dance. Miss Mason proves that she is not only an act re s of exceptional ability, but one entitled to e\ery honour as a dancer. ' The added attraction is "Gleam o' Da'.vn," a dramn .witih John Gilbert in the leading part. There is a special Clvdo Cook comedy entitled "Tha Guide,'" and t£* latest Fox News.

GREATER CRYSTAL PALACE. Many visitors to Christchurch who attended Greater Crystal Palace during the Easter holiday of last year, hare retained such pleasant memorias of the entertainment provided, combined with the luxuriant comfort of the theitre itself, that they have not failed to attend again on the occasion 01 Uie jjiOccau it Vrua a i10.1U..y l-Ua-iUiiCe Ulak nas pieceiU last i.. 6 ul ttneil -Hi V. AL. .LrtOOO biiUAHltttU li jjiO£.*uuiU! Uiat lor bxiet-i 1 enlcHttinineUl \ame \<ou.i± cq-ai 4Ui>Uini b piuot-uiBU iu any pielUlO Uluia'd ilnj.».jfci.e. Oiitf Ol IUO li-nao-ia oi tiie «ji uieaier is mat no ouj secuon ol uie tiveumj; a tiiUiiuiLuueul ia ii-io>i<-n 10 bo put loiw-.u at t .ie cxpeiiae Oi at.oiller. txiiuloi 1..u.i. seats, beauurul aurrounouige, with interesti.v, .. ... i.u an orchestra oi over twenty soio musicians, Uie uuiciuiiiineut. liiat la wiiy one ia cy.ua. enuiuaiasuc regaruiug uie music 05 lue uictuiea, ana tUe oluer leatuies referred to. That is why, alao t a poor at-Icn-nc- is UojviiO»>ji at uie vjlcaWr lyiyatai. I'djitt.

\>nat lovers of the turf have not heard of ihe ChuieliJl L'ovmis, Iventiiuky, tno scene of to m.iiiy American doiOya/ This is tne centre oi 'ihe ixuiuutky Deiby," Uie h.iu winch h-adi tho current pi..giammo at Greater Crystal Pa-ace, a him which was was suoivu .aal lor tue lir.-t time iu the Uommion, and which is perhaps the best racing picture ever screened in this city. No other could have been quite so appropriate. The opening scenes of the iiim show the lamoua course on the day on wnieli the Auiei'ican flier Alorvieh carried its owner's coiours to victory on the occasion of the last uerby. 'ihe packed stands and crowded lawns, and the magnificent animals competing in that great event, niaJe a spectac.o that would bring a thrill to anyone who loves the sport of kings. Through tne film there runs a story of absorbing interest concerning a hnugnty old American who, becoming a victim to the intrigues of two crooks, casts off his own son who, however, is eventually the means of preventing his aged father from spending his declining years in poverty. The old gent.eman is Colonel Moncrief Gordon, who is tno owner of a young colt named Duke Char.es. The Colonel's neighbour, Colonel K°m* Woolrich, owns another colt, "Twilight, of which he thinks so much as to back it for 10,000 dollars to beat Colonel Gordon's animal in the first Kentucky Derby in which the two horses meet. Colorel Gordon, noted for his hospitality, has been induced to give a home to a brother and sibter who have little difficulty in persuading the old fentleman that they are relations of his. They avs no intention, if they can help it, of ever leaving the shelter of his roof, and they soon dispose of Donald, the Colonel's son, by framing up a case against him and thus turning 'his lather against him. They scheme tn put a dishonest jockey on Duke Charles on the day of the race, by ao doing enriching themselves and incidentally ruining their benefactor. Their schemes prosper until the very day of the race,' when tho unexpected happens to them, and thesplendid animal is after all enabled to go to the starting po3t, much to their chagrin, .vith an honest rider on his back. The great race for the Derby is -vividly depicted, and such was the excitement caused oy the screening last night, that the audience temporarily forgot that they were in a theatre, and clapped and oheered their favourite on to Mctory. Besides the scenes of the turf, however, there are some wonderful views of life at sea in a schooner, to which the Colonel's son has been shanghaied. The skipper.is a rough bullying type of man, of a, sort fortunately rax© to-day, whose reply to any of his crew that might dispute lus oiders, is to thrash them into insensibility. On such a vessel is young Gordon kept a prisoner for a number ofyears, only getting his freedom when the vessel is wrecked. An all star cast includes euoh artists as .Reginald- Denny, Lillian. Bioh, Lionel Belmore, Emmett King, Gertrude Astor, Klngsley Benedict, Walter McGrail, Harry Carter, and others. Kathorine Haviland Taylor's novel, "Cecilia of the Pink Roses," has been adapted to the screen, and this is the seoond big picture on the programme. The leading role is taken by beautiful Marion Da/ies. The plot is an interesting one, and will be enjoyed by people in all walks of life. It has to do with the career of a young girl born in humble circumstances, who works her way up to the topmost rung in. society, despite the obstacles with which she is confronted. It is a delightful story that cannot fail to please. The star, whoso work in the picture ia of the best, ia supported uy ner own able company, each member ol winch does ins or ner bit to' make the picture the success it' undoubtedly is.

-A. Mule" introduces » trained horse and a. male, and there- is aiso another .episode of •"i'ho Adventures of Ixobiason Crusoe." In keeping with the pictorial programme waa' the music piayed by the bymphan}Orohestra. Ihe overture "Zampa" was brilliantly played Irom the opening bars to the last, the various moods of the piece being admirably interpreted. Some splendid work wae done by the violins, particularly in the aliegro ma non. troopo. A piece which, was greatiy enjoyed, waa Haydn's "s>ulprise Bympnony" in four movements, the fourth movement—allegro dimolto—was played with freshness. "Pete' Boheme" (Maaseneiy was artistioalLly and appropriately given during the screening Of a dance scene in one of the pictures. A well deserved encore was demanded for the playing of the "Turkish Patrol," which represent a troop approaching from a distance, moving past a given point and passing out of earshot, the diminuendo passages being taken equally as well as the crescendo. "Pensee Musicale" (Poudrain) gave Mr Ellwood an opportunity, of which he availed himself fully, to play %he beautiful violin eolo with his usual warmth and colour. The programme also included the rags and fox trote. "I Want Some Money," "If Winter Comes," and "Hot Lips."' The programme will be repeated throughout the week, nad capactiy business should result.

STRAND THEATRE. Viola Dana is the charming star of the clever comedy "Please Get Married," which is .screening at the ihead of tha current programme at the Strand Theatre. A. Paramount drama 'The Ordeal," is another big feature oni the 'bill, which also includes Charles Chaplin in "The Jazz Waiter."