AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17740, 17 April 1923, Page 13

AMUSEMENTS.

PICTUREHOUSES. t&ATER CRYSTAL PALACE. 0 { entertaining is one which ds- ~ attention to the desires ot and a talent for the selection of sufficiently varied, to have a to the great majority of #s<y e w theatres have a finer reputation Crystal Palace in the matter of ior 'the amusement of the public, Spllr V. M. Beebo must be ascribed the success the big theatre has atWk Tt is a tremendous achievement to the public week after week proof 80 hi S h ;l atandard 33 hO , 3C! a* Grater Crystal Pa»Hce, and the ift learned to appreciate the <fforts its behalf. Three full hours of motion picture entertainment in a appointed and. very comfortable W&riaA a musical programme of the 'EiuVheit standards-these are attractions WH\ha visitor to Christchurch mvanjTv.j his head ar.d wonders how it is •Mffri is dona because the public supv'ho endeavour to give them the entertainment at the ..cast posted W® T |, ere Mj} a great audience last see the big programme of attractions f®°wed lor thin week. •'■CTGrey in.'-The Mysterious Rider has fascinating story of ho kind which to finish at one sitting. There is SJSt gradual progress to a lnppy endone finds in most novels, but fcJ there is autpense, for in the heroine ffitov the opposing principles of love alternately gam the uppjrar hand, f teUs of Columbine, found by Bill tyflm&a a pioneer of tho frontier lands, isSad 'on th 6 prairie after a shooting USSSg, takes the child home and cares Slit She grows up in tho belief that -lliiis daughter, and it is only when Slt-mneteen years old that he informs &M hex parents aro unknown. BelllSjTdesires Oolumbino to marry his son PS, toy who is very different lii characSM the pioneer, whose name "is revcied fill the border lands. BusteT Jack, as he wM exiled by his father for three gpJttlt now- he' is to come home. Hi 3 S desires' Columbine to marry him and on the straight and narrow path. Sibise ifl content to sacrifice heiself in JEW all the years of lbve and care fS'w foster-father has bestowed upon Jloore, one of the cowboys on Bfbtoli. has always been the bitter enemy <yr> Jack, and is in love with Colum-K-i He has not told his love, however, □ jsiml)ine, in her innocence, has never S&d ttlist was perfectly patent to other l H Alster Jack's return is delayed by a Saw bout, and'it is. in this stage of gUil that tho mysterious Hell-Bent ijjf ippears on the scene. Wade's careen ' Wn» 'to many dangerous situaffiiti he seemed always to be in the trouble. This was due in the main Ivi desire to help others and to find his flStVade happened to secure employgjjyj a deputy sheriff near the ranch oi jUI-Bdlloimds, just about tho time when marriage of Buster Jack and) CoftaaWna was- impending. realises lahjColumhine is his own child, and he (fcife! to Save her from marriage with .discovers .a. well-laid plot bji 'prove Moore guilty of oattle " K "ftck . himself ia stealcattle, and Wade de.natura.l crime. Columbine hds would kill Jack if he t devilry, and' again con" prompt her to give up« >rm Jack. Wad® haa to their cabin. He ch-al-" and a. murderous fight :lie two struggle for life a stream, Later. Wade must hot press his enmbine. Jack shoots at him. He makes his es-. lerica. and. Wilson Moore -iixuted- The picture ver-. ci deal from the original ins tha thrill tod tense givfes, the book its wide 5 Columhine is _ taken byt le Robert McKinn, Cari idaeon. Walt Whitman, iiiao.Wiyne, Frank Hayea ;#IV fill outstanding parta banner. The oomio re-i nira-of and the) hf thfe orchestra, at thesei motIRUS. Soil is the star in "One 4 story which fcrowds ihseriei of startling events. i<!IS plays fait and) loode th 6 Storj, who has inora night thdh fall to the be course of a life-time, mot impress one as oyer' nt£ folloW each other in nee.. Lillian Rich suplinson and the two actora srformance. The. support-* licttoea iB in keeping with) ]f the leading ratal P.alace Symphony if A. J. Buliij fettro • nformance, which waa ■ by last night s crowdedi iverture, "Mbrnihg, How® i), was notable for the x• M. Withers, who .gave lerformance.. The "Sym-i r" (first movement) was I >rcliestra with due attenk was very *ell received J t Valse" onened with the tiken up by the woodm had a beautiful melodji full justice. The Rev--arranged by Ernest LocW was another olitetandi nowh piano BCOr ,® thfully. The entr'acte Whistle" (Vincent) was ;t Debeiiham's work <w» 1 effects being especially lea Ii&wlor, «* tte , pia ?° (GlUOk),. • arranged y se," by Moszkowski, One nt writers for the piano, k was characterised by w L her performance was ia elv successful, me of pictures and music Piice daily till SntuT B'nihg sessions is absolute »8 THEATRE. AND SAND." id," the big Paramount bowing at tho Queen s d Hiblo production. It ill-fighter with £y thousand Real Spanish fightingiHed from Sp«in to Calii for tho. .seiiso-tionftl bulljod and Sand." They arc i the domestic variety as i from the humble wiid from birth on lonely a hlack boxes to continue m munKind, they entered ily tho elemental instincts > kill and destroy anyone face them. And VaJenut in front of these creut to the limit in this great .nd Icives of u. young baillscohcs in wliieli Valentino pe play before picked aniura, the Duke of Veragua of Saltillo ,the three leadtf -Spain. Rodolph Valcnscroen tho genius and the aces. The temperamental irage and the nonchalance toS, he alone of all screen ' interpret. As Dona Sol, to -."Blood and Sand" a r which will endear her to Hood and Sand" is a mascliosen land of Romance, atost son of Spain. Here of players, Valentino, call•rt. to express the fascinacharacter. It is an enteribincs every att'.ibute that uplete satisfaction of patfascinate them with the 'tries. It will grip them i.Btruggle of Love to overW" has given Valentino express greater power and han ever before. Tho *od and Sand" is a truer, e . a t.tractive Valentino than la. his greatest work, and wlier followers still more m a.ke him

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE.

Quite up to the high standard of excellence that patrons of Everybody's Theatre associate with the programmes submitted at that distinctive motion picture theatre was the new bill which was screened for the first time last night to a big house, which thoroughly enjoyed the excellent and varied fare provided. The two principal motion pictures which Mr Harry Waters presents axe both top-notchers; 1 either is oi the necessary excellence to constitute an attraction in itself; and both aro uno examples oi the nigh state of perfection to wii.'.cu the art of producing motion pictures has attained. Accompanied as the pictures were by admirably selected and ©xquisiteiy played items by .Everybody's "Select" Orciiuatva, the pleasure tney gave was greatly enhanced, the high points in the pictures being emphasised by tiie appropriate selections pwyed. Iho two prograjnmes provided an evening's entertainment which would be difficult to equal. Just how an ancient castle in," Aragon, a family teud in Kentucky, and catching an Atlantic liner by boarding it from a hydroplane could be worked into a coherent siory might puzzle quite a dot of folk, but in tho Paramount photoplay "The GhostBroaker" the seemingly diihcult is managed with what appears to be tho greatest ease. It is a story in which love tund adventure, and humour an<l dramatic incident are judiciously mixed and tho result is an- exceptionally fine and interesting picture. To the fun, as well as to the dramatio situations, that old favourite of Everybody's patrons, ''Wally" Rcki, and his able (in this instance "sable") lieutenant, Walter Heirs, largely contribute. As the young Keutuckian, the victim of the family feud, Wallace Reid exhibits all his old devil-me-careness and his light and airy fashion of solving the most intricate problems. Heirs is liis negro servant, and as a black iace artist he adds considerably to ' 111:1 previous record as a screen comedian. The possessor oi a line old Spanish castle in Aragon is the character that lascinating liila i»ee successfully sustains, and her dark beauty fits in well with the part of a typical Spanish lady of high degree. Somewhere in the bowels of the castle, in a secret passage, tradition says that a rich treasure lies hidden. To obtain the plan 3of the castle's subterranean lay-out necessitates a visit to New ¥ork, tho plans having been presented to an Ainericaii. antiquarian Donna Maria, in the absence of tho antiquarian, appropriates the plans, and It i 3 the necessity of explaining matters to the police that, causes her to miss tho liner .by which she is •to return to Spain. The journey in a hydroplane till the steamer is overhauled and the transference of the heroine to the liner's deck are very realistically pictured. Meanwhile the adventures of "Wallaco Reid in a big-size cabin trunk, in which, to escape tho results of &n encounter with the family feudist, ho has been smuggled on board, provide many diverting: incidents. When the old castle in Aragon is reached, and - the task of broaking up the gang, the members- of which are masquerading as ghosts, is taken in hand, romance and humour Alternate with much rapidity. And the treasure is found, but it is not exactly the Icind of treasure that needs to be dug out of the bowels of the earth.

The Paramount picturisation of James Oliver Curwood's fine romance of Arctic Canada, "The Valley of Silent Men," is worthy of the admirably constructed and highly dramatio story it portrays. The mystery surrounding the deaths of three men—each found strangled with -a, strand of a woman's hair—is the problem that confronts the North-West Mounted Polioe, and the unravelling of the mystery provides i, story full of exciting and sensational incidents; and there ia an enthralling love-interest interwoven. Alma Rubens, beautiful and sprightly, takes the part of Marette, tha daughter of the man who takes am extraordinary method of avenging the wrong done his wife by the throe men he has murdered. The development of the story calls for much strenuous work on the part of the heroine An intensely thrilling incident is the traverse of "the Great Glacier by hero and heroine, in the course of which the rope which bind 3 them breaks and the heroine is precipitated down a. crevasse. These scenes are vividly realistic, and include a fine representation of an avalanche. Another incident which is followed with tensest excitement is the hero and heroine's voyage by boat on a river, their escape from the boat just before it goes over terrific rapids beihg very finely pictured. Lew Cody is the leading man, and represents a corporal in the North-West Mounteds—ft part which he plays with great fidelity. A strong cast supports {he star. The picture gives an admirable idea of tha soenery of the Canadian Rockies, as it .was taken in the vicinity of Banff and Lake Louise. The latest Paramount Gazette, as usual, contains many interesting features, not the least being scenes showing how liona and other wild animals are raised and tamed for cirouses and for tho movies: tjie manner in which the trainer moves about artlongst the animals and in which they play with Mm seems incredible till a text conveys the information that the trainer "raises them on love, not brutality." The fantastically beautiful temples of Siam are pictured- with great fidelity in -a Burton Holmes travelogue of "The Kingdom of the Yellow Robe." Everybody's "Select" Orchestra, under Mr W. J. Bellingham, P.S.M., provides a musical programme of exceptional merit. For "The Valley of Silelit Men" Mr Bellingham has taken the opportunity to introduce a number of the best orchestral works. Prominent among these is Coleridge Taylor's famous "Hiafratlia" ballet music. This work is stamped with the originality of genius, and as played it was a rare musjeal treat. Another notable work was tho funeral march "Le Crepuscule des Dieux" (Wagner), which is wonderfully descriptive and impressive. — Les Barbares," a selection from the famous opera by SaintSaens, and another selection from the "Henry VIII." opera by the same oomposer, Were also noteworthy. A suite for orchestra, "Miitiss fet Ballerines" (Razigade), waa interesting. Incidental music to "Joseph and His Brethren" (Schmid) accompanied tile travelogue. The overture, "I.oi:*lon Scottish," is a very fine march with brilliant windwind parts. The entr'acte . was "Smilin' " (Rose), a clever fox-trot pleasingly arranged, particularly one of the choruses, which was played to imitate a musical-box; the -effect was quite realistic. Both the overture and the entr'acte were enthusiastically received. Other light selections included "Rip van Winkle" (Flanquette), "Verbena de la Paloma" (Breton), and a new fox-trot "Chicago" (Fisher). The same programme will bo given nightly for the remainder of the week.

GRAND THEATRE. The current programme at the Grand Theatre attracted another large audienos last night. The hig picture, "Humoresque," when shown previously in Christchurch, created something of a sensation. It is an unique picture, and one which, when seen, leaves a decided impression, which is more than' can bo said of the usual type of screen production. It is a depiction of a life story of a. musical genius, who, born in. the squalid surroundings of the Jewish quartet ot .New lork, climbs to i'itth Avenue eminence by tho power of the art of whroa he is the master. His instrument is tha violiu, and his family of a race irom which bo many -master-musicians have sprung—Kussi&n Jews who have fled their native lani to Bscapo persecution. The presiding genius is the mother, who is fust to iccognisa in her youngest son the geniuß for which she has prayed. "It Isn't Being 'Doiia This Season" is the second feature, and stars Miss Corinne Griffith. It is a society drama, and a-lso has its appeal. The story is 01 a girl, the daughter of a beautiful mother, whose advice is that her daughter saould not sacrifice herseif for mere love alone. STRAND THEATRE. The story of the big film, "The Prisoner of Zenda," which is now being screened at the Strand Theatre, ia one of particularly gripping interest. It is of a small European kingdom, Ruritania, the politics of which have become considerably tangled. There are two claimants to the throne and neither are regarded with a great deal of enthusiasm by the people over which on> or other is to rule. The lawful successor is a man of weak will, and his brother, who also dc-sires the throne," an ardent militarist, who places his reliance on a stron°army. Kudolph the lawful successor, awaitl coronation, but Black Michael, the next in succession plans a coup d'etat whereby he can 6eize the coveted regal office. An Englishman, the double of the rightful kin", appears on tho scene and is persuaded to take the king's place at the coronation—tho kir.°himself meanwhile sleeping off the effects of a drunken carousal. Ihe coronation ceremony is concluded and the Englishman and his friends return to a small hunting lodge to find that the king has been kidnapped by the supporters of Black Michael. May thril'in' adventures take place before the climax ; s reached. There are some good supporting pictures. s

LIBERTY THEATRE.

"What's Wrong With the Women," the headliner at the Liberty Theatre, is not, in the strict sense of the word, a propaganda picture, but it is, undoubtedly, a picture with a purpose—and a punch. The feminists and the ■upholders of womens rights will, in all probability, object that the subject is dealt with from the "mere man's" point of view, to many women who are honest with themselves, and to all under the influence of mid, or late, Victorian ideas, it will appear to be a complete and satisfactory presentation of the case. There is, however, nothing mid, or late Victorian about the picture; it is an up-to-the-minute production, as may be judged from the fact that the vil)ian is a multi-millionaire, who is reported to have made his millions from bootlegging. In the development of the story there are some gorgeous scenes in tho millionaire's mansion; the worship of modern society's divniity, the jazz, is pictured in a scene of much unrestrained but somewhat forced mirth; and the freedom of behaviour of the seekers for iiectio pleasures is tho outstanding feature of - a modern society Bupper. Barbara Castleton is admirably cast as the wife of tho young architect, and is especially good in the emotional scenes. Mrs de Wolfe Hopper is the scheming widow, and gives a consistent reading of the character. Rod la Roeque appears to advantage as tho young architect, Montague Love convincingly represents the multi-millionaife, and Milton Lackaye is well cast as the father of the young society girl Who chafes under paternal control. Tho photoplay and the manner in which the story is told, grips the attention from first to last. Many who have seen Ibsen's play, "A Doll's House' on the spoken stage, will welcome the opportunity of witnessing a motion picture version with' that charming emotional actress, Nazimova, in the role of Nora. It is a character of which Mazimova is well equipped to give a convincing portrayal. She is equally successful in representing the happy-go-hicky, cane"free, child-wife, romping and dancing and all manner of tricks, and in portray*mg the deeper emotional feelings when she discovers tho innate selfishness of her husband. Torvald, the husband, is admirably presented, and tho other characters are impersonated by talented actors. "A Doll's House" is H'azimova's first independent production, and in selecting Ibsen's play the actress appears to have been animated by a desire to impress upon those that are married the lesson the play conveys—the noeessity for complete trust between man and wife. Harold Lloyd is the chief funmaker in "Haunted Spooks," a side-splitting oomedv. The Topical Review is of unusual intorest, and among its features is a big ptadium, which is being erected for the British Empire Exhibition at Wembley. Under Mr Arthur Gordon the orchestra plays n fine programme of musio.