LIBERTY THEATRE.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17750, 30 April 1923, Page 14

LIBERTY THEATRE.

FAIRBANKS AND HOUDINI. GOOD PICTURES AND AMAZING THRILLS. That good management can transform a picture theatre from- mediocrity to the height of excellence has been proved ' at the Liberty Theatre -which has made wonderful progress during the few months that Mr Claude Haigh has been in charge of it. It is really 6 revelation to compare the Liberty oi to-day witn the Liberty of a few months ago. Where there UcoO. to be little but space in the ior instance, there is now, much wuri tor tne lady in the box onice, and where thei-e was once merely a "picture show" of questionable interest, there is now a doub.e-iea-ture bill every afternoon and night, of every week of every month of the year. Deservedly, the Liberty is now looked upon as the house that always gives the pub no both ■value for its money, in the pioturea ;t presents, in the calibre of the artißta concerned, and in the quality of the music supplied by the Liberty Grand Orchestra. This week's programme at tho Liberty is one that would deiight any picture fan. To have two such fine "stunt" artists aB Houdini and Douglas Fairbanks in one bill should ensure crowded attendances for every session of any theatre, and when one sees two such fine acrooatio freaks combining their physical sensations with really good acting, one may readily imagine that this week's programme at the Liberty is well worth seeing. , The big feature of the present bill, presented for the first time on Saturday, i 3 Douglas Fairbanks in "One of the Blood," in which Douglas gives freely of his infectious smile, his thrilling stunts, and his , quality as an actor. "With, an excellent cast to 1 support h. ; m, he makes "One of the Blood" a picture to 'be remembered. Fairbanks takes the role of a young man in search of hi 3 mother, and how he makes his way from obscurity to a throne is told in a story that, is at one® thrilling- and romantic. The athletio hero performs soma really wonderful "stunts" which have the advantage of being actual and not "faked, ' and with the interest that the story it-self creates, and the. excellence of the supporting cast, there is no need to explain the enthusiasm of the hundreds who saw the picture on Saturday. "One of the Blood" Bhows Fairbanks at his best, and there is therefore little need to pursue the subject further. Included In the cast are winsome Marjoris Daw, Frank Campeau, Lillian Latigdon, -Sam "Bather," Albert' MoQuarrio, Jay Dwi<rgins, and many more. The pioture is splendidly produced, and the photography is something of a reve'ation. Equally good, but of a wholly different type is "The Han from Beyond," which features that defier of shackles and walls, Houdini. 'Bather strange to relate, the picture does not show Houdini 'mainly as a gaol breaker and laugher at iron bracelets; it portrays him as a lover, and one mu.it idmit that Houdini the actor is just as interesting as Houdini the escapologist. The story itself is one quite out of the ordinary, and is treated very skilfully, while Houdini himself with Jane Connelly, Nita Nadi, Arthur Maude, Albert Taneinjer, Erwin Connelly, Louis Albarn and others to assist him, does really fine work. In addition to the interest that the story itself exudes, there are many typical Houdini feats, not the least beinc, his thrilling rescue 'of his love on the brink of Niagara. Houdini is first discovered in a block of ice if the Arctic, and is thawed back to life after one hundred years. The theme alonn is sufficient to malts the picture full of interest, and the acting and really wonderful production make it a masterpiece. "The Man from Beyond" is the first picture by Houdini's own company, and it is sincerely to be hoped that there will be many more. In addition to the two big films, there are numerous other attractions at the Libert ythis jveelc. "Endurance" is a film that must appeal to every motorist. Though little more than a publicity film for a certain make of -motor-car, it abounds in thrills, and the performance of the car over execrable country, in fact, almost unbelievable country, is something that must live in the minds of all who see it. In addition there is a fine "Mermaid" comedy and a Topical Budget, which is at the present moment intensely interesting, showing _as it does, amongst its many interesting scenes, pictures o!, the Duke of York and his bride. The Liberty Grand Orchestra, under Mr Arthur Gordon, contributes a splendid musical programme, blending excellently with the pictures. Assuredly, the Liberty this week is a theatre that no lover of true art and good musio can afford to miss.

GRAND THEATRE. A. STRONG DOTJBLE-FEATtTEE: PROGRAMME. The management of the Grand) Theatre continues to . present weekly remarkable double feature all-star programmes. The new programme is as gpod as any that has yet been shown . at this popular house, whichr ifl saying a lot. Transferred from the Liberty Theatre, where it drew large audiences ail the week", ".East 16 "West," with the popular actress Connie Talmudge in tiie leading role is the present headliner at the Grand Theatre. The film presents a number of scenes of entrancing beauty, which alone would make it a great production, but there is additional an absorbing story running through it. The story opens in China, where Ming Toy and hex fifteen little sisters live and are happy as birds in the sunshine, exoept when their vile old father intervenes. There she makes the acquaintance of Billy Benson, a young American, who is attracted to the vivacious Chinese girl by the way she manages to have her own way. Evil fortune makes Ming Toy bump into her father's wheelbarrow when she is trying to catch one of his Celestial pigs, the result being that the barrow runs down a slope and into a turbid stream. Thoroughly wet and mad with anger, her father decides to sell her as a slave on the Love Boat, where resort the rich men of the city. Billy Benson is also a guest on the ship, which is a delightful fairy-like craft, floating on still waters and gay with Chinese lanterns. There is wild excitement when Billy, true to "Western ideas of chivalry, punches a fat and eyijlooking mandarin who is too pressing' in his advances. The two young people niake good their escape in a surprising manner. Ming Toy is proving to be a bit of- a problem, andi it is finally decided that a highly respectable and venerable merchant shall take her to San Francisco. All goes well till Ming sees gay scenes in a questionable cabaret over the road, and begins to imitate the swinging hips and "shimmying" shoulders of those who frequent the resort. A most remarkable "American Mission" decides that she has become a menace to the morals of the neighbourhood, and consequently eiie is asked to become a fourth spouse of Charlie Yong, a smug little Chinaman of wealth. Billy again comes on the scene, and the plot takes an unexpected turn. There follow some hair-raising thrills and a startling climax. There are eight wonuerlul reels of "East is West," which is a screen adaptation of the famous stage success. The supporting cast includes Edward Burns, Warner Oland, Frand Lanning, Winter Hall, and Nick die Ruiz. Miss Talmadge wears some wonderful' gowns of Chinese pattern, wnich give her added charm and piquancy. ' "Why Change Your Wife," a Paramount comedy, is the second big picture. The cast is a notable one, including such artists as Gloria Swanson, Bebc Daniels and Thomas Meighan. The story is of a wife who, because sbe~ thinks more of looking after her home than of keeping herself attractive causes her husband to stay out at night. When she learns that he has been walking about with another woman who knows how to make herself desirable in the eyes of men, the wife changes her taotics, and by paying judicious attention to her appearance, she has no more troubles of a similar nature with her husband. There are some excellent supporting films. . , A choice selection of music is played by the Grand Orchestra.