AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17807, 5 July 1923, Page 13

AMUSEMENTS.

PICTUEE HOUSES.

GRAND THEATRE. "Human Hearts" heads the current programme at tho Grand Theatre, House Peters is seen ns a, young man whose father, a stern and unbending man, but just and honest, objects to his ton's courtship with a pretty niaiden who had plotted to defraud the family of some valuable property. His objection is disregarded, however, and. the young peopie marry. After a period of uneventful maxired lite, the girl begins to pine ior her oid associations, and tho tempter comes in tho porson of a smooth-tongued ex-convict, who induces heT. to iloa with him. Tho aged father attempts to etop tho elopement and is killed. Tho son, blamed for murder, believes his wife the slayer, ar.d refuses to offer any defence. Ho is Bent to prison for life. In the working out of tho plot to a logical conclusion, the direotor, J£in.g Bttggot, hss shown a lino sense of the dramatic. The picture is artistically photographed and splendidly acted in roles which require cramatie ability of tho first' Older. .Included in tho cast are such noted artists ::s Edith Hallor, Mary Philbin, . George Hackthorne, Russel Simpson, Gertrude* Claire, Ramsay Wallace, Snits Edwards, H. S. Ken-, Gene Dawson, Lucrotia Harris, George W. West, and Eniniett King. "Dangerous Business" is tho best of the minor films.

LIBERTY THEATRE. George Arlisa has gained the reputation of being ona if tho greatest actors who has appeared in movie dramas. Ho is to bo seen this week at the Liberty Theatre is "The Silent Voice." He ie oast as a man who, having had a great trouble, determines to commit suicide. Ho is saved from jumpng from the high window of his city apartments by bis old valet, who gradually wins him back to a reasonable state of mind. Tha old servitor persuades his- master to look at tho flowers in the park from his window with the aid of binoculars. Arden complies, and to his surprise ho" finds that hj« can watch the people sitting in _tho park and "hear" their for he is an expert lip-reader. This discovery is the means of Baying his reason, for he finds that many of the people sitting in ,tho park have) troubles which equal his owig&nd it becomes his chief object in life to assist with his wealth thoßo lesß fortunate than himself.

QUEEN'S THEATRE. Tho Queen's Theatre is 'being' liberally patronised this, week, and deservedly to, for the programme soreened is of unusual interest. In the railway smash'in "One Week of Love" a train is seen to rush madly on to the damaged structure and leap to the raging l waters below. And then one secj the terrifio battle betwen a strong, brave man made stronger and braver by love and the swirling tempestuous otream which would devour the girl he loved. During the Mrseaiiiff, of "One Week ol Love" "Skipper Francis" sings his own composition, "One Week of Love," specially written for the picture; Supporting- this feature ia "Whil» Justice Waits," starring Dustin Farnum. This stirring 1 story, set in the picturesque Golden West, is remarkable for its photography, thrills, and rousing action. It is claimed to bo one of Fftrnum'e best pictures. There is an excellent supporting programme, including a Sunshine comedy.

STRAND THEATRE. Gloria Swanson, the best dressed woman of the Boreen, is the star in "Her Husband's 'Xrade Mark," the leading picture on the current bill at the Strand Theatre. In this production ehe wears sis very lavish creations and two beautiful and striking negligees in the picture, in which beautiful clothes are a feature to the theme of tlio story. Richard Wayne and Stuart Holmes have the leading male roles, "lie Land of Hopo'.' stars an old favourite in Alice Brady,. but. it is not the Alice Brady of tinsel and glamour. She is content more or less with a shawl end the portrayal of the part of a Polish girl who lands in America as an immigrant possessing little else than a mind taught to picture Amerioa just what it ia not—a land of opportunity with streets of gold. There are some excellent supporting, films. THEATRE.

Few .pictures that have been screened ia Christchuroh have exhibited the wonderful intensity of interest of Georgo Ktemaurico'a Paramount production, "To Have and to Hold." It combines practically all tihe features -which patrons could in their wildest dreams imagine. That tho big.,picture should bo . screened at Everybody's Theatre is only consistent with the reputation of tho management for . giving their patrons the best possible value for their money. Mr Harry Waters, the popular manager of the theatre, has reason to be proud of the position attained by Everybody's, and throughout New Zealand the theatre is known as one where the very best in picture and nrusio are to be found. Everybody's "Select" Orchestra, under Mr W. J. Bellingham, regularly provides artistic programmes with a ekiU which arouses patrons to a high pitch of enthusiasm, and this week proves no exception to the rule. Every item.of tho wellvaried programme was played with precision and an artistic appreciation which made-it a most enjoyable entertainment.

GREATER CRYSTAL PALACE. A programme, of all-round excellence nwaitß patrons of Greater CTyßtal Palace this wedt. The story of "The Burden of Proof" is as follows: —Ames is a young man in a good position in tho diplomatic service, and shortly. before leaving for' Europe he marries the daughter of a society woman, who is struggling to "ieep up appearances." The mother is secretly a coriesponclcnt for a newspaper with disloyal tendencies, and thougii obe 6uppliea her petty harmless social gossip, she is used by the unscrupulous editor as a. means., of obtaining important political news. Just before the young husband leaves on iis honeymoon his friend and colleague in the service returns ircra abroad with the news "hat hia mission had been betrayed, andi ho accuses hia friend's newly-wed wife of having given out certain information. The husband reuses to believe his friend's story, and passes it off successfully, but later he finds ho hag,boon robbed of an important document himself. With the assistance of hia official chief, he seizes the suspected editor's papers and finds amongst them a letter from hi 3 wife to the editor. Tho letter is perfctly innocuous, hut enclosed with it isthe missing document. His suspicions of his wife -are confirmed!, and instead of starting off on their honeymoon the young couple. part. However, the chief has grown old in the diplomatic scr-

rice, and he continues his investigations on liia own account, with results that reunite the young couple.