AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17815, 14 July 1923, Page 9

AMUSEMENTS.

| PICTURE HOUSES. j "THE OINKUM BLOKE." PARAMOUNT T S GREAT PICTURE ! AT LIBERTY THEATRE TO-DAY. j Paramount has presented a vivid pase j from life of a typical Australian in its Australian-made production, "The Dinkum I Bloke/' which commences at the Liberty J Theatre to-day. Arthur Tauchert p.Tid j Lottie Lyell, the stars cf the production, are well-known to audiences throughout Acsj tralasia from their success in "The Sent:- ; mental Bloke," the immortal classic by C. ' J Denn:s. The earnestness evinced by Mr : Hauehert in his characterisations, as well ay his naturalness proclaim him as the foremost screen player in Australia to-day, a distinction tha*, is enhanced by his masterly . handling of tho chief role. Bill Garvin, tn : "The i>inkuin liloke." The story b.38 a ! human appeal consistent with the "Senti--1 mental Bloke." and is of the order wherein i or.e recognises the actualities of real life. It concern* itself with an Australian, happy in v.he possession of a wife and a little child, j and living iti a tiny liouic in one of the j unimportant and no: very imposing streets ; of V/ooloomooloo. Christmas it ought to bo j kept for children ij shown in the father's i ruccessful efforts to afford happiness for I his child. Out, of cne of the fairy stories ' gicen a* 3 present "The Prince and the j Beggar Maid," tho "Dinkum Bloke" owes I i Ac ; origin, only that the prince is the sen lof a wealthy squatter. The story is simple j and straightforward. It is in the araaz- ; ing naturalness of the acting of all the : principals that cne is made to feci the whole i vista of domestic life, with its jov:; and its : sorrows, its humour, and its patho.i opening ; up before one. Arthur Tauchert, the fea--1 tared player, eventually becomes a busker—- | a very old English name for a man who S singe on the streets, and'now cc:ue to mean ! almost everyone who earns their living t»y playing or singing in the streets —in that he might give his little daughter a good : education. In the language of the Bloke, ■ "Blime, but its 'ard," said Mr Tauchert. I It seems easy, but in actual practice, when | one stands up and tries, with, a lot of peoplo i htanding idly near, to say nothing of tho 1 noise of passing trams, the simplicity van- | ishes. The scenes of the busking were taken at the corner of George and Goalburn streets, Sydney, and the picture is most realistic. "The Man \Yho Had Everything," star- ! ring Jack Pickford, is the second feature. Life was generous to the hero. It gavo j him everything he wanted but real happij nees. And it was the visionary utterance I of a blind man which wrought the ultimata | miracle. Jack Pickford is at his best m ; this fascinating Goldwyn story. Included in the supports will be a Mack ! Sennett comedy, "By Heck," and a Topical j Budget and Scenic. I A delightful programme of incidental | music will be rendered' by the Liberty Grand | Orchestra, under the direction of Mr Arthur Gor The box plans aro now open at Tho Bristol Piano Company. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. "THE OIiD HOMESTEAD," STASHING THEODORE ROBERTS. "HUSH MONEY," STARRING ALICE <3 BRADY. Perhaps the meat, remarkable storm scene ever pictured on tho screen is that which Bpreada terror in, and practically destroys aa entire village erected lor '"Tha Old Homeetoad," a new Paramount pictures dirocted with fiignai success, by James Craze. Twenty powenul wind machines, aided by a lire engine, were employed in thia exceptionally realistic elemental disturbance. The storm that wrecks the town of Ganzey is a "liumamgcr." The vil.ago was a good eizied one o{ lorty or more houses, and all were erected lor destruction by the hurricano and deiuge. Tlieir roofß were blown off, their shutters torn away, EUld thoir chimneys fall. But the old homestead stands liice a rocit —symbolic of the indestructibility of the great institution ol civilisation—the home! Twenty wind machines and a four-inch pipe line with a fire engine pumping the [ water from o< nearby river, over a distance j of three-quarters of a mile, formed part of the equipment for producing the greatest storm scene that has ever beeru filmed. According to experts this Paramount picture, which comes to Everybody's Theatre next weeik as the star attraction, entailed a greater amount of ingenuity and difficult work for all concerned than almost any picture that has been made. Tlie rain ™ visible three-quarters of a mile back from tho cameras. At a different period, the set wn,3 covered with enow, and when it is remembered that the village con--1 siats of about forty houses and several streets, the magnitude of this will be realised The four seasons of the year are represented—from spring to spring. Thus the appearance of the set had to be altered accordingly, and with the final storm much of it was destroyed. The population of the village is practically kept intact throughout the picture. Each resident presumably lives in tho village, and special houses or stores were assigned to all. When tha auction of the old homestead is about to sta.rt, they flock to the scene just as real villagers would do. The supporting attraction is Real art's special attraction, entitled "Hush Money," starring Alice Brady. As usual a specially selected musical programme will be arranged by Mr W. J. Bellingham, F.S.M., for Everybody's Select Orchestra. Tteserved seats may be obtained either at Tho Bristol or by telephoning 4925. ® ! QUEEN'S THEATRE. To-night will be the final screening of the current programme .at the Queen's Theatre. "To Have and To Told" is tho outstanding attraction, and is a thrilling Paramount attraction with Betty Compson and Bert Lytell. The second attraction is "Truxton King," starring the popular actor John Gilbert. "BRASS COMMANDMENTS" AND "THE SHEIK" MONDAY. "What is claimed to be one of the best programmes shown will be presented Monday. "Brass Commandments." which will bo the first feature, is a Fox production, and has a notable cast. William Jb'arnum is featured, and' is supported by Wanda Hawley, Claire Adams, and Tom Santschi. Screen enthusiasts will recall the unforgettable struggle between William Farhum and tho last-named jn "The Spoilers." "Brass Commandments" is a dramatic effort with a story that keeps its interest. There is a romantic trend that promises highly satisfactory entertainment. Coming from the pen of Charles Aldon Seltzer, whose tales of the west arc a delight to those who want breezy outdoor stories, this film has much to recommend its amusement value. All the mystic beauty of the boundless desert has been caught and woven into the fabric of "The Sheik." The magnificence of this picture so far as elaborateness of setting is concerned ia equalled by a sincerity of acting that leaves not ona regret in tho beholder at the conclusion. As one sees tho unravelling of tho tale which is centred round the Sheik, Ahmed Ben Hassan, one is transported wholly to tho land of those strango nomadic people whose homo is the desert. But unlike the novel from which the tale has been taken, the film contains a clear-cut, easily-followed otory which "for simplicity and sweetness is hard to parallel. As will ba remembered, Rudolph Valentino and Agnes Ayera havo tne loading parts in this tnriiling picture. "Wise Birds" is » comedy featuring tho Leo Kids. The latest fox News completes tho programme.

[ GRAND THEATRE.

! "THE HOTTENTOT" AND ''A VOMAN'S | TVOJIAN." I Thomas H. Ir.ce maintains his reputation | as tha thril!-m3!:er par excellence by ini eluding novel spectacles in every production. In "The Hottentot," his latest comi cd;.--drams special, showing at the Grand i to day, he has produced scenes of a stecplo- : chase said to be the most spectacular thins | of its kind ever done for the silver-sheet. i The producer end his directors let their j imagination run riot in preparing for the | filming of these scenes, which were shot i from every conceivable angle by oeropisne, ' from pits beneath the jumps, from a racing i car, and from the solid ground. In addij tion to the exciting racing sequence, new ! comedy stunts as absurdly funny as tney 'are exciting have been included. Tko bes« i of all is a stunt done by Douglas Mac Lean, | who plays the role of Sam Harrington, originally created by Willie Collier tor the ' successful staye play from whien I nee ■ adapted his picture. Mac Lean, while rid- ' inj on the running-board of an auto, is I somersaulted into the air when the car ' hits a rut, lands on the back of a riderless I horse, and before he knows what has nap- | pened has managed to rescue a girl irom I her runaway horee and be proclaimed the i dazed hero of the hour. , ! A drama that will find a response in the ! hearts of every wife of to-day '« T9 S lß ,'f, i in "A Woman's Woman," with Mary Alden 'in the leading role. It tells the _ story ot ! a woman who, after twenty years 01 married I lif«, finds herself facing a choice of two j paths. Wil'i she continue to accept tno role ;of the unpaid domestic drudge, who nas i sacrificed everything for husband and chii--1 dren except her own personal ideals, whicli • long have been submerged, or will she cease i to bo the home-maker, branch out and Keep ! puce wtih the times.' At the graduation of i her eldest daughter she learns the answer. : She finds herself shunted to one side by ! husband and daughters, though her young ■ son is deep in her affections. She doter- ! mines she will not have her family ashamed I of her, and so strikes out on a path of her , own After hard and untiring effort, she I be.-crtnes a noted leader in the women s j movement of her State, but just at the heieht of her triumph comes disaster to the i family, owing to the lack of her guiding intelligence. Once again she has to choose ■ her path and this time she finds her truest I greatness in service. The photo play which lis released in Now Zealand by the United 1 Artists Corporation, is remarkable for the I extraordinarily high standard of acting at- ; toined bv Mary Alden, in the put of the ! mother Miss Alden is one who believes I that a great deal more than the possession ! of mere physical beauty is necessary in a ! screen actress, and her ability to feel the ! part she is portraying is the great secret I of her remarkable success on tho screen. I GREATER CRYSTAL PALACE. SUPERB PICTURISATION OF JACK LONDON'S GREATEST NOVEL, "THE ABYSMAL BRUTE." "One Empty Shall," "The Gentleman from America," Bnd current successful programme of motion pictures will be presented at Greater Crystal Talace for the last tlme3 this afternoon and to-night, and the big Symphony Orchestra, under the distinguished conductorship of Mr Alfred J. Bunz, will perforin at both sessions. The new programme for next week, commencing Monday, is headed by the huge eight-reel Universal-Jewel super-production of Jack London's greatest novel, "The Abysmal Brute," a photoplay which the manager of Greater Crystal Palace, Mr V. M. Beebe, recommends as one of the finest and most entertaining productions which he has ever had the honour of presenting. Jack London wrote only of he-inan heroes, and "The Abysmal Brute" Is undoubtedly his most famous and most widely-read novel. He had a strong personal dislike for the men of soft drawing-room-made manners and mambypamby characteristics. He instinctively made his men more at homo outdoors than in the drawing-room, because he was like that himself. He travelled the world in adventure style, and he never hositated to rub against the rough edges of society to Bee how they felt. He hated the feeling of pampered luxury, and" there wasn't a drop of silk-pillow blood in him. His life history reads liko the adventures of a Crusader whoso crusade is agonist ease and luxury, a war royal upon the easy things of life. It is altogether fitting that tho he-man hero of Jack London's world-famous novel, "The Abysmal Brute," should be played on the screen by Reginald Denny, an actor noted for his utter masculinity. Denny's biggest popular success has been in the two-rcol condensed epics of humour, "The Leather Pushers," in which H. C. Witwer incorporated the best traditions of the prizering. In his private life Denny is a lover of outdoor sports, and has jUBt about as strong a dißliko for tho "soft life' as the adventurous London. "The Abysmal Brute" is a picture of high society, set in an atmosphere of wealth and luxury, with Denny in the part' of a prize fighter without "the girl." Mabel Julienne Scott is cast opposite Mr Denny as the girl who falls in love with him but is utterly unprepared for the disclosure of his prizefighting activities, which shocks her sensitive, "hot-house" feelings. "Well-known playerß who have supporting roles in The Abysmal Brute" include Charles French, David Torrence, Hayden Stevenson, Craufurd Kent, Buddy Messenger, Nell Craig, Irene Haisman, Dorothea Wolbert, George Stewert, Harry Mann, Kid Wagner, Tom McGuire, and many others. It is a Hobart Henley production, which is saying a great deal in view of Mr Henley's filming of "The Flirt," one of the most remarkable screen successes of the past year. The second big picture on the new programme is -a Selznick super photo-drama replete with much humour, entitled ' Tho Wild Girl," starring Eva Tanguay, the highest-salaried vaudeville artist in tho world. This picture is a gorgeously-dressed production in sis reels of film, with a big allstar cast which includes Tom Moore and Stuart Holmes. The story tells of the trials and tribulations of a beautiful youug Gipsygirl who did not know the meaning of love until that heavenly moment when Fate casts her into the arms of a real man. The third big attraction is another, ana the last round, of the popular "Leather Pushers" stories. It is entitled 'Round Twelve," or "Joan of Newark," and showß Kid Roberts winning new laurels in his battle for fame, wealth, and love. The supporting films are the last chapter of "Perils of the Yukon," a very funny Century comedy, and the latest International News film. Following the established custom, particulars of next week's magnificent musical programme will be announced In Monday's newspapers. Tho box plan is at The Bristol, or seats may be reserved by telephoning Greater Crystal Palace, number :;755. STRAND THEATRE. "THE MIDNIGHT GUEST." For quality and brightness the new Universal programme commencing to-day has not been excelled. The management has much pleasure in announcing some entirely now releases in this city, the first of which is entitled "The Midnight Guest." Gabriello, a street waif and member of a band of criminals, is captured when she attempts to rob the home of John Chatfield, where Marshall Drydren, super-cynic, is a guest. Her companion in crime is captured, but Chatfield saves the girl from gaol. She tells a story aimed to play on his obviously generous nature, and succeeds so well that he adopts her. Under the refining influence of the new life she softens and reforms. Dryden makes her task hard, however, by constantly sneering at her. In spite of hlg attitude, Gabrielle falls in lovo with him, and Dryden, after two years abroad, ] returns to find Gabrielle a beautiful and cultured woman. Fate takes a hand and whirls events to a tempestuous closing which brings out the real man in the cynic, and shows Gabrielle the real way to happiness. Grace Darmond is the star. A merry Universal special attraction is "Kissed," starring Marie Prevost, who is considered by many to be the screen's most bewitching beauty actress. "Kissed" is a verv clever story, in which humour is charmingly combined with light drama. Tha girl of the storv wants romance. Her fiance is too busv building railways and things. Still, he is "not the usual .unobserving dumbbell, he haß something up his sleeve. At a masque ball she hungers for a touch of Cupid's wand. Suddenly a roan sua does not know who is masked in the same sort of domino costume as others jumps over the railing and kisses her. After that she wanted to find the man,, and there is only one way to do it, and that way is explained in the picture. . "Kissed is one of the most elaborate society comedies that has ever been produced at Universal Ouy. Universal Films also present Jack Perrin and Kathleen O'Connor in, "The Lionl Man, an 18-episode thriller, that will hold jou in keenest suspense irom opening wlto its unusual and startling climax. Mystery is piled on mystery, action, thrillsand sus pens*. A Baby PeggT comedy and an In tarnations! News are also on tho Di.l.