AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 17982, 28 January 1924, Page 14

AMUSEMENTS.

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PICTURE HOUSES. GREATER CRYSTAL PALACE. •A CHAPTER IN" HER LIFE." VAUDEVILLE AND MUSIC. Tne r/;w ■programme, commencing at the m.itir.Lo today, is one of the biggest and best ever offered at Greater Crystal Palace, ar.d currprises two vaudeville turns and a full programme of picture?. Owing to the tremendous success of "The Big Four" Quartet, it has been decided to hold these .■lever entertainer:; over for another week, r.ari they will present an entire change of and comedy throughout the week. The Hi'" vaudeville act on the long bill ia Miss Audrey Knight, a vivacious English comecicr.r.e, "who baJS achieved much success in KnglMd and Australia in her extremely clever character studies and burlesque turns. Ciara Louise Burnham's celebrated novel, •'.Jewel," becomes a livinjr, breathing reality at Greater Crysial Palace, to-day, wiicr. Universal's film play, "A Chapter in Her Life," adapted from the book, will bo screened. The new production introducer, one of the best-known playera in America, Claude Gillingv/ater, and the latest sensation in child actresses, Jane Mercer. It was adapted, , ficeneriscd, and directed by Lois Weber, and has attracted wide attention as one of the outstanding bits of screen artistry of the past year. The otory is a lesson in happiness It depicts the life of a little child in a home torn v.ith family discord, and where, through her iove she conquers her environment, and restores happiness. It is a powerful lesson, ;ind its heart interest and whimsical humour make it an entrancing play. Claudo Gilling--*-ater plays the part of the millionaire grandfather, embittered by years of hating. Jane Alercer, playing the title role of "Jewel." is convincing in action—for she seemed to live the part, rather than act it. Among those in the cast are Jacqueline Gadsden, Frances Raymond, Robert Frazicr, Eva Thatcher, Ralph Yearsley, Fred Thomson, and Beth Rayon. Some of the most famous estates in California were used as the baclcjrround for its enthralling action. The interiors, specially designed from an old New York mansion, fit the action of the | play perfectly. Miss Weber handled these details personally. Tho supporting films aro tho 13th, exciting chapter of "The Eagle' 3 Talons," a very funny Century, comedy, and the latest International News film. Attention is called to the fact that the vaudeville acts come on at both the afternoon and evening sessions. Incidental to and in conjunction with tho screening of the various motion pictures, tho big Symphony Orchestira, under tho distinguished conductorship of Mr Alfred J. Biinz, will present a magnificent musical programme which includes tho following classical and popular numbers:—Overture, "Tho Bohemian Girl" (Balfe); "Children's Intermezzo", (Coleridge-Taylcr), "Three Pieces" (Mcs- ,. senet); "Aubade Printaniero" (Lacombe); "Jumbo's Lullaby" (Debussy); "Elegie" (Massenet); "Twilight Bewrio' 1 (Thome); "Cinderella's Bridal Procession" (Dickeir); "Good Night" (Kunneke-Horne)'; "Andantino (Lemare); "Going Home" (Saunders). The box plan is at The Bristol, or seat 3 may bo reserved by telephoning Greater Crystal Palace, number 3758. QUEEN'S THEATRE. MADGE KENNEDY IN "THE PURPLE HIGHWAY." BEBE DANIELS TN "A GAME CHICKEN." One of the brightest; and most entertaining . programmes Been for a long timo will be .presented at the Queen's Theatre this week, commencing to-day. In addition to tho pictures there will bo a splendid musical programme rendered by the Queen's Orchestra under the direction of Mr H. G. Gfayshor. Tho outstanding picture will bo "Tho Purple" Highway!" a Paramount production with Madge Kennedy playing the loading role.. This is tho first appearance oi ; Mis3 Kennedy for the past two yeaira. .During this time she has been appearing' oh tho stage with considerable success. "Tho iPurplo Highway" is just the kind of .picture that allows the popular actress to display her talentsi She has generally been looked upon as an artist that only pictures of a light nature has suited. The picture «he is now appearing in is straight-one drama. Not that there ia no comedy shown, but'just sufficient to relieve tho more emctibnal parts. The story i 8 of a little waif, who, through years of hard work, becomes a famous actress. Then she turns to others not so fortunate, and gives .them a guiding hand. Thxco ia a charming love romance interwoven. 'Tho photography is said to be excellent. Tho story has been adapted from the stage success, "Dear Mo."

Tho second attraction will bo "A Game Chicken," starring Bebe Daniels. ' One can just imagine what class of picture this is with such a title and tho popular Eebo starring. It is one of tho most thrilling pictures she has appeared in. These include afire at sea and a. daring rescue The theme is a modern ono dealing with rum-running at tho islands outsido America. There is • a charming love Btory and everything goes well until Bebo finds that her lover is a revenue officer and in hot pursuit of her boot-legging father. Then there is a big change, and the happy relations existing previously are strained slightly." "After • many adventures everything ia cleared up in a satisfactory manner. A strong supporting programme has been selected. The Artist" is a highly diverting comedy. The latest Paramount Newß and a Travel picture are included.

STRAND THEATRE.

. "DRIFTING." A DRAMA OP ORIENTAL CHARMS. The - management of the cosy Strand Theatre is to bo congratulated upon its good fortune in having secured* for this week one of tKe most magnificently mounted dramas of Oriental charms and splendour ever screened in Christchurch. The management hiss ' submitted to its patrons some good productions in the past, but with the presentation of this Universal-Jewel' feature it in quite safe .to declare that its -previous efforts in the 'direction of receiving fine films have been fully : oclipsed. On Saturday night the' crowds who witnessed the initial evening screening wore delighted with the adventuro and magnificence that is mingled in "Drifting:"'

Priscilla Dean is the etar of "Drifting," the drama- of love and mystery. "Drifting-"' is Miss Dean's latest masterpiece, and was adapted to-the screen from the famous 6tage success of tho same name. It is the story of a girl who. gave up selling opium in Shanghai because she was aick of the game—ar.d was then forced back into it by the necessity of getting a chum out of the- country bofore she became addicted to tho habit. Tho heart of China, mysterious, and veiled in fogs of tho human past) is stripped bare for a moment to show tho secret of the nation's; curse, and the scarlet poppy fields whence comes tho opium drug. For "the roles supporting Mis 3 Dean, actors of unusual merit were absolutely essential; Wallace Beery, of "Kobin Hood" fame, handles tho "heavy" role. Matt Moore is the leading man. Anna Mao Wong, a Chinese actress of fine emotional abilities, has a very sympathetic role. A long list of other notable players is seen in the cast. A complete village, stretching in a straggling street down the side of a hill and through a. narrow ravine, is one of the several spectacular sets built for tho production. The burning of this village is a .picturesque thrill in the picture.

Supporting films include s, comedy, an International News, and Chapter 11 of the exciting serial,; "The Oregon Trail."

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE.

•EAST LYNNE" AND "THE GUNFIGHTER."

Of the two big features to be shown a!! this week at Everybody's Theatre, commencing at tho matinee to-day, pride of place must be given to the modem picturi3aiion of Mrs Henry Wood's famous novel "East Lynne." This i 3 the first production from the great Hcdkinson studios made "under their cen.- policy and is an eight-reel masterpiece drawn from the book which won people's hearts. The story has been modernised and i 3 presented in a manner hitherto unknown to the lovers ol this absorbing melodrama. Though modernised, it faithfully tells the siory, bringing into strong relief the perfidious Levison who deserts Lady Isabel, the marriage of Richard Carlyle to Barbara Hare, the great railway accident and (he mtcy incidents which for years have made "East Lynne" c. favourite. "East Lynne" is played by a specially chosen all-star cast, including Edward Earle and Mabel Ballin.

Tiie second feature on the programme, "The Gunfighter," is a William Fox production, starring that great screen artist William Farmim. It is a story of Western life made famous in literature by Bret Harte, Bold, strong and chivalrous with" a keen Sense of the romantic and dramatic, it will appeal strongly to the love all possers for such things. In "Tho Gunfighter" the 'action is fast, but devoid'of the typical and cheapening elements which mar many Western dramas. Engaged as Mr Farnum's leading lady is Doris" May. She is pretty and graceful, riding superbly. The usual supporting pictures will be screened, including tho interesting and up-to-date Fox News.

Mr Bollingham, the musical director ot Everybody's Select Orchestra, ha 3 Prepared a opecial programme of music to accompany the big attraction, chief amongst tho items being-: Overture, "Under Orders" (Glogau); suites, "Sylvan Scenes" (Fletcher) ; "Conte D'Avril" (Widor); "Tragedie Antique" (Massenet), soloist, Miss Irene Morris; song suites, "Because" (D'Hardelot), "Song of Sleep" (Somerset); entr'acte, "Absent'' (Metcalf), arrangement Dy W. T. Bellingham); theme, "Then You'll Remember Me" (Balfe), arrangement by W. T. Bellingham; grand opera, "Lakme" (Dclibes; "Le Roi D'ys" (Lalo); comic opera, "Sally" (Kern); fox trot, "Dancing Time" (Kern). Reserves may he obtained at The Bristol or by ringing Everybody's Theatre, telephone 4925. GRAND THEATRE. . "THE COVERED WAGGON." AN EPIO OF THE SCREEN. Long years, ago the covered waggons, those ships of the great American prairies, travelled across the barren, trackless wastes—the forerunner of the civilisation of tho U.S.A. of the present day. Such is the very soul of "Tho Covered Waggon,'' Paramount's screen epic of the early day 3 of pioneer lordship, which is being ecreened at tho G , ran< * T^leatre again this week, and Was shown to a crowded house of enthusiastic patrons on Saturday. The ma.nagem.ent of that popular theatre is to be congratulated upon its • choice of such a remarkable production—tho like of which is too seldom seen and one which ranks as one of tho greatest achievements of ecreendorn. The picture is in the third week of its Christchurch season (having been shown in two theatres during one of those weeks), and judging by tho reception it received from the crowded house on Saturday it has by no means outrun it 3 popularity. "The Covered Waggon" is a picture which cannot too highly bo praised. Its appeals are? multifarious. It. is exciting and its settings .are the last word in .magnificence; but it also tells a tale'.which cannot fail to appeal to colonial audiences, whoso homelands have not-been settled by our-fore-fathers for so very many years. It has the true pioneer touch. In all the lands of tho new world hardy, bands of men and women have pushed out, away from their, fellows, to form the foundations of now settlements, of new towns, and of new farming districts. This has been the case in New Zealand as ■ well aa in America, and among the dangers which our own pioncsrs had to face were the' Maoris, whereas the pioneers of Northern America were forced to meet the hostile opposition of the Red man. But Nature, too, in her many adverse moods, set those pioneers perhaps their most difficult tasks, and to conquer her opposition was a matter which demanded more skill and science than a straight eye and a eure rifle. The story of "The Covered Waggon" has been adapted from Emerson Hough's new novel of the same' name Throughout a splendid series of settings it'traces the history of the journey of 350 covered waggons from Westport Landing (now Kansas City) to Oregon, where tho first white settlement of the State was then set up by those who made the hazardous journey across the continent in those precarious ships of ' the' prairie. The film itself is a product of the Paramount Studios, and ranli3 amongst the very finest of their achievements. The glorious scenes and settings are but few of tho attractions of the picture A special oast "was chosen and includes such well-known stars as Lois Wilson (Molly Wingate), James W. Kerrigan (Will Banion), Alan Halo (Sam Woodhull), and others. It is essential, that the acting should bo as good as the scenes are typical, and that such a result has been more than achieved will not be denied by those who already have had tho good fortune to see "the picture. The etory, too, is typical of thoße wild times when the dominating Anglo-Saxon race was in the process of pushing out to the uttermost ends of the earth to find for. itself room to expand and now lands to develop. In a magnificent introduction tho film shows an impressive array of covered waggons, comprising the Wingate caravan, which ia awaiting at Westport Landing the arrival of tho Liberty Men's caravan before proceeding on tho long and hazardous journey to the State of Oregon, where, tracts of land await .development. Intimata scenes of the joya and sorrows of the pioneers, their, fortitude in bearing hardships, ■ and their general bravery of spirit, bring tho. audience more closely into touch with the" theme of tho picture until such time as tho arrival, of the Liberty Caravan, when the combined parties ■ set out for their new homes. Throughout the etory there runs a charming tone tale .which doeanrach; to enthrall the audiences.' Supporting films included an hilarious comedy and some interesting news and racing pictures. The Grand Orchestra, under the direction of Miss Agnes Shearsby, plays an admirable programme of .appropriate),-music. "The Covered Waggon" will bo screened for the remainder of .the week.