AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18101, 17 June 1924, Page 11

AMUSEMENTS.

[C TUKE HOUSES.

'igATER CRYSTAL PALACE,

IKEBAY'S "VANITY FAIR." DARLING OF NEW YORE." ,nally fine seems to bo a rather option to aPP'y 1o tho big new 0 which was ecreened at Greater alace for the first time yesterday. n the merit of tho pictures, howmust comment on the excellence lUPir played by the Symphony under tho conduefcorahip of Mr Fair/' » screen vpision of the iovcl without a hero," by William i Thackeray, has pride of placo •tare bill. Alter seeing it one 'can lor why n-W of the classics of itt-rature are not brought to th-j t tho Goldwyn Company has unmade- a big su'ccis of its venture, ying a gical thai,_ lor jew, indeed, American "movie" directors who d "converted" the book without Thackeray'a fasc.miting miMiiru Bit and f, - t "' c! cut ot recognition. :o-follows the sto.y HO closeiy thai [UOto an authority on iho novel:—. Fair' is a novei without a hero, ir the virtues nor the vices of the are of a heroic order. They are, »?t part, ee.fish people bent upon their pleasure;:, if they can altord dovotcd to the. task of keeping »ECCB if they are not. . Theio 13 in that stands above all the rest, pretty, scheming, heartless Becky ; has been said: All the groups pose its world of "Vanity Fair''— eys, the Sedleys, the Osborucs, 'EO, and his led captains, even ds, are united, under the dazzling of Becky bharp. . . . >Sinalien 1o her nature. The only [ears which slio it recorded ;ed tens from her disappointment aad married liawdoo and missed cut to fortune, and her only act,' the disclosure to Amelia of nfidchty, was prompted mora by wF'rritation' at Amelia's obtusensss than Sisy desiro to give the patient Dobbin S^rewrd,of his long devotiou. The diffiJ|j w of making an exceptionally long ujt»l into a picture of ordinary length jttfisvo been tremendous, n»d yet "Vanity ftjf" as shown on the screen, lacks none ((■&« essential detail, and is practically pjiect from an aesthetic point of view. §ijj artists fit in remarkably well. First iat foremost, Mabel Ballin makes a {Jttnningly heartless Beckv Sharp from the. Bsmenl she steps from Chiswick' Mall till fin,the picture leaves her, a disappointed XtAin, at her Btall at the society fair. faA}. Eawdon Orawley, just a trifle too kjiic in the picture, is in the hands of GeOK« Walsh, and no one in filmdom could jib tiie part more convincingly. As Lord Jdype, the, rake, whose affair with Becky .'timit ruin to the Rawdon Crawley houseWJ, Bobart Bosworth is very fine. Eleanor Jjirfman has the role of the poor Amelia gjJky,. and Hamson Ford that of tho Gporge, Osborne, whose death on o§sA of Waterloo atones somewhat for BjiSfe.. AH the rest of the characters — JkSioroiis Sir Pitt Crawley, "Jos'" Scdley, jlj'Jtt roward, faithful Major Dobbin—are B&ly:what one has imagined Thackeiray's Eb people to lie. The picture is far lt§K"'.«!K>" than the most lively Western and for pure d-amatic effect there j#&«nes. like tho one in which Eawdon :ji&.his wife and Sleyne tosether, whioh "Motlv- leaVc modern American dramas kjjjtl- story gave the producer rare oppiiSitios of nraking a spectacular picture. ®il»id in the Napoleonic period, and Mlflckeronnd fairly justifies the ■ bill SljEfM "Wish splendour." The military Brussels, on the eve of Quatro 'W&i acerieg of tho battle of Wator'oo, Mb f il display, and social splendour have ?(jjptpi>n handled by a producer who was Mirtifit. p4;(!omfid7 drama that deserves that apia "The Darling of Ne- York. iiSHSeamd big picture, on tht bill. It e'eojitfins a riot of fun and laughter, and yet 'jjj|3|j' l i-stirring drama with plenty of that »Sjjiog'picture quality of "human interest." ;i*Sje Parling'of New York" is a starring "Sbcls tor the most popular child artist on .-iwijcrssn, Baby Peggy. The picture is a TJimwal-Jewel production. The tiny star, image is four years, is cast as the central ifaW in a dramatic crook play, and although § surrounded by a grown-up cast of un;perit, the ability of the adult per.ior#«r» does sot detract from the artistry B|(ie,:child. Other outstanding figures in 'Mult : an Sheldon Lewis, Gladys BrockHartigan, and Carl Stock-w^'tj-'iTh9 story opens in Naples, ftioggs's mother has died, and Peggy it:t» : .America to her rich grandfather, j^i;nearly reforms an "East-sido ' vt%y. who traftick in diamonds, makes a is most enjoyable.

Supporting pictures include tho third chapter, 5 "Beasts of Paradise," featuring Wil- ' ma Dumond and Eileen Sedgwick, a good comedy, and the latest International gML * J nfi particularly happy selection of music jSpwadod by the overture "Piquo Dame" ]wjrj<), *hieh was re-demanded by a "capacj* Wise." Tho old rnusio of "The Bcg,?or's „•«•»" (Austin), made a decided hit, "Fill Jjrj Glatt," "tf Ponder Well," and "Lot M T«ke tie Boad," three of its numbers jjwsg pfeatly appreciated for their lilt and VWWBJ. A selection of English melodies', JTMrfdelton, including "A Fine Old Engm, Gentleman," and "Cherry Ripe," a Wind nolo, was pleasingly played. Tchaitotths "Valso des Fleurs" made a channm number for tho ballroom scene.. Other $M were "Suite for Strings" (Foulds); ;fflM» Op 84" (Chopin); "On the Moonlit. lB»tt (Cazabon); "The London Scottish" jggaM), "Beneath Thy Window" (Thierc), «P#>loist, Mr Amos; "Can You Forget?" W*t), effects by Mr W. Dcbenham.

STRAND THEATRE.

I [My entertaining programme is being »t the Strand Theatre this week. It led by "Phantom Soreemen," feaJack B/>sie, the King of Gallopers, ung in this picture is calculated to thrill a minute. Hozio doe 3 things a horse which the average citizen not attempt for all tho gold in the He fights his way up from empty • out possessing a big heart, comes uujg at the end of a picturo which of his best productions. ."Fools iches," starring Herbert Rawlinson, I Days of Daniel Boone," and "The *t Lover" are amongst the supports. GRAND THEATRE. "*a»Jor film at the Grand Theatre pk is ' Spotting Youth." The action »d around the adventures of a goodyoung chauffeur who is mistaken for M racing driver. The chap has a jgjjß tune trung to explain the mistake, & tt eventually "railroaded" into a big 12? " oc Tt-c picture is literally crammed J™ innlls The big annual Labour Day Shu*? 8 * 8 a ' ln jUls Obijpo, California, |3* aimed in connexion with tho making of ¥!• Picture, and several natural accidents |?'fw tho spectacular action of the raco fiS 8 * " v the Denny company. Harry* A. jjZ"*™» who guided the making of all the Ej 1 . "Leather Pushers" series in which gfWald Denny was s&rred, directed Denny ■Bportuig Youth." There are good supP St LIBERTY THEATRE. F . :*«« week's offering at the Liberty Thcatro ; two big features, "Painted Peoplo" g*-'*Tb* Broken Wing." Tho first meuS*** picturo is a story of thrills and ln which a poor giri wins to P**a as an actress, and then discovers haLi" 1 ? P nnc ° *>i her droams was only a H?™* g«d. It is douottut wncther a ff? Perfect cast has ever been assembled jj*? that which graces "Painted People." JJ? «* Ehie Bryne, a small town noyden . j™ *B ambitious soul, Miss Moore has a i H™ Pwticularly fitting hor talents, <yid she Tr*!** no opp.rtunity to lure- a laughto, S»)npJishrnei.t at which she is so adept. S*M»g ©Ppos.te her iB Ben Lyon, tho tjS 1 * lover o£ "Potash and Perlmuttcr," ffi fam-us names to. bo. found in l&vtot a te Anna Q. Nilsson, Charlotte MerUtt ' U ' Montana, Charles Murray, Mary tfKnl' JuEo Elv idgo, Mary Carr, Joseph |S*f/i KusbbU Simpon and Sam do

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE.

"SUNSHINE HARBOUR" AND "A WOMAN OF PARIS."

A very pretty little romance, "Sunshine Harbour," featuring Margaret Beccher, heads the programme at Everybody's Theatre for this week, while Charles Chaplin's production, "A "Woman of Paris," will appear for another week by request, to enable- those patrons who have net yet seen this striking drama to go away satiefiod. 'Sunshine Harbour" by no means belies ila happy name, and the small shadows of life are quickly dispelled from the idyllic scene. Youth u cleverly portrayed with all its dreams and power, its reverses and its successes. Adventure plays no small part in the story, and tne hero.ne passes through some hazardous turns beiore salcty is reached ana happiness attained. Excitoineiu run 3 high aurmg the screening of tne big fire, v.-huo tno principle of suspense is cleverly maintained right, up t> the end. Mar.-jaroi Ucccncr, who is. a grand-daughter ot Henry Ward Beccher, and whose great aunt is the world-timed Harriet Beectier Mowe, author of "L'ncle Tout's Cabin," crcutco an impression of artistic acting. She has the human quality oi feeling with that r-<i'3 sign of tiie gicat artist, restraint. The plot begins when Dr. Hopkins, o. famous eyu-apecialiat in the Southern States, discovers to his amazement and chagrin that child, JLicUy, has really grown up at last. 'Xho doctor wishes her k> marry Hamilton Graves, but Betty, with keen womanish intuition, soon grows to hate hiui, Or.tvc-s takes her to a dance, where Betty meets an old friend, Billy Saunders, to the great plcasuro of both. Billy is a newspaper reporter in -N'ew York, visiting his homo town on a holiday. Graves loses his temper and lU3 head at the dance and behaves in a very foolish manner. Billy and Betty havo engine trouble while motorboating on the river, where they are forced io spend the night. The doctor becomes incensed and orders Betty to .marry Graves immediately. Betty secretly leaves ' home ar.d goes to New York, where she gains a position on a newspaper under tho name of Betty • Smith. There she' soon gains success. A fire at <i chemical works, however, proves her undoing. She risk 3 too lnuc.i lor the- sake of her and goes into danger. An explosion occurs and she is bunded. She is in hospital when Billy returns from Havana and the lovers are united again. Feeling her infliction so acutely, however, she refuses to marry him. Betty's father comes to New York and ho is credited with' the skill necessary to cure his daughter. The recent estrangement of Betty and her father causes the-fact that ho is operating on his own daughter to be concealed from the doctor. Tho operation is entirely successful and there comes s> touching scene of reconciliation, between father and daughter. Needless to say, tho doctor now consents to the marriage of Betty and Billy. Tho screening for another week of "A Woman of Puri3" will be hailed with delimit by those who have not yet witnessed this r"iinrk'!ble picture. The famous comedian has given a glimpse of those qualities which have riven him unprecedented success as a mirth-mak-r. The painstaking work which has been put info the production is hidden away in the perfect naturalness of every delnil of the play. The play is upon the fftes of a small group of men and women, and human nature at its worst and best is revealed in every action. Chanlin's men are n"t Tvat, they are commonnlace, but in the womon characters he has shown wfc-dprful understanding. In a single action Chaplin makes one of his characters speak volumes.' Edna PurviancG, who plays the leading role with brilliance, reveals a wonderful personality. The staging of the gayest Parisian scenes adds to tho attractiveness of the picture. Tho Patho News and Gazette and a bright little ooniedy complete the "programme. Everybody's "Select" Orchestra under the able baton of their conductor, Mr W. J. Bejlingkam, F.S.M., played selections from the latest musical items direct from London, including:—Opera, "I Lombardi" (Verdi); symphony, "Adagio" (D Major) (Schubert); Cavatina, "Roberto tu che Adore" (Meyerbeer), (Mr Herbert Fox rendering a fine cornet solo); song suite (a) "From the Land of tho Sky-blue Water"; <b) "The White Dp.wn as Stealing"; (c) "Tho Moon Drops Lw" (Cadman); "Caprice Viennois" (Krieslcr); Suite Fantastique (from the music of a French Pierrot play by Foulds) (a) Pierrette and Pierrot, (b) Chanson Plaintive, fc) The Wayside Cross; Andante from No. 5 Symphony (Schubert); selection from Pagliacci (Leoncavallo); Serenade (Richard Strauss); entr'acte, "Librella Keissiger."

QUEEN'S THEATRE.

"TO THE LADIES." GOLDVYN'S SUPER SPECIAL. The promise of something special in the way of picture programmes has been fully justified in the new bill which was presented at the Queen's Theatre to crowded houses for the first time yesterday, and ■will continue screening right throughout the present week. Two brilliant features are embodied in the new programme, the first boing the special Paramount production, "To the Ladies," featuring the inimitablo Theodore 'iloberts, and tho second, Go!dwyn's super special, "Broken Chains." The first-mentioned picture ia a comedydrama of the first water. It contains a special appeal to members of the fair sex—especially the marriod ones, and as far as the men are concerned it is the embodiment of a moral which cannot be lightly ipnored. It is somewhat unique so far as themes ; of motion picture productions are concerned, and tells of a young business man who aspires to an executive position in his firm and only secures the coveted managership through the efforts of a clever wife. Supporting Theodore JEtoberts are Louise Dresser and Edward Horton, both of whom fully justify the confidence which has beon displayed in ' them by their cboioo for tno more important roles in the production. The story is interesting, apart from the finished manner in which it has been presented. It tells of several clerks in a largo piano manufacturing company each of whom is an aspirant for tho vacant position of manager of tho concern. Theodore Roberts takes ' tho place of tho principal upon whom devolves the duty of the choice of the now manager. Two of the clerks, ono a married man, and the other a single follow of high ambitions and few scruples, are candidates for the position, and how the married man manages to secure it .'through the agency of his wife, makes a, pleasing story, delightfully to'd. The 6econd feature, "Broken Chains," iB a story of fast action and more than -usual interest. It is certainly one of the beet of Go dwyn's productions, and features Colleen Moore, Ernest Torrence, Clair Windsor, and Malcolm McGregor. The story tells how a wealthy young man is branded a coward when burglars are surprised in his father's home. To escape the odium which confronts him, he goes to his ranch and there falls in love with the wife of a Burly fellow whose brutal natu-» and great strength make him feared throughout the district. Tho young city man decides to befriend tho girl wife, and persists in his kindness to her despite tho opposition of the husband who does not confine his distaste of his wife's friend to mere words. After a most realistically staged fight between tho young fellow nnd the husband, the la'ter falls into a trap which he has set for the other, his death making the way easy for a satisfactory conclusion to the picture. Throughout the production there is a happy vein of comedy which tends to offset the moro serious side of the theme. There are also a number of splendid supports. Amongst thp mu*ica wmhexs sab nrtted by tho Queen's orchestra were tho for owing:—Overture, "Under the Banner of Victory" (Von B!on); entr'acte, Swanee 3'ossoms" (Paul Specht); opera Comique, "La Secchia Eopita" (Burgmein); selection, "Lohengrin (Warner); drama, "Melcnisjj (Zandonai); "Two Slavonic Dances" (Dvorak): -oreley" (Catalani); Dansa Pousse, "Trepak" (Tschaikowsky); Petite ! Rapsodio, "Eusse" (Olsen); Movement lo I Ballet, "Ariadne" (Glover); overture, "Der | Freischuts" (Weber); selection, "Haddon Hal!" (Sullivan); Mazurka* "PremSere" (Drdla); Premiere Suite, "d'Orchestre" (Lange); "Air do Ballot" (Chaminade); daace, "Frivo'ette" (Ring); song, "The Tears of an Irish Mother" (Nicholls); one step, "To-night's the Kight" (Rubens); fos trots, 'Apple Sauce" (Lyman), "Steamboat Sal" (Fisher); waltzes, "Tho Princess' (Fall); "The Choristers'' (Phelps).