AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18107, 24 June 1924, Page 12

AMUSEMENTS.

PICTURE HOUSES.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE.

DOLORES CASSINELLI IN "THE RIGHT TO LlE.'' 4 "THE MAN BETWEEN. - ' Very rarely does a picture programme contain such out3tand.ng dramatic triumphs as slr.es the current bill at Everybody's Theatre. In "The Right to Lie," a seven-reel Pathe production, and "The Man Brtween," a F.nis Fox special, it has two splendid pictures, which should attract hundreds of people to the theatre this week. There are good supporting items, end Everybody's Orchestra, under the conduc'.oisnip o; Mr "v 7. J. Bellingham, plays in its delightful way a fine selection of musical numbers.

As a mafiter o! screencraft, Albert Capei- • iar.i is v/eil-M'/fii arr.org those who up- . predate art in the moving p.cture, am a . production that bc-ar» his name i; b.-ur.u , •o be som»th:ng right awav irom the ..eaten ! track. "The K.prht to Lie'' is no exception j to that rule, it is, us has been said beio.-e, , a triumph o: drama, that grips the spectator from the first scene. 'J he brauuu. , "Cameo Giri," Dolores Cassenelh, who has ; mad.- a r.ame for herseif in other Pathe specials, h=a the main role: that oi a youn* ll.lan t'iri who, rear.d .n a convent, know 3 little cf the wavs oi the world when she is sent to a cuardian in America. .Her guardian is real!/ her lather, but he has reason.? for n,t dncksing h'3 identity. Babbling tongues and scanda. practica.iy caused the denh of the old man, and CarIntta the »irl. decides to live for art alone. She becomes a great piantste, and th -n falls in love with a "Lochinvar lrom tin "West." Before the two attain happmee. there is a murder, a trial, and an acquittal. The supporting cast, a strong one, inc: u.M Frank Mills, Warren Cook, JoSt-ph King, Grace Reals, George Denoulbourg, Violet Heed, and Claire Grenvilla. For thrilling suspense and a .-mashing climax, "The Man Between," a Finis Fox special, takes a lot of beating. But it is far from being a mere melodrama. Finij Fox wrote it, directed it, and produced it and his work is always of a stamp that tc'ts it by itself. The cast which was assembled for "The Man Between" would mak* any production notable, even if the sior. itself were not one of such strength. AIU« Forrest, formerly leading man and more recently featured in a variety of big productions, appears in a double iole—impersonating two men so alike in appearance that their own relatives canr.ot distinguish tli.m but so dissimilar in character as to suggest a Jekvll-Hvde antithesis. As Jules Lamont and Pierre' Lcbec, Forrest is said to do the best won!: of his career. The plot is .hard.} a novel one. There is the rich man the trapper from the North-west, and the trapper's wife, who is also a music hall queen, besides a remarkable impersonation and some extraordinary concidcn.es. The smaller pictures include the latest Pathe News, an excellent comedy, and a P That Rotable combination, Everybody's Orchestra, can always be reHed on to entertain an Rudicnce, even if the American pictures do not completely sweep one off one s feet. This week the musical score is particularly interesting, because much of it is ist from the printing press and has been sent out to Everybody's, by Mr H «W Waters Some of the music is en„i.el, new, while other parts »re old mvsic entirely resYranged. The »ncert, for it dMervee that description, opened with "A Comedy Overto? (k Partridge). This is a neat and clever composition bv one of the •modern musicians. Selections from the sequel to John Gay's "Beggar's Opera, were probably heard in Christchurch for-the first time last night. The. music.ha..been arranged by Frederick Austin and it is fu of the delightful harmony that distinguished bis work. "A French symphony, ,n ch&racter'stic French stvle, is Enthusi asmV' (Maurice Pesse). The first two movements of Mozart's "Symphony » E F at. No. 39," were played perfectly. The an dante etood out and the various themes A-ere easilv distinguishab'e as they came from the different instrument* A pleMMjt variation was the fox trot "Emahne," played as the entr'acte. "Can/onetta," a movement from "he "Concerto Romantiaue" hj Ben- & Gddard, appealed, to tkjuto U-rte, as did two movements from Scenes PUtoresques." Schubert's «lonv" (tragic) was played wth refined fast" A ( sele g ction from Greig's melodies also dese%«T mention, the numbers including "SDrine" "Dance of the Elves'• Amtra 9 (Peer Gvnt .uife). the wel1 " known "Album Leaf."

QUEEN'S THEATRE.

GLORIA SWANSON IN "ZAZA."

■With Paramount pictures comprising all the programme at the Queen's Theatre this week, there is little doubt as to quality. In addition to the tig picture "Zaza," there are (our supporting. films providing a programme as interesting as it' is diversified. In addition the musical programme for tho evening sessions has been especially well selected.

In "Zaza," Gloria Swanson scores a triumph. She is at all times brilliant and vivacious, and has a part which calls for all the powers of her artistry. . The part is so essentially one of Gal.ic temperament that the critics were to ho excused for saying that no one but a" Frenchwoman could play the role. The American actress has succeeded handsomely, however, although at times there is a suggestion of over-acting. . In brief, Zaza, first a gamin of the Paris Btreets, rises to fame as an artist in provinces of France. She attracts Dufresne, a diplomatist, who comes to see her turn every evening. The lovemaking is tempestuous, and not uninterrupted, but eventually they are married, despite the fact that Dufresne already has a wife. Later, Zaza discovers the truth, and.sends him away, but after the war, when she haß risen BtiU further up the ladder in her profession, and becomes a star even in Paris, she meets Dufresne again. How the story ends it would not be fair to tell. The production is especially good, and the illusion that it had actually been made in France is quite well maintained. Added to Gloria Swanson's good work must be added that of a capablo supporting cost, headed by H. B. "Warner as Dufresne.

The supporting programme rivals in interest the big picture. "Johnnie Swordfish" is an educational film depicting the harpooning and landing of swordfish in the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of New England. The photography is good, and the onlooker is enabled to watch the whole proceedings during a cruise. A Burton Holmes Travelogue depicts Jerusalem under British administration, while the Gazette is another very interesting Paramount production. A good knockabout comedy, "Some Nurse," rounds off a well selected programme.

The musical programme, supplied by the orchestra under the baton of Mr H. G. Glaysher, includes some novel items, and is na follows:—Overture, "The Stars and Stripes Forever" (Sousa); entr'acte, harp solo, "Eeverie" (Thomas); "The Damnation of Faust" (Berlioz); "Les Deux Pigeons" (Messager); "St. Agnes Eve" (ColeridgeTaylor); "Three Famous Pictures" (Haydn Wood); "The Litt'.e "Whopper" (FrimT); "From the Country Side" (Eve Coates); 'The Duchesse of Danzig" (Ivan Caryll); "Three Little Pieces" (Somerville); "Vclleda" (Caffot); "Lilacs" (Caaman); "Desir" (Stone); "Jbfelita" (de Bonozi); "April's Lady (Ancliffe); "Mcrry-go-Round" (Maclean); "Redzi" (Caludi); "Romance" (Popper); "Ake'.tie /Lament" (Foulds); Stavinchange" (Bernard), and "12th Street Bag" (Bowman).

GREATER CRYSTAL PALACE,

A PROGRAMME OF MIRTH.

TWO BRIGHT COMEDY FEATURES,

Bright comedy is the keynote of the new programme presented for the first time at Greater Crystal Palace last night. The two big ie-tures aie both comedy-dramas o: worth and the result U three hours oi light entertainment, we'll calculated to please and send patrons home in a Hippy frame of mind.

Viola Dana is the star of the first of the two principal films, "Her Fatal Milliard. This is a story of a girl who gratified her ambition to be a millionairess for one oriel hour The scheme seemed easy to Mary Bsh'o-5 and full o: romance, but she sad l'ttie'idea when she embarked upon ner r-sh u-id-rtakin:: oi the complications that wou'd ensue. The ioltowing action is :u.. of riotous fun, with just a dash ot patnoa here and tr.ere to lend contrast. _ Koinanccccitainii- does ia« her way, alter many t' : -ii« w'-ich throw the audience into an ccstasv c; mirth, though they worry the t..-oii'-- exceedingly at the time. \ lo.a, '■y-Tr. : s admirably suited to the leading roll'-" her dair.tv personality and undoubted a-i:' for comedv ciuk.ng her ideal in. the

•Too Much Married" is the title of the second bi-j .ricture, featuring Mary Anaerso'i T.-.is is'a delightful story ot tne lighter s de of niarritd life—even the most confirmed r .. a c has to admit that there is a lighter s'rife'after seeirg this photoplay. Tiie heroine, B-t'v Coh'ord has been married only a day v,he'-' she loses her husband. The less i 3 only temporary, happily, but it causes* series of mishaps which amuse mightily. Another man has to he found to take the place of the real bridegroom, and this leads to complications which were never foreseen by the unhappy couple. Ihe m:sfcrtun« which accumulates at an amazing rate caus.-s nothin? but the heartiest amusement i:> the spectators, and when all comes ri"ht in the end, us it should' do in a.l well-regulated pictures, everybody, principals and patrons included, is highly satislied. Mary Anderson niake3 a captivating heroine and she is ablv supported by such good artists as Jack Connolly, Roscoe Karnes, Bert Wo.dr-off and Me.thilde Brur.dage. Scott Duuiap was resptMisiole for the directin, and it is to hi 3 credit that the situations are so well handled and the maximum amount of humour got out of the brightly written; scenario. The 'suppoitmg pictures comprise the fourtli chapter of the sensational serial -Be Bts of Puradise," starring William.Desm.nd and Aileen Sedgwick, a gocd Century cmedv with Harry Sweet in the lead, and the latest International News, which includes a fine array of topical pictures, portraying incidents of interest from all parts oi thb world. ' The Symphony Orchestra, which has played Buch an important part in placing Crystal Palace in the front rank of New Zealand picture houses, is again responsible, in large measure for the enjoyment provided by this week's bill. The conductor, Mr A. J. Bunz, has selected an orchestral programme which suits the subject matter of the pictu-es admirably. The overture was "Ilumo eique" (A ford), a clever arrangement of popular melodies. The prologue from "I Pa'-'liiicci" (Liconcavallo) was one of the outstanding items of the evening. The whole orchestra op-ned with precision, the woodwind answering the opening bars with liquid notes. The andantino was arranged for 'cello solo and was beautifully played, as was also the andante triete. "Valse des Fleurs" was played as a request item, and was loudly applauded. A new piece to the orchestra's repcrtone waß "Capriccio Espagnai," by one of the most celebrated of the Russian composers. Some wonderful effects nre obtained on one bass note in the first movement. "Golden Sand," a dainty little number, was prominent among the lighter item 3. "My Parents Came to Fetch Me Ilnnic," a novelty in jazz pieces, and 'When ion and I are Dancing" were good ragtime pieces which caught the' fancy immediately. The ever popular. "Gallagher and Shean" was played as the entr'acte and earned an encore. LIBERTY THEATRE.

The big picture at the Liberty Theatre this week, "Anna Christie," although rather a sordid story, contains some excellent photography- and acting. Blanche Sweet, in the name part, comes through some strenuous work very creditably. Added to the big picture is a well selected programme, comprised of a police drama, "In the Name of the Law," a Larry Semon comedy, "The Gown Shco," and the picture version of the 1924 Grand National Steeplechase at Aintrce. The musical programme is worthy of the picture portion.

GRAND THEATRE. "The Silent Command," at the Grand Theatre this week, is a story of intrigue and adventure on the high seas. Is shows Captain Kichard Decaturj of the U.S. Navy, the hero of the drama, beset on every side by the traps and snares of a relentless foe bent on removing the young naval odicer from hi 3 path. However, ho rises superior to every temptation. "The Fighting Guide" is a story of tho Wild West, with an abundance of thrills and an unnecessary burlesque of the British "nobleman," »o beloved by tho directors of American photoplays.

STRAND THEATRE. The two attractions at the Strand Theatre this week are "Mighty Lftk' a Rose" and "Shooting for Love." The former is a drama that is powerful and appealing not alone because of its thrilling scenes and stirring climaxes, but because of. the great spiritual strength and human understanding that it symbolises. The Becond- is the customary outdoor romance, featuring Hoot Gibson. "Spring Fever" (comedy), on International News, and "In the Days of Daniel Boone" also appear on the bill.