AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18129, 19 July 1924, Page 15

AMUSEMENTS.

PICTURE HOUSES. LIBERTY THEATRE. JACKIE COOGAX IX "CIRCUS DATS." 'THE HERO" AND "FLYING- FIXAXCE." Jackie Coogan, in what may truly be called the most delightful vehicle of his screen ccreer—a rollicking circus picture—will T-e seen at the Liberty Theatre to-day. "Circus Days" seems better Euited to his talents than anything else he .has done for the silent drama. Tears are mingled with laughter, but it. is as it should be. Jackie's rollicking iun as Toby Tyler, the _ little runaway who joined the circus, is tinged wi.u just the proper pitch of pathos to maka the production neither ordinary cccnedy nor thriller, but wholesome drama that touches the heart-strings and 6tirs the risible faculties. It is a powerful picture of moods that are up and down, but it must be admitted that they are mostly up. A cast of unusual excellence supports Jackie. Barbara Tennant makes a fine screen mother to the young star, while Russel Simpson succeeds splendidly in making one despise him as K!»n Holt, the hard-hearted uncle of Toby. Cesare Gravini, who distinguished himself as the old musician in "Daddy," wins many newadmirers by his admirable wcrv; t8 the clown who befriends Toby. The cast also includes Xellio Lane, fattest woman in the world, and William Barlow, ths skinniest man. Tho presentation oi "The Hero," a Master picture, is in line with the ■Miiounccm*'. made some time ago by Preferred Pictures that (hey intend to film. plays which have proved more than ordinary successes on the stage. It is the worjc of Gilbert Emery, playwright, actor, and novelist, and who was recently singled out by Burns Mantle, dramatic critic of the Chicago "Tribune." The story tells of a wastrel who leaves disgrace behind him to join the Foreign Legion, and of his brother, a plodding, uninteresting.fellow, whose war period is spent in an inglorious effort to keep a rooi over the head of his family. Tho prodigal returns from France with wounds and decorations, an idol of the war-anad rubtio, but he soon Sinks back into the lo'wwt depUu of depravity, finding time in his idleness to disrupt the peace of his brother's household and to steal funds entrusted to his brother's care. The cast includes Barbara La Marr, Gaston Glass, Doris Pawn, John Eainpolis, David Butler, Ethel Shannon, Martha Mattos, Little Frankie Lcc, and Cameo, the gifted dog. Also on tho programme is a screamingly funny Mermaid comedv, entitled "Flying Finance," a picture that arouses uncontrollable laughter. l u© entr'acte will be a saxophone solo ' Saxophobia," played by Mr C. McGlaehion, in conjunction with the Liberty Quality Orchestra, under the musical direction of Mr Howard Moodv. Intending patrons are requested to book their scats at The Bristol *°° n > after that at the theatre, telephone 236b. ; Telephone reserves are hold till 7.15 p.m.

GREATER CRYSTAL PALACE. "TRIFLING WOMEN" AND "EXCITEMENT." "The Storm Daughter," "An Old Sweetheart of Mine" and current .big progTammo of motion pictures will bo screened at Greater Crystal. Palace for the last times this afternoon and to-night, and the worldfamous Symphony Orchestra, under the distinguished conductorship of Mr Alfred J. Bunz, will j>l»y at both sessions. Hex Ingram's claim to film immortality is justified again in his remarkable new production "Trifling Women," which heads the new programme at . Greater Crystal Palace for next week, commencing Monday. It is the latest achievement of the' ekillul director, whose mime has become synonymous with tho best in filmdom, :and «. guarantee of exceptional screen merit. It equals and, in some particulars, surpasses his earlier efforts, arid should win * high .place among the best of the season's photoplays. Tho brilliant director of "The' Four ilorbemeri. of. the Apocalypse/' "The • Prisoner of Zenda," and other big Metro pictures is himself both author and adaptor of his latest euccees. This fact mikes his triumph all the more complete, for tho story and continuity are on a par with the production iself. The etory is conoerawJwith the fascination of Zareda, a. crystal gazer, whose *iren-like fascination attracts inen ; into her net. How. she attains wealth and power through a marriage with a wealthy marquis; how she arranges 'his death to marry her young lover, Ivan; how she meets a terrible end with her lover when her husband finds them together, ■makes a graphic and.dramatic story. In the cast are brilliant players. Lewis Stone is seen'as the Marquis Ferroni; Barbara la Marr aa Zareda; Ramcn Ncvarro afl Ivan, and Edward .Connelly as Ivans father, Baron de Maupin. Others in the cast . are pomeroy Cannon, Hughio Mack, and Gene Pouyet. . , '•Excitement/' the farce comedy feature, in which Laura la Plante makes her bow as a Universal star, is the second big picture on the new programme. • It. is a triplegeared farce comedy with all speeds ahead. The star plays the role of a girl who lived and thrived on excitement and thrills, • and a lot of ingenuity | has been applied to portray, in the picture the type of action which keeps the dainty little 6>rrin one continuous while of odrenture. "Excitement" is undoubtedly an outstanding comedy. Miss la Plante plays the role of a society girl who ifi imineesurably bored with her routine of life and starts out to create a little adventure. The things that sho creates afford not only a lot of thrills for - hersslf, but for the audience, which views the film recording her exploits. Daring horseback rides, motor-cycle racing, aeroplane stunts • that ta,ke cne'a breath away, and a great "battle royal" for the heroine »- hand are included in this ripping faice comedy. In a. cast of several well-known veteran comedians, Miss k\ Plante dominates the film, due to her beauty and charm in abundance. She does it naturally, by virtue of several ' qualities. She » » natural comedienne. The cast includes JSfiHe Sedan, William Welsh, Albert Hart, Margaret Cullington, Bert Eoach end others. Supporting the two main pictures are the eighth chapter of "B»asts of Paradise, a very funny Century comedy, starring Harry McCoy, and the latest International Ixews film. Owing to the extreme length of the programme the management annouces that "Excitement" will be screened sharp at 7.30 pin, This is necessary because "Trifling Wcmen" is a, ten-reel production., Following tho established custom of the big theaae particulars of next week's magnificent musical prognunme will be uuhounced in Monday's newspapers. Tho box plan is at The Bristol, or seats may he reserved by telephoning Greater Crystal Palace, number 3733.

QUEEN'S THEATRE. REX BEACH'S "BIG BROTHER." Another Paramount programme of rare excellence Trill be presented at the Queen's Theatre next week, commencing Monday. The big attraction will ba "Big Brother." Writton by Rex Beach, this photoplay is described aa one cf the beat seen for years. Allan Dwan was the oirootor, and has made a picture that contains' every element that ma±;e3 a picture -worth while—pathos, comedy, thrill* and excitement. I. is cawed to be the greatest story oi regeneration *tc<* "The Miracle Man. ' Featured in the are Tom Moore, Edith .Roberts, »ni t ;i * screen's latest find, Bennett. Ji** Beach spent more than two years m tn» preparation of this novel, which fl-S a powerful, graphic, and at the same tia<-' realistic story of a gangatei's inhenta •»:« a littlo boy, Midge Murray, who tos „>■- queathed to him by his closest ire id. In* latter, who was shot in a iued, Donovan promise to brinsr up his bof decent, and in Donovan's efforts to carry '<« his promise liea the whole theme or •-)•* narrative. It is claimed that the et-«iy '-" more appeal than "Humoresque,' and 3 ideally suited for screen presentation, J-e 'Big Brother" movement is the great organisation of thousands of business mn i » every country of the world, and °\* v " sect. It is pledged to protect and.-rear boys and youths in the slum areas of » B great cities, especially those subjeccai to vicious influences, who otherwise would rxrt have a chance in life. The director, it ,' said, has selected a, cast cf P l **" 3 * e " suited to their part* and to have awds a picture for Paramount which is quite J> 3 *- etandina To those who regard the pietar» theatre as a mere medium of •«»»*»»■» the film, it is claimed,.mil pro™ *£•*■ tion, as showing what a power fet gocd ins film can be. . _. T ;,J A supporting progHunnw of w - T £*. snbject/includs » comedy, the latest P«» mount Kews,.and an educatel-l »': Mr.H. G. Glaysher, conductor <* «* Queen's Orchestra, has selected * •>««* -prosrammo of incidental mn«io-

GRAND THEATRE.

"QUEEN OF THE MOULIN ROUGE" AND "THE EXCITERS." Co-starring f or t nß time in their careers, Bebe Daniels and Aantonio Moreno appear in the principal roies of the Paramount production of "The Exciters" comia? to the Grand Theatre to-day. Thi« is a splendid picturisation of a successful play by Martin Brown, adapted to the Btreea by John Colton and Sony* Levien and directed by Maurice Campbell. Speaking- of speed, on* •would believe that even the modern miss would, at least for a while, be satisfied with but one means of excitement. But not bo with Miss Daniels in the role of Bonnie Rand in this picture. Ronnio is a real speed girl in every sense of the word. Morning finds her out for a spin in her power launch, and with the afternoon comes a series of thrills in the air. The close of the day means to Ronr.ie a delightful_trip in one of her motors with the anticipation of a series of similar exploits on the following day. Pleasure is all that this girl has to think of. She baa not a care in the world—that is, not until she finds herself married to a supposed crook bent on extorting from {he girl's family a goodly sum of money for the annulment of their marriage.

Can there he any possible justification for jeopardising a woman's good name by placing her in a position where, though her innate goodness may keep her unsullied, ahe nevertheless must be the stigma oi her surroundings and her associations? That is the question raised in Ray C. Smallwood's latest Pyramid Picture, "Queen o* the Moulin Rouge." The plot is a novel one and tells of how a music master provails on a girl to dance at the "Moulin Rouge," the most notorious cafe in Paris, in order to awaken the genius that lies in his pupil's music Tom is astounded when ho sees his loved one, whom he thought to he innocent of worldly sins, crowned as queen of this notorious cafe, and after disclaiming her, rushes out and pdurs out the agony of his soul through the medium of a violin. His master confesses h r s echeme and tells Tom that his sweetheart ss innocent. Tom suddenly realises that Rosalie had • threatened •t> Ktnmit suicide and nißhes off, • just in time to savo ,":ier from drowning in the Seine. Martha Mansfield, as the girl who is called upon for this supreme sacrifice; Joe Striker, as the student; Henry'Harmon, as the ambition* music master, are the principals of a. highly capable all-star • cast. The production was made for the screen by Ray C. Smallwood from Paul M. Potter's internationally famous play of the' eame name. Bon Carre.'-a French technical director, is responsible for the authenticity of tho settings and backgrounds. In addition 10. tho two hig feature pictures, there is a fine comedy in which MontyBanks produces the fun, and also the usual Topical Budget of news. Tho music by the orchestra has been carefully solecto.d and will be played under Miss Shearsby's direction.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. "HER. TEMPORARY HUSBAND" ' AND "GOD'S COUNTRY'AND THE LAW." Tho second of the First National 192< attractions, ,: Her Temporary Husband,'" will bo the chief attraction at Everybody's Theatro all next week, commencing at the noon session on Monday. Sidney Cheplin,- famous brother of tho celebrated Charles Chaplin, returns, to' tho screen to play a most important comedy role in "Her iemporary nuauand," u _rit>i tickling farce. It is a X'irst National ' screen version of Edward Paulton'e pbpuja-r siago success of ttio same Utto. . it was adapted to tho screen by F. McUrew "Willis, one oi lumciom s most brilliant scenario writers. John Mcl/ermott directed it. "Her Temporary Husband" is in excruciating- humorous comedy, centring shout a young girl who, to win a. fortune, is forced to marry 'within twenty-four hours. Tho girl, not wishing to burden, herself with tho troubloa and 'tribulations of • matrimony, yet wishing- to win, the legacy,. goes to a. .sanitarium and chooses ss a husi>and a decrepit old man, later to wake up to tho realisation that the man she really married was a young admirer who had made up to represent the older manOwen Moore plays tho part of the disguised invalid. Sidney Chaplin enacts the role.of his .valet, Alugubrious individual who has a peculiar faculty of always doing the right, thing at the wrong time. Sidney is a- member of an exceptionally talented allstar cast, which includes Owen Moore, Sidney Chaplin, Sylvia Brcanier, Chuck Reisner, Tully Marshall, Charles Gerrard, George Cooper, and others. The second feature ia a screen adaptation of James Oliver Curwood's story, "God's Country and the Law," produced by tho Arrow Film Company, and portrayed by Gladys Leslie and an all-star cast. 'While "God's Country and. the Law'* breathes Curwood and the Curwood charm from every part of it, it is, however, a new type of Curwood story ao to its theme. ' It is a study of tho workings of a guilty conscience, vividly and thrillihgly portrayed. It is a photoplay with an idea,' the sort of pictured story that- has been so widely clamoured for. and seldom produced. In. addition there will be screened topical comedy and scenic pictures. 3 very body's orchestra, under their conductor, .Mr W; J, Bellingham, F.S.M., will play a programme of- music, including:—Overture, oianber of Seville" (Rossini); suite, "Nut Cracker" (Tschaikowsky); symphony in . E Flat (No. 39) (Mozart); overture, "Mignon" (Thomas); entr'acte, "Minuet" (Beethoven);. operas, "Yeoman of the Guard" (Sullivan), "Flup"" (Szulc); fox-trots, "I Found n- Fourleaf Clover" (Gershwin), "Smilin" (Coburn). i Reserved seats may be obtained at The j Bristol. There is constant attention at the theatro telephone, No. 4925.

STRAND THEATRE. "THE BOWED DOOR" AND "LAVENDER AND OLD LACE." At the Strand Theatre to-day, I'rank Mayo in "The Bolted Door" heads the r.&w programme. Juuson, a retired lusircss man, is anxious that his niece, Natelfo, shall marry Brook Carriott, his ward. Ths idea is .pleasing- to Brooke but not t:> Natalie, wiio is headstrong. She-thinks she is in love with Rene do Land, a fortune hunter. Brooke prefers to.spend .his'tints at an invention rather than at the danc) haiis. Natalie considers this to be menial laoour and she i 3 loath to have anything t:> do with Brooke. When he arrives from toe shops in overalls, Natalie greets him rather icily and goes eff with her friends. Whea Judson dies he leaves his estate to Natalie and Brook? on the condition they marry in six months. lhey agree to marry, but Natalie will be a, wiio in name on'y. to impress this on Brooke, she bolts the door of her room. After findin? Rene making love to his wifo and warnings him not to let it happen again, Brooke receives word that the estate has been wiped out. He tells da Land that ii he is able to take care of Nata-ie he can hava her. D« Land, however, does not want her without her fortune Brooke gives him a good boating, and then Natalie realises whom it ia she really loves.

"Lavender and Old Lace," tie screen version of Myrtle Reed's world-famous book, starring Marguerite Snow and Seena Owen, "Sunny Gym" (a Brownie comedy). International News, and "In the Days of Daniel Boone" (chapter 6) complete a fine programme. __