AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18147, 9 August 1924, Page 14

AMUSEMENTS.

PICTUKE HOUSES. LIBERTY THEATRE. r "BOY OF MINE" AND "HAS THE ." WORLD GONE MAD?" The new programme at the Liberty today should prove a very attractive one. Booth Ta,rkington, whose fine literary work has wou him a high place amongst modern writers, has written "Boy of Mine" specially for the screen, and everything that made "Penrod and Sam," by the same author, such a great success last year, has bo:n combined in a greater degree in this, his latest. One critic writes: 'To ir.terpiet real life—the kind with which we are all familiar—on the screen is admittedly one of the most difficult tasks in" the''world. It requires g:nius to achieve this i/esuit, genius in acting, in writing, and in directing. Ar.d in addition to these qualities, it sams as though the element of luck is neoesMiry also to bring to life a picture that lives through its vo:y huRU'-n:i<css. There is not a false note apparent throughout the entire footage'. Every episode and incident rings true, and on leaving the theatre one is conscious that ore has 'witnessed a slice of life, and one becomes convinced that a plot centring about the average home can be made as entertaining and fascinating as the most hairraising thriller ever written. The story is a captivating blend of rollicking humour anu heart-rending pathos, gripping at all times, with a happy ending that sends people away satisfied with a smile on faces. Ben Alexander is cast as little Bill Latimer, whose father, married late in life, is not able to idealise that boys are animals, in spirit, and cannot sympathise with Bill's innocent prank? 'Boy of Mine' is a. picture that wiij ive for ever in the hearts of those fortunate enough to see it." The second big feature is one that must arouse keen interest, . bearing as, it does the title "Has the World Gone Mad?" The nroduction is not sermon. Mr Goodman devised his story for straightforward entertainment, replete with thrilling situations, whimsical humour, bioad touches of comedy and delightful romance. But interwoven in the stirring drama of modern life "Has the World Gone Mad?" strikes a note of timeliness. ScTeen devotees who recall Mr Goodman's first contribution to the record of films, "What's Wrong with the Women?" will anticipate the new offering with unalloyed pleasure, The cast includes such noted stars as Robert Edeson, Charles Eichman, Heddu Hopper, Mary Alden, Vincent Coleman, and Elinoi Pair. J. Searle. Dawloy directed the production under the personal supervision oi Mr Goodman A sparkling comedy, "Keep Moving," in which Eddy Lyons provides most of the fun, rounds off the picture part of the entertainment.

- The Liberty Orchestra under Mr Howard Moody, will provide the incidental music irj its visual artistic manner. The following numbers, among others, will be played: Comic opora, ''A Waltz Bream" (Strauss); comic opera, "SiTibad" (Rsmberg); suites, "Suite Francaise" (Fculds), "L'Arlesienrte" (Bizet}, "Clarieaima" (Elgar) new fox trots, "Seven and !• leven" (Donaldson); "Oh Gee, Oh Gosh" (Brewer) Mr Howard Moody will play "Kigoletto" Paraphrase (VerdiLizst), a pianoforte solo whioh is full of technical dirriculties. GREATER CRYSTAL PALACE. HOOT GIBSON IN "BROADWAY OR BUST." MAY McATOY IN "THROUGH A GLASS WINDOW.' "Adam's Bib," "High Speed," and current programme of motion pictures will be screened at Greater Crystal Palace for the last times .this afternoon and to-night, and the world-famous Symphony Orchestra, under the distinguished conductorship of Mr Alfred J. Bunz, will play at both sessions. The new programme at Greater Crystal Palace for next week, commencing Monday, is a fascinating one, and well up *j the high standard set by the Dig- theatre. There is a,. onuckie for tire giuin and jaughter in plenty tor" tie ' light-hearted in "Broadway .or .mist,' the-Hood laibeon comedy whicn heads the new bill. lii!>son's aroil humour permeates the film like a broad grin, creatih(? ine liind bl airnoopiiere ono ilkes to bask in on a rainy, chee.aess evening. The story, written by Edward Sedgwick, who directed the picture, and Raymond L Schrock, reflects the experiences of a pair of cowboys who crave. to see Broadway, and whose dreams are fulfilled by one of them "coming into a sudden fortune. - ' Hoot dominates the film as iJave Holies, the cowboy who sells his ranch for a fortune. There's a neat love story between Holies .and a pretty girl, played by Ruth Dwyer. The kick of the film is the sequence in which the boys ride up to the "Fitz" hotel on horseback and engage a suite of rooms for themselves and their saddle horses. The hotel's publicity man plays the matter heavily,, and the boys -Tre invited out with the Blue Book squadron. Gibson is fast taking his place among the screen's highest rate comedians, scoring hit after hit in the comedy type of ■ film. There's a horse in • "Xhrough a Glass Window," May McAvoy's new Realart picture, the second big feature on the new programme, that shows almost human intelligence in the range of tricks he is able to do. That the film should have such a talented equine is easily explained when one learns that Maurice Campbell, the director, is not only a screen expert, but is internationally known for his knowledge oi horses.' The "trick" horse adds much to the human interest of this great heart appeal story. There couldn"o have been a better star selected for . this feature than May McAvoy. . The wistful, winsome, human appeal of this young player has earned her an enviable position in the film world. In this appealing story of which Olgai Prinzlau is author, the talents of Miss McAvoy are displayed to great advantage. The supporting cast has been selected with considerable care, and for a picture of its human tenderness and pathos no better selection could have been made. Fanny Midgoly. Raymond McK.ee, Fred Turner, Carrie Clark W raaan,dddWtSl m Turner, Carrie Clark Ward, and Wade rioteier are. among those in the cast whose work is well known to Paramount audiences The human appealing .story,, with its excellent comedy relief, the tender winsome characterisation of the star, and the-sup-porting cast and director makes "Through a Glass Window" a picture in a hundred. Supporting the two main Pictures are, the eleventh sensational chapter of "Be-ists of Paradise," a very funny Centurv comedy, featuring Pal the wonder dox, and the latl est International News film. Following the established custom, particulars 0 f next week's magnificent musical programme will be announced in Monday's newspapers. The box plan is at The Bristol, or seats may be reserved by telephoning Greater Crystal Palace, number 3758. • STRAND THEATRE. The programme for the week commencing to-day is headed by "The Acquittal," featuring Norman Kerry and Claire Windsor. Kenneth Winthrop is on trial charged with the murder of his foster-father, Andrew Prentice. His accuser is his foster-brother, Kooert Armstrong. Armstrong and Wintnrop had ioved the same girl, Madeline, who had chosen Wintnrop. Kdith secretly engaged "to tne uead financier, and Winthrop were in love, Armstrong alleged Questioning brings out that Prentice and Armstrong had become estranged over Armstrong's charges. The night of Prentice's death he had been with .hdith and Winthrop, and had mailed a letter to Armstrong which the latter never received. A taxi-driver testifies Winthrop left home at midnight, proven by looking into a clock in a nearby butcher's shop. A broken clock in the Prentice home showed the murder was committed at 11.52 p.m. Madeline discovers that the clock in the butcher's shop was a circular meat-scale. . This clears her husband, ana ArmstrSSg set*. about to discover the muiuerer A postal inspector brings -to light tae- letter, posted on the fateful .night, confiding Prentice's fear of death. The finnle contains ont of the most amazing surprises in modern drama. The supports are Jack Hoxie in "Don Quickshot of the Rio Grande,!' "Hello Judge" (Century comedy), "Daniel Boone'' (episode 9), and an International New 3. :

GRAND THEATRE. -THE HOTTENTOT- AND "TO THE , LAST MAN." Probabiy no better programme for a Grand National week could be arranged than that to be screened at the Grand Theatre to-day. All lovers oi good horse races will welcome "The Hottentot,' a Thomas H. Ince production featuring Douglas Mac Lean, Mad-e Bellamy, and Raymond Hatton. It shows one of the. most, spectacular horse races ever filmed, with steeplechase gc-juencc, that we entirely new to the screen. Madge Bellmy, recently starred in Maurice Tourneur's "Lorna Doone," is at her winsome "est as the vivacious little sportswoman .or whom Sam overcomes fear. Douglas MacLean as the horse-fearing yachtsman, and plvmond Hatton, as Swift, the eccentric oX have worked out. clever character,..teons that are good for a laugh every time hey appear onShe screen. The story has for its central figure a youth who has a mortal fear of.horses. Through the merest chance, however, he ,s the means of resellin- a beautiful young girl from death through the bolting of a thoroughbred He is proclaimed a hero and is mistaken for a famous jockey hearing the same name as his own. Complication? anse when he is askea to ride-the Hottentoir, a fiery steeplechaser in the big race. The climax of the storv forces him to the saddle, and. he wma . the "big race and more. The second bU feature is the Zane Grey story, "To the Last teftn," pictunsed by Paramount. Maay of Zane Grey's novels have been adapted for the screen, but never before has the author worked in .such close cooperation with the director and the players as he did with the company making To the Last Man." This has ensured a wonderful picture, one that teems with incident, bristles with thrills. The cast includes in featured roles Richard Dix and Lois_Wipon, Noah Beery, Robert Edeson Frank Campeau, Fred Huntley, Edward Brady, Jean Palette, Lenard Clapham, Guy Oliver, and Winifred Greenwood. This is a superb Western drama—a picture that screen patrons will enjoy. It is described as a screen masterpiece, filled with thrills, and .possessing great appeal. There is a fine supporting prolamine, a comic cartoon in , natural colours. Miss Shearsby's fine orchestra will supply the incidental music. QUEEN'S THEATRE. "WEST OF WATER TOWER" AND "GIMME." Commencing Monday, at the Queen's Theatre, the weekly change of programme will be screened. This bill is claimed to be; one of exceptional entertainment value. First and foremost is a Paramount special entitled "West of the Water Tower," which is adapted from ttie famous and wicteiy-discusoed. iwvei of tne smile name. "West of tne water .tower" has a s±uendid cast of talented, piayeia, mcoidmg • uienn itunter, wno is tediui'ttd, May ivicAvoy, Ernest Tonence, ueorge ifawoett, and z-azu Pitts. With such a cast the acting leaves notliing to be 'desired, especially when ail the piayers were carefully cnosen to portray the character depicted in the novel. A new and vital- aspect of the much-discuseed question, of how much about the secrets of life should par-' cnts tell their chi.dren is dramatically and - powerfully revealeu in this picture. It is a story of -t father who did not tell his eon what life was. In the second attraction, 'Gimme, there is featured Helene Chadwick. picture is a Goldwyn production from a story by the well-known writer, Rupert Hughes. It is a tale of everyday life, and is said to be full of entertainment. The story is that a wife should not be dependent upon "handouts" or even a minimum allowance, from the husband's income, but should be regarded as a full partner, entitled to a fair proportion of the earnings. It is this question that Rupert Hughes has made into a strong forceful story, that holds' the attention from beginning to end. and should, meet with hearty approval. Tne srupnorting programme includes "The Sleepwalker," a comedy, with Joe Rocks, the latest Burton Holmes Travelogue, and the Paramount News. A splendid collection of inciiTentaT music has been selected by Mr H. G. Glaysher, and will be played by tho Queen's Orchestra. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. RICHARD BARIHELMESS IN 'TWENTY-ONE," AND "THE BROKEN SILENCE." Richard Barthelmess, in one of the most delightful modern stories that has been brought to the screen in a decade. That's the piece de resistance that Everybody's Theatre has the good fortune to offer its patrons next week, beginning at the matinee at noon on Monday. The production is : called "Twenty-One." In it Barthelmess who lately has been distinguishing himself in period costume dramas, comes back to the sort of modern role to which' he is particularly well suited. He is to be seen in the part of a twenty-year-old youth, the son of wealthy parents who are unhappily married, though living under the same roof. The artificial atmosphere of his home life, obnoxious to the boy, drives him-to seek the society of people outside his own exclusive set, and so it comes about that he forms a friendship that grows into love for a pretty factory girl. It is the discovery by Ms parents ox this romance that brings about the change in the boy's life. Learning it is his mother's plaii to send him to a ranch to keep him away from the girl he determines to leave for the city to remain out of sight until he is twenty-one, so that ho may wed whom he chooses and govern his own life. The girl promises to wait for him. In New York .ho becomes a taxi-cab driver, and his romantic adventures grow apace. There is a desperate encounter with bandits, a picturesque Czecho-Slovakian dance, a , most comprising Automobile breakdown andi— But wait and see the picture! We can't do it justice with words, i John S. Robertson directed it, and lovely ] Dorothy Mackaill is Dick's leading lady. Joe King, Dorothy dimming, and Bradley Barker are among tho sterling players in I the supporting cast. Also, it is a First National picture. I Also on this programme is a James 01i"<er | Curwopd story, "Tho Broken Silence." This ! production was made by Pine Tree PiGI tures, Inc., and directed by Dell HenderI son—and which is, incidentally, the third I picture of the Curwood series to be released by Arrow—gives promise of being the most elaborate and most pleasing- to reach the screen thus far. The story, a fascinating tale of love and intrigue, moves from, one dramatic episode to another, culminating in a tremendous climax that comes as forcefully as a thunderbolt. Zona Keefe, the ] featured player, was the star of many big I successes in the past, including "Red Foam" and "The Woman Gad Sent." She rises, under the able direction of Dell Henderson, to new emotional heights, and again demonstrates conclusively that she is not only a beautiful irirl but a splendidly gifted artist. Miss Keeie's supporting- cast is more than adequate, and includ, s some of the best known screen playera of the present day, among vvhom.irav be mentioned J. Barney Sherry, known for his pleasing performances in many Marshall Neilan productions, Robert Elliott, star of staee and- screen; Gipsy O'Brien, Roy ' Gordon and many others of almost equal prominence. In addition, topical, comedy, and travel pictures will be shown, and Everybody s Orchestra, under their noted conductor, W. J. -. Bellingham, F.S.M., will corJtibute a, programme of music of the quality which has so justly made this band of musicians famous. . Included in the programme will be the following numbers-—Overture, "Soaring" (Norvowicski); symphony, "C Minor (No. 5)" (Beethoven), "AllegTo con brio," "Andante con moto," '"Allegro"; suite, "Woodland Sketches" (MacDowell); dance, "Slavic Dance" (Dvorak); folk song, "Londonderry Air" (Morris); entr'acte, "Amazon" (Eltinge); new fox-trots. "Dancing Honeymoon" (Braham); one-step, "Hitch Your Waggon to a Sunbeam" (Ayer). Reserved seats may be obtained at The Bristol, and there is constant attention at the theatre telephone, No. 4925.