AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18184, 22 September 1924, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS.

PICTURE HOUSES. GREATER CRYSTAL PALACE. rEVTX WILLAT'S great production. "ALL THE BROTHERS "WERE VALIANT." LAURA LA PL ANTE IN "YOUNG IDEAS."

| All tho Brothers "Were Valiant," Irvin illat s great production for Metro, which hoads the new programme at Greater Crystal ce for this weeic. commencing to-day, the motto of a family of seafaring men, tho last 01 which was young Joel Shore. Unl»ko many who had gono before him, who had died bravely and always in sacrifice of someone else's safety, Joel was not sure of his own courage. He was not afraid of danger; } lO v . a3 a f ra i,j }j 0 m ight be afraid, xie had not yet been tested. Joel wonders, t en > the outset of the story, whether it will be written about him, iu the logbook of the _Houso of Shore, "All .the Brothers were A aliant." The story is the proof oi his worthiness of "being included in this proud legend. Realism is one of the things tnat stand out in connexion with the telling of the vivid tale of "All the Brothers were Valiant." For six weeks the entire cast and a veteran crerw lived aboard a whaling achooner in the Pacific Ocean, where many of tho scenes were taken. One week was given over to the pursuit and of a largo whalo, and the result is one of the most remarkable that hag appeared in a drama of any kind. The cast of "All the Brothers were Valiant" ie an all-star one, and includes Billie Dove, Lon Chanov, and Ma.loolm MacGregor. Tho author of tho story is Ben Ames Williams, a writer of fiction of undisputed worth. There will bo a great lesson for "sick people" of a certain typo at Greater Crystal Palace, when "Young Ideas," the Universal feature, starring Laura La PI ante, is shown on' tho new programme. This story is by Sophie Kerr, and was directed by _ Robert F. Hill. Tho heroine is a young girl with old-fashioned ideas, working herself to distraction trying to support and keep house for a bunch of Telatives who don't really appreciate it. There'-s grandmother,, uncle, aunt, kid brother and kid sis. Tho aunt's lino is, "I'm not long for this world." Sis spiels, "I've got a lieadache. Brother, "There's something wrong with me." Uncle, "I ain't felt the same sinco I wae jvith Grant at Appomattox." Grandmother, however, 13 ft good "sport." She protests against the action of the rest of them. If anyone's sick, she is, but she won't say anything -about it. Finally a young man with bright ideas, getting tired of waiting until tho heroine mav have some spare time away from her relatives so that he can court her, sends her out on an assignment—he s her employer—and has a friendly doctor quarantine the house. "What happens to tho relatives. left to starve or work? That is shown in the picture. Needless to say, the relatives don't Etni"*. . Supporting the two big pictures are a very funny Century, comedy tle ewond chanter of the sensational serial .Tho F'rst Express," and tho latest International News to and in conjunction with tho Fcreening of the various motion pictures, the world famous Symphony Orchestra, under the distinguished conductorship or Mr Alfred J. Bunz, will present a magnificent musical programme, which includes the fol"owing classical and popular numbers. Overture, "William Tell" (Rossini); Symphony No. 4" (Beethoven); "Andante Symphonic Espagnole" (LaloV, violin soloist, Miss Gladvs Vincent; Scherzo. "Les Erinnyes" (Massenet); Lilac Time (Schubert-Clutsam); "In. The (Dcppen); "Please Do It Again "Boggahri" (Courtney); "I Wish I Knew (S The C W plan is at The Bristol, or seats may be reserved by telephoning Greater Crystal Palace, number 3758.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. The present hill at Everybody's is drawing big houses. In presenting euch a strong double hill as the Principal Pictures Corpor-. ation's "Bright Lights of and tho First National's big success, "Tho Woman on the Jury," the management is maintaining the high reputation so long enjoyed by this popular motion picture theatre. Everybody's Orchestra, under the able conductorship of Mr W. J. Bellingham by the artistic manner in which it renders the incidental music, creates the necessary atmosphere to enhance the enjoyment of tho Campbell, the director of "Bright Lights of Broadway," has been highly successful in combining a story of strong dramatic interest with a convincing representation of the lure of New York a fai-famed theatrical centre. The cabaret scenes, in which the Beauty Chorus of the New YorJt Hippodrome and the sixteen Tiller girls from the Ziegfeld "Follies" are featured, are brilliant presentations of scenes of gaiety tnat arc noteworthy for the pleasing artistic effects obtained. Doris Kenyon ib charmingly efiectivo as the heroine. Harrison Ford, who personates the young lover, is highly successful, especially i in the .prison scenes when awaiting his execution—a happening that is prevented by the heroine's adroitness in securing a con- , fession of guilt from the villain of the story. ( Lowell J. Sherman, whose work in D. W. Griffith's "Way Down East" will be recalled is Randall Sherrill, the theatrical producer and the villain. To Claire Dolorez falls the part oi Connie King, the musical comedy star, and she gives a finely balanced rendering of the character. The head-on collision of two trains is one of the excellently managed incidents of the story. Clear photography is one of tho outstanding features of this "ig attraction. Sylvia Breamer, that charmmj exponent of emotional characters, and Frank Mayo, the ideal hero of many a pleasurable drama, are featured in "Tho Woman on the Jury." In this film the story toki is one of absorbing interest. It has to do, chiefly, with one of those heartless men whose ono delight is to betray trusting . and loving women. Lew Cody, who is highly popular with lovers of motion pictures, is the callous destroyer of the women who repose their trust in him, and he plays the part with the necessary nonchalance and xealTopical Budget, which rounds off an excellent programme, is noteworthy foir its pictures of the English Derbj.

QUEEN'S THEATRE. "THE SPEEJACKS." "THE GIRL I LOVED." A bright programme will be screened at tha Queen's Theatre to-day. This newchange oont&in a two big features, as well ■as a splendid collection of supporting subjects. "Around tho World in the Speejacks" is the title of the outstanding feature and is tho experiences of a tour round the world bv a honeymoon couplo looking for adventure. Tho Spec jacks is a 98-foot motortcat In this 6 mall craft Mr and Mrs Gowan of New York, made the trip and visited all rarts of the world, induing tho principal Groups of islands in the South Seas, Samoa, Fiji Solomon Islands, New Guinea, Marquesas Islands, Society and Marshall Islands. Much of the picture deals with the lite in Northern Australia and is extremely interesting. This picture should not be confused with a tiavel p.cture. It is the personal narrative of a complete tour oi world, and &hows rnviy thrilling scenes and adventures. Many times the email boat w*s almost wrecked during severe ston». The picture is a Paramount one. and the cameraman was formerly Burton Holmes's chief Ca Thr?eoond attraction will be "Tlio Girl T Loved." a United Artiste production leaCharles Ray and Patsy Ruth Miller This Is a splendid ptcry oi two young people. The settings are claimed to be the most attractive ever seen in motion pictures, and it is said that Charloa Ray has never appeared in a better picture. The supporting programme is headed by "Be Yourself," a Christie oomedy. Theu there is an interestin" Burton Holmes Travelogue and the latest Paramount Gazette. A splendid procrammo of incidental music will be rendered Queen'e Orchestra, under the direction of Mr H. G. Glaysher.

LIBERTY THEATRE. j "SAFETY LAST." SEVEN REELS OF THRILLS. If a more sensational film than "Safety Last" has been produced, it has yet to make its appearance in Ckrietehureli. This j 1 at least was the opinion expressed by the largo attendance which saw the picture at tie Liberty Theatre on Saturday. Harold Lloyd, he of the innocent countenance and horn-rimmed spectacles, has the leading port, and it is difficult to imagine anyone else taking it with such grcat Buccess. "Safety Last" is the story of ft young man who gets a position in a drapery establishment (a dry goods emporium, as it is called in America), which is situated m the sky-scraper area of a, big city. Lloyd has numerous opportunities to show his penchant for comedy work in the establishment, which is run on very strict linos J y a harsh management. That does not, however, prevent him from playing tricks on the staff, and from even going so far as j to take for v time the part of the manager himself, this having been forced on him | through his having told his friends that such was his position. Up to this staga there is sufficient comedy to eerve the purposo of anv ordinary film of its clae®, but j when the shop assistant is told that » 6ub- | stantial reward awaits the man who fan i attract huge crowds to the establishment the fun starts in earnest. Lloyd informs the management that he is prepared to stage a | stunt involving climbing up tho eide of a twelve-storeyed building. The _ news, of course, spreading all over the city, is _tho ( means of drawing to the eceno an enormous concourse of people, including a policeman, who is determined that the stunt shall not take place. Hero i 6 the first obstacle. However, it is soon got over, and Lloyd starts on his perilous climb, the idea being | that a substitute will complete it after Lloyd has clambered up as far as the first i floor. But tho policeman, wild at being , unable to prevent Lloyd from his purpose, I goes inside tlio building and Iras a merry j time chasing the substitute, who manages , to shout a. word of enoouragement to Lloyd, j telling him that at the nest floor he (tho | substitute) will be able to relieve him. j Such, however, is not to be, and poor Lloyd has to continue his climb until ho gets at | last to the top of tSie building. His pro- j grees is slow. First of all a number of pigeons nearly cause him to lose his bold j and plunge among the excited spectators below; then a rat getting -up the leg of his trousers worries him. Numerous other ob- . stacles come in his way, and_ every few momenta it appears that he will fall, but ho always manages to recover his balance at' the psychological moment, and although these watching the film are convulsed with laughter at the comedian's antics, it is with a sio-h of relief that they see him safely on the flat roof of the building. The picture would lost a lot of its fascination- if it were a fake. That it is genuine is proved by the sight of tho moving traffic at tho foot of tho building, and a number of other convincing details. "Safety Last" is a picture that should not bo missed. Tho big supporting film is "My Old Kentucky Home," which contains k great horse raco as ono of \ta leading features. Such pictures are always assured of a good reception in Christchurch, and as "My Old Kentucky Home" is one of tlio best of its kind seen here its popularity ifi assured. Monta Blue takes a leading role in tho film. , The Liberty Quality Orchestra, under Mr Howard Moody, provides this week very fine programme of music, at all times appropriate and always subservient to the picture it accompanies. The Liberty Orchestra is usually first with the latest in regard to fox-trots, and this week they introduce "Shake Your Feet" (Furlay) andj'ln the Garden of To-morrow" (Depper). Durlug tlio screening of "My Old Kentucky Home" sv selection of most of tho wellknown plantation airs is played, which, fits in well with the picture. Tho management have just installed a* fine Broadwood table grand piano, the. magnificent tone of which gives splendid body to the orchestra, and enables Mr Moody to show his artistry as a polo pianist. Other numbers are: Musical comedy, "Going Up" (Hirsch), ' Cabaret Girl" (Kern); ballet, "La Source (Delib es); symphony, "Military" (Haydn); piano solo, "Polonaise" (Mozskowski).