AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18309, 17 February 1925, Page 9

AMUSEMENTS.

GREATER CRYSTAL PALACE.

PICTURE HOUSES.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE.

A TOP-NOTCH" PROGRAMME,

SUNDOWN" ANT) "THE TRUTHFUL LIAR."

Everybody ? Theatre was crowded last night, when Mr Harry "Waters, the.-popular manager, presented a top-notch programme of motion pictures.

Sundown, a First National production, is the headiiner on the new bill. It is a picture with an unusual theme—% page from current history in the U.S.A., depicting the story of the tremendous munition of the big cattle owners, practically forced, out of that country away into Northern Mexico, as a* result of tho advance of cultivation and civilisation. They were driven, fiom their broad ranges in exactly tho same way sis tho Redskins were driven from tho rrairie. The story tolls of the conquest of the vast "West—tho ris* and falL of the oaitle kings, theiT loves and their hates. It shows the pipjutic drivoof 100,000 cattle across tho Texan border. Ifc is an epoch of cowboy life that is compelling, fascinating, and hair-raising. Among the big scene 3 are a stampede, tho fording, of a. flooded riser, a.nd the loss of hundreds of cattle swept over the falls by the rushing, swirling torrent; the burning of & PeW lemenf; of ranchers and co w-p er» and their «3capo threatened alike by flood and fire. It, show* tho fajnily and the shooting of men and women in cold blood. Never before havg such resources ocen placed at the disposal of a director, and never before have such complete plans been made for securing,, every detail of action that would enhance the picture and thrill the audience. Beginning with tho unfenced ranges, "Sundown" shows tie gradual encroachment of civilisation on the cattlemen, with herds to feed, and the barbed wiro entanglements of civilisation ■blocking the advance of hundreds of starving animals. Those sterling actors, Hob art Bosworth and Ror Stewart portray the leading male roles, while beautiful Bessie Lovo is the leading lady in this film, which ib easily the best of its kind since the scroening of that epic of tho screen, "The Covered "Waggon." "The Truthful Liar," a. Real art production, featuring versatile and winßome "Wanda Hawlev, is the second big attraction. Should a woman lie to save her husband? is the theme of this very entertaining picture. In this caso the wife, a frivolous young newly-wed, was desirous of seeing fa«t life, and while her husband buried himself at night in his work she visited fasbionablo places of questionable. repute along Broadway, where things moved quickly. Everything went well until one night, while she was in a gambling house, n man was murdered, ttnd then the trouble began. desirables from New York's underworld, who had a. "big say" in this particular gambling house, threatened her with blackmail, and- she had a serious -problem to face, but she roso to tho occasion, but lied to her husband, to'save his happiness. "What follows is too rich to be betrayed in a review. . , Everybody's "Select" Orchestra played a delightful musical programme. The entracto was the popular piece, "Say It with a. ITkalele." The principal numbers played during tho screening of /'Sundown were "Genevieve de Brabant" (Offenbach). Tho Romantic Overture (Keler Bela), and The Comedv Overture." Other numbers played included Mozart's complete Symphony in C ' 'Air de Bal let," "From _a. Country Side, "Three Songs from Eliland, selections from the opera "Arivanc (Massenet), and "Lakino" (Delibes). ■

QUEEN'S THEATRE. ERNEST TRUEX IN "SIX ■ CYLINDER LOVE." "THE RIF TIDE." -An entertaining programme, waa, enjoyed by hundreds of ■ patrons at • • the Queen s Theatre yesterday, when" it was presented for tire first . time. As uaual, there are . two attractive feature films on the bill, and the supporting programme is 1 exceptionally ; brilliant. Thrills abound in a sparkling comedydramia "Six Cylinder Love,'/- while .no. moxe. powerful - drama. than "Tho Rip Tide' : has been produced. Besides the. pictures the splendid musical score played by the 'Queens Superb Orchestra is worth going to hear. • Tho Fox Corporation presents - the ; finest comedy-drama in years in "Six-Cylinder Love," an adaptation of the play that has "had such a phenomenal run in the United: States. It is a rib-tickling, side-splitting riot of mirth, that abounds with ..thrills and hair-raising "stunts." It is claimed, to be tho biggest stage success in years, and it is expected that the picture . version will be just as popular, if not more so. The plav has been transferred bodily to ■ the ■ screen, with only slight elaboration due tothe greater possibilities of , the screen :for atmospheric effect', and with the necessary curtailment of- some of - the lines. "SixCylinder Love" is -i oomody through .which there is an. undercurrent of seriousness. It has a story which gets away from the beaten track. Although there is a preponderance of comedy element, there •is no; dearth of drama, which is brought out in effective relief against the comedy background, making it more intense. The theme of the picture deals with' newly weds * who have a very small income, but buy an ' expensive car to start with. How they, manage to get along is admirably told in the film. Ernest True* heads a fine cast. ■ - Dramatic incident and big situations make "The Rip Tide" a picture to be remembered. The "Moving Picture "World" claims that it is one. of the best pictures of the year: Stuart Barnes and- Rosemary Theby are featured oyer- a strong cast. Many, wonderful scenes of Eastern palaces we seen in the picture, -as well as ' many fashionable homes. The supporting programme includes a Sunshine oomedy, the latest Fox.News,: and an educational entitled "Feathered Fishermen." Incidental music will be played .by the Queen's. Orchestra.

LIBERTY THEATRE. Pictures of prime : quality are at the Liberty Theatre this week. P»d . Thomson .ie a top-line,- in Western dramas. 'He is a good-looking, tear lens rider, and can' act without a traco of crudeness, And he has a well-trained horse id Silver King to help him through. All these assets assist him in "The Silent Stranger," a typical "Western picture, which is tho headiiner on the current bill. The film is without-a new idea, but is continually interesting. "Shattered Idols," a Master Picture, is tho' second attraction on this week's bill. . The story • of the production', has been adapted ' from the novel by I." A. R. "Wylie, entitled "The Daughter of Brahma.".. It. is a :very spectacular and interesting production, the majority of the scenes -being taken in India. Tho plot involves the superstitions of the natives and the thrilling rescue of a lovely maiden who been chosen as of the' mysterious deity of cult worship. "No "Noise,'' nn- hilarious "Our Gang"- comedy, and a Topical Budget, complete the programme. The Liberty Quality Orchestra makes the most of an excellent' opportunity of-playing Oriental music for-the. first; big picture.

GRAND THEATRE. "The Ten Commandments," t-aid to bo tho achievement of the year in motion pictures," is being screened at tho Grand Theatre. Tbe acting in this groat picture is good throughout, but it is ~ more than good in 'he first parts,-which are given up to the old story of the Israelites in Egypt, the flight from Pharaoh, tho pursuit- by Pharaoh's army.-.-(he incident in the. .Red Sea, the worship cf the golden calf, and scenes on Mount'- Sinai, when Moees receives the' Commandments. It is all highly coloured. At the same time, it is presented with much of tie direct simplicity "that characterises tho first books of the Old Testae ment. Moat of the - explanatory- letterpress qu the screen, : in fact, are paragraphs from F*odus. Deuteronomy, and" Numbers, and inc. incidents'fit. them perfectly.' Colour photography ■ has been used in several places-with, wonderful effect. This is notable'when the Israelites, with their flocks and herd3,-their goods and chattels, stifle out over the sands to d«part from the land of bondage." ...

"THE FAST. WORKER." ■ REGINALD BENNY'S" LATEST ROLE. Reginald Denny, is the,star of the.big attraction at Greater Crystal Palace this ■week, and that announcement alone should be sufficient to impress intending patrons that the new bill at the popular picturo house is entire!;; worth while. Denny is a certain source of attraction to movie lovers, and ho thoroughly deserves to be, for he i 3 cue of the few romantic loads who appeals to both 6eies in any audience. The ladies find him an ideal actor in the role ot the lover, and the men like him because ho appeals to . them as being "100 per cent, male," and not a'"parlour sheik'' as our American - friends so aptly dub a certain type of man. who is fairly represented by screen actors, and by persons in other walks of .life. Denny first sprang to fame ou the screen because of his athletic prowess. Ho. wa3 ». stax performer in college athletics in' one of the. States, boxing being his- long wit. Endowed also with an exceptionally- good appearance—his is what the lady novelists term the "Grecian" typo of male beauty—an astute film director paw in him possibilities of stardom. He was featured' "in a' -series of pictures calling for a display of his fine figure and his pugilistic abilities, and immediately caught on with the great film public. Then followed a variety of work, ranging from "heavy' parts to romantic leads. Ho proved himself a really good "st-raigiit" actor in 6Uch plays as "The Brute." but., probably becatiso the light and entertaining type of picture has the biggest vogue, he has since been starred 111 the romantio-a/dventurous class of[phot<v play. In this class were "Sporting louui, and "The Reckless Age," and in thoso pictures Denny undoubtedly made good—so much eo • that to-day he appears to have won his way to .the place once held bv the popular idol, Wallaco Reid. "Tho ?°. 8 j Worker" is just such a film as one could wish for Reginald Denny to star in, after seeing him in "Sporting Youth' and others of. that type. The story is adapted from the novel "The Husbands of Edith, by George Barr -McCutcheon. Those who remember "Brewster's Millions" will realise that the author is. the one person to write a successful play worthy of such a. title as "The Fast Worker," and after, seeing the picture one has to admit that Denny is the ideal, actor for the principal role. There art) big scenes in plenty, fult of life and gaiety, and the young man pursues his courtship with such vigour and cheerfulness and withal such sincerity, that every lady in the audience finds it easy ■to understand why he is so successful. He is put in the unenviable position- of having to pose as the husband of,his best fjiend's wife—this statement is as complicated as tho situation —and he has a hectic time in trying to maintain the bluff and remain loyal to his friends. The situations arouse gusts of laughter, and one is only sorry that there must be au end to such delightful nonsense .is the film produces. Laura La Plante plays opposite the star, and sho Buits her role admirably, while each member of the supporting cast is good. Patrons will find it a long time since they have had a better laugh. j( A dramatic photoplay, "Pagan Passions, ftujlt on - the theme that "East is East.,' fills the second position on the programme. The plot of this picture is particularly powerful, 1 and the production is excellent. Throughout there is a. touch of realism which transfer the "audience for the time being to tho Orient. The acting of Rosemary Theby is outstandingly good. The™ are several good supporting subjects on tho bill. ! The overture from "Sally" was the opening number by the Symphony Orchestra. This and- other "Sally" pieties were greatly appreciated. Tho "Nell Guy" dances were nlayed with taste. In the suito "La Faranuole," the opening solo by the cello was played with breadth, and the answering passage for woodwind received a vivacious treatment. During the . screening of the Chinese picture ' the orchestra . played a beautiful andante from a suite of Razigardo in which, the violin solo was excellently played bv Miss Vincent. ""Within the Walls_of China'- provided some beautiful music. '.The ■Perfect Day" was nicely played as a cornet polo bv Mr S. Williams, and '"The Rosary was played as a solo attractively by violin and cornet. . A new fantasia. (Poret) "Lo Manage do Pierrot" was played. for the Srst time. This owns in a staccato manner, and Has an exceedingly pretty waits. The entr'acte, "Why Did I KSsft That Girl ? proved very popular, and was redemanded several times. The attention to detail in this smart.pie» was perfect.

STRAND THEATRE. "The TVolf Maii," with .ToJin Gilbert, is a splendid' story which tells of ai ' young Englishman who is a 'gentleman until lie is drunk. Then- he" becomes a beast. The trail of tragedy takes him into the timber country in Northern Quebec, and. there', after fighting , his weakness for a year, he eventually becomes his own master, and wins the girl of his. choice. ' It is a dashing romance with • a -strong moral. The dual natures of a man essentially good, but whose most primitive- passions rule him when he is under the infljenco of drink, are portrayed in the' story which was written by ■ Frederick and 1 -Fanny Hattoij. The picture was directed by 'Edmund Mortimer, "m the role of the- Honourable . Gerald Stunley, of London, Gilbert starts; fighting with the opening of the picture. Richard Talmadgo in "On Time," "The Iron Man (Episode 7), and "Vet and "Weary (A 1 St. John Comedy), complet« a good bill.