AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18332, 16 March 1925, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS.

PICTURE HOUSES.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. ucHBISTINE OF THE HUNGRY HEART." -CLASSMATES," STARRING RICHARD L. • BARTHELMESS. i "ill-Star Cast" has become a much-abused k jj se in the motion-picture world. It is fully \-- J jjjtified, however, in describing Thomas if. laee'«' new production, "Christine of the ' gnagry Heart," a First National picture, * is to bo the main attraction at Every- | body's Theatre ail this week, commencing I ' »t the matinee to-day. The pisturisation of Kathleen Norris'g Sen- : novel calls for four leading men ' 'and » leading woman. Mr Ince, with f , usual generosity, has supplied a cast 1 af.et»rs that promise, through their sympai ihilic handling of this intensely emotional • ffbcitf, one of the truly fine pictures of the ' je»r. Christine, played with sympathy and F oiderstanding, by beautiful Florence Vidor, jj 4 woman who, like all normal women, envoi the love of a husband. She is first «tdded to Stuart Knight, dissolute, unfaithful, a patron of gay places and oom- . pinion of gayer playmates. This profligate Jolg is ably taken by Warner Baxter, an , "find." Her second husband is Dr. Alra Montegle, famous scientist, who loves Jiii wife but neglects her for his profession. Cliva Brook came all the way from £ondon, where he has been a successful itpg and screen star, to play this part. " I*n Keith, a stage favourite, was brought . from New York to portray the part of 1 ' Irtn,Yianney, the writer who takes Christine from her husband on the long journey to South America. The fourth male «t»r is Walter Hiers, the fat and jolly / filter, but in a more serious role than is ill.custom— that of the sympathetic brother . of Christine. In Addition to this galaxy of stars are iiillian Lawrence, cast as Mrs. Knight, Christine's mother, and wee Dorothy Brock • m "Jelly," Christine's son. In the hands of this excellent cast the Norris story has suffered in the least. Each dramatic idtaation is interpreted in a virile and convincing manner. The plight of the beantiftl Christine, • married first to a drunkard, {heh to a. cold scientist absorbed in his . lfork. finally fleeing with her child and "■'.'lot lover to South America, only to lose tie boy upon landing—seeing the happiness A# sought slipping from her grasp at the TOiy moment of its realisation—these afford Vidor the fullest Tange for her re- ' njttkable artistry, and she makes the most' flfHheni. ; -Christine of the Hungry Heart" will intiifest women—and men. For it touches intimately the problems of daily life and is . % log-book of one woman's emotions under . : ttrna of the most trying situations. ''"Classmates," Richard Barthelmess's new A jirst. National picture, which will be the attraction, is {lie first film produclion ever to Ijave' the official sanction and r; r«d of West Point military officials. The Jploture; adapted from the stage play, is based upon life at "West Point. Dick Barthelmess and bis "company of ' ■ film players actuallv lived under military discipline at West "Point nearly a, month ft daring the filming of "Classmates. It depicts' a 'story of life' at the famous Govern- ■ Bent school. Supporting Dick Barthelmess are several Wy prominent screen and stage "'—ere, includ- | ■■> in? Charlotte Walker. Madge Evans, Claude Brooke, Reginald Stafford and others. The musical programme to bo given by IVr'.'Wlv'a Select und"* the , - eonductorship of Mr W. J, Be'lingham, ■■; F.S.M., is very strong. Among the items we the following:— .■ '' " Overture, "Carmen, (Bizet); opera, ' ■>' "TftTinhwii-er" (Wftffner): svmnhonv, "Oxf„ra» rHavdn): suite. "OtMlo" (Co'eridsreTaylor); ballet music, "Etienne fgfliTit.etaens^: entr'acte. "I Love iou' slfirSrcher); selections, "Polly" (Austin): forV: / 'trot songs "Please Do It Again" (GershEf ''win), "Listen to Me" (Saunders). _ v.V : Seats may, as usual, be reserved at -The plf Bristol or at the theatre.

QUEEN'S THEATRE. i jfV "OH," YOU TONY" r'Alfi) "BEAUTIFUL BRITAIN.'.' The.new programme to be screened at the, Queen's■ Theatre to-day is headed by the i'ox .production, "Oh, You Tony." This picture is claimed to he the picture that - the popular star, Tom s(s'Vlx, has oa yet appeared in. The wonder Tony, has >the part next to Tom, and [ /} well-trained horse he- is. Not only does he | vperform many tricks, but in a big race is the only one to finish, all the other ; ,\ torses having fallen at the various fences. '■" Oh, You Tony," concerns the tribulations ( of a Westerner who acquires the polish of etiquette in New York society.. It is here that he. is robbed of the proceeds of the itle of his ranch. Later, with the aid of a young girl whom he has saved from a band 'i' of crooks, he is able to regain some of his * i lost money, and the two decide that the open spaces are best, and therefore buy another ranch. . Claire' Adams has the part •••' of the leading lady, and Dolores Rousse «.»hlnes equally bright as a fair adventuress. 7 This picture is just about as speedy as a ' picture can be, and not run . off the track. The next attraction is "Beautiful Brit- , tin." This film should be a source of in- * (traction to thdse who halve' not visited the , Old Country, and awaken pleasant memories in the minds of those who have. London, the wonder city, is so depicted as to enhance the glory it has gained in the history ot our. Empire. The spectator is taken WnaJ his Mecca of the English race, and . ihowa such well-known buildings as the \, Sank of England, and all other buildings of ' importance, including St. Paul's Cathedral, tt which there is so much talk'at .present. "> 1 Then Stratford-on-Avon is visited, and - here It,this shrine of all lovers of literature are /ihown the famous Henry street, the> room in -which the immortal Shakespeare was' l '' J s botn, his memorial and monument, and other rg.j things of interest connected with the great vjfjoet. Splendid supporting subjects will bo '*fr tttowDj including educational, copedy,- and ;*.A .Vtpieal subjects. Incidental music will be f f ? Pl*yed by the Queen's orchestra. ■

GREATER CRYSTAL PALACE. LAURA LA PLANTE IN "BUTTERFLY." ALL STAR CAST IN "PASSIONS OP THE NORTH." Kathleen Norm's famous novel, "Butterfly," has been converted to the screen with remarkable fidelity in the Clarence Brown Universal-Jewel picturisation of the story, which heads the new programme at Greater Crystal Palaco for this week, commencing to-day. To these who enjoyed the novel the picture will nndonbtedly be received with enthusiasm. Its action is clear cut, and well defined, and the direction smooth and carefully balanced. The cast has been chosen with extreme care in the matter of reflecting the story characters. Laura La Plante handles the titlo role with the finesse of a veteran "stager," and proving that comedy is a great field of training for dramatic acting. Ruth Clifford, as her older sister, carries the role of sisterly selfsacrifice with conviction and surety of poise, without doubt the greatest piece of acting she has ever registered in a film play. Norman Kerry, as Kronski, the violinist, looks and acts like a violinist, a real feat for the gay and athletic Norman of other pictures. Although these three players carry the weight of the story, other members of the cast in roles of lesser importance contribute greatly to the value of the picture by their excellent performance. The remaining five major characters are portrayed by Kenneth Harlan, Cesare Oravina, ilr.rgari"t Livingston, T. Roy Barnes, and Freeman Wood The strength of the picture lies in its simplicity. It is more like a human document than a carefully arranged plioto-play production, a real triumph of direction for Clarence Brown.

"Passions of the North," a Selznick feature, is the Becond big picture on the new programme. It is not as might be imagined a story of Alaska, but has for its location the northern parts of China and Tibet. Wonderful accuracy marks the representation of tliis little known portion of the world, with its blizzsrd-sivept plateaux, herds of yak. and native population. For miles, as far as tho eye can see, stretch wastes of snow, interposed here and there by towering peaks capped with a white mantle. Below the mountains lies a Chineso village, which is also remarkable for its faithfulness of detail, even to tho employment of scorns of genuine Chinese, who lend a colourful atmosphere to tho film. The story, which is highly dramatic, deals with a race between the representatives of rival companies to be the first to reach the newlydiscovered' copper field. One of the competitors is of such a nature that he stoops at nothing, not even tho taking of life, to secure success, and the manner in which his scheming and devilry are finally defeated is admirably portrayed by an all-star cast of exceptional merit. The big part, enacted by a genuine Chinaman, is not the least interesting item in this intensely dramatic picture. Besides the two main pictures there is a very funny Century comedy, entitled "Sweet Dreams," in which Wanda Wiley is the staT plnyer, and the latest International news film. Incidental to and in conjunction with the screening of the various motion pictures, the world-famous Symphony Orchestra, under the distinguished eonductorship of Mr Alfred J. Bunz, will present a magnificent musical programme, which includes the following Classical and popular numbers:—Overture, "Thu Bohemian Girl" (Balfe); "Symphony No. 7, Allegro Con Brio" (Beethoven); "Madame Butterfly" (Puccini): "Serenade Eepagnole" (Glazonnow); "Peer Gynt Suite No. 2" (Greig;; "Norwegian Danpcs" (Grieg); "Within tho Walls of China" (Lively); "Chu Ohin Chow" (Norton); "Butterfly" (Bendix); 'cello solo, "Berceuse de Jocelyn " (Godard), soloist Mr Francis Bate. The box plan is at The Bristol, or seats may be reserved by telephoning Greater Crystal Palace, number 3758.

grand theatre. CHAMBER MUSIC AND FILMS. With commendable enterprise, the management of the Grand Theatre has included chamber music at the evening screening of the programmes of motion pictures. This departure will undoubtedly prove pqpular with music-lovera as well as with those who delight in pictures. The new feature was introduced at Saturday's presentations of the ney programme of pictures, and was most appreciatively received by the large audiences present. The orchestra consists of such well-known instrumentalists as Mrs Harold Beck (Miss Irene Moms), and Miss Florence Millar (violins); Mr Harold Beck ('cello); Mr Joseph Mercer (viola); and Mibs A. Aitken (piano). The items submitted, which were played with much artistry, included overture, "London Scottish" entr'acte, "Berceuse de Jocelyn" (Godard); string .quartette, "Air and Varia* tions, Op. 18, No, 5" .(Beethoven); "Londonderry Airs'* (Frank Bridge); . "Moment Musical" (Schubert); and trio for violin, 'cello, and piano, No. 1 (Mendelssohn). Selections from "La Boheme" (Puccini), and "Le Cid" (Massenet), and several popular fox trots, were also given very successfully Judging by the recepti<*n given by Saturday*s audience, the innovation will add to the already great popularity of the Grand Theatre. .Heading the motion-picture programme was Paramount's finely produced "Lily of the Dust," featuring that charming, captivating, and magnetic screen star, Pola Negri, in a character that gives great scope for her great powers of emotional acting. Founded on the novel and stage play, "The Song of Songa," the story as it unfolds itself in the screen version, is one of great human interest, and has as its theme that romantic quest of every woman for her ideal lover. Lily is a-hunger for love, and ia unhappy in her surroundings when the man who seems to fill the void in her heart—a dashing young military. officer—enters • her life. There are striking and amusing scenea in the mess of the Teutonic regitnent to wliich he belongs, and humorous touches when the whole of the officers' mess develop a great thirst for knowledge due to the fact that Lily is engaged as an attendant in a lending library. The current of true love, however, turns awry. Lily marries the elderly oolonel, is discovered by him in a compromising situation with her lover, there is a duel in which her lover is severely wounded, and, thinking him dead, Lily becomes entangled with a rich young artist. Her lovers wounds heal, but in the meantime Lily has become more deeply involved in her affair with the artist, and her dreams of happiness with her . soldier lover fade and perish. The film is produced on a magr.ificent scale, and ►he acting of Pola who is supported by such capable artists as Ben Lvon, Noa)h Beery, Raymond: Griffith, is"finished and convincing. A travelogue, a Gazette,, and the comedy, "The Line's Busy," complete an exceedingly interesting and entertaining programme which will be submitted for the rest of this week.

STRAND THEATRE.

an excellent programme. "The Governor's Lady," the screen version of David .Belasco's stage success of the same name, was presented at the Strand Theatre on Saturday to good attendances. The leading parts are taken by Robert Haines, Jane Grey, Leslie Austen, and Ann Luther. It tells of the rise of a man, helped by his wife, to fame. At the pinnacle of his success he turns to another woman, but is weaned from his new fancy, and all' ends as it should do. Jack Hoxie. in "'The Western Wallop, is shown in support. Because of his part in preventing a break from a penitentiary road camp, Bart Tullison, convicted of manuluuehter on circumstantial evidence, »s eranted a parole. He gets a job as foreman of the ranch owned by James Stillwell, after he had prevented the daughter, Anita Stillwell, from being robbed by a bandit who held up the stage on which the two were riding. As foreman of the ranch, Bart discovers there is a plot to steal cattle, also a plot on the part of Jim Bradshaw, another cattleman to. make the girl his wife. For a time tho girl believes Bart a coward because he refuses to violate his parole and cross the State line not far from the range. After numerous thrilling' fiehts and when it appears that his enemies have accomplished his complete downfall, there comes a development that proves him not only a brave man, but innocent of the crime for which he was convicted. "The Iron Man" (Ep. 10) and a Topical News are also shown.