AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18400, 5 June 1925, Page 14

AMUSEMENTS.

PICTUBE HOUSES. LIBERTY THEATRE. Splendid moving pictures, songj by a fronted soprano, and sood orchestral music combine to make this week's programme at the Liberty Theatre most enjoyable. The outstanding attraction is a picture version of the notable musical comedy, "Going Up," which features one of the screen's best comedians, Douglas Mac Lean. Miss Phyllis Maseey, the popular »w Zealand soprano, makes a first, appearance in Xcw Zealand since her return from Australia after an absence o: three years. "THE MYSTETiV OF A HANSOM CAB." "OX THE BANKS OF THE WABASH. '

New Zealanders will be more than usually interested in "The Mystery of a Hansom Cab," which is to be screened at the Liberty Theatre to-morrow, as the story is the work of an old Diincdm boy. There arc many people in the Dominion who remember Hume when he was an articled clerk in a H-011-knoart solicitor's office almost forty years ago, and very few (if any) of them o\er dreamt that lie would be responsible for the literary sensation of the day, as it proved to be. Since then this dramatic story has been among the world's best 3el!ers, and even to-day the book is being read by thousands all over the world. When the pic-' turc was commenced tho demand was so Kreat in Australia that the Pyramid Picture Company arranged with the publishers to print another edition of the book, which, has since been practically sold out. AVith this groat Bubject for his picture production, and a strong financial backing, Arthur Shirley had no difficulty in making a great picture. Tho total cost was just cm. £IO,OOO, which is a record so far as Australian production is, concerned, but tho results have justified it. Everywhere the picture is receiving great praiso and being screened to packed houses. Arthur Shirley, in addition to producing the picture, plays the principal character, and is supported by a very strong cast, including Miss Grace Glover, Messrs Sydney Stirling, Godfrey Cass, Carleton Stuart, Roland Stavcly, and Miss Cora Warner, who, as Mother Guttersnipe, the gih-soddon soak of the slums, gives one of the most wonderful characterisations seen on the screen. In fact, it would be safe to say that seldom has there been seen on the screen such a great performance as hers. Tho mountings are all elaborate, while the photography is excellent.

The second tig feature on tho programme, "On tho Banks of the Wabash," is a picture of truly universal appeal. It has all the quaint, delightful atmosphere of a sleepy Tillage, and is as refreshing as a vacation. Tho storm, flood, and explosion scenes gtvo the action to the production. They we'© fumed with great 'caro and attention to detail, and no expense was spared to make them realistic. Contrasted with these scenes of village life and tragedy are the ultra modern sequences of life in a, largo city, with gorgeous settings. Here tho women have ample opportunities to wear gowns that offer strong appeal to the fair sex. Tho enst includes Mary Carr, Madge Evans, Mary McLaren, Burr Mcintosh, James Morrison, Lumeden Hare, George Neville. There is also an excellent supporting programme. Intending patrons are strongly urged to book their scats at The Bristol Piano Co., or ling Liberty {Theatre, 2366. GRAND THEATRE. "Bigger and better than 'The Covered Waggon'," is how "North of 36" hag been described by competent critics. Eineryone who remembers the epic success of ''The Covered Waggon" will appreciate the boldness of that claim, "but it is fairly safe to say that after they have seen its successor, they will hold it justified. Johnny Hines, one of the merriest comedians on the screen, has a role that was ovidently made for him in a bubbling comedy, "Little Johnny Jones." • "THE CITY THAT NEVEiR SLEEPS" AND "GOING Tip."

One of the most thrilling and unusual stories pf New Yori and its pleasure palaces is told in tho James Cruze production of "The City That Never Sleeps," which is the principal attraction at the Grand Theatre to-morrow. It is from, a story by Le Hoy Scott, and tells of a mothers sacrifice for her daughter's future, and later deals with her efforts to protect the girl, who does not know hex, from tho wiles of a fortune-hunting rascal. Louise Dresser is featured in the leading feminine role of Mother O'Day, whose Bowery Cafe, as * result of prohibition, becomes one of the most popular cabarets of New York's night life. She decides that the cafe is no place for her baby daughter,, and arranges for the child to be adopted by an impoverished though socially-accepted Fifth avenue widow. Years pass, and the girl, Molly Kendall (Virginia Lee Cobb), is a member of the jazzcrazy, cigarette-smoking younger set, and the mother who believed that her daughter was being reared' in surroundings of refinement in shocked to see her in, her own cafe. Furthermore, the girl has hecome engaged' to a man whom the. mother regards as an unscrupulous fortune hunter. The picture itself reveals the adroitness and subterfuge of tho mother to save her daughter, which she eventually does. The cast also includes Kathlyn Williams, Kicardo Cortez, and Pierro Gendron. The second attraction is the film version of the successful stage play, "Going Up," featuring Douglas Mac Lean. Never ( Was there Buch an "ace." It is said while "Going Up" has one laughing until tho tears courso down tho cheeks, the heart thrills at the love story that rides high and far ori the plain of romance. As the famous author of tho popular book on flying, MacLoan makes the role of Robert Street unusually vibrant and impressionable. He falls in lovo with Grace Doughy charmingly portrayed by Marjorie Daw, an American film favourite, and in order to win her heart and hand must fly a match against tho peer .of all French aviators, Jules Gaillard. Though Street can write learnedly about flying, he is far from being at home in the air. Yet love is too strong to keep him down and so up he goes to dizzy heights, performs astounding and amazing stunts with his machine and makes Gaillard, played by Francis McDonald, look like ft deuce instead of an ace. A Gazette and comedy will complete the picture programme, which will be accompanied bv apnropriate musical items by the Grand O'rchestra, under Mr Harold Beck. Scats mar be reserved at The Bristol or Grand, 'phone 2934. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE.

"Unguarded "Women," a captivating Story, with an all-star, cast, is the headline j. Mystery, excitement, dash, and speed are all thrown together in "Bod Lights," a thrilling First National picture, which rivals "Unguarded Women" for pride of place on tho bill. "Bed Lights" proved last night to be one of tho fastest things of its kind yet seen at Everybody' 3. QUEEN'S THEATRE. Sensational thrills are packed in "Canyon of the Fools," featuring Harry Carey. "Daughters of the Night" is the latest special produced by Fox, and it is an enthralling mystery play. It is a most thrilling and exciting story of the telephone service in one o£ the big cities of America. The sirpporting programme includes a clever comedy, an educational, and the latest Gazette. Incidental music is played, by the Queen's Orchestra, under the direction of Mr H. Ellwood. '. GREATER CRYSTAL PALACE. Two big features are provided on th'S week's bill at 'Greater Crystal Palace. The 6iUy, irresponsible cackling of village gossips, and the trouble and vexation they cause, have been used by Universal Studios with dramatic effect to make a gripping picture story, with the title "The Slanderers." "Free Air" is a Selznick feature. It is an adaptation from the Sinclair Lewis story of the same name, which ran serially in tho Saturday "Evening Post."