AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18526, 30 October 1925, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS.

PICTURE HOUSES. LIBERTY THEATRE. The popular Jackie Coogan has the title role in "Little Robinson Crusoe," that of a tinj" Kobinson Crusoe shipwrecked alone, and forlorn on a desert island. A thrilling story of rum-running adventure on the coast of the United States is "The Lighthouse bv !.. c , ''"'J.' featuring Louise J-'azenda and j L er ' j' an '' and also lh « splendid aos liinTin-Tin. "IHY NAME IS "WOMAN" AND "THE BELOVED BKUTE." _ Commcncin™ to-morrow at the Liberty Ilieatrc another programme to suit jui tastes -.\iil Lc presented, embracing tense romance on the one hand, and meiodr&ma on the other. "Thy Xarnc is Woman" is the title of the principal attraction. This story unfolded on the scree:i dealt largely with the love of a \oung soldier lor the young, childless wife of un old man, and with her leve 'or the youth. Director Fred Niblo has in this wonderful pioduction taken a dramatic story of old Spain and transferred it to the scrten as adeptly and with as keen an appreciation of drama and beauty as could any director in the movie world. Working with very capable artists, he haa tinned out cnc of the most artistic motion pictures Fecn for a long time—a. picture th::'. crcatc3 unforgettable interest. Witn regard to the scenic part of it, it is as near perfection as it is possible to achieve. Both the exteriors and tho interiors are wonderful. Brilliant southern skies, the intoxicating scent of flaming flowers, the alluring strains of the Tarantella, the madness of ccstlv scarlet wine, the tolling bells, of majestic cathedrals, the crowded, colourful sheets, tho dark mystery of craggy mountains, brave," proud, reckless men, fierce smouldering p'-"', and counter-plot—-all thts and a thousand and one other memorable incidents sre shown in "Thy Name is Worn&n." Ramon ,Ncvarro, William "\ . Mor.g, and Barbara La Marr supply a vivid performance Tho supporting feature is entitled 'The Be'oved Brute,'' and is an exciting t-ale of a hard-fisted fighting brute and his regeneration, which is effected, not by evangelistic -workers making emotional appc-Alfl, but by sheer strength of another rugged fighting man, whoeo fists prove even harder than "The Brute's" own. There is a girl in. the storv, too, and it is for love of her .that the two giants match tbcir strength. Marguerite dc la Motte, as the c-aptivatin? heroine, furnishes in her personality a very logical reason whv two brawny, red-blooded men should ha.fstranple Wh other. Victor McLaglen, m the -title role, gives a performance, which, according to nil accounts, should givo him a permanent high place in the admiration of American picturegcerfl. And everybody knows, of course, what a Teal he-man Bill Russell, who tames "The Brute, >»• Good support is ably given by Howard Moody's fine orchestra, special care given to the Spanish settings of 11 is "Woman." The bo* nkM arc at The Bristol, where-seats may be reserved. grand theatre. "Contraband," the Paramount photoplay, produced by Alan Crosland, centres round the operations of a band of bootleggers. The. supporting programme includes "Against All uuas," in which the perennial Buck, Jones is Icatured. "NEW LIVES FOR OLD" AND "THAT FRENCH LADY." " Betty Compson in "New Lives for Oirt" heads a very excellent programme at tno Grand Theatre, lor the week commencing tomorrow. In this picture Betty takrahc role of a celebrated French dancer named Olympe. Her cabaiet 18 the centre ot the war-t me activity of the French capital though Olympe prefers to spend her lioii days on her uunt's larm:n Normandy tc joining in the hectio lite she sees a^ou^ r ' . It is on the fantt.that she meets AVarren MacDonaid, an American officer. •They -fall in love.- He tella her. that sho re* aemolea Otvpipe, whom ,he has Been but (whom he 'disliKes. He goes ,to the trenches, : si'io returns to Paris. , .• . Spurred to ' new patriotic fervour by her love, Olympe "becomes enraged when a civilian iiit'ue audience remains-seated, when she proposes a. toust to France. She dashes a glass of w'.ne. in his face, only to discover jus reason* fori not r.sirtgr— one -leg, been shot away. Betty is overcome. Bertaut, cf the French intelligence service, tells her that, if she really wants to do somethingfor Francei he will show her a way. So it is that the girl eets out to spy on Kosloff,. suspected of German affiliations but apparently-' ft French major. It is clevef game of hide-and-seek the two play—he trying to verify Ivs suspicions of Olympe, ar.d sho trying to get definite information to brand him- a spy. Tho crisis cornea one night when Betty learns that he has information imperilling the life of MacDonala. Through a, clever ruse, Olympe intercepts tho-message, saves young Warren, and later in America,, is decorated for her earvices—but not until after many exciting moments. For Kos-loff, believed killed, turns up and causes no end of trouble. The second feiture is the Fox production, "That French Lady," with Shirley Mason in the lead. The lollowing is the story in concentrated form.

From. Bolahevik Russia, through Montmartre.to the heart of Greenwich Village in' New York, the question of free love has been a burning one. Its exponents arc strong in their belief of the use'.essoess of the marriago ceremony, while its opponents are just as firm in' their stand that .marriage is the bedrick of civilisation. The. method by which Inez Do Pitrrefond, played by ; Mies Mason, is won away from tier radical theories contributes to the making of a capital photoplay. Inez meets John Hemingway ,of Delphi, lowa, in Peris. "With Charles Abbay, his chum, he is- studying architecture in the French metropolis. John throws her from him but Abbey forces him to change his mind. He brings the girl home with him. When Delphi, lowa, lenrns, that Inez is the author of the sensational French bgok expounding free iove, the social gates are closed" to her and the select few declare war upon Eer. Inez-fights them all successfully unt/1 ' she . encounters John's sweet little mother. Mrs Hemingway's great spirit of sacrifice for her son's happiness reaches beycud the girl's wi; 1 power to her heart and she confesses the futility of her theories. In the cast,, supporting Miss M«9on, are Theodore Von Eitz, Harold Goodwin, Chavles Coleman. Kate Lester, and Luey Beaumont.

The Grand Augmented Orchestra, now under the supervision of Mr Hcward Moody, very favourably commented on since its inauguration, will vender suitable musical accompaniment King 295; for your reserves.

GREATER CRYSTAL PALACE. Hcruse Peters features in "Raffles," the exciting- Btory of a "gentleman" criminal. Beasic Barriscilc has ths principal role in "Life's Twist," the second attraction on the bill. This picture is remarkable from a technical point of view, and introduces almost a. revolution in animated photography. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. "The Great White 'Way" is a story of back-stage life »t the Zieg-feld Follies, prize-rings, and newspaper offices. The scenes for "The Heart of a Siren" are laid in the "world's playground"—the Riviera—and in Paris, and show glimpses of the wild, reckless life lived by society at play. QUEEN'S THEATRE. Although "Innocence" is tense and thrillins, thero is plenty of comedy in the picture. A more novel film than "Harried in Transit" has cot been produced for years. A thrilling mystery story, it keeps everyone in suspense until the last few feet. tUmund is at the head of a talented cast. STRAND THEATRE. Jack Hoxie has a fine part in "A Roaring Adtenfurc," the story of a man who visits the cattle country town where his father lives, and learns that cattle fwm th« ranch are disappearing in a strange manner. After many adventures, he solves the mystery and- wins a wife. The supporting fitra Is "Her llußband's Secret," starring Antonio Jlorcuo.