LIBERTY THEATRE.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18546, 23 November 1925, Page 7

LIBERTY THEATRE.

"THE CHARMER." THRILLS', ROMANCE, DANCING. Congratulations are due to the management of the Liberty Theatre for the excellent pictorial and musical programmes they offer their patrons this week. The standard of the popular picture house is raised to a high plane by the current bill. Fascinating Pola Negri, famed throughout filmdom as an actress, is seen in a Sydney Oldcroft production entitled "The Charmer." Artistically and in every other way this, is the finest picture yet to be screened in this City fn which Pola Negri has been cast in the principal Tole, and it will be accepted as one of the season's most elaborate and thrilling productions. No more ideal - choice could be imagined for Pola Negri's personality and talent. She acts with a fine romantic air. Her reckless abandon in the rambling old dance hall in Seville, where sho was discovered by a theatrical manager and made famous, is exceptionally clever. So beautiful are the backgrounds of the settings in "The Charmer" that Ihey seem like a movingpanorama of master-paintings. The tal« is an old one, telling how Mariposa, beautiful yet uneducated, unrefined dance hall girl of ancient Saville is "found" by a showman in a poor quarter and taken to New York, where, advertised as "The Charmer," she proves a wonderful success. Men pursued her because of her abandon and charm, but she loved only one. Wallace McDonald and Robert Frazer play imnortant supporting parts. Thrills abound in the second attraction, entitled "Into the Net," which features Jack Mulhall and Edna Murphv. Written by the Commissioner of New York Police the story in this picture shows how criminals, with master minds, work in the underworld and dives of that great city. It reveals how young men and women are led astray by these criminals, who, being devoid of respect or anything else, use the innocent as but a means—and an effective means —to an end that will benefit them to the extent of several thousand dollars in money or jewels. "Into the Net" proved to Saturday night's audience to be something quite out of the ordinary, for it depicted the riot squads in action; aeroplanes tracking criminals who were fleeing in a racing auto; power boats; faithful patrol hounds; and the great and intricate underground system of sending telegrams. As a prelude to "The Charmer" one of Miss Beseie Mac Donald's dancing pupils executed in captivating and inspiring fashion the Spanish tango, an item that was deservedly warmly applauded. The Liberty Quality Orchestra, under.- Mr Howard Moody, provided the musical side of the programme, which was well varied and appealed to all tastes. Tho entr'acte this week is "Festival' March" (Zamecnik), which has been specially written for the Dunedin Exhibition. It has a fine swing and should become very popular. The star feature is Spanish throughout, and it is accompanied by a fine musical programme in the necessary atmosphere. Tho favourite "La Paloma" (Yradier) proves an effective love theme. A suite, new to the orchestra, is "Sunny Spain" (Byrne). All the numbers are bright and in characteristic rhythm. Mr Arthur Gordon plays Sarasato's "Romanza Andalusa," giving the solo an excellent interpretation. Rimaky Korsakoff's "Cappricio Espagnol" was played in its entirety and was perhaps tho finest item of tho evening. Other numbers included: Opera. "I. Lombardi" (Verdi); new fox trots, "Linger Longer" (Friend), "Monterey" (Moret); overture, (Schubert); Morceau, "Cavatina'' <RaS>; cornet solo, "Roberto tu che adore" (Gounod), soloist, Mr F. Chapman.