CRYSTAL PALACE.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18670, 20 April 1926, Page 10

CRYSTAL PALACE.

"THE MAN WHO FOUND

HIMSELF."

"THE LIFE OF JACK HOBBS." The new programme at Crystal Palace last :..V'v was witnessed by-a large attendance, '< wi>j had no reason tor complaint at the fare provided. The principal picture, "The Man V.'iio Found Himself," in which, the leading rcio is taker, by Tom Meaghen, Virginia Villi having the part of the girl, is a real tin ill from start to finish. Tom Macaulay, the son of a banker, is very much in love with Xora Brooks, of whom another banker is enamoured. In order to get rid of Macaulay, hi 3 rival, Lon Morris, frames tip a charge against him, as a result of which Macaulay is sent to Sing Sing prison to serve a long sentence. The disgrace proves too much for Macaulay senior, who becomes ill and dies, while to add to young Macaulay's troubles, the girl who was to be his wife promises to marry Morris. Escaping from piison, Macaulay finds his way to the. girl's house, only to learn that he has airived too late, the marriage having just been celebrated. He tells her how her husband ha<j treated him and then returns to Sing Sing to give himself tip and Buffer whatever penalty his 3ction might bring him. On being released at the end of his sentence, he manages to secure a pile of rotes from the bank of his enemy and frame 3 up a charge against him similar to that in respect of which ho had himself been sent to prison. As' it happens, Morris is actually short of funds and fearing that this will be discovered he goes to the bank determined to take all the money he can lay hi 3 hands on and sails for South. Ainprica. As he is leaving the premises, he is ehot dead, 3nd the way is clear for Macauiay and the girl to marry. ThS picture piesent3 some interesting glimpses of prison life in the great American penitentiary, and is characterised by good acting throughout. The second big picture is "Tho Life of Jack Hobba," a film which deals faithfully with many of the events in the career of the world'B greatest living batsman and incidents in his home life. Hobbs is shown playing in 6orao of his latest matches, including that in which he scored his memorable 127 th century. The slow motion pictures enable one to see how Hobbs plays his various strokes and are well worth seeing by young cricketers who are out to learn as much as they can. Very funny was the feature entitled Stereoscopiks No. 2, in which was screened a number of the principal attractions at a well-known American centre of amusement, including a scenic railway, a whip, a watershoot, and other similar inventions. Watching the picture through spectacles lent by the management for tho occasion, one saw the characters in the film tdand out in relief, while at limes it appeared as though certain objects were coming from the screen right out in front of one. A glass of frothy beer, for instance, was apparently pushed forward by a donor in the picture, and it came eo close that more than one in the auditorium was almost tempted to stretch out his hand for it. A ride on the scenic railway was so realistic that many felt a sensation of sickness as they were apparently carried down a steep incline and almost ran into an obstruction which, according to the notice on it, contained dynamite. Other pictures on tho bill were a comedy and an Australian Gazette, in which the departure of the Australian cricketera for England was shown.

■. Under the leadership of Mr A. Bunz, the Symphony Orchestra played a bright programme of music. The overture, "The Bohemian Girl" (Balfo) was given with refinement, its many tuneful melodies being a delight to hear. Mr F. Woledge played the well-ltnown air, "I Dreamt That I Dwelt in Marble Halls," as a clarinet solo, and "The Heart Bowed Down" was equally well played by Mr W. Dobbie on the cornet. ' The entr'acte was one of the latest London ballroom successes, "When You and I Were Seventeen," arranged as a marimba bell solo, Mr W. Debenham getting some pleasing effects in it. A delicate composition, written for the piano by Chopin and scored for thq orchestra, was a waltz in D flat, the orchestra rendering it excellently. Beethoven's sth Symphony (andanto con moto) was played brilliantly, as also were seme pieces of a lighter nature.