CRYSTAL PALACE.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18676, 27 April 1926, Page 12

CRYSTAL PALACE.

DOUBLE FEATURE PROGRAMME. "A SOX OP HIS FATHER" AND "THE WOiIAX WHO OBEYED." The more fortunate people of this earth inherit lands, properties, and money. Others inherit exceptional traits of character, good or bad —in short, every man inherits something, because he is the son of his father. That comfortin',' thought was probably at the back of Harold Bell Wright's mind when ho sat down to write "A Son o£ His Father." The motion picture-maker realised that the theme was a comparatively new one, and saw that tho story contained much that could be made most appealing on the screen. Therefore the story was transferred to tho film, and now we have it showing at the Crystal I'alace, where it made its lirst projection last night. Harold Bell Wright is a popular novelist, and enjoys a large following, and the transference of his story to the screen cannot in any way cause disappointment to those who have read tho book. Indeed, they will have their impressions advantageously amplified. Wright said: "Every man has inherited a kingdom —something which belongs to that one man alone, because he is the son of his father. The greatest service one soul can give to another is to help him keep this kingdom, or, if by any mishap he has lost it, help put him back again on his throne..'.' Paramount is the source of this new picture, and the very human characters who helped to make the book so popular have been entrusted to the care of Bessie Love, Warner Baxter, and Raymond Hatlon. Walter LlcGrail makes the necessary mischief that a villain should. All these characters, in the printed pages were genuinely heroic. They arc tho same, if not more so, on the screen. Although "A Son of His Father" is set in the wilds of Arizona, it must not be confused in any way with the ordinary type of "Western thriller." But tho most hungry devourer of the open-air atmosphere and the great open spaces will find quite enough fast action, thrills, and wicked men, heroes and heroines. The picture m,py be said to consist chiefly of romance unadorned, and this great and essential quality guarantees its success. The hand of tho famous author is noticeable at almost every turn of scene, accentuated- and brought out until an immense impression is made on the audience. The scenes are laid in the Southern States, and the principals interpret their parts as if under the direct eye of the author himself. .From the English studios, tho second picture, "The Woman Who Obeyed," stars two famous Knglish artists, Hilda Bnyley and Stewart Rome. This story is of the lovo of a woman for her three children. Her maternal affection overcame hor desire for social conquest, in spite of the wiles of a fascinating artist. Tho actual screening, in colour, of the famous Chelsea Arts Ball, is an episode in the picture, and this places the film on a par with tho most celebrated of the American studios. Tho Crystal Palace Symphony Orchestra, under the eonductorship of Mr Alfred Buna, played a large part in its contribution to the general Q»'joyment of the programme. The ovcrturo was a march, "Miss Mardi Gras" (Stoughton). As an entr'acte, Miss Gladys Vincent played two delightful numbers, receiving a well-deserVed encore, "The Rosary" and "Schou Rosmarie" (Kriesler). A new suite, "Four Fancies" (Reginald Somerville), was typically English, and therefore most pleasing. "The Marriage of Figaro" (Hadyn) was another well-played number. Lighter items were selections from "Wildflower" (Youmans) and "Because They All Love You" (Malie).