ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18711, 17 May 1924, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS.

NATIONAL THEATRE.

A film of exceptional merit, entitled, "The Spider arid the Rose," constitutes the principal feature of the new programme introduced at the National Theatre yesterday. The production is the wo& of B. F. Zeidman. The story is essentially melodramatic, and deals with turbulence and strife in a State of Mexico under the reign of' Maximilian I. The principal, Paula (Alice Lake), is the ward of the Governor of the State, Don Cristobal de Cordoba. She is in love with Don Marcello (Gaston Glass), the son of the Governor. The young man's sympathies lie with the populace, who are oppressed ostensibly by Don Cristobal, but actually at the instigations of the governor's adviser, Mendoza, who completely overrules Ills superior. Mendoza plans to succeed the governor. Enraged at the tyranny exercised over the people, Don Marcello resolves to cast in his lot with a rebel movement after he has failed to prevail upon liis father to ignore the counsels of Mendoza. Paula _ tries to persuade Marcello not to associate _ with the revolutionists. Her sweetheart is deaf to her appeals and he espouses the cause of the insurrectionists. Paula succeeds in keeping Marcello away from a rebel meeting, and the ringleaders are arrested' by Mendoza. The thwarted people denounce Marcello as a traito? and seek to revenge themselves for the imprisonment of their leaders. By a treacherous move Mendoza succeeds in securing tho dismissal of the Governor, and is himself appointed to the office. He orders tho execution of Don Cristobal. Marcello liberates the rebels and exposes Mendoza's duplicity. The traitor is forced to flea and meets his death in the mountains in a dramatic fashion. The old governor is reinstated and Paula and Marcello become reconciled. A Monty Banks comedy, " Peaceful Alley," a gazette, and a Burton Holmes Travelogue, complete the programme. PRINCESS THEATRE. Two film dramas are included in the current programme at the Princess Theatre and large audiences attended tho opening sessions yesterday. " Blue Blazes," a Doubleday Productions picture, features Lester Cuneo, and is a, typical Western melodrama. Starting in a- cabaret in the effete American East, and then swinging to the open country of the West, whero the leading man is seen as a tramp, the story involves a. mortgage on a ranch, tho villain who kidnaps the girl, the hero who is imprisoned through mistaken identity, and who makes a sensational escape, plenty of fighting, the discovery of oil on the ranch by the villain, a sensational fire and a rescue among the flames. Lester Cuneo fits the requirements of the leading role and is ably assisted by Francelia Billington as tho heroine. The other featured film in the new programme is the Paramount production, " Lawful Larceny." The film is tho work fof the capable producer, Allan Dwan, and the four chief roles are in the hands of the popular stars, Hope Hampton, Nita Naldi, Lew Cody, and Conrad Nagel. In addition to the powerful cast the story is said to possess an unusual appeal, and the settings and high 'standard of the photography place the production in a position of distinct merit. Nita Naldi, in an Egyptian episode of rare beauty, wears several bizarre creation l }, which it is said create unusual interest The famous " vamp " of the screen is said to make a striking figure, and has been much admired by audiences who have seen the piciure. The plot introduces a matrimonial problem of tense interest. The programme is completed by the inclusion of an amusing Fox comedy, " School .Pals." EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. The film version of Peter B. Kyno's popular novel, " The Harbour Bar," enters its second week at. Everybody's Theatre to-day. The story, is ; woven around the adventures of Captain .Dan Stover, a Pacific Coast tug captain, who, shortly after his marriage, protects the sweetheart of his first mate in an hour of need and nearly suffers the disruption of'his own domestic happiness as a result. Taking advantage of the situation, Stover's employer and, former matrimonial rival pleads with the captain's wife to accept his love, . and that he may have more time for such wooing orders Captain Dan to perform many hazardous duties which take him from his home. Seldom has the screen reflected a mere thrilling scene than that of the shipwreck from which the captain rescues his wife and finally establishes the true happiness taken from their lives by the series of preceding incidents. Monte Blue plays the chief role with complete understanding and the same boyish spirit which has won him thousands of friends. There is nothing of the actor about Blue, apd for that reason his portrayal of Captain Dan , is a histrionic achievement long to be remembered. Evelyn Brent i a seen opposite Blue in the characterisation of Ellen Stover and proves a. charming selection. Jos,n Lowell, a 17-year-old Associated Authors " find " essayß the part of Madge Barlow, sweetheart of the captain's dead shipmate, and wias recognition by sheer merit. Miss Lowell possesses not only a beautiful face and figure, but emotional talents which stamp her immediately as one of the foremost of the younger dramatic actresses. Charles Gerrard, as the heavy, and Ralph Faulkner, as the first mate, also deserve much praise for the splendid manner in which they have portrayed their difficult parts. There arc a number of excellent supporting films.

GRAND THEATRE. .Alice Lake's latest. chicle, "A Woman's Hate, is likely to prove a firm attract°?i. at the Grand Theatre. It is a story of that strata of society which is just beyond the pale— an ex-gambler and, a pretty little show girl whose attentions she has accepted. He is found dead in his apartment and evidence is discovered which incriminates a man whom the gambler has been instrumental in sending to prison. Babe " Lennox, the character played by Miss Lake, knows that the suspect is innocent and, outraged by the merciless vindictiveness of the law, she fights to save the innocent man. She becomes involved in a romance which provides a pleasing flavour of heart interest. Alice Lake gives, perhaps, the finest impersonation of her career. The poignancy with which she expresses the bewilderment and sense of frustration as she fights alone against seemingly overwhelming odds, marks Miss Lake as an actress of increasing emotional powers. Conrad Nagel, as the prosecuting attorney, adds another to his list of convincing portraits. Another of the "Leather Pushers" stories, featuring Reginald Denny, is included in the supporting programme. QUEEN'S THEATRE. The new double programme at the Queen's Theatre includes a film . version of Peter B. Kyne's popular novel, "The Go-Getter, which will be remembered as one of his famous Cappy Rick's tales. Returning disabled from the Great War, Bill Peck, contrary to the . generally accepted idea, is not down-hearted, • but sets out to build up his fortune. Prior to the war he had been a lumber salesman, and he now determines to return to that business. His good humour, grit, and sheer push, carry him far on the road to success, and eventually he loves and marries the daughter of the general manager. T. Roy Barnes I*4 an admirable hero for such a play, carrying through the role with dash and a winning smile. Scena Owen plays opposite the star, giving a delightful characterisation. The sensations include' aerial scenes never before screened in a picture of this kind, and a race by night between an aeroplane and an express train. " Kissing Cup's Race," . an English-made picture, is the second , featured film. ; It in- ' cludes in its many dramatic scenes ; one showing a race that is considered to be equal to any race shown on the screen. Violet Hopson heads the cast. An amusing comedy, " Own Your Own Home," completes the programme. ;