ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18890, 12 December 1924, Page 14

ENTERTAINMENTS.

TIVOLI THEATRE.

A new double-feature programme will commence at the Tivoli Theatre to-day. One of the two leading films is a Metro production, "Half-a-Dollar-Bill," an absorbing love story of a woman, two men and a child, whoso liver, become strangely enmeshed. "Half-a-Dollar-Bill" was the name given by Captain Duncan McTeaguo (Win. T. Carlton) to the five-year-old foundling, who. when found, had a torn half -dollar note pinned to him. Little Frank Darro plays the name role, and is said to givo a gripping a.ul appealing juvenile portrsval. Tho child v:as found one flight ashore by two hardened seafaring men, and because they did not know what else to do, they took him aboard the ship. They did not know who he wa6 — their only clue, a half-a-dollar bill pinned to his clothing, and a note intimating that the mother held tho other ha.lf and would some day claim him. That was the story that Curtis Benton wrote. And it is said to have been woven into one of the sternest, swiftest, enthralling stories of the sea tho screen has ever had. Tho atmosphere of tho sea pervades the whole picture, somo of the general views of the good ship Grampus being particularly realistic. Anna Q. Nilsson, the featured feminine player, William T. Carlton, Raymond Hatton, Mitchell Lewis, George MacQuarne and Alec B. Francis comprise the cast, while the juvenile "find." tho four-year-old Frankie Darro, makes his screen debut in the picture, and proves himself a remarkable child actor. lhe second attraction in the new programme is another Metro production, in Search of a Thrill," featuring Viola Dana. This is a thrilling story of a girl who finds everyday life dull, and craves excitement. During a visit to Paris she leaves her pi .rents, and in addition to getting all the excitement she desires, nearly involves herself and parents into a tangle that is not easy to escape from. For orobably the first time in filmdom a oafe designed on futurist lines—of the type that, is; now making its appearance on the Parisian boulevarde—was built as one of the sets. Slightly above the level of the platform was a plain white cam'as wall, on which lights played from behnnd. At intervals clowns, dancing girls, models and others appeared in various poses behind the canvas, forming sometimes grotesque but also striking silhouettes. In the supporting cast appear. Warner Baxter, Mable Van Buteu, Rose.-nary Theby and Templar Saxe.

PRINCESS THEATRE. To-day's new programme at the Princess Theatre will include a stirring Wilium Fox drama entitled "The Warrens of Virginia." The stage play, from which the film was adapted, was written by William 0. de Mille and produced by David Belasco, and was one of the greatest successes of the American stage. The colourful story presents interestingly sidelights of the Civil War period. Characteristic of all Civil War stories is the situation where a man and a woman, personally very much attached to each other, find themselves on different sides of that great struggle. It is the sort of thing that could happen only in a civil war. There was, for instance, in the great war, little chance of enemies having anything much in common, except, perhaps in Alsace Lorraine or some of the other frontier states where allegiance was divided. In Marylard, Virginia, Missouri—all the States whifi fringed on the border-line, families wi«re divided, sweethearts found themselves .on different sides of the contest, and rany a mother had to strive .to remain neutral between a husband on the northern side of the struggle and a son whose sympathies were wiith the south. To call, therefore, such a story as " The Warrens of Virginia" an exag» geration is to fail to appreciate the bitterness of the American Civil War. It is simply the filming of a tragedy which happened every day during the four years that the two great sections of the country fought each other. Speaking the some language, reared and fostered in practically the same ideas of political liberty, when North and South finally came to blows, it was the contest of Titans. Neither asked or needed favours; it was war of the worst sort, and nothing which depicts the bitterness, the horrible domestic tragedies, that occurred every day, can come anywhere near shewing the reality. Wilfred Lytell, J. Barney Sherry, and Martha Mansfield are m the cast. The second attraction will be a Selznick version of the story by Sinclair Lewis, " Free Air," a fast-moving motoring taL;. Tom Douglas and M.irjorie Seaman have the principal roles. LYRIC THEATRE.

Two powerful film dramas will be included in the new pn>gramme at the Lyric Theatre to-day. One is a mount production, Ti?er Love," featuring Antonio Moreno ind "istelle Taylor. Carrying the Spanish dash and adventure, tos:ethe< with such interesting elements as pas-;onate romance, action, and incident, the whole of which are set off against a most appropriate atmosphere, " Tiger Love " is a picture that should appeal strongly to the average film iover. The story has to do with a romantic young Spanish bandit who falls in love with a daughter of the aristocracy. Hearing of a wedding in the city, the Wildcat goes to steal the costly presents. At the dead of night he comes face to face with Marcheta, who has been forced into an engagement with a hare-brained individual. The Wildcat kidnaps tho pair and carries them off to his stronghold in the mountains. There he wins her love, and just as they are to be married Spanish soldiers surround the Wildcat's den. A hundred rifles are trained on hi> hi art. How the Wildcat is e.ctricated from his perilous plight and is reunited with his Spanish belle constitute a charming romance, punctuated with keen action. Moreno is cast as Wildcat, and ho is said to give a most vivid portrayal. The scenery is said to bo grand and ruffed, and tho acting of all the principals leaves nothing to bo desired. It is described as one of the most exciting pictures seen for some time. The second attraction in tho new programme will be a Robert-son-Cole release. " Big Happiness," featuring Dustin Farnum.

QUEEN'S THEATRE. A screen version c>i Sir Anthony Hope's famous story, "Rupert of Hentzau," will bo shown at tho Queen's Theatro to-day aji part of a new doublo-featuro programme. "Rupert of Hentzau" is a companion picture to "The Prisoner of Zenda," and is a royal romance in wh-eh a queen's lovo letter falls into Iho hanih of tho most unscrupulous villain in all Europe. The story, shows how it plunged a nation into turmoil, caused the de?,th of a king, and almost ruined a queen's good name. Elaino Hammcrstcin and Beit Lytell have tho leading roles, hut there is a noteworthy supporting cast, cmbri:,cing many of tho best known names in filrndom. The second attraction will bo a Thomas H. Inco production, "Tho {Soul of tho Beast," a circus story, featuring Madge Bellamy and Cullen Landis. The circus scenes arc said to bo well taken, particularly those depicting the storm, during which the circus tent is blown down. An elephant named Oscar play\> a very important vJo in the picture and some touching scenes are included in which Madge Bellamy and the great beast are shown together.

GRAND THEATRE. Tho new programme at, the Grand Theatro to-day will bo headed by a screen version of Gertrude Page's fascinating story "Paddy, the Next Best Thing." Tho filming has been exquisitely done by an English company of all London actors playing in support of the American celebrity. Slae Marsh, who is said to show "absolutely at her best ns tho Trisli girl who bhould have In»«mi ;i boy." Thu pic? i lure Wiii acted iu L.'olifUii.'""

STRAND THEATRE. A film version of the famous Scottish romance, "R«b Roy," will be shown at the Strand Theatre to-day, together with a varied supporting programme. eir Walter Scott popularised Rob Roy U the hero of a novel, since read by millions of people in the English-speaking countries of the world. : Many dramatists have also r-ulogised the exploits of the outlaw in spoisen play, uu the film, too, attempts have been made to picturise the romance and valour 01 his career, but none, it is said,, with such realism as this film. I- V . de " scribed as a picture that is all action, incident and surprise, with the ftmantyc and domestic sides of Rob's nature, skilfully illustrated in the wooing of Helen Campbell and his pride and affect.on for his children. The story deals in the main with the feud that arose between the Duke of Montrose and Rob Roy over Helen, the first phase of which was completed with the burning down of the MacGregor homestead and tho proclaiming of Rob as.an outlaw. Thereafter, years passed in continuous strife between the two until from the very jaws of death, as it were, Rob successfully executed the bold stroke by which he wrested Inversnaid, his home, from the Duke. "It is a picturesque tale, picturesquely told," comments a reviewer. "Apart from the stirring .narrative, one's most vivid impression of the, nlm is its realistic atmosphere, attained by careful attention to detail, excellent costuming, correct representation ot manners, and customs of the time, and last, but not least, the filming of the picture on the natural r-tage of tile Kob Roy cmnt-v. There could be little bettor ma.terhl for a really fine story of romance and adventure than is found in the colour! ul career of Rod Roy, and ore could ha.dly wish "fee a finer Pictorial background for the narrative thun is provided in this The supporting programme will include a Mack Sennett comedy entitled "One Cylinder Love," and the usual British gazette and Pathe Review. For the interlude Madame Annette Hayward and Mr. J. Mackel will sing a number of Scottish airs.

NATIONAL THEATRE. A fine double-feature programme is promised at the National Theatre to-day. It will be headed by a First National picture, "Flirting With Love," featuring CoUeen Moore, known -as the perfect flapper" of the screen, and Conway Tearlc. The play deals with the romance of an actress, a highly temperamental stage player who pretends to lose her memory that she might get into the home of the man responsible for censoring her successful show. Later she feigns dual personality, and it is in this assumed character in which Miss Moore demonstrates her versatility. She is called upon to play in reality two parts in one—that of herself, temperamental, nervous and highly strung, and also the character of her "other personality," demure, shy and diffident. The transition from one character to the other creates no end of humorous situations, giving way to genuine pathos and drama when the actress finds herself in love with the man she started out to ruin. Miss Moore shares the honours with Conway Tearle in this picture. Tearle is said to be ideal in the role of the attorney, playcensor and amateur psychologist. The other featured film in the new programme will be an Arrow film, '"Luxury," featuring Rubye de Remer. It is described as a stirring mystery drama, abounding in plot and counter-plot, with a train of exciting incidents. To complete the prog -amine there will be shown a Lloyd amilton comedy, "The Optimist "

REGENT THEATRE. The new programme commencing at the Regent Theatre, Epsom, this evening, will be headed by the First National picture, "Single Wives." The story is written round a typical American society home where a husband's indifference to his wife brings about a tragic state of _ affairs. _ A wife seeking love and attention is virtually forced into another man's arms through her husband's lack of appreciation. The husband is 100 wrapped up in his business to take part in their social obligations, accepting the proverbial standard that "a fi6h should not be fed bait after it is --might." In " Single Wives " Corirme Griflhh has a role ideally suited to her in the tart of Betty Jordan, the wife. Milton S;lls is the husband, and Lou Tellegen the tnird angle in the triangle. HIPPODROME THEATRE. A double-feature programme, which should offer much for the entertainment of picture-lovers will be shown at the Hippodrome Theatre for the week commencing to-day. " Bluff," which is one oi: the principal pictures, is a Paramount production, with Agnes Ayres and Antonio Moreno in tho leading roles. It is the story of a girl's struggle in New York and how she posed as another woman to gain fame. The second attraction will be a Universal picture, " A Western Musketeer," featuring Leo Maloney and his horse, Freshwater Mike." A good supporting programme is promised.