‘BROKEN BLOSSOMS”

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11251, 1 July 1922, Page 15

‘BROKEN BLOSSOMS”

EXTENDED SEASON AT EVERY-’ BODY’S. Tho squalor of London East End life in Limehouise is presented with all its tragedy and pathos in the wonderful picture "Broken Blossoms,” which is enjoying an extended season at Everybody’s Theatre. Thomas Burke is one of the most vivid and descriptive writers on the subject of slum life, and although i\is story offered many difficulties bo the fthu operator, these difficulties were surmounted by the master-hand of D. W. Griffiths, for life in the slums by the side of Father Thames is most realistically depicted, as it i* not difficult for anyone who ha«s visited this part to recognise the locality. The story, in which the principals are Lillian Gish and Richard Barthelmess, has for its moral tho fact that charity begins at home, and presses home the point that there is just n< a much scope for the conversion of sinners "down East” as in faraway countries. A Chinaman, of lofty ideals, worships the beautiful but illused daughter of a brutal pugilist, and one day, as she falls exhausted in the street after an unusually eeyere beating. Chon Huan takes her into his own domicile and attires her in the glorious raiment* of the East. Her father, hearing of this, enters during Chen’* absence, takas his daughter away, and beats her to death. lie a’-so smashes up the Chinaman’s house, his temple and altar. Then the two meet, and Burrows, tho prize-fighter, is shot down by Chen, a* he picks up an axe. He takes the body of the dead girl to his shattered home, and goe* through his servicq for the dead before the broken altar, at which lie then terminates his own life that hia soul may follow the child’s. Nothing could be finer than the work of the co-stars, and it is regarded as their greatest success. The picture has met with unstinted praise wherever it has been shown, and extended seasons have been numerous, this being the cafie at Auckland, where the matinees and evening performances were largely attended. _ , It is owing to the heavy demand on the bookings’ that the season has been extended at Everybody’s. A special mu. sical score is played with the picture by an augmented orchestra* conducted by Mr Matt. Dixon, while there is an Oriental prologue at the evening session. Other features include "Pathe Christie comedy, "Back at the Farm, and a scenic. »

STRAND THEATRE

"PECK’S BAD BOY.” The new programme at the Strand Theatre, introduced yesterday, is headed by the "great comedy feature "Peck’s Bad Boy,” with the inimitable Jackie Coogan in the leading role. The etory opens in a little village in which reside the Peck family. It i 6 a circus day, und Jackie ("Peck’s Bad Boy”), his pal, and "Queenie,” his dog, want'to see the circus, but the necessary wherewithal is lacking. Therefore, a scheme must be devised to obtain admission to the big tent. The scheme takes in Mr (a wealthy real estate dealer—Jackie’s pa). A meeting is arranged between Pa Peck and a so-called "lady.” The "lady” in the case happens to be Jackie’s pal dressed up m his sister’s best clothes. Many oomedy situations arise from this episode, and Jackie obtains Pa Peck’s permission to take hie pal to the circus. The first thing Jackie does upon entering the circus grounds is to play with Nero, one of the big lions. This results in the lion esoapmg from his cage. Then the fun starts. The entire village is in excitement and fear, and at the height of it all Jackie and his pals come to the rescue and capture the animal. Another most laughable episode takes place in church, with the bad *boy, as usual, up to,some mischief, and Pa Peck being made the target. The fun starts when Mr Peck, having pains from overwork, asks the bad boy to bring his lumbago pad. Jackie brings the pad, but fills it with several hundred ants. It will not be necessary to tell what happens from that time on. From the church episode wo find "Peck’s Bad Boy” offering some highly dramatio moments. A burglar enters the Peck household, and is discovered by the tbad boy. But complications set in, and while the burglar escapes without his loot, valuable papers are missing. The climax of the presentation is provided by one of the most realistic railroad collisions that has ever been screened. Wheeler Oakman comes to the rescue ‘in an admirable fashion. The supporting subjects comprise "Oh Boy!” (comedy-drama), "Snooky, the Human Chimpanzee,” "Ready to Serve,” and "Pathe Gazette,’’, showing De Valera addressing a crowd.

QUEER’S THEATRE

ATTRACTIVE PROGRAMME. Tho current double-feature programme at the Queen’s Theatre should more than satisfy 1 picture patrons. The first feature is entitled "Under Northern Lights,” and it is the story of a constable in the North-west Mounted Police who is obliged to choose hie love and his duty. Douglas MacLeod, for that is his name, is affianced to Suzanne Foucharde, daughter of the innkeeper in. a north-west town. Suzanne’s brother, Jacques, kills a half-breed Louis Le Roque, who has been defaming Suzanne's character, and MacLeod ia called upon to arrest tho murderer. MacLeod realizes that ho cannot send Jacquee to the gallows and retain the love of his sister, and how he acts in this difficult situation is extremely well shown in the picture. In the second feature, "Playing With Fire,” the leading part is very well played by that fascinating little s’tar, Gladys Walton. It is the story of a girl who worked in a music shop "poundin’ out jazz.” She was not satisfied with the social circle in which she was obliged to move, so she migrated to a higher social sphere, aud complications naturally followed. The supports are remarkably good, and include episode 9 of "Winners of the West,” and the latest budget of topicalities.

OTAKI CHORAL SOCIETY

ON MONDAY, JULY 3. The approaching visit of tho above society to this city is creating considerable interest in musical circles, and it is to be hoped that the public of Wellington will fill the Concert Chamber to its full capacity on Monday next, July 3rd, and show their appreciation of the great work achieved bv this society during the short period it has been in existence, more especially, seeing that the profits of the society’s converts are being devoted to. charitable objects. The programme selected for the Wellington concert is of an exceptionally high standard, and includes that beautiful cantata, "The Rose Maiden” (Fred. H. Cowen) and that faruqus and impressive motet, tho "Gallia,” composed by Oh. Gounod for the opening of the .International Exhibition in Paris in 1871. In this great work, Gounod invokes the true spirit of France, and in that spirit makes a passionate plea to tfee people to realise (how France has been brought low, and appeals to the nation to "Turn thee unto the Lord thy God.” In addition to the above, solo items will be given by Mr H. S. E. Stable, Mesdames Riori and F. G. Davies, and Misses W, Patterson, Maud Eftderton, and Constance Barrill, also Maori folk songa by the Tahiwi Quartette. Owing to the limitj?d capacity of the hall, patrons are advised to book early at the Bristol, where the hor plan is upw open.

ROLLER SKATING

THE COLOSSEUM RINK. The popularity of roller skating was evidenced by the large attendances at each of the sessions at the Colosseum Rink, Vivian 6treet, yesterday. This morning’s session will be devoted to juveniles. The band 1 will play this afternoon and evening. As an additional attraction at to-night’s session an expert skater will give a fine display of graceful, trick, and fancy ekating. Among the tricks he will perform will .be the "grape-vine,” gliding backwards and forwards, figure eight, ditto on toes only, looping the loop, fixed bayonets, drop waltzing, three-step, barn dance, einsde-toe balance, anchor circle, and picket fence.

ORGAN RECITAL

TOWN HALL, TO-MORROW AFTERNOON. On account of the Town Hall being engaged on Sunday evening, Mr’ Bernard F. Page’s organ recital, to be giveiij at the Town Hall, will commence at 3 o’clock p.m., and the programme will be as under: —Borowski’s Sonata (No. 1), Air (Gavotte) by Wesley, Minuetto (Capoci), the second movement from Symphony No. 6 in B Minor ("Pathetic”) by Tchaikovsky, and Cesar Franck’s Finale in B Flat (Op. 21).