ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12283, 31 October 1925, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

THEATRE DE LUXE

Years ago the great film “Quo Vadis?” created a sensation in the moving picture world, and was acclaimed as a stupendous triumph in photography and production. The latest version of this remarkable story of ancient Rome is even greater than the first, because it has, to substantiate its claims, all the more modern methods of the producer’s studio, which during the past decade have enhanced the facilities for realistio filming. This picture commenced a season at the Theatre De Luxe last evening. It presents a giant spectacle of gorgoouu splendour, and depicts the reckless abandon with which Nero, the most degraded creature that ever defiled the tlirono. lived in the days when the persecution of the Christians was viewed with savage exultation bv the pleasure-thirsty crowds. There are tO,OOO characters in the picture, and in all the leading parts the acting is worthy of the magnificence of the background and supports. To take the story as revealed hv the book, and to attempt to transfer that story to the screen without cutting detail to minimise the infinite labour involved, or curtailing the giant spectacle to reduce the outlay in capital, is a task that might well appal the most hardy and enterprising men, but it has been done by First National in this picture. “Quo Vadis?” brings realism to the screen in a manner never before essayed or achieved. Hundreds of tilings that would be great in an ordinary picture become matters of detail as far as the onlooker is concerned in “Quo Vadis?” The circus scenes are among the most wonderful in the picture. Hundreds of lions take part in the great massacre of the Christian martyrs, and one is left puzzling as to how the producer achieved this remarkable and difficult piece of work. All through the picture the interest of the spectacle on a grand scale and the interest of a romantic and charming love story arc both prominent. The Christians and their worship, Nero’s edict against them, and subsequent persecution have a large place in the story. Prominent among the characters are Lygeia, the bfeautii'ul Christian hostage; Vinicius, the young Roman general, who falls in love with her; Petronius, courtier and cynic, who despises and flatters Nero with unfailing wit and skill; Tigellinus the warrior, the support of whose legions saves his life at a critical moment; Poppaea the empress, fit mate for such as Nero; Eunice the slave girl, devoted to Petronius in lift? and death; Ursus, the giant, whose tremendous strength is the salvation of Lygeia on more than one occasion and not a few others. The Apostle Peter is represented exhorting his courageous and sorely tried little floak as they worship in the catacombs. Emil Jen nings, famous European star, gives a remarkable portrayal as Nero; that of Ursus, the giant siave, is played by Signor Bruto Castellani; while Lilian Hall Davis, a beautiful young English stage star, gives a fine portrayal at the Christian girl Lygeia. One of the chief features of this screening is a magnificent prologue, which provides a fitting introduction to a remarkable film. The chief characters are portrayed in an atmosphere in keeping with the lavish setting of Nero’s court. Many _ local artists appear, Messrs Norman Aitken, Lionel Lynch, Sydney Tingey, and others representing the chief figures in “Quo ’Vadis?” The combination of the prologue, the picture, and the incidental music by the Orchestra De Luxe, provide an excellent evening’s entertainment, and can only be judged on De Luxe standards. This theatre does things well, .and this week things have been done just a little better. So the quality can, to say the very least, be described as “top hole.” ARTCRAFT THEATRE “’When Lights are. Law,” the film which opened last night at the cosy Artcraft Theatre, stars Sessue Hayakawa, who returns to the screen after a lengthy absence. Among the many engrossing episodes in this production are several very interesting scenes laid in San Francisco’s famous Chinatown before fire laid it waste. Other episodes show haw Chinese girls are sold into slavery, how a man hoards has savings for years to buy hack the girl he loves from a Chinese slave dealer, nnd. how he proves that love is tho greatest force in the world. . “When Lights are Low” unreels a vivid story in adventure with the thread of action carrying all the way from far-off China to the . secret haunts of San Francisco's Chinatown. A Pathe News, Review, and a very amusing comedy are included in the bill, all to a very excellent and appropriate musical accompaniment by James Haydock, Whose overtures are real musical treats. Mr James Haydock, the popular pianist of the Artcraft, believes that musio should he played to suit the picture. It is easy enough, he says, to play any musio for a film, but that is not what is wanted. Emotional musio Is needed foi emotional soenes, and quick music for stirring scenes. It is Mr Haydock’s intention to give the Artcraft patrons the best musio that it is passible to obtain, thus making the films more enjoyable.

QUEEN’S THEATRE “One crowded hour of glorious life is worth an age without a name.” So wrote Sir Walter Scott in his poem “Marmion”—and it is from this] that Bebe Daniel’s newest starring picturpfor Paramount, “The Crowded Hour,” which attracted a large audience at the Queen’s Theatre last night, found its title. Abounding from main title to final fade out in everything that goes to make up pleasing screen entertainment, “The Crowded Hour,” directed by celebrated E. Mason Hooper, relates of tho adventures of a pretty, slangy, breezy telephone operator in n. New York hotel, who becomes tho hit of the “Follies.” Kenneth Harlan has the leading- man’s role in the picture as a wealthy young engineer (Billy Laidlaw). The action of the pioture also includes many realistic scenes behind the lines in France during the World War. Helen Leo Worthing, Zeigfeld Follies beauty, has a prominent'role in the cast of “The Crowded Hour” as Laidlaw’s wife, and many striking scenes follow. A further exciting instalment of the thrilling serial "The Riddle Rider,” and a hilarious comedy complete a Queen’s Select Orchestra, under the musical direction of Miss Eileen Dennehy. . , ORGAN RECI Air Bernard F. Page (city organist) will give a recital on the Town Hall organ to-morrow (Sunday) evening, and the programme has been arranged as under:—Largo in G, by Handel; Andante and Variations by Mozart; Andante (from String/Quartette), by Debussy (this item is by request); Fantais'e in A, bv Cesar Franck : Chaconne by Dubois; Romance Op. 118 (No. 5) by Brahms; Prelude (Act I.), “Tristan and Isolde,” By Wagher.

“THE MARRIAGE MARKET

SCREENING AT THE KING’S. “The Alarriage Alarket,” featuring Paulino Garon, opened at the King’s Theatre last evening, ie tho picturisation of Evelyn Campbell’s novel of the same name, and has been characterised as a superb treatise on modern marriages. The author contends that marriage is a market in which the prettiest face and form and most charming personality gets the highest price. The story centres round an attractive young girl who is sent to a fashionable “finishing school” to ho prepared for marriage—but because of her im-

pulsive naturo is hurled into a series of entanglements and barely escapes in time to prevent burning her'fingers. At Alice Whitcomb’s fashionable school ; for girls, Theodora Bland is in process i of being “finished” for the marriage . market. Theodora, who is mischievous i and irrepressibly good humoured, re--1 fuses ta be disciplined by Aliss Whit- . comb,- and is at last expelled, being . put in charge of an assistant mistress to be sent home. Tim sceno shifts to the sumptuous homo of Mra l’iggott, Theodora’s aunt, who lias recently mari ried again an old man who is seized with consternation at the thought of tho girl's returning home. Theodora. . however, has other plans, and taking

advantage of a suddenly presented o;> portunity leaves the train, and impersonates a girl who has run away from a reformatory. The complications which I arise from this fact after sho returns home and is recognised by AVilton Carrutlicrs, an artist, whom in her character of tho escapee she had persuaded to assist her, provide moat of the material of tho picture. A delightful love story runs through the film. Included in the cast are such splendid movie programme. Specially attractive is the charming and appropriate musical score subintted by t’ne well-known artists as .Tack Afulhall. Alice Lake, Shannon Day, Jean Do 'Briac, Alayno Kelso, Alarc Robbins,

and Willard Louis. Pauline Garon, as the irresponsible young daughter, is adorable. Alise Garon possesses a wardrobe which will delight tile feminine portion of the audience, and is bound to bring gasps of admiration from the men. Alice Lake runs a close second when it comes to clothes, and Shannon Day is not left far behind.