THE SHADOW WORLD.

Southland Times, Issue 19510, 9 May 1922, Page 3

THE SHADOW WORLD.

LATEST REAL NEWS OF REEL FOLK.

(By

“The Recorder.”)

There is more drama in one reel of “The Sign on the Door” than in four of the average five reel features. Although Norma Talmadge steadily worked her way to the top of the tree before she played in this, and everyone knew the worth of her work, she still displays fire and passion. Two stars that are proving that they are not fixed stars are Gareth Hughes and Bessie Love. They are to be featured in a series of special productions by Louis Bursten. Just two years ago Hugh Huntley left Sydney, to use an Americanism, to hit the “land of the shadows.” His screen successes include “The Greatest Love,” and “Her Brother’s Keeper.” A new production “The Road to Arcady,” in which the star is one of Yankeeland’s famous blondes—Virgina Lee—possesses Hughie for its Juvenile lead. Wanda Hawley’s “Her Beloved Villain,” screened at the Civic a week or two back, will be long remembered as a sample of exquisite humour and complicated situations. Miss Hawley is soon to be seen again in another comedy of errors, “Her First Elopement,” in which a man, a girl affd a yacht provide many exciting situations brimming over with fun. Wild Geese, a black horse and a knowing dog do much to help Tom Mix in his stirring William Fox picture “The Night Horsemen,” which is coming to the Civic this week end. And in addition Mix has an excellent cast supporting him. “The Night Horsemen” is based on Max Brand’s novel “Wild Geese” and is a sequel to “The Untamed,” one of Mix’s best pictures. Jackie Coogan, “The Kid,” is six years ' of age, and has stated that his ambition is to retire from the screen when 15, and be a camera man with Mary Pickford as his leading lady. 4 :: :: :: Considerable disappointment was experienced when the Breezy Eason film “The Big Adventure” failed to come to hand last week, owing to transit delays in the north. Picture patrons will, however, still have the chance of seeing this bright little chap and his dog at the Civic this week end. Jack Holt, Lila Lee and Charles Ogle are | associated in “After the Show,” a story of theatrical life and doings “back stage.” The old caretaker (Charles Ogle) constitutes himself the guardian of the girl and gives one of the finest characterisations the screen has ever seen. The production—by Wm. de Mille —is the work of genius. Roy Stewart, late Triangle hero, now leading man for the American Beauty, Katherine MacDonald in “Her Social Value,” was once a choir boy, but not the angel-faced kind. He was known as the ; “fighting choir-boy.” Fortunately he ' didn’t raise a cauliflower ear, or Katherine wouldn’t have had him. He will be j seen at the Albion soon. “Way Down East,” which will be shown locally soon, ran for two years in one theatre in New York. The price of admission was 10s, so N.Z. picture lovers can understand that they are getting a high-class production at a reasonable cost. A girl detective nosing into a den of thieves, however improbable it may seem, has always an attraction, in fact a girl doing a man’s work at any time, is always of interest, and when she happens to be a beauty as well, like Marguerite Marsh in “Wits v Wits,” the average man or woman can manage to raise a thrill at her escapades and dangers. A girl’s brains -against a master crook’s furnishes a succvession of thrills in this one. The picture will be shown at the Albion. Fanny Hurst, the author of “Humoresque,” has produced another heart-touch-ing story in “Just Around the Corner”— the story of a mother’s heart-aches and love, and the affection between brother and sister, exquisitely brightened with touches of humour. This is coming to the Civic. All who read “The Shulamite,” by Alice and Claude Askew, will be anxious to see the pictured version which has been produced by Paramount under the title “Uni der the Lash.” Gloria Swanson is said to be very satisfying in the role of Deborah, the beautiful wife of the hard and fanatical Boer, in this striking story of the veldt. Mahlon Hamilton is seen as the handsome young English overseer who comes to her I rescue.

Betty Jewel, D. W. Griffith’s latest "find” who was called the third orphan in "Orphans of the Storm,” is going to be starred by that producer in a forthcoming picture. A snare made from the golden hair of a girl found by a trooper of the R.N.W.M.P. furnishes the theme of James Oliver Curwood’s latest story, which rivals "Back to God’s Country.” As vivid as any story the great writer has produced with Lewis Stone in his favourite role of a trooper, and lovely Ruth Renick as ‘the girl,’ this First National is in every respect a winner. The Albion will screen it. Pictures like "The House Without Children” do us sin-struck mortals a lot of good —without preaching at us in any way. Here’s a production which tackles a phase of public life—tells its story just as it happens,. everyday throughout the world—and shows clearly the terrible consequences that inevitably overcome the unfortunates who yield, A London school teacher has written of an amusing reply from a little boy in Sunday school; the teacher was reprimanding him for telling an untruth. "Have you ever heard of conscience,” she asked. "Yes, Miss, Conscience Talmadge,” replied the boy. See her stand for Mayor in "Woman’s Place.” Stories of the Hudson Bay country have had a fascination for all from the day they read their first R. M. Ballantyne story. The fascination of the printed word is as nothing compared to the pictured presentation of the exciting doings in that adventurous country where only the brave and strong survive. Stewart Edward White’s novel "Conjuror’s House” has now been produced by Paramount with the title "Call of the North,” and the thrilling incidents of the story have been faithfully re-produced by Jack Holt, Madge Bellamy, Noah Beery and a strong supporting cast. The success of this picture, now showing at the Civic, bears tribute to the fact that the North has lost none of its fascination and interest. "The Ten Dollar Raise” is dedicated to the under-dog, that member of the unfortunate class, clerks, underpaid and downtrodden, and should provide a strong incentive to all of them to progress and reverse the order of things. Peter B. Kyne, essentially a wtiter of men’s stories for men, is the author and provides that quality of punch that is always present in big mouthfuls in his stories. William V. Mong and Helen Eddy share stellar honours in a fine production. There is also a very strong hint to employers in the story. The picture is coming to the Albion.