THE THEATRES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume V, Issue 1360, 22 June 1918, Page 13

THE THEATRES.

CRYSTAL PALACE. Picturegoers must remember that magnificent feature, "A Tale of Two Cities," shown recently at Crystal Palace, and now comes that announcement of the screening of the picture version of another of the world's literary classics, "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," by the famous French novelist and patriot, Victor Hugo. The story is one which has enthralled millions of readers, and the William Fox presentation in (J reels, of kinema luxury, lavishness, and dramatic beauty, portrays all the big scenes and situations, which have made the story of immortal historical interest, in a manner which gives it a newcharm. Those who have seen such pictures as "A Daughter of the Gods," "The Two Orphans," and "A" Tale of Two Cities," know well how capable are William Fox, his directors, photographers, and artists, when it comes to the faking of big scenes, the renewing and presenting of old historical epochs, and the arranging of backgrounds to suit the period to which the action refers. In r The Darling of Paris," the title of the picture version of Victor Hugo's work, all the high qualities which have been utilised in previous Fox masterpieces are combined and presented in their most extravagant form. The scene of the major part of the action takes place in Paris of mediaeval times, and the seventeenth century settings and costumes are said to be accurate in every detail. The cast is headed by Tlieda Bara, and in the role of Esmeralda, the dancing girl heroine, she without doubt scores the triumph of her career. The play presents human nature in all its forms, and the wide range of incidents, and the deep tragedy and poignancc of the situations one and all, provide the star with a rare opportunity for a continual display of the emotions. Her dramatic expression, it is well known, is beyond all praise, and in "The Darling of Paris" she even eclipses her previous efforts. The powerful vigorous story, or rather, romance, is visualised in an extremely artistic and faithful manner, perhaps not quite so sombre, but it is a remarkable clever adaptation. The incidents, the joys and sorrows in the life of Esmeralda, loved by Quasimodo, the misshapen dwarf, are artistically portrayed. The play makes a charming romance in a quaint setting. The carnival scene, and other big street scenes it is said required 10,000 people to reproduce, and they are certainly marvels of the photo spectacle type; Very careful handling of the more delicate religious passages has entirely eliminated all sectarian feeling. One of the best scenes is that of the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris, where are enacted some of Ihe more powerful situations which occur during the presentation, while the soul-stirring tribunal scene is said to be one of the finest incidents of its kind ever pictured. Then as a relief against the more serious atmosphere created by this picture, there will be shown another of Mack Sennet I's uproarious Paramount comedies, a two-reel spasm bearing the promising liile, "A Bedroom Blunder." in which Charles Murray and Way land Trask perform a scries of screamingly funny acts which are calculated to make one forget all worries which may assail one at Ihe present time. The humour is good, fast, and continuous, and as an example til farce comedy it would be difficult to imagine anything funnier, unless il were the nexl of the William Fox Sunshine comedies. Chapter 10 of the thrilling and mysterious Paramount serial, "Who is Number One?" contains a succession of sensational happenings, and the mystery becomes more complex with every scene. The latest American Gazelle will conclude the picture part of Ihe programme. Then comes the musical section, which will he provided dining the evening sessions by Mr W. 11. Corrigan's orchestra, anil Mrs John Eraser, who, on accounl of the tremendous success she scored las! week has been re-engaged. I lei' Items will he "Morning" and "Down the Road," Ihe latter composed bv Mr R. A. Home.

COLOSSEUM SKATING KINK. Youngsters as well as adults enjoy roller skating, and Saturday morning is invariably popular.with the "small fry" at the Colosseum Hink, a specially low admission rate being charged for them. The afternoon session .was, as usual, crowded, while capacity houses are expected at the evening and night sessions. Mr Dunn's Hand will be in attendance this evening, and will render an altractive programme. A fancy dress and poster carnival will be held on July 3 and. 1. Entries close next Saturday.

OPERA HOUSE. "Jack and the Beanstalk," the latest of the potted pantomimes in the repertoire of the Harry Farrow Company, and which was presented for the fust time at the Opera House last evening, is a distinct improvement upon all of its predecessors. This is owing, for the most part, to the inclusion of two new principals, Winifred and Warwick Lumlcy, who were seen here recently in an excellent musical comedy act. Winifred Lumley acts charmingly in the role of Princess Goldilocks, while her partner portrays the part of Mifiins in a highly-enter-taining manner. Harry Farrow presides over the humour department in his inimitahle way, although his fun is at times distinctly coarse. The production is well staged, the costumes are excellent, while the settings also are good. Two of the members of the chorus, concealed in a weird-looking fabric, impersonate Jessie, the cow, and they romp about the stage in a very un-cowlike manner. Some of the antics performed by this unnatural beast arc highly amusing. Harry Farrow takes the part of Dame trot, and arrayed in the "loud" costumes attributed to this "lady" he keeps his audience in a rare good humour. Louie Farrow still portravs the part of the principal bov. and she renders a popular *ong, "There's a Girl for Every SolTlier," with novelty effects by the chorus. About the best musical number was "My Beautiful Champagne Girl," by Yorke Gray and the chorus. The second part of the programme consists of a series of highclass vaudeville acts. Miss Winifred La France asain presented her beautiful act, "The Siren of the Deep," which was prefaced by a selection of new songs. On Monday she will contribute some new songs and will also be seen in some new posture studies. Mr C. and Maud Courtney received another rousing reception for their jokes and songs, and Mr C. gave details of the competition he has promoted in connection with bis duel, "I Would Still Love You." Patrons arc invited to send in lines to suit this, and commencing this evening he and Maud Courtney will render excerpts from the contributions. A prize of one guinea is offered for the best, and the judging will take place next Friday evening, Ward Lear, comedian and mimic; De Car, the acrobatic waiter; and the Balancinos, athletic experts, are also appearing. On Monday evening De Car will be replaced by Arthur Bertram and Rubee Raymond, who will present an Australian sketch, "A Cockney's Courtship."

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. A change of programme at Everybody's Theatre will be made on Monday, the chief attraction being "The Cross Rearer." Montague Love appears in the leading role as Cardinal Merrier, the courageous prelate of Belgium, who has so steadfastly opposed the German aggression in that stricken country. He is the central figure in the World feature, "The Cross Bearer," and the part is acted in a very convincing manner. Jeanne Eagles takes the part of Lianc, his ward. The story has an historic basis and an enthralling love theme is woven round the charming figure of Liane. who loves and is loved by a Belgian officer on active service. The German Commander looks with evil eyes on this sweet young girl. The Cardinal uses every means his wits can devise to save her from this German, and the combat between the one defenceless man, opposed to the might of the enemy, makes a notable story. Eventually her lover in disguise oasscs through the enemy lines and reaches her, but no sooner arc the two united in marriage secretly at night, by the Cardinal, than circumstances part them, and the German Commander devises a plot which makes it apuear to the young husband that Liane is false to him, while at the same time she is led to believe thai he is a traitor. A slrikjing feature of this great play is the ispectacular scenes of cathedral interiors, and the Cardinal's visit to the Pope. Another big feature of the new programme will be the third episode of "The Mystery of The Double Cross," entitled "An Hour to F.ive." Several good and varied films support the main feature, and as large crowds are expected patrons are advised to book their seals, or attend the day sessions if possible. The management have decided to !augment the orchestra, and have engaged two well-known local musicians.

QUEEN'S THEATRE. Commencing on Monday at the Queen's Theatre, an entirely new programme will be screened, the big feature being "The Mate of the Sally Ann," starring the popular little screen favourite, Mary Miles Minter. It is a delightful sea drama, wilb a mystery, a love story, and just enough of the tragic element to make it one of the bjpst Mary Miles Minter pictures ever screened. Captain Ward, a slightly demented sea captain, lives on board the wrecked hulk of his old ship, "Sally Ann," keeping his little granddaughter virtually a prisoner, and maintaining a pretence that he is still proud master of his ship. Sally is an imaginative child of 16, lives' in a world of her own creation, and is mate and crew of the vessel in turns, according to the old man's whims. Years before, the captain returned from sea to find his daughter in a dying condition. She died without divulging the name of her child's father. He broods over the thought of his child's wrongs until it becomes a mania with him, but he rears Sally in a rough wav. They both come in contact with Judge Gordon and his friend, Hugh Schuyler, many exciting events and situations happening. The Judge invites Sally to a ball. He fits her out in gorgeous gown, but she makes a failure of dancing. The old captain wakes and misses her from the bunk and makes for the house. He clears a way through the ballroom with his cutlass and marches Sally out. She is kept a close prisoner afterwards. The captain's brain is cleared of its brooding, and he becomes commander of the Judge's yacht. The only passengers as the film fades out arc Sally and Hugh and the pup, the innocent cause of the clearing up of all the mystery. The seventh episode of "The Lass of the Lumberlands" will also be screened in conjunction with the main feature. The agents of Holmes, discovering Helen has been sent to get Ihe fifty thousand dollars of the promised cash, take measures to rob her of the money. Meantime, the hundreds of independent woodsmen at work in the northern camps, are reduced to a state of semi-starvation because of the refusal of Holmes's railway managers to ship supplies to the camp. Holmes decides to destroy the bridges, so that there may appear an adequate reason for the refusal to forward the ordered The dynamite car hits the auto and explodes, thus saving the bridge. It is a most exciting and sensational film and is fully up to the high standard of its former chapters. The supporting pictures include a "Flying A" drama, "The Counterfeit Earl," and a rollicking comedy, "Her Luckless Scheme."

STRAND THEATRE. At this afternoon's sessions at the Strand Theatre a change of programme was submitted, the big picture being an Arlcraft production, featuring a new star, Charles Ray. It is a drama of the big cities and of youthful romances and folly, and the right of man to light for his rightful heritage. A wild boast rash ly given, a wilder time not so quickly passed, and a fortune made in six months at the rate of 2000 per cent., are the main features of this exciting film. Gordon Garthboy as a boy at college is extravagant and luxurious. His father compels him to give up these ideas of his parent's untold wealth, and then this boast of being able to obtain this unheard-of rate of interest on a small capital was made. Ray gives a first-rate impersonation of his part, that of a young and giddy man, who is dismissed by bis father on account of his extravagance. The plot of the 'day is one in which he arouses the interest of the audience. It is a film in which all the personality of the young actor is portrayed. He is seen as a young man of 24, who has to seek his own living. He expects excitement, but not to the amount in which he gets it. Its fulfilment and the winning of a pretty wife make the subject of an interesting and picturesque film. Other good supporting films were shown, the whole forming a really high class programme. The same programme will lie screened throughout next week. STARLAND THEATRE. "The High! Direction," a Paramount photoplay, is the chief attraction on the new programme which will he screened at Starland Theatre on Monday. Vivian Martin is in the leading role, and is supported bv a strong cast, including William Jefferson and Jack While. The whole story is romantic, and the acting of Hie differenl players is quite up lo the standard of previous Paramount productions. A stirring circus story I entitled "I'nder the Lion's' Paw," J and "The-Kitchen Lady," a comedy, support the main feature.

LIBERTY THEATRE. Those who have not yet witnessed Ethel Clayton in "Whims of Society" at the Liberty Theatre, are reminded that the final screening will take place this evening. On Monday there will be presented "Panthea," an unusually powerful drama of Russian life and customs, with the popular young actress Norma Talmadge in the lead. The story commences in Russia, where Panthea, a successful young pianist, is seen giving a recital before an assemblage of critics and opera managers. One of these becomes completely fascinated by the personal beauty and charm of the young girl, and he forms a resolution to possess her. Panthea, however, has instinctively divined that the intentions of this man are anything but honourable, yet she is afraid, on account of his influence in the theatrical world, to repulse his advances completely. Soon afterwards Panthea's brother, who belongs to a Russian secret society, becomes an object of suspicion by the secret police, and one night the meeting place is raided; one of the policemen is killed by the brother, and Panthea, who is on the premises, in order to enable her brother to escape, assumes guilt of the murder. She is taken prisoner, but, by the efforts of her would-be lover, is enabled to make her escape. Panthea and her brother sail for England, but are shipwrecked on the English coast; the brother is drowned and Panthea is rescued. She is taken to an English country home, where one of the sons of the house falls in love with her. A romantic marriage follows, and the young couple go to live in Paris. However, the troubles of Panthea are not yet over, for her old persecutor discovers her; and here commences the most exciting portion of the story. Panthea eventually has to decide between selling her honour and sacrificing her husband's life, and how she makes the fateful decision and what the outcome of that decision is make an interesting ending to a story that holds the attention from beginning to end.

GRAND THEATRE. Viola Dana an actress of considerable charm, will be seen at the Grand Theatre on Monday in her latest Metro success "The Winding Trail." Miss Dana first appears as a dance hall girl in a rough Western mining camp, and later in the life of the plains and the desert. The dance hall and mining camp scenes are pictured in a realistic style, and altogether the atmosphere of the "wild and woolly" West is well retained in the film. There are many exciting incidents, and the interest is held from first to last. The supporting programme includes a fine animal study, "Feeding Bears," a "Co-operative Weekly," and a farce, "Mis Ear for Music." THEATRE ROYAL. This evening the Brandon Cremer Dramatic Company will present a new drama, the well-known story of sporting life "The Pace that Kills." It is a melodrama of the orthodox type, full of excitement. and moving from scene to scene and situation to situation in a manner which holds the attention. The adventures of the hero and heroine, the conspiracies of the villain, and the way in which the good and virtuous triumph over the scoundrel's machinations are powerfully presented, and the drama is one which should fully maintain the high reputation achieved by the company during its season here. The box plan is at The Bristol.