THE THEATRES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VI, Issue 1736, 6 September 1919, Page 13

THE THEATRES.

STRAND THEATRE. " 'String Beans' Is the greatest story in which Charles Ray has appeared," says an American critic of the picture, which was shown initially at the Strand Theatre this afternoon. The versatile American actor appears in a most amusing film. The curious title, "String Reansi" is derived from the extremely popular book pf the same name, and is built around the false project of oik Tendal Reeves to establish a beanconning factory in the town of Lambert. Chas. Ray is the virile type of youth whose very sineerity of nature frustrates all plots to ruin him. Ultimately he bashfully falls in lore. The inclusion of Jane Novak in the cast of players greatly enhances the worth of the production, her fine work in other films having made her a great favourite. The spirited young girl, Dorothy Gish, is also seen in "The Hope Chest." The tale centres round Sheila Moore, the daughter of an old-time vaudeville actor. She gets employment in a fashionable chocolate shop, where she comes under the attention of Tom Rallantvne, son of. the owner. He falls in love with her. and they visit an old-fashioned parson, *ho performs the ceremony that makes her Mrs Ballantync. Her father is somewhat shocked by the news of the marriage, but Tom's parents are horrified. They had made other plans. The bride, in effect, becomes a ward of the elder Ballantync until she can get a little polish. A friend of the Ballantync family makes violent love to her, and she faints in his arms just as the other members appear on the scene, and there are strange complications. In the end, however, everything is cleared up. The adjuncts arc of more than passing iterest. including as-fhey do a most beautiful scenic, "In Old India,' "The Village Chestnut," and the usual gazette. LIBERTY THEATRE. No better criterion of the worth of a film could be forthcoming than the fact that. In order to accommodate- the crowds of patrons who desire to see the film, the management of the Liberty Theatre finds it necessary to extend the season of 'Mickey for a week. There was not a vacant scat in the theatre last evening, and the same conditions have-prevailed all the week. The delightful and appropriate music that accompanies the picture adds greatly to the enjoyment of all. Mrs Kennedy Black, who, incidentally, is a Christchurch girl, and who has had a fine training in the theatrical profession, sings the sweet, catchy song, "Mickey," in a finished style. The scene of the action, is an old country place with winding stairs. The villain in the play Sursues Mickey to the roof, a slanting peak, [ere she barely manages to hang. Below, the hero and the villain wage one of those exciting, smashing combats, which, in its handling and in the manner in which suspense has been built up, calls to mind some of Fairbanks's best "scraps." But this fight has not the conventional finish. As the men combat, Mickey slowly loses her grip on the top edge of the roof, and begins to slide down. There is a sheer drop of a dangerous height, which she seems unable to avoid. And when the villain apparently triumphs and sends the hero falling downstairs, the cause of virtue seems about to be dragged in the dust. But, instead, the hero dashes to the window and grabs Mickey Inside to safety, just as she is about to fall from the eaves to the ground so far below. These fight scenes, alternating with flashes of Mickey in her hazardous predicaments on the roof, afford some of the finest thrills Imaginable.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. The cheeriness and charm associated with Constance Talmadge's appearance jn "Romance and Arabella," has been largely responsible for the success of the film this wnok at Everybody's Theatre. Its final running tonight will doubtless attract a crowded house. The sweep of the Western backgrounds provides a rich setting 1 for a thrilling and absorbing story in "The Hell Cat" which is announced to be run next week. The picture comes from the Goldwvn studios, and is said to be artistically perfect. The central role is interpreted by Geraldlnc Farrar, and able support is given her by Milton Sills and Thomas Santschl. A critic writes of the play:—"To be explicit about the mater, only one man ever tailed Pancha O'Brien a Tiell cat,' and he fid it in a fit of savage rage, because she refused to hide her contempt for him, and 'ought with all her strength when he made 1 captive of her and killed her father. Pancha is as fine a specimen of womanhood as ever grew up on a Wyoming ranch. When she takes the law into her own hands and escapes further indignities by killing Jim Dyke, her act nftre than justifies itself. And everyone will applaud Jack Webb for telling her that her suffering has only added to her claim on his love and devotion." There is a splendid supporting comedy, produced by Wm. Fox, and, in addition, the popular gazette is to be run.

QUEEN'S THEATRE. Baby Em. Gorman makes her initial appearance In "The Soul of a Child" at the Queen's Theatre on Monday. Although of very tender years, this wonderful child actress has all the airs and mannerisms of a great tragedienne. She has a captivating charm rarely seen in one so young, and, in moments where the story calls for emotional portrayal, she rises to the occasion In a manner to lie envied by many actresses of mature years. The story gives her ample opportunity to display her ability, and she receives admirable support from Jack Dunn. The plot is human and convincing, and is well presented. A synopsis of the story is as follows:—Two brothers, successful in the fishing industry, agree to dissolve partnership. Their tastes are opposite, one sighing for city life and the other for the open life of the sea. Each goes his own way, and, shortly after, the seafaring brother is drowned, with his wife, in a storm. A little child is left with his wife's sister, unprovided for. The sister takes her to the uncle in the town, where he is living a life of dissipation. He agrees to adopt the child, on condition that she does not interfere with his life. The child insinuates her way into his affections and is the means of his droppins his mode of living and, eventually, falling in love with and marrying her. GRAND THEATRE. Scenes of the greatest brilliancy and dramatic value, of the desert, in Tangicrs, and in a circus are shown in "Eye for Eye," Nazimova's screen triumph, which will run for the last time to-night at the Grand Theatre. Nazimova as Hassouna, a heathen, who comes at the last to appreciate the gospel of "return good for evil," provides a remarkable study. The part of the young naval officer, who has a beautiful wife who elopes with a friend, is capably sustained. The conclusion of the story is tense and most convincing. One of the greatest and most talented of screen favourites will he leen on Monday, namely, Miss Florence Reed, in the stage success, "Her Own Way." Miss Florence Reed is acknowledged as one »f the finest emotional actresses on the screen to-day and there is a reserve power, a firm grip on the situations, a convincing reality in her acting that is very fine. Coming from the ranks of the highest in the theatrical world of England and America, she brings experience and talent to the screen. She is blessed with a strong personality and a striking and beautiful appearance, and it required no prophet to foretell for her the great honours she has won in the world of motion pictures. ORCHESTRAL CONCERT. The Christchurch Orchestral Society's second concert of the 1919 season will be held at the Choral Hall on Wednesday, September 17. A brilliant programme has been arranged and will include the following works by the full orchestra: "Symphony" I No. 4, Op. 90 (Mendelssohn); "Pique Dame" overture (Suppe); "Peasants' Wedding March" (Soderman); suite, "Ballet Egypticn" (Luigini). Mr G. H. Bonnington will play "Concerto foif'Oboe" (Kluzhardt), with orchestral accompaniment. New subscribers"'can still enrol for the remaining three concerts of the season at the Bristol, or with the hon. sec., Box 518.

OPERA HOUSE. Merrymaking plays a large part in "The King of Dunnowhereski," the miniature comic opera in which the Sunshine Players appear at the Opera House this week. The claim that this is the brightest and best production of the company is not an idle one. After a lengthy- season, which has proved an unqualified success and a great delight for all auditors, the Molinaris are to bid farewell to-night. Astras, the wonderful psychic; Sylvester, the "magician"; and Brull and Hemslcy, the favourite English character entertainers, are still appearing nightly. CRYSTAL PALACE. "Peggy Does Her Darndest," a Metro drama of distinctive originality, in which May Allison, the beautiful and alluring young star, is seen, will be the attraction at the Crystal Palace on Monday. The young actress plays the role of Peggy, a girl full of health and spirit. Scorning the usual occupations and amusements of her own sex she finds delight in the sports to , which her brother is addicted. Football, I boxing, fencing and hockey arc among her | favourites. In direct contrast to Peggy is , her sister, Eleanor, who is a confirmed coquette. The fact that Peggy should compete' and rival her in her love affairs never entered her pretty head, for she considers her younger sister a hoyden, and a perpetual annoyance and disgrace to the I family. How Peggy proves that she can use both her athletic powers and girlish charm to perfection is cleverly shown in the play, which is one long adventure. Supporting May "Allison are Robt. Ellis, Rosemary Thcby, Frank Currier, Dick Rosen, Augustus Phillips and Sylvia Ashton. The absurdities of Billy West arc exploited in "The Hobo," while "The Precipice of Death" (episode nine of "Wolves of Kultur") is to be run. * HARRY DEARTH. "The greatest singer to visit Australia, since' Santley created such a furore here," . is how one critic summed up the wonderful magnetism and personality of the famous | English baritone, Harry Dearth, who has I just completed a series of 22 concerts at the Auditorium, Melbourne, where he at- \ tracted thousands of music lovers. Perhaps what has charmed Melbourne critics more than anything else in the singing of Harry Dearth is that he lends such wonderful life to even the most ordinary ballads. He has the gift of putting out from a song the type of the person represented in that song and | he makes the character live. Most notice-. able is this gift to be traced in "Old Barty" I and "Company Sergeant-Major" and in "Stone Cracker John," items for which he I was encored again and again whenever he sang them in Melbourne. J. and N. Tait have arranged for the popular baritone to visit New Zealand, and he will open his tour at the Theatre Royal next Saturday evening. Mr Dearth will have the assistance of a distinguished company of artists, including the celebrated contralto, Madame Marie Power; the well-known pianiste and accompanistc. Miss Carlicn Juro; in addition to Mr Harold Beck, the talented 'cellist. The box plan will open at The Bristol on Wednesday morning next. ; sydenhabTpictures. To-night, at the Sydenham Theatre, the programme will consist of "A House of Gold" and "Romance and Arabella." On Monday next Norma Talmadgc will be starred in "The Heart of Wctona." I