THE THEATRES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VII, Issue 2072, 5 October 1920, Page 9

THE THEATRES.

OPERA HOUSE. Capacity business was the experience once more nt the Opera House last evening, when a bright new bill of vaudeville ami revue fare was presented, which met with general approbation. In the vaudeville section Hilly Elliott was announced to appear, but there was a hitch In the arrangements, and the Sunshine trio of agile holies, am! Ernest Crawford, a vocalist, filled the breach to complete satisfaction. Billv Elliott, styled as Americas black-face comedian, will appear this evening. Lilian Williams warbled pleasantly ill ragtime, and treated auditors to the swcctlv-scrious composition. "Santa Clans.' written |iv the late Billy Williams of gramophone fame. Bert Coleman, a siffleur, proved his ability to mimic the birds 111 the trees, and denizens of the barnyard, but he cannot place 100 much dependence on his vocal organs, as bis attempt at the rather hackneyed number. "For Me and Mv Girl" quicklv showed. However, he can whistle: Carlton Max. the ventriloquist, made his partner, "Jerry," say much that was really clever, albeit more novelty would enhance the turn. "Jerry" is a very lifelike figure as "duunnys" go. and Carlton Max fullv exploits his merits. Vaudeville would lose ils attractiveness without its revues, and the Harrv Burgess Co. at present holds the popular fancy. The company's latest offering is "A Railway Tangle." a pleasant enough melange of mirth, nvrlodv and dance, which runs its course over the second half of the programme. A tenuous plot is made the mast of in the presentation or a rollicking farce on a railway station platform. Harry Burgess as "Sam," a misleading coloured Jorter. assists <ius Franks as 1/zy dote, a ewish "caller," in •making plenty of trouble for Major Buddington (Ernest hrookc) and his erring son. "Bud" (Ernest Crawford). Bud has an elopement, in the emhrvo state to trouble his father with, and after the efforts of Jew, Darky and Sweenv. the Titian-haired Irishman, fail to stop the runaway, old Buddington gives matters best. Einda Dale, Annie Douglas, I.ora Hunt. Ivy Moore and Flo Hoban help "wccessfullv iii keeping the audience in a simmer of merriment. The ensembles and choruses were well executed, and the vocal numbers, notably "N'evcrything." had ■ good reception. The programme will be repeated this evening.

CARTER, THE GREAT. An attraction extraordinary to be presented by J. C. Williamson. Ltd., is Carter, The Great, the renowned magician and illusionist, who will commence a seven nights' season at the Theatre Royal on Saturdav evening next. This magician of world-wide fame was engaged ill America bv the firm, and commenced his Australian tour in Svdnev. where a lengthy season was plaved. and, after .visiting Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth and one or two of the other principal towns, it was decided that Carter should go to New Zealand, and otrtside of the four centres only those towns which can provide adequate stage accommodation will he visited. No similar attraction has ever visited these shores, as it is said to be quite distinct from the orthodox magician's entertainment, and is considered the most complete and biggest organisation of its kind now travelling. Tons or paraphernalia, scenery and effects, a small army of assistants, a special orchestra combine. to make this entertainment interesting and enjoyable -for all classes of the community. There is no vaudeville padding introduced, aud the onlv supporting artist is Evelyn Maxwell, who is described as the psychic marvel, and who presents extraordinary demonstrations of thought transference and mental telepathy, in conjunction with Carter. Amongst -the multitudinous properties carried is a live lion "baby," which tips the scale at 1175 pounds, and this beast plays a prominent part in the illusion, "The Lion's Bride," which is stated to be of a sensational and daring nature. Carter, it hj said, had he not claimed magic as his profession, would have earned fame as a I raconteur, and his patter enhances the enjoyment of the entertainment. The box plans for the season open at The Bristol to-morrow morning, and orders from country patrons will be dealt with• strictly in the order received. CRYSTAL PALACE. Two features are showing this week at the Crystal Palace, and are proving very popular. Charles Bay takes the star part in the Paramount production, "Bed Hot Dollars." this great character actor taking the part of To<l Burke, a labourer in an Iron foundry. He is an insignificant cog in the big industrial machine, until, one day. he is the means of saving his employer's life. In doing so he himself Is injured, and his employer, Peter Carton, has him nursed back to health, and practlcallv adopts him. Tod, however, is in love i with Janet Muir, who lives in a humble] cottage with her grandfather, an old Scotsman, who is a bitter enemy of Carton. This leads to complications, but after some dramatic developments, a reconciliation is effected, and all ends happily. It is a fine story of a boy's grit, a girl's devotion, and of two'old men who had to learn the lesson thnt love is stronger than hate, and must prevail. The second star picture is a strung photoplay entitled "Marriage," starring Catherine Calvert. It is a story of a lovely woman who, made desperate by the need of money to have an urgently-needed operation performed on her husband's eves, cheats at cards to secure the ?um she needs. It is a dramatic and powerul story. Excellent supporting films are shown. QUEEN'S THEATRE. The current programme at the Queen's Theatre is headed by a good film, "Slaves or Pride," in which Alice Joyce plays _the role of a young girl who is placed on the auction block of matrimony by a shallowminded, extravagant mother. Her husband, a young millionaire, is obsessed with ideas of'his own importance, and the story trenchantly points out the evil of false pride as well as loveless unions. The star is appealing in all her scenes, and her performance stands out clearly throughout the whole picture. The story is powerful and splendidly pre > ented. A good supporting Lrogramme is headed by "The Wheel of ife," the story of Irene and Vernon Castle. STRAND THEATRE. Fox films continue to have a great vogue at the Strand Theatre, one showing at pre»ent helng "The Winning Stroke," a tale of college life, with George Walsh In the leading role. Also on the programme is "Lost Money," featuring Madlaine Traverse, also a Fox World's News, a Topical Gazette, and a Mutt and Jeff cartoon. SYDENHAM PICTURES. The outstanding feature of the current programme at the Sydenham Pictures is "In Old Kentucky," a spectacular melodrama. "In Old Kentucky" is from the play by Charles T. Dazey, and has been a great success on the stage lor 27 years.

LIBERTY THEATRE. Melodrama of the most exciting type is exploited to the utmost ill "In Old Kentucky." which promises to have a most successful run at the Liberty Theatre this week. Marshall Neilan's direction of the picture is a work of art, and the performance of Anita Stewart in the star role is excellent. The story is an appealing one, and is full of exciting incidents and dramatic episodes. [ It is from the play by Charles T. Dazey, j which has been played successfully on the i boards for 21 years. One of the most ex- ; citing and realistic scenes in the film Is the : race track scene in which Madge (Anita : Stewart i, a lovable little waif of the Kentucky hills, rides a racehorse, Queen Bess, to victory, to save her sweetheart from ! financial ruin. She also jumps a horse ; across a broken bridge and saves Queen ; Bess when the stable catches fire. A notable cast supports Anita Stewart. There is a good programme of supporting films, and Mr James Schoflrld sings a number of songs. THE ROSS SMITH FLIGHT. The film of the wonderful achievement of Sir Ross Smith and Sir Keith Smith-the journey from England to Australia by air—will be screened at the Liberty Theatre for a limited season, commencing next Saturday, and with the lllm Sir Keith Smith will make his bow to Christchurch in a personal narration of the llight. The series of pictures shown covers the flight from start to finish. Commencing from Hounslow, England, progress is followed over the Channel, through France. Italy, Crete, F.gypt, Palestine, Persia, Burma, Siam (where a torrential storm nearly brought the flight to an abrupt termination). Malay States. Java, to Darwin, and on to Adelaide. A more entertaining lesson in geography could not be imagined than the pictured flight of 11,3-10 miles across half the globe, the actual Hying time taken being 135 hours. There will be no increase in prices for the season. Box plans may be seen at The Bristol on Wednesday. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. The glittering attractiveness of New York is well brought out ill "On With the Dance," the Parainount-Artcraft masterpiece which is drawing large attendances to Everybody's Theatre at present. Mac-Murray stars as the impressionable Russian girl who comes to New York to find the gaiety and life which her heart craves and which has been denied her ill her native country. She falls in love with a young architect, Peter Derwynt. who is secretly engaged to Lady Joane, an English girl. Sonia tricks her into believing that he does not love her, and enters into a marriage of convenience with a millionaire, Sutherland. Derwynt finally marries Sonia out of sympathy, but she, finding her husband's salary insufficient, turns her undoubted talents as a dancer to advantage and establishes a cabaret. It is here that the main scenes of the picture .are laid, and where Sonia creates a sensation as a masked dancer. One night, when her husband is brought to the cabaret, she is unmasked, and Derwynt shoots Sutherland, who is financing the place. Peter is arrested tor murder, is tried, and is released , only after a series of thrilling and dramatic incidents which •ulminate in the marriages of Derwynt with Lady Joane and Sonia with a man who loves her, notwithstanding her shortcomings, and who is prepared to forglve her.

GRAND THEATRE. A popular bill is screened this week at the Grand Theatre. The chief attraction is a Hcpworth English tllm entitled "The Boundary House." It was adapted from the novel of the same name by Peggy Welding, and is an excellent British production with a well-constructed story and clever characterisation. Alma Taylor, one of England's foremost screen actresses, is the heroine, and Gerald Ames plays the leading male part. The outstanding role in the picture, however, is that of Old Fob, eccentric and disgruntled, hut with an extraordinary personality. In the capable hands or William lellhain. old Fob becomes a very real and Mfci-hie rharpcter. The other film is based on the story by Gouverneur Morris. "You Can't Get Away Willi It," and is entitled "The Fallen Angel." Jewel Carmen stars as the girl who preferred luxury to honour.