SCREEN JOTTINGS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18084, 23 June 1924, Page 13

SCREEN JOTTINGS.

A cast of exceptional- excellence even for a de Mills protraction, was assembled for ■ liis latest pictuie production. “The Worlds Applause, featuring Bebe Darnels and 'Lewis Stone, which will be shown i at the Grand Theatre' next Saturday, this is a delightful picture with timely theme, produced according to the highest de Mille standards. Mr de Mille considers the cast assembled for the picture one of the best in his successful career as a motion picture director. The supporting roles are filled by such wellknown players as Adolphe Menjou, Winter Hall, Brandon Hurst, Bernice Frank, Mayn Kelso, George Kmva, and James Neill.

“Thundergate,” a first National ] picture coining to the Theatre Royal on Saturday next, is ari adaption or Sidney Herscliel Small’s absorbing story, “The Lord of Thundergate.” It ■is based on the striking resemblance or an American, a part played by Owen Moore, to the son of a Chinese lord, the head of the forces who use every menus at hand to hinder the erection of roads and bridges by a construction firm which the American represents. # * * * Circumstances force the American to masquerade as the son of the Chinese lord and in this way. Jie . discovers that not only some of his American associates are in the pay of the reactionaries, but also that the o-irl to whom he was engaged to marry, was plotting Ins downfall. How he meets romance while so disguised and how lie defeats the enemies of civilisation are unfolded in the plot of this highly dramtic play of American aud Chinese .life, The ..alt-.. star cast interpreting, the thrilling story includes Sylvia Breamer, I ully Marshall, Virginia Brown, Fame, Robert McKim, Richard Cummings and Ynez Seabury.

Far from the throngs of big cities, reposing peacefully in the heart of our euuntry, lio our Main Streets, ncii with fascinating types. Sinclair Lewis wrote of one them in his Mam Street,” the most talked oi novel ui the af-e. The novel has been transferred to° the screen by a wonderful cas. of players, headed by 1- lorence \ idol and Mouto Blue, as Carol and Doctor Kennicott, who play out their little drama in' Gopher frame. Don t m s.j his wonderful picture at the fheatm Royal, lloyal beguiling Wetlnesda.. next. «• * * ~ In several scenes of “A < Heart to Let,” Justine Johnstone s current Ilealart release, which comes shortly to the Grand 'Theatre, the famous young beauty appears inasqueitiding as an elderly woman, with her ban in ringlets and wearing old-tashionec. crinoliiK’, silk milts, and other femur mo Iriuncries of the 1860 period. Ihe costume proves that Miss Johnstone would have graced the modes of an older dav as completely as she _ does--1 o-dav, for ever the bonpslurt is insufficient to hide her youthful grace ami vitality. " f.ois Weber, foremost woman director of the screen, is a great believer in optimism and faith. Hot own personal viewpoint toward hie. as well as the author's is presented m the picture which she directed. ‘ A Ghaptei m Her Life," coming to the Grand Theatre shortly. Miss M ober adapted flic screen play from yGni” l Lotuse Burnham's novel. “Jewel. It shatters the epigrammatic smartness o. the cynic and presents wholesome truths about life. « * * . *. As Tonv Waters, the heroine ?. air father in'“Long Odds” a racing Alas ter picture, Sam Austin, is supposes to bo run over by a motor car on his way home with a parcel of fried fish. Down in South London on the ap pointed dav, Air Austin aeeomplirhw a perfect fall on the tram linos fo; the benefit of the cainera—whereupor u young fellow, who didn't know an 1 bettor, promptly rushed across the road nml picked him up again! Ah Austin's caustic remarks when he found himself on fho pavement, cam od his rescuer Lo fade away, loelitr' anything but the hero he had fancied himself.

Tf it hurlii you lo laugh, you bn- 1 better see the' doctor before seeiim Larry demon in “The Gown Shop.” Tills * Master Comedy leaves nothing 1o ho desired in the way of excellent comic si unis, good acting and elaborate sellings, Larry Semon 'comes Imok again wit’ll a whole bunch of new tricks. nmluding a young crocodile which will bile the plumpest uni: l •

Mining dm Indies. There is no dm:’. 1 ifm l demon appears a I la best i. die to two reels of fun-

The children will delight in the Punch and Judy show which figures prominently . in the Master picture, based: on Brenda's child story, “Froggy’s Little Brother.” * * * It is the policeman’s turn now. The fireman has had his recognition ■ in “The Third Alarm,” the great fire picture. For the first time on record the police force receive a public tribute in “In the Name of tho Law,” a stirring Master picture, which graphically describes, the dangers, risks, and hardships of the aver,policeman. •*■ * • Picking up several men bodily and then hurling them over his head, and with one hand snatching a man clear over'the top of a bar, are no mean feats of, ; . strength performed by Anders Randolph, in the role of Big McDonald, in “The Man from Glengarry,” a Master picture. # * * * The recent rumored engagement of Hope Hampton, the popular screen star in “The Gold Diggers,” a Master picture, has been denied by no less than the lady herself. She declares, with a sly, twinkle, that she is wedded to her art. To which the only reply is—lucky art.

More interesting and more entertaining that all .the million dollar productions put together, is “Tiger xtose,” a Master picture based on rue well known play, it is specially adaptable to the screen, because it has love interest, suspense, melodrama, and last but by no means least important, it has the vivid Lenore Ulric in the title role. No entertainer, who has visited New Zealand, in recent years, has excelled I’harus, the Egyptian, in his power to attract and hold audiences. In Auckland and Christchurch he drew crowded houses every night, whiie his special matinees for women attracted over a thousand patrons daily. The main reason for his popularity is his wonderful healing system which has : such a large number of cures to its credit. Pharus opens his season at the Theatre Royal on July 12 . *. * » * The camera work is completed on “Poisoned Paradise,” a Master picture. It is said that this film represents a distinct departure from the usual film plot. The story is taken from Robert W. Service’s novel of Monte Carlo, in which a new kind of romance is interwoven, with the exposure of the gambling methods at the famous casino. The cast includes Kenneth Harlan, Clara Bow, Raymond Griffith, Carmel Myers, Josef Swickard. and Frankie Lee. *** ■ * The very atmosphere, different characters, . and change of scenery in British productions come as a welcome relief from the American film. “Dick 1 Turpin’s Ride to York,” a Master picture, provides much that is different. Matheson Lang, and Isobel Elsom head the cast. * * .* • * , ... 3L “Ponjola,” Cynthia'S . Stockley s story of Paris and the African veldt, tells of a woman who tore aside the sex barrier, to become a man and live a.s., a man until love tempted her to ?sd,binher .frills.-.again. - Anna Q. '■James Kirkwood, and Tully Marshall, sweep along all audiences in this sensational adventure. * * * *

In most instances tho cast of a notion picture is predominantly .eminine, We do not know uh.\ ..utliors insist on supplying more characters of tho fair sex than ox tho male, but inasmuch as tho mapority of them are very easy to mole at, no objection lias over been raised. Because of this habit of the autfiois, “Tho Bad Man,” a First National picture, which is coming to the Theatre Royal, is unique. For it contains only two feminine parts, portrayed by Enid Bennett, a popular star, and leddy Sampson, who has appeared in many ■“table productions. However, both of them are so famed tor Scanty that the author, Porter Euior■on Browne, is to be excused for Ins negligence in not supplying more feminine parts. Holbrook Biinn, who npeared in the title role on tho stage for three years, enacts the same part in the screen version, which was pro-'u*-od by Edwin Carewo. The other males in the east are Charles Sollon, Tack Mnlhall. Walter McOrail. Harrv Mvors, Stanton Heck. Thomas Delnar and Frank Banning. “The Bad Man” comes heralded as one of the area test comedies ever seen on the silver sheet.