AMUSEMENTS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 21 January 1926, Page 9

AMUSEMENTS.

“THE HOME MAKER.”—FULLERS, AT 8 O’CLOCK.

“The Homo Maker,” a Universal-Jewel-King Maggot production, opens ac the'Theatre Royal this afternoon and evening. it is a wonderfully welldoue adaptation of Dorothy Caulield’s story, and features Alice Joyce and Clive Brook in the two leading roles. The: entire cast is the most evenly balanced one that wo have seen for some time. King Baggot, an old screen favourite, appeal's again, though he will not be seen by the audience. tie is the invisible member of the company, being the man who directed the making oi the picture. Those who see “The Homo Maker” will leave the theatre satisfied that they have spent a profitable afternoon or evening. Universal has done a big thing in giving screen fans this wholesome picture of something that is familiar to us all- In , “The Homo Maker,” romance that has ■ died flickers back to life. There is 1 pathos and comedy in the work of the disgruntled Eva as she scrubs the kitchen floor. The same holds good for the- equally disgruntled Lester as he toils over rows and rows of figures. There is comedy and pathos in the antics of the Knajip children. Jt is one of those-, rare, pictures that turns tears into laughter and laughter into tears. We see people that wo all know. In addition to the Knapps and their family we come across that pestiferous old neighbour who is continually coming into the kitchen just before meal time to borrow sugar or an ogg or something else. She just lingers long enough to get what she wants and to give advice on the raising of children. The members of the Ladies’ Guild do their part toward making Eva Knapp discontented, and tho wealthy relative with motor car and happiness at home wanders in and out of tho picture. No one can afford to miss “The Home Maker.” It can teach us all a lesson, whether we he married or single, and at the same time provide excellent entertainment. Supporting j films will include “The Universal News" and a funny Century comedy.; Scats j may be booked through ’phono' 670. A 1 special matinee will bo held this afternoon.

EDMUND LOWE—AT THE GRAND

' Romance —thrills —mystery—-love and * adventure!—all are contained in J “Greater Than a Crown,” the William ? Fox picture, starring Edmund Lowe, which opons at the Grand Theatre tonight. It is a picture that has every- | tiling that goes to make perfect screen ‘ entertainment. Mr Lowe is excellently , cast as the dashing and hard-hitting young man in love with a princess of Lidavia, a mythical kingdom of Europe. And no wonder he is in love, for. the. object of his adoration is delectable 1 young Dolores Costello, whose father, Maurice, longed reigned as favourite. ’ Miss Costello, playing her first leading , part, gives promise of even greater things to come. Another sciutillant , personality of the east is Margaret i Livingston, who is fast taking first rank . among the “sirens” of the films. Miss Livingston invests her characterisations with fine feeling and sympathy; in this picture she plays less of a vampire role and more of a second heroine. Paul Panzer, one of tho best of Hollywood’s “heavies,” is the vindictive and menacing Marquis Eorasti of the story, and he gives a colourful performance. The picture was directed by Roy Neill, and was adapted from the play and novel, “The Lady from Longacrc,” by Victor Bridges. Supports include a two-reel special Imperial comedy, “Westward Whoa,” starring the three clever monkeys, Max, Pep and Moritz; the latest “Fox News,” and a splendid educational entitled “When the Violin Speaks.” Scats may be reserved as usual. ’Phono 486. I

“PHANTOM OP THE OPERA.” Mary Philbin and Norman Kerry, who played together in “Merry Go Round,” one of the last year’s greatest successes, and Lon Chaney, star of | “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” one ] of the movie marvels of the past, are t all playing together in “The Phantom, of the Opera,” the big Universal romantic spectacle, coming to the Theatre Royal on Tuesday next. Miss Philbin has the role of Christine Daae, , the opera singer, for whoso love “The Phantom” sacrifices his lifo* Norman Kerry and Lon Chaney played together in “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” and are close friends, so the choice of Kerry for Count Raoul De Chagny in the new production has been hailed with joy by the star. The massing of tho leading characters in two famous pictures of last year in tho big production of the Universal new season is in line with the policy of Carl Laemmle fori big casts —in fact, literally all star casts —for super productions. The new picture, a massive spectacle, is adapted from the famous mystery novel by Gaston Leroux. It is laid in and about the famous Paris Opera, and deals with tho sinister machinations of “The Phantom,’-! a, mysterious creature | with a warped soul, who had his refuge in the cellars, five stories deep, where ho worked a sinister influence on the

gay throngs above. The entire interior of the opera, its great stage, on which an entire opera, is presented coincidentally with the mysterious and weird events in the catacombs below, were staged on a lavish scale, rivalling the “Hunchback” production in magnitude. Tho great costume feat, which marks tho height of the Paris Opera season, is perhaps the most gorgeous and riotously beautiful scene ever taken tor a motion picture spectacle. Inc dash and glint of these gay scenes forms a violent contrast to the action that- takes place in the dark depths of the cloistered caverns five stories under ground. JSox plans arc open at tho Bristol.

TEMUKA PICTURES. Elliott. Dexter again has a prominent role in a Paramount picture, “The Fast Set,” from Frederick Lonsdale’s stage play “Spring Cleaning,” which is to be ■screened at Temuka to-night. lie is the husband who uses daring means ol introducing a social outcast to sit at dinner with liis wife and friends—to bring home to her realisation of her folly and to confound her parasitic friends. Betty Compson, Adolphe Meiiion, and Zasu Pitts arc included m the cast. Good supporting pictures will also be screened.