AMUSEMENTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12405, 24 August 1918, Page 13

AMUSEMENTS.

QUEEN’S THEATRE. The star film of tho new program mo to bo screened at tho Queen’s Theatre on Monday and all next weok, is ot an unusual character. Tho title of tho film is " Man and Beast,” and as tho story is unfolded all sorts of animals—lions, leopards, sheep, pigs, elephants and n chimpanzee—disport themselves ns freely as tho human members of tho cast, and _ there is nothing artificial about their work before the camera. Of course the animals in this picture have been well trained, but trained in such a wav as to pose naturally. Tho chief elephant in the piece rescues a man from drowning, carries a young woman to a clandestine meeting with her lover, find later brings homo a lost child from the jungle. The lions and leopards provide excitement in plenty, whilst the domestic animals play a prominent part in quiet pastoral scenes. Certainly tho film should make a strong appeal to all animal lovers. Tho human members of the cast who play leading roles aro Eileen Sedgwick, Park Hones, Harry Clifton, L. M. 'Wells and Mrs Winking. The scenery and settings are very well dene. The second feature on tho programme will bo a Mustang drama, under the title of “The Ranger of Lonesome Gulch” The story is of a man who, in order to Bbvo the girl ho loves from falling into the hands of a band of drunken traders, shoots her. Just after the tragedy tho pair are rescued by some cowboys. The girl is taken homo to die, and tho man, distracted by the thought of 'what ho has done, goo s mad. However, this is not tho end, for after a time the girl recovers, tho man’s reason is restored, and they aro happily married. Thomas Chatterton plays the part of tho hero, and Anna Little that of the heroine. A two-reel comedy, “His Bogus Boast,” will also be shown. The first session commences at 11 a.m. on Monday. The programme, headed by the flrama “The Stain in the Blood,” will he shown finally to-day.

STRAND THEATRE.

In accordance with tho usual custom a complete change of programme will bo made at the Strand Theatre tq-day. The chief attraction on tho bill will bo a drama entitled “Tho Land of Promise'’ presenting Billie Burke in the leading role. The central figure is a girl named Nora Marsh, who spends the. best years of her life as a companion to a crabbed old lady in England. In the course of time the old lady dies, and ns an expression of gratitude to Norah leaves her nothing In her will. So Norah is cast upon tbe world, and eventually goes to Canada to her brother. In England she regarded Canada as “The Land of Promise,” but her roseate dreams are quickly dispelled. After a quarrel with her brother’s wife Norah, in a fit of desperation, decides to marry a man, who has taken up a farm in a lonely part of Manitoba. Tho couple do not love each other, the momrony of their existence grates on thoir nerves, so that it is not long before a violent quarrel ensues. Only the fact that uninhabited country stretches for miles around prevents Norah from leaving her. husband. However, an unexbeoted series of events draws the husband and'wife together, and they settle down to live happily. It is said that the settings of the story are admirably done, that the acting is aood throughout, and that in every way the picture is one that should appeal to all Kro lovers, ' In addition to "The of Promise” there will also bu screened a Burton Holmes travelogue film, and a “Gazette” of topical items.

EVERYBODY’S THEATRE.

The Wild West has been so thoroughly ransacked for material for stories both in book and screen form that a is extremely difficult to get new scenes and incidents out of it. However, ihis has been done in “The Firefly of Tough Luck.” a. Triangle drama which will form the stellar attraction or. the new bill to bo shown at Everybody's

Theatre next week, commencing on Monday. Tho well-known actress, Alma Reubens, plays tho role of heroine, who is introduced as Firefly, . a cabaret dancer. She loses her position, hut her worthless husband forces her to accept a similar appointment at a place called “Tough Luck.” On arrival they find the place deserted, lint after a time a third person appears on the scene, not of Ins own accord, but because he fell off a passing train whilst drunk.

So everything is complete to bring llio eternal triangle into operation, ami some astonishing , adventures follow, Tlier t > am also some delightful touches nl humour, and (ho whole story is told in first-class style, and ends up as happily as anyone could wish. Further, the talc contains a new idea, and that is something of a rarity in these days. Alma Reubens fills her part well, and is strongly supjrortod by Walt Whitman, who plays opposite to her. A further instalment of that exciting serial, “ The Mystery of the Double Gross,” will also bo shown. This chapter is said to bo as replete with excitement and adventure as any of its predecessors. A topical “ Gazette” will complete the programme, To-day and to-night "Shirley Kaye,” presenting Clara Kimball Young, and the supporting pictures will bo screened for the last time.

OPERA HOUSE.

This week’s vaudeville and revue programme at, the Opera House is of the best quality and has proved one of the most popular that has been presented in Christchurch by (be Fuller management for a very considerable time. The chief attraction is the musical comedy. "The Orange Girl,” the third production of Walter George and his Sunshine Players. This piece is a light, lilting production, that goes as merrily as a wedding bell, whilst every member of the company is a first-class artist in his or her particular line. "The Orange Girl” will be staged linally this evening, and vaudeville, patrons are strongly advised not to miss this last opportunity of seeing it. At the head of tho vaudeville hid comes Hnghie Ogilvie, tho Scotch comedian. His turn of song and story is most delightful, and ho shpws a strong appreciation of the excellence of Scottish humour. Phil Fereival also provides plenty of amusement with nis comcdv act. and Brull and Uemsley are equally successful as fun-makers with their clever comedy sketches. Another acceptable item is the tabloid comedy staged by Grenier and Arnold, in which Brandon Grenier represents three out of four characters. Wells and Wells, comcdv acrobats, and Durno, the trick cyclist, have also been very popular. Tn addition to these items a new turn will he presented at the entertainment to-night by Bessie Tester, an American comedienne who comes here with a very good reputation as an artist. Seats may he booked at Messrs Milner and Thompson’s,

LIBERTY THEATRE,

A six-reel Goldwyn drama under the title of “Nearly Married” will be the principal item on the new programme to bo screened at the Liberty Theatre on Monday. This picture lias been very favourably received wherever it has been shown, and it is said to equal in every respect any of the notable Goldwyn productions that have been screened in Christchurch. Madge Kennedy plays tho leading role, and her work has been criticised thus; “She undoubtedly achieves the most convincing work of her career. She has been, delightful and fascinating in previous pictures, but in ‘ Nearly Married ’ she reaches the high water mark of art.” As for the story itself, the humorous side predominates, hut throughout there runs an almost tragic element at high tension. Madge. Kennedy appears as a charming bride, who after the marriage ceremony delays to go on her honeymoon on account of her brother. This young man seems to have been horn to create trouble. Any- , way, lie brings a/ great deal of trouble to bis sister, and finally succeeds in bringing bis sister into divorce proceedings, But the newly married pair still love one another, and before the divorce is granted decide to elope. No Sooner Have they started on tiieir bej bated honeymoon than the divorce is

granted, and then complications set in. worse than ever. Exciting chases, fpieor predicaments and all sorts of mix-ups follow, and the fun becomes fast and luriuns. In the end the couple elude those, who wish to keep them apart by legal enactments, and. the piece finishes happily. The supplementary features on the hill will he a Vitagraph drama, '"Pile Gift of the Magi,” and the latest edition of the “ Gaumnnt Graphic.”

'The programme with the World pboto-pfay, "The Strong Way,” as the principal item, will be screened iinally to-day.

THE HEW GRAND.

/I ho Grand Theatre will reopen on Monday night, after an interval of a few weeks for remodelling. The management claims to have one of the best picture programmes yet screened in this city. For the. first time in the Dominion the great actress Alla Nnzimova will he shown on the screen, in her greatest characterisation, " .Revelation.” 'fins artist comes with (he best of recommendations, and her advent is an event in the pictorial history of this city. "The Motion Picture Magazine” of July states that " The. public, nml tlio critics, as well as our editorial staff have been eagerly looking for one artist, who would embody everything that the silent drama, should have. The search is over. In Alla. Naziniova. wo bare beauty, we have depth of emotionalism never depicted before, and wo have, art with such little touches t.f finesse that she stands alone. An artist, in every sense of the word. Maximova, is to the screen what Bernhardt was to the stage.” In "Revelation” Naziniova. is staled to have a. .vehicle which is exactly suited to her genius. Another film which should prove exceedingly popular is the first episode, of the sensational serial, "The Great Secret,” portraying the well known players Francis X. Bushman and Beverly Payne. Charles Chaplin will supply the necessary humorous element in

" The Count,” and the programme will also include incidents in the annual High School and Christ’s College foothall match. Patrons aro advised by the management to, reserve [scats at The Bristol at once.

CRYSTAL PALACE \

Next week a film of unusual interest will be screened at the. Crystal Palace. "The Honor System” is tho title of the picture, and the subject dealt with is prison reform. In the olden days prisons were little better than', hells upon earth, and this state of things continued in England until seventy or eighty years ago. . Writers of note exposed the cruel treatment meted out to prisoners, and although great reforms have been effected as the result of the campaign, yet there is undoubtedly ample room for greater improvements. The prison reform movement is divided into two classes. One section contends that as there is hon’our oven among thieves, a broad and liberal policy of self-government for the prisoners should ho adopted. Tho other class is more conservative, but equally desirous of helping the man who has gone wrong. Followers of this class arc of opinion that, as the average criminal is mentally defective and therefore incapable of responding to the trust that would bo placed in him if a system of self-government were adopted, be should be guided and disciplined along humane lines. ■ However, both sections believe that harsh and brutal treatment never results in the reform of prisoners, andtbis is the point specially emphasised in “The Honor System" The producer of the picture is William Fox, who was given every possible assistancc by American prison authorities to obtain a faithful presentment.’of actual prison life. Hundreds of actual convicts took part in the picture, with

the result that a. very realistic atmosphere has been obtained. Some of the scenes of the picture are colossal. For instance. Mexican, bonder raids, a thrilling battle scene, -and a cavalry charge ,110 depicted with amazing accuracy, the picture deals with all phases of unman life—romantic, tragic and bn morons. By this picture William Fox has succeeded in giving impetus to the demand for prison reform. In addition to this film, there, will also he screened a Ibid Fisher carton film and the, usual topical gazette. The box plan for next week is now open at the Bristol, and ns "The, Donor System” is bound to attract great attention intending patrons aro strongly advised to book their seats for the evening session de luxe.

"A Romance of the Redwoods,” present,mg Alary Pickford, and the Wiliam Fox drama, "The Devil’s Daughter, ' will be screened finally to-day At the session de luxe this evening Madame Johnston Topliss will slim