AMUSEMENTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12780, 25 October 1919, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

STRAND THEATRE. “THE SECRET GARDEN” AND “ VENUS IN THE EAST.” In “The Secret Garden” the star part is that of Mary LenoXj which is filled by Lila Lee. Mary, living in India, loses her parents in a cholera epidemic, and is sent to England, where she is placed under tho care of a guardian, Archibald Craven, a wealthy man. His son, Colin, who has been delicate since birth from tho effects of spinal trouble, is attended by his uncle, Dr Craven, under whose orders he is compelled to wear a torturing brace, the_ idea of the unde being to hasten Colin’s exit from the world and thus inherit his wealthy brother’s property. Shortly after Mark’s arrival her guardian leaves to spend tho winter in Egypt, and her only friend in the big household is Martha, a housemaid, who tells her of a secret garden behind the manor, and which has been dosed since the doaith of Archibald Craven’s wife. Mary visits the garden in secret, and also discovers that Cblin is being tortured by his uncle. Colin 13 encouraged to walk without the aid of the brace, _ and on discovering that so far from its being an aid to his infirmity it is an instrument of torture, he defies Dr Craven, who thereupon resolves to poison Colin. Ho is detected by Colin and Mary in tho act °t putting poison in Colin’s drinking water. Relieved of his uncle’s sinister ■ attentions Colin rapidly improves in health ana later is able to servo his country in the great war, hut not before Mary has consented to become his lire’s partner. Bryant_ Washburn has the lead in Venus in the East.” Buddy M’Nair has monev and is free with it. In a ET P n + r> pap6r i ho sees a of Mrs Pat Dyvenot, a society divorcee whom he forthwith calls his Venus in the East ” H e falls head over heels J°Vi d to - N&w York to meet i into the society to which the lady belongs ]s no easy matter for an outsider. Fate, however, v cnrs Buddy. A newspaper reports lost her costly jewels. a set, and this enables him to reach bin charmer. Subsequent happenings are tt, screen a, I? Z Additional films are “ Beresford of CRYSTAL PALACE. “FALSE EVIDENCE” AND “ LOVE.” M " Evidence,” which is adapted from the well-known novel, “Made, hm,” by Mary E. Wilkins, the star part 13 filled by Viola Dana. Madelon, a girl of the West, lives in a remote village in California, where it is the primitive custom for parents to betroth their daughters at birth. As Madelon grows to womanhood, the promised bride of Lot Gordon, she finds that she has no love for him, but loves instead Jus cousin, Burr Gordon, and she defies her parents by refusing to marry Lot. An unfortunate incident occurs which costs the suspicion of a terrible critne on Burr. Lot alone can clear his name and this he refuses to do unless Madtv lon consents to marry him. To save her lover’s life she agrees. At the last moment, however, on the day set for the wedding. Lot is killed ‘by a falling tree, and thus released Madelon is enabled to marry the man of her choice. It is a powerful drama, full of incident and tense situations. In “Love” wo find Fatty Arbuckle engaged to a country girl named Winnie, w'hose father wushes her to marry the son of a neighbour. Winnie objects and is packed off to her aunt’s in the city. The aunt is in want of a cook, and Fatty, in the disguise of. an. Irish woman, applies for the situation and gets it. Thus thrown together tho lovers make the most of the opportunity. The other lover is now sent for, and Winnie is told that the wedding will take place forthwith. She insists upon a rehearsal before the minister, with the Irish cook to represent the bridegroom. Consequently Fatty and Winnie are married, to the confusion of those who plotted to separate them." With these ingredients to work upon Fatty Arbuckle finds ample measure to provide a wealth of humorous situations in his own inimitable manner. - The supporting films are “Tho ‘ Pest,” a Billy West comedy, and a Topical Budget. QUEEN’S THEATRE. “LIFE’S GREATEST PROBLEM.” The stars in this piece—a Stuart Blackton production—are Mitchell Lewis and Ruby de Reiner. Tht latter will be remembered os tho famous stage beauty who as the real and l original Gibson Girl was the feminine lead m ‘•‘The Auction Block.” Mitchell Lewis was PoleonDore in “The Barrier.” The story is founded on the “ work or fight ” law introduced by the Government when the United States entered the war, the action showing how four loafers, representing four different walks of Hfe, are brought to a realisa* tion of their duty to their country after \ ■* •• * 1 i * 1 > c

shipbuilder, whose yards aro working! for the Government, decides to marry ; in the hope of escaping service, and I induces Alice Webster (Ruby dollemer), i a stenographer in hi s father’s office, to man 7 him. Later Dick learns that the i marriage docs not secure him exemp-! tion, and he forthwith plunges into' the gayest life, and incidentally makes his wife-s existence a misery. She leaves their home one night, and meets Steve Reardon (Mitchell Lends), a happy-gt>- j lucky tramp, who succeeds in inducing her to take a brighter outlook of life, j e c< f n i es a raid under the “ work or ! nght 1 law, and amongst those gathered m are Dick Craig, Steve Reardon and i ms pal. Little Lefty, a dwarf and' Craig’s butler, Wilkins, and all four are = sent to work to the shipyards of Craig By degrees they settle down i to their new conditions, and Sieve be- i comes a foreman. Agents of the' I. W. W. get busy m the yards, and with the aid of Craig’s pro-Gorman secretary, plot to blow up the works- Lefty is largely instrumental in frustrating! the conspiracy, and the common danger' produces a general reconciliation, which i terminates a story of fascinating: variety and great strength, and well balanced with an abundance of comedy or a novel and refreshing nature Wie supporting films are “Tlie GoodBad Man (a Douglas Fairbanks piece), .Turtles of Every Land” (a Rathe educational film), and a Pictorial Budget. GRAND THEATRE. , Tim final screening of the programme showing Dorothy _ Phillips in “Pay Me, ’ Douglas Fairbanks in “Down to Earth,” “Are Waitresses Safe?” will take place to-night. Next week another excellent programme is promised by the -management, and the two star features will be an English and an Irish film. The English picture is entitled “ Broken 1 breads, } produced by tho foremost producing company in England, the Hepworth Company, and portrays the beautiful and talented Ohrissie White and Henry Edwards, the famous playwright and actor, besides a powerful cast of English artists. Charming scenes ef old Devonshire and glimpses of exquisite rural England are pictured m a 'beautiful story founded on the famous hues by Edwin Arnold, “ Somewhere there waiteth in this world of ours for one lone soul another lonely soul, The picture tells in vivid, realistio and ‘wonderfully artistic manner the story of two lives tragically separated, but finally finding their way back through many strange paths to happiness. _ For Ireland’s Sake.” as its name signifies, is purely an Irish film, and pourtrays tho famous Miss Gene bauntier m the burning topic of Home Ivule for Ireland. The picture was produced m County Kerry (Ireland), in the beautiful Killarney district. The Gap of Dun oe, the Black Valley, Muckross Abbey, Sweet Innisfallen and the Lakes are shown among many other pretty spots famed in song and story. The supporting films on the programme will be of a varied and interesting character, and will include comedies, topicols and educational subjects. LIBERTY THEATRE. The usual weekly change of progr,ammo at Liberty to-day features the Pioneer problem play, “-Wives of Men, starring tho beautiful actress Iriorenco Reed. This is a photo-play of unusual strength and force. The story concerns the eternal triangle, but xroin a new and unusual standpoint. A man marries his father’s pretty ward but on her wedding day she finds a

I photograph with tho inscription upon i it, in a woman’s handwriting, “To my | husband.” In a frenzy of tragic grief •; the young bride decides to live alone. , From that decision, and the chain of j evil consequences that follow it, spring j all the dramatic and unforeseen hap- , penings. The drama is acted in a very human manner. Mention must bo made of the splendour of the settings, and the gorgeous nature of the dresses. | Supporting the beautiful star is Frank Mills as the hero, and Grace Davidson jas the other woman. The star picture I will be presented in conjunction with ! a complete concert company, the personnel of which _ includes Mr Walter j Whyte, tho distinguished tenor, who . will be remembered as the leading ■ fen or of J. C. Williamson’s Gilbert and ; Sullivan Opera Company. In addition , to having sung the tenor roles in these ! world-famed operas, lie has the distinction of being one of the few tenors who has been consistently engaged by the leading choral societies throughout Australasia to sing the tenor solos in | such works as Faust, Carmen, Lucia, ; II Trovotore, Creation, Stabat Mater, | the Messiah, Mr Whyte has sung rej peatedly in the Sydney Town HaU for fh(p principal societies there. Mr Whyte is supported by three excellent artists. Bathie Stuart, a vivacious comedienne, will be heard in a unique repertory, her numbers ranging from character, comedy to dainty co.nic opera offerings, while her Maori songs have stirred not only the pakeha but also the Maori himself. Belle Pollard, the soprano of the party, is the lucky possessor of a lyric soprano voice of unusual power and sweetness, and her repertory includes gems from grand opera, comic opera and the latest ballads. Special music wall be played by the Liberty orchestra under the "directorship of Mr Kennedy Black. This week’s entracto will be a Scotch selection by Teredy-Tochaben. The box plan is on view at Liberty Theatre and Ihe Bristol. On Monday, Labour Day the plan will he at Liberty Theatre all day. OPERA HOUSE. The popularity of vaudeville is growing week by week, and tho Opera House is being well filled by delighted patrons. Last night the theatre was again full irf every part, and Paul Stanhope’s revue company scored another big success in “Tumble Inn.” Fred Bluett, Doody and Wright, Ernest Barraclough, and the Palvey Sisters all received flattering receptions. The programme will be repeated for the last time to-night. Moon and Morris, the dancing experts, who were advertised to appear here next Monday, have been compelled to postpone their opening until November 3 owing to their Dunedin season having been extended. “POT POURRI.” "Pot Pound,” which is described as a medley of mirth and song, will be produced at the Theatre Royal on Monday night next, and the five following nights, miner tho auspices of tho Plunket Society. Mr 0. A. Rendle, the producer, will appear in a jazz speciality with Miss Hazel Hill, assisted by twelve charming “jazettes,” who will include Misses Claire Mason, Nora Nutt, Bonny Young, Ailaa Itamsay, Kathleen Bnsted, Drusylla Owen, Mona Bethune, Pre day Jennings, Bebe Marshall, Gladys Falck, Daisy Knight,, and Rona^ Taylor. “Keep Your Eye on the Girl,” a n\irabev with a catchy chorus, will be given by Miss Cecily Audibert, Miss Hope Wood, and her wahines are hilled to sing “I’ve Lost My Heart in Maoriland,” from “Buzz Buzz.” Mr R. S. Moloney, late of “The Kinds,” is to be heard in “The Laddies Who Fought and Won.” Miss Betty Cotterill, Mr Guy Cotterill, and a bevy' of pretty girls are to sing the delightful “Wild Thyme,” from the revue, “Tails Up!’s; while a pleasing, feature of the production will be a series of “ Kerchner Girl” pictures. Madame Gower- . Burns, Mr A. L. Cropp, Mr W. J. Trewern, and twenty-four girls in the costume of the Orient, will perform in the Lehmann song-cycle, “ In a Persian Garden,” the words of which are adapted from Omar Khayyam. Box plans for the first three nights aro now open at Milner and Thompson's.