AMUSEMENTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16320, 8 January 1921, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS.

OPERA HOUBB.

Large audiences have again ruled at the Opera House this week, when a splendid programme of revue and vaudeville has been presented to appreciative patrons. A real holiday programme will be shown to-day, when the Walter Johnson Revue Company will appear in their fifth triumphant production “ Bits and Pieces,” introducing all tho latest ideas in the Happiness Department Store- Other supports will he Bert Coleman, in song, story and whistle; Williams Sisters, in miles and miles of smijes; Adelaide Tavlor, singer of sweet songs; The C’racknells in “A Drover’s Success, and Louis' W. Bloy, the well-known banioist.

QUEEN’S THEATRE. •• CHILDREN not WANTED.” 'J he new programme at tlie Queen’s Rietures will have as its leading feature ■* Children Not Wanted,’’ a fine picture play With Edith Day in the lead. The story centres round Dorothy Crane, an orphan, who goes to New York to seek her "fort une, taking with her Betty, the four- year-old child of her only friend. Through the “ Hellp Wanted ’ advertisements, she gets a position as office girl with Marcus Hazzard, dealer in precious stones. He soon becomes infatuated with her, which arouses the jealousy of Madam Duval, his business partner, whom he had promised to marry. Madam instructs Ali, their Hindu servant, to watch Hazzard. It is part, of Dorothy’s duties to receive callers at the Hazzard place. One of these is Robert Harrington, a wealthy collector of precious stones, who becomes interested in Dorothy, and soon falls in love "with her. One day Dorothy takes Betty to the office. Madam and Hazzard gain the impression that Betty is Dorothy*a child, and Hazzard concludes she is not a good girl. In his private office ho insults her with an offer to he her “ travelling companion.” .Just as t*e is about to take her in his arms, a shot is tired, and Hazzard is

killed. Suspicion points to Dorothy as the murderer. The subsequent events, leading to the discovery of the real murderer and Dorothy’s betrothal to Harrington, all help to make up one of the most interesting photo-plays screened a# the Queen’s for some time past.

On Monday a second, hisr feature film will also be screened—“ Mary Regan,” with dainty Anita Stewart in the principal p'art, that of the daughter of the chief of a hand of swindlers. Many exciting incidents take place before the gang of swindlers is broken up, and Mary becomes the wife of Robert Clifford, a Government official. The supporting films are Episode 13 of “The Mystery of 13,” “One Round O’Brien ” (comedy), a Pictorial Budget and Gaumont Graphic.

STRAND THEATRfc. •* WHAT WOULD YOU DOP” *’ What would You Do?’’ featuring beautiful Madeline Traverse, will head the new programme at the Strand Theatre tins week. The play is a more than usually interesting one, dealing with the wife of an American stockbroker who clears out alter the failure of an oilfield company promoted by him Leaving a note to hie wife (Madeline Traverse) to the effect that he intends to commit suicide, the stockbroker, Hugh Chilson, jumps overboard off a ship bound for South America. His wife marries again, but her new husband is almost immediately injured by a fall from a horse ? and becomes a bedriddeu sufferer for life. Chilson, her previous husband, had been picked up by a fishing boat, and eventually rose to the position of head, of a prosperous South American business. He returns to New York to find that his wife’s second husband lias committed suicide. A reconciliation follows, and Chilson and his wife leave to commence life afresh in South America. Other features in the programme include * r The World of Folly,” starring Vivian Rich. “ The Great- Mystery” (a cartoon), “Fox’s World News” and “Australian News” (topical).

LIBERTY THEATRE. “TWELVE TEN.” It was nob at Twelve Ten that little Marie Fernande (Marie Doro) met her great good friend Lord Chatterton (Ben Webster), but it was at the fatal hour of her father’s suicide in Paris. From that moment the little girl expands in character, endearing herself every day to Lord Chatterton, now her selfappointed granddad, until he legally adopts her. She becomes the brightest spot in his life. At the head of large industries, often preyed on by unscrupulous employees, Lord Chatterton adopts a terrifying method of testing all those near him, even those dear to him, the faithless and the faithful, by simulating first the approach of death, his physician assisting in giving forth the impression that another “ attack ” will prove fatal. Chatterton executes a will and directs that it shall be read immediately upon his death. During another “attack” he is given medicine by his confidential man and business adviser. He. manages to dispose of it for future examination and simulates death. His will is immediately read. The most extraordinary provision is that Marie shall go at midnight- where his body is to he laid in an old and unoccupied castle and say a prayer for him. She is taken there by the business manager anrl left alone with the body, a terrorstricken child, hut she does her duty. Ffardly is it finished before she has a genuine cause of fright. The business manager, aware that she will inherit a vast fortune, seeks to compromise her, but the dead man comes to life and extorts a frightful confession from the guilty manager, finding out meanwhile those who truly lov© him, most of rll the true-hearted little waif he has adopted. “ Twelve Ten ” is an English mystery drama starring the international favourite Marie Doro, the little lady with the large eyes and appealing personality. Produced in England and France by Herbert Brennon, the cast includes some of the best known names on the French and English screen. The story works up to an astounding climax, culminating in a big scene in a deserted castle. The Pathe Gazette, Topical Budget, the latest episode of “ Smashing Barriers,” and a clever Capital comedy, “ Wonderful Night.,” will also he screened. Mr Charles Mcore, the popular Wellington haritope, has been specially engaged and will sing “ When Mv Ship Comes Sailing Home,” “ Come to the Fair.” and “If I Might Only Come to You.” New musical selections will be contributed by the Liberty orchestra. The box plan is at The Bristol till noon; afterwards at the Theatre Ring 2366 for reserves.

GRAND THEATRE.

'* A FOOL AND HIS MONEY.” Eugene O’Brfen. the popular Selznick star, in his latest success, “ A Fool and His Money.” to lie presented at the Grand Theatre to-day, is seen in serious drama with the ability which has made him a favourite in comedy. The novel from which ‘‘ A Fool s.nd His Money ” was taken is by George Barr M’Cutcheon, and even as the book was popular so will the picture prove, fur it >a jaLL.Xti- Jag. jjia-

turesque and just as romantic as the popular story. Eugene O’Brien does some of the best work of his career in this photo-play, and he is surrounded by a story, cast and scenery such as make the film one of the most pleasing pictures of the screen. Mr O’Brien is ably supported by an excellent cast, headed by Miss Ruby de Reiner in the role of an American heiress who has kidnapped her little daughter and has fled from her divorced nobleman husband. Besides the ghost and the lovemaking and artistic settings, there is plenty of action in “A Fool and His Money.” A fight between the hero and the villainous nobleman on the marble floor of the castle, and a chase by sleigh over the snow-clad highlands are outstanding scenes. “A Fool and His Money ” is said to be one of the most artistic pictures of the year. In the supporting programme there will be another sensational episode of “ The Great Gamble.” a humorous comedy “ Adventurous Ambrose,” and a Pictorial Educator. Special music has been arranged for the Grand Symphony Orchestra

SYDENHAM PICTURES. At the Sydenham Picture Theatre today a new programme will be shown, including “ The Mints of Hell,” a story of the Yukon, featuring William Desiqond; “ Under Suspicion,” featuring Horace Hunter and Hilda Barley; episode eleven of “ Smashing Barrifurs and “ -Nymphs and Nuisances.”