AMUSEMENTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16668, 25 February 1922, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS.

GRAND THEATRE. "MORAL FIBRE." Moral Fibre,’ in which Corinne Griffith appears, and which will be shown at the Grand Theatre to-day and all next week, is an adaptation of a story by Harrison Goodbv. The excellent supporting cast includes Catherine CRlrert and Harry C. Brown. The story deals with a young girl whose brother becomes entangled with a married woman and, realising his folly and the possible outcome of the position, commits suicide. The girl ' resolves to avenge the fancied wrong. She becomes the secretary of George Elmore, an eminent author whose wife caused her brother’s downfall. But fate intercedes and she falls in love with Mrs Elmore s brother, although at the time she does not know of the relationship between the two. The night she springs her great coup she discovers her lover in the room. A misunderstanding follows. but the girl is equal to the situation. She prevents Mrs Elmore from committing a desperate deed, explains everything to her, and wins the affection of the man she loves. The production is an exceptionally fine one and presents Corinne Griffith in a new role. The second feature is Marshall Neil airs super feature “ Don’t Ever Marry.’’ a six-reel comedy tightly packed witli fast and humorous situations. Matrimonial mix-ups are responsible for the humour. a young newly-wed being in the very awkward position of having three perfectly nicelooking ladies c hasing him all over the place and claiming him as husband. QUEEN’S THEATRE. “ A TRir TO PARADISE.” One of the best double-feature pro-' grammes seen here for some considerable time will be presented at the Queen's Theatre, commencing this Saturday. First there is the big special attraction. “ A Trip to Paradise,” which is a Metro play with Bert Lyteil in the leading part. The greater portion of this picture was taken on Coney Island, and many highly entertaining scenes of America’s biggest playground are shown. The st-ory is intense and gripping right through. The impulsive and easily influenced attendant of an amusement park, who attempts to crack a safe when he is penniless and hiR wife about to become a mother, is a new character on the screen, and the author has given him a novel scene that is intensely interesting. Curley Fliun as the attendant is wounded while breaking the safe. He is taken to the hospital and put under the Influence of ether. During this time he is summoned to God’9 Court and tried, to determine if he shall be permitted to return to earth and provide for his wife and child. This scene is excellently managed and the entire production in keeping with it. Bert Lvtell as Curley Flynn is admirably supported by Verginia Yalli. Romance, adventure and thrills follow close upon one another in Elaine Hammerstein’s latest. Selznjck feature, “ The Miracle of Manhattan.” which is the second feature. The leading character. a young society woman, portraved by Miss Hammerstein, is, in the space of one hour, placed in the position of a friendless waif who is forced to work in a cheap oabaret to save herself from starvation. She attracts the attention of the leader of one of the most dangerous gangs in the city, and he constitutes himself as her protector. This arouses tho jealousy of another woman, and the girl becomes the centre of a maelstrom of unbridled passion. The outcome of it all is presented in a manner that is really surprising. STRAND THEATRE. " THE PRIMAL LAW.” Brian Wayne (Dustin Farnum) is devoted to Bobbie, only son of Carson, Willow Ranch. Bobbie, did not like women, but there came into tho West a woman who quickly won his heart. Janice Webb came to Morgan City with her father and Walter Travers The latter expects to marry Janice, and has arranged for her to buy large tracts of land. To depress the value of the holdings he hires two ruffians, Meacham and Norton, to make life miserable and unprofitable for the ranchers, by cattle stealing. The ranch holders determined, however, to hold on. Travers then engages the head of a lawless band of gunmen to descend upon Mat Lane’s ranch and: Willow Ranch. They swoop upon the ranches shooting and burning. Bobbie disappears, the Chinese cook saying he, had seen him riding towards Lane Ranch. Brian and C-arson go in search. Bobbie had come across Janice Webb riding alone, and they had become friends. Tn swinging his horse round Bobbie falls over a cliff, but is saved from disaster by the timely arrival of Brian, who orders Janice to ride with the boy to Willow Ranch. Brian followed as the gunmen saw him and gave pursuit. All reached Willow Ranch in safety. They barricade the dwelling, and in the fight which ensues Carson is killed, just as a .rescue party arrives. Before this, death Brian had promised that he would keep the boy at alb costs, and never deliver him to tne recreant mother who had deserted him as an infant. Travers renewed his efforts to buy out the ranchers, and Brian Wayne at last agreed to the sale for the sake I of getting the boy away from the vicinity of his mother. The papers were about to be signed when Bobbie came citedly with same “nasty. smeHv stuff.” Realising that the plotters had wanted the b.'-l for oil. Brian kicked Travers out. The supporting films include “ Devilish Romeo ” (Sunshine comedy), “Shocking Ideas’' (Mutt ami Jeff). Fox News, and Australian Gazette. LIBERTY THEATRE. ‘THE BL A C K P A NT H ER ’ S CUB.” Florence Reed. in “ The Black Panther's C üb,” is seen in the most notable production of her career. The well known star appears in four different roles in this big drama, which is based on Charles Swinburne's poem, “Faustine.” The story of "The Black Panther’s Cub ” is woven about the underworld of Paris, with occasional flashes of the homes and life of the English aristocracy. “The Black Panther's Cub ” is a story of unusual proportions, with a wealth of dramatic action, scores of colourful and valued scenes, a fast moving plot. and a thread of romance that terminates in one of the strongest emotional scenes ever shown on the screen. Miss Reed is seen first as Faustine, the keeper of a notorious gambling house in Paris, second as Faustine’s daughter, who has been reared in the refinement of a quiet i English c ountry tfkate; third as the pseudo Faustine, uvho returns to Paris in the role her mother formerly held, and last as the bedraggled old l hag, the original Faustine, who has sunk to the depths of the Parisian underworld mire. “ The Black Panther’s Cub ” vivdly portirays the night life in Paris—-

the gambling dens—the Apache quarters and the cabarets, where gaiety and beauty reign supreme. There is a notable cast in this picture, including Norman Trevor, Henry Stephenson, W. Roselle and Tyrone Power. The second feature is an all-British Hepworth production, “ John Forrest Finds Himself.” The story has a plot that is as striking as it is original. It is the story of a man who after leading a gay life on an unlimited income, suddenly is brought face to face with the realisation that life is a serious matter. There are several exciting moments in the picture, and the scene in which the hero risks his life in a treacherous stream to save a dog is one that arouses an instinctive admiration. The picture is well produced and well acted, the leading parts being filled by Henry Edwards and Olirissie White.

GREATER CRYSTAL PALACE. “The L<uck of the Irish.” and current successful programme of pictures and music will be repeated at Greater Crystal Palace for the last times today. and the big Symphony Orchestra of twenty-two solo musicians, under the experienced oonduetorship of Mr Alfred J. Runz will play at both the afternoon and evening sessions. The film version (Goldwyn) of Mary Roberts Rinehart’s famous novel, “Dangerous Days,” will be the main attraction for next week, commencing on Monday. Lawson Butt, who bec«ame famoiis in “ The Miracle Man,’* is in the leading role, and is ably supported by an all-star cast. Full .if tin-ills and wholesome comedy, “ Dangerous Days ” is a brilliant picture, in which human heroism, the love of father and Ron and self-sacrifice stand out against a background of gay social life and industrial strife. Lawson Butt is seen as an American business man disillusioned at home and disobeyed at his mills. Herbert Rntvlinson whose excellent, acting in “Conflict” is still remembered, will he seen in the second big feature for next week from the Universal studios, “The Millionaire.” Ail sides of life are shown in “ The NTi 1 - Bonaire,” and Herbert Rawlinson has the exceptional role of a young mar* who suddenly inherits wealth from .t man who had once loved his mother and who was assassinated by a gang u! cut-throats. The young heir determines to bring a collection agency for a bank of “ blackhandeVß ” to justice and avenge his benefactor’s death, in which determination he is supported by his sweetheart, who declined to marry him on the grounds that wealth might change his outlook on life, his nature, and his attitude towards her. “ The Millionaire ” is full of thrills and gripping situations, and it is doubtless one of the finest pictures yet produced by Universal.. The main musical numbers for next week will be advertised in Monday’s newspapers. The supporting films are “The Muddy Bride,” a side-splitting Century comedy ; the latest instructive International News film, and the thirteenth stirring chapter of “Do or Die. featuring Eddie Pole. The box plan is at The Bristol, or seats may he reserved by telephoning Greater Crystal Palace, number 3758. EVERYBODY’S THEATRE.

Beautiful Chinese costumes, especiallv designed and mode of the most costly and luxurious silks and other rich materials, are one of the beauty features of “At the End of the World,'* Betty Compson’s first Paramount starring vehicle, which will be presented at Everybody’s Theatre all next week. The entire production is rich in Oriental atmosphere. The story opens in a Chinese cafe and gaming establishment in Shanghai. China, where Cherry, the motherless daughter of an English proprietor, reigns as queen. In this setting Mies Comp son, as Cherry, wears several gorgeous Chinese gownsand so attired, is charming and fascinating. There are several other Chinese settings, all of which are rich in Oriental investiture, and the other principal locale of tho story is a lonely island lighthouse station, where the girl and several men. whose destinies are interwoven with her own, are finally drawn. David Powell will \be seen in the second big feature for next week. “ Dangerous Lies,” which was produced at Famous Players-Lasky British Producers, Ltd-., studio in England. The theme of the story shows the danger of lying when the truth should be told, and its dramatic qualities and strong appeal should create a profound impression. Some of the scenes depict the homes of wealth and leisure, while others are in a humble environment. David Powell is quite a success us Sir Henry Bond, .and Mary. Glynn* makes a charming .Joan Farrant.. The musical programme arranged by Mr \V. J. Bellingham for Everybody's “Select” Orchestra promises to be quite up to the high standard set by this brilliant and popular band of musicians. Among the items are the following: Overture, “ Hungarian Lustpie 1 ” (Kefer-Bela) ; violin solo, “ Larglietto ” (Weber-Kreisler), Irene Morris; entr’acte, “Intermezzo” (Mascagni); orchestral suites, “ Parysatis ” (ballet music, Saint-Saens), “ Serenade Florentine ” (Godard), “La Princesse Juane” (Saint-Saens); light selections, “Three Little Maids” (Huboiis); “ Italian Songs ” (Carl Langey), “Hawaiian Rose” (Klickmatin) Reserved seats may be hooked either at Ihe Bristol or by telephoning 1925 SYDENHAM PICTURES, A powerful Vita graph production, “Moral Fibre,” starring Corinne Griffith, will be screened to-day and to-night. It is the story of a sister’s revenge on a woman whose heartless actions caused her brother to commit suicide. Another feature, with an all star cast, is “ Don’t Ever Marry.” Episode 6 of “ The Silent Avenger ” will also be shown. OPERA HOUSE. THIS WEEK’S PROGRAMME. Many popular artists appear in the vaudeville programme being' presented this week at ihe Opera House. They include Mdll > Nad’je. 1 The Modern Venus’ : Arthur Tozart. actor-artist, in a playlet “ The Ex-Burglar ” ; Honolulu Four, in a charming series of Hawaiian melodies, songs and dances; Gilberto. juggler; St Leon’s dogs; George Dixon, musical jack-in-the-box; Nell Crane, musical comedy artist ; Alf J Lawrence ; Edna and Paul ; and Las Revedo*.