SCREEN and STAGE

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17008, 5 April 1923, Page 5

SCREEN and STAGE

NOTES ON CURRENT AND COMING SHOWS

The Indian moonlight scene in the Diggers' change of programme to-night is .*jaid to he one of the most chr.rmins yet seen on a Christchurch stage. Dining the scene Mr Stuart Grant will sing Pale Moon,” assisted by the ten girls. To-night and to-morrow night will he the final appearances of Apdale’s circus at the Opera House. Those who have not yet seen these intelligent animals at work should make a point ol doing so. “The Kid,” in Vhich two of the screen’s most popular artists are starred, nnmeh. Charlie Chaplin and Jackie Coogan, continues to draw good business at the Grand. It is claimed for this picture that it has broken all world’s records in the way of attendance. “ Forbidden Fruit” and “The Gadder Jinx ” are coming to the Grand on Saturday. Joe Valli. the leading comedian with the Diggers’ company, originally came fiom the Palladium, London, to the Sydney Tivoli. It was whilst appearing there that lie was engaged by the Diggers. He has a quaint style of his own and is genuinely funny. D. W. Griffith has made a great nine-part picture in “Dream Street” founded on the story of Thomas Burke’s in the well-known “ Limehouse Nights ” series. The foundation of the play inevitably challenges comparison with “Broken Blossoms.” but this is a different kind of story altogether. and the ending s very happy. Carol Dempster in the leading role is wayward and notably beautiful, and the sunporting east is so splendid as to deserve special mention. The sly evil, leering Oriental, Sway Wan, io wonderfully done by Edward Peil. The whole play is a great achievement and worthy of the great producer. When “ The Kentucky Derby ” was shown in New York those who visited the Broadway Theatre were loud in their acclaim of the thrills in the picture. By using the actual pictures of the Kentucky Derby as it was run last season, and by heightening them with stirring close-ups made by a battery o. eight cameras stationed around the track, the suspense is almost unbelievable. The fancy dress carnival scenes in the new revue which the Diggers present for the final three nights of their season, which ends on Saturday night, is sumptuously mounted and is full of fine comedy.

“ STAR ” MOVIE COMPETITION. WHO’S EYES ARE THESE?

Maurice Tourneur, famous motion picture producer, made it his policy to personally supervise ail scenes in “The White Heather.” being screened at the Grand. And so this enthusiast recently •established a record as the first director 10, stage a submarine scene on the ocean's bed. Equipped with diving togs, ho followed his actors beneath the waves to direct the battle between rival divers on the .sunken wreck. The star attraction at Greater Crystal. Palace next week will be “ One Wonderful Night,” featuring Herbert Rawlinson. The story was written by Louis Tracy, who is one of the most popular writers of romantic mystery novels in the- world. “ One Wonderful Night” was a stage play and highly popular.

There are four transitions in the liie i-l a little • French girl in poor circumstances which Gloria Swanson portrays; Cage.” being shown at Everybody’s. Suen a role is enough to tax the most versatile of artist: , out Miss Mpuison is equal to the occasion and lief excellent performance iiuikc.s this picture one of the most brilliant of any in which she lias yet appeared. The Famous Diggers’ present com pany arc to ibur New Zealand till June 30 next, when .Star. Lawson goes to America, -Joe Valli will star m revue in Melbourne, Frank .Moran will probably go to the Shaftesbury theatre, berth, and Gus Dawson will most likely - join d. C Williamson’s musical comedy company. The variety and all-round good quality of the current programme at the Strand has been responsible for large attendances at this theatre throughout the week. “Please Get Married ” is a comedy-drama, “ The Ordeal ” a heavier tvpe of drama, and • The Jazz Waiter a Charlie'Chaplin comedy. An English Illustrated Topical gives an insight into current happenings in the Old Country. •• The Prisoner of Zend*,”'which has thrilled thousands who have read the famous book bv Sir Anthony Hope, has been made into a million dollar masterpiece bv Rex Ingram, the man who leaped into the front rank of movie directors bv his production of “The Four Horsemen of the Apocalyse.” Beautiful settings, gorgeous costumes, and an exceptional cast, which includes Alice Terry and Lewis Stone, contribute to make this extraordinary romance the p.ccr of all photoplays. The tightened suspense of the drama does not lag for a moment. and the action is most exciting all through. This film, which will be shown at the Liberty 'on Saturday, is 12,000 feet in length. “ Blood and Sand,” which will be the star attraction at Everybody’s next week, is a Spanish storv which gives one an insight into the sport of bull fighting, probably the most dangerous sport adopted by mankind. The lovemaking scenes are said to show Rodoloh Valentino and Lila Lee in very suitable characters. According to an American writer. Charlie Chaplin is thirty-one years of ago and has an income of £IOOO a dav

“Tie Million Dollar Dollies,” star- | ring the famous Dolly sisters. Roszike j and Yancsi, is one of the special pro- I ductions to be included in Saturday’s I programme at the Strand. “ The > Good Provider” is the supporting film. [t is interesting to note the whereabouts of some members of the original Diggers' Company. Frank Perkins is •mine host” of an hotel in Central Otago: George Proctor has a business in Diuadin : Pat Hanna owns the Ar- | ,«adia Theatre, St Kilchi. Melbourne; jj Laslett Eton is in business in Mel- E bourne, as also is Simpson, the basso: | Lon Walker is playing lead in “Fair jj and V armor ” in the provinces in Eng- jj land : Tr.no Faiiia is proprietor of the E present show; Stan Lawson is still with I the company. ,nd Gordon Killrer is in | a business of nis own ii: Wellington. Cyril Scobell died in Wellington some time ago. There is no limit to'the possibilities j I (A the movie camera, judging from tn«j j j ii-so it is being put to of bn- years, j Siow morion “ shots” have chared the j j way for excellent judgment in the case i of questionable d'erhinns. and now we J linn that at Cheltenham (S.A.) recently- j during a race meeting, the judge had j the. assistance of a cincmntngraphher. [ The latter occupied a position ini modi- j | ately over the head of the official, and I I took exceptionally fine news of the ! finish over the last ten yards. The | idea worked well, and tne finishes were j developed in a temporary dark room on I the course. They were ready for refer- j ence about a minute after the horse.-? passed the post. The experiment was I | quite a success, but, of course, the i lea j i ' only beginning, and the judge i* still the paramount official, his verdict being j final. . The views are only intended ! for reference by him if there is a close finish and he is in doubt. A country theatre was listed to screen “ The Sky Pilot.” and amongst the intending patrons was an anmonfc | busybody, who stood before the .lithos ! need in advertising the film, but cm’>l not synchronise the coloured prints with her idea of the screen storv. “ 1 sunpose it’s all right,” she said. “ ! don’t never go to the pitchers as a rule, but I have a nephew who was in the Air forces and who knows hut what he. may be in this ’ere Sky Pilot!” WHOSE EYES A RIO THESE? The competition being conducted by the moving picture editor of the “ Star ” this week is similar to that of last week, except that the, eyes printed are those of three well-known actors. Readers must cut out the photographs, fill in the names and forward their answers to the moving picture editor of the “Star.” Full names and addresses must he gjvon. The forwarding of initials only will render competitors liable to disqualification. The competition will close at 10 o’clock on Monday morning next, and the results will be published in the “Star” of that day. Similar prizes will be given for this competition to those offered last week. TO-NIGHT’S SHOWS. Theatre Royal.— I The Diggers’ Revue ‘ Tip Top.’’ Opera House.—Walter George’s Sunshine Players and Vaudeville. Greater Crystal Palace.—“ The Kentucky Derby" and “Cecilia of the Pink Everybody’s,—-Her Gilded Cage’’ and “ A Private Scandal." Liberty. —' Dream Street" and "The Branding Iron." Grand. *' The Kid " aiul “ Vtrte HcathS train].—" Please Get ilarriec s .” “ Jazz Waiter" and “The OT.ieal." Queen’s. -“ Shirley of the Circus,” " Gleam O' Dawn " and “ The Guide."