SCREEN and STAGE

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17030, 2 May 1923, Page 5

SCREEN and STAGE

NOTES ON CURRENT AND COMING SHOWS

Christelmrch is not only one of the Sliest allow towns in JSew Zealand, but one of the finest in the world,'’ declared Mr John W. Hicks, jun., general manager for Australasia for Paramount Films, .Ltd., on his return to Sydney after a visit to the Dominion. The annual competitions conducted by the Christchurch Competitions Society will commence at the Theatre Royal on Monday next. The longer Allen Boone stays in a city the greater becomes his popularity. At~ least that is the opinion one derives from his periodical visits to Christchurch. This performance has- bceen exceptionally well received in “ Lucky : O’Shea'’ and ‘Molly Bawn.” but pro-! | bably because bis audiences are more ! familiar with “In Old Donegal,” Mr ! Doone and his company were accorded ! a very fine reception at the Theatre Royal last evening. The piece is too well known to call for a lengthy description. Suffice it to say that the production affords one a fine insight into Irish life as it was half a century ago, and that Mr Doone plays the part of a young Irish lover as only lie could play it. Miss Edna Iveeley gives excellent support to Mr Doone, while the work of all efiev ether members of the company is eery good, Andre Skalski. a Polish pianist, will open a season at the Choral Hall on Tuesday night next. M. Skalski was at one time conductor of the New South Wales Orchestra and he comes with a big reputation. The Rev R. G. Nichols, of St Mark’s Church, Fitzro.v, Melbourne, who had the temerity to introduce pictures in support of his Sunday evening services i has met with a great deal of support ] since the innovation some months ago. ) At the same time, the reverend geiii tleman has not been without his t-ra- | ducers. a few of whom hav e utilised ' the daily press to ventilate what they are pleased to term a sacrilegious form of divine service.

The present programme at the Opera House is one of the best that have been presented there for some time past. In addition to a fine vaudeville first half, the second portion of the programme is made up of “ The Mixture,” one of Mr Walter George’s brightest and best revues.

One of the most outstanding incidents in “ For Big Stakes,” showing at the King’s, Sydenham, shows Tom Mix riding through a prairie fire to save his sweetheart. Mr- Cecil Mason, general manager of Selznick Pictures (Australia) Ltd, writes as follows to an Australian paper :—The Christchurch “ Star " bears the reputation of being the paper that is doing more to encourage the industry and give better advertising than any other paper in New Zealand, and Mr Beebe of the Crystal Palace, Christchurch, our first release house there, is high in his praises for the cooperation he receives from their publication. j Mr Leo du Chateau, manager for the Westminster Glee Singers, went north by last night’s ferry boat. It required over a year’s time for Houdini to make “The Man from Beyond,” in which he makes his debut as star and producer. Over three weeks alone were spent at Niagara Falls to make the climax of the "picture, which shows Houdini rescuing a beautiful girl from a canoe just as she is about to go over the brink of Niagara Tails itself. “The Man from Beyond ’’ ( is being screened at the Liberty. !Tlie gowns that Mrs Castle introduces during the various episodes of the story of “French Heels” at Greater 1 Crystal Palace are one of the features of the picture, while her dancing in the. earlier scenes, and again later in the picture, is more than sufficient excuse for the picture without the very engrossing romance that accompanies it. The story is good, the photography and direction are excellent, the supporting cast leaves little to be desired. Mi- George Portus. known to his legion of friends as the “Silver King.’’ is managing affairs at the Theatre Royal for Allan Doone. Mr Portus. In- the way, is a raconteur of rare excellence. \ G)"ne of the Blood,” showing at the Liberty, Douglas Fairbanks really excels himself as a youth looking for a a venture and finding it in all manner of places. He performs some astonish mg feats during the .course of his wild career. Marjorie Daw is charming in the leading feminine role.

The Christchurch Orchestral Society wdl give their first concert of the 1923 season at the Choral Hall to-night.

In the race scene m “The Pride of 1 alomar at Everybody’s the onlooker can almost imagine he was actually at the course watching the exciting race Every incident of the thrilling event is faithfully recorded by the camera. But there is only one of the many exciting scenes to be witness in the picturised version of Peter B. Kyne’s widely-read novel. A word of praise must be added for the very fine orchestral accompaniment to this picture Despite the fact that it is in its second week “ East is West ” i. s being liberally patronised at the Grand. The picture “Why Change Your Wife?” forms the second attraction at this theatre, and is a most enjoyable comedy drama. “ Silver Wings,” starring Mary Carr, is the big attraction at the Q lien’s all this week. The Strand programme this week is drawing big audiences. Nazimova is one of the screen’s favourites, and she appears in “ Stronger Than Death.” To the average patron, however, the picture which proves the most enjoyable is “Is Matrimony a Failure?” Bert La Blanc and Jake Mack are due at the Opera House shortly. These Hebrew comedians have proved immense W popular on tlieir previous vi:<fes to Christchurch. “The Flaming Hour” in the Universal attraction of that title showing at Greater Crystal Palace, is a moment of intense dramatic interest. The thrill in the final scenes is supplied by superb acting and the vivid explosion of great quantities of powder and T.N.T. Frank Mayo is the star, and Helen Ferguson is the leading woman. George Randolph Chester prepared the scenario from the story written by his wife. Lillian Chester.

-men L-oone, who is well known U Dominion motorists through the nit diuni of his “roaring forty.’’ has uc order a Dueseuberg racer driven by ;. •• straight eight ” of the latest typ This motor is expected by its maKcr. to develop .140 h.p. at 4000 revs: ano will be capable of a road speed 6t mnety to 100 miles per hour. The story concerns an old resident of Quirindi (New South Wales). His son-in-law, a great picture' fan, decided to take the old gentleman to the pictures, but the latter stated that he had seen the “ Panoramas ” years before and hardly supposed they had been improved since. After much coaxing, the old gentleman was persuaded to go. W hen th c advertising slides were displayed, he remarked, “ These pictures are just like they used to be forty years ago only they are coloured a. bit more.” Shortly afterwards, the lights went out and a gazette showed a regiment of soldiers galloping past. The show proprietor had engaged several boys to beat kerosene tins for effect, and the old man was astounded when he looked at the screen and shouted, •* Real water, real horses, and real men !” The son explained almost everything to him but omitted to mention about the tins. The old fellow finished up by saying, “ Oh. yes, 1 can understand all about the photography, but by Jove, I swear I could hear the horses galloping on the cobble stones.”

“In Old Donegal” will be staged by the Allen Doone Company to-night and to-morrow night and on Friday, and Saturday the two last night of the 1 season, “The Parish Priest” will V played. At a recent fire at the picture theatre. Eastwood (a suburb of Sydney) films destroyed included “ Madame X .” and “The Idle Class,” both Australasian Film releases. Several copies are in existence throughout Australasia. TO-NIGHT’S SHOWS. Theatre Royal.—Allen Doone Co., in “ In Old Donegal.” Opera House.—Walter George's Sunshine Players and vaudeville. Evervbodv’s.—“ The Pride of Palomar ” and “ Torchy’s Nut Sundae.” Strand.—“ Stronger than Death ” and “Is Matrimony a Failure?" Grand.—“ East is West" and “Why Change Your Wife?” Greater Crystal Palace. —“ French “ Heels ” and “The Flaming Hour." Liberty.—“ One of the Blood ” and “The Man From Beyond.” Queen’s. —“ Silver Wings.” King’s. (Sydenham). “For Big Stakes ” and “The Man From Beyond.” Choral Hall—Christchurch Orchestral Society’s Concert.