SCREEN and STAGE

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17032, 4 May 1923, Page 5

SCREEN and STAGE

TO CORRESPONDENTS. -A. Bidder and R.. Hurnell.— Regarding the Rodolph Valentino photographs in connection with one of our recent competitions. Paramount- Films Ltd. "Wellington. notified us that they had expected the photographs by the Tahiti from San Francisco, but they evidently missed that boat and are due on the next boat, which .>h uld arrive shortly There was an announcement to this effect in this column. Paramount Finns. Ltd., have the names and addresses of all the winners and will distribute the photographs immediately they come to hand. There will be a matinee perforir ance at the Opera i Louse to-morrow after noon. ‘•'East is West,” the Constance Talmadge picture which has run for two weeks in Christchu.oh, will be screened for the last, time at the Grand to-night. 11 Whv Change Your Wife?” will a’so be screened Cnally at the same th-:«v*ro. “Silver Wings.” in which Mary Carr is seen in the leading role, will be finally screened at the Queen’s tomorrow night. Mr Allen Doone and Miss Edna Keeley were very cordially received at the Theatre Royal last evening, when the comedy drama “ In Old Donegal ” was played for the last time. The Christchurch competitions will commence at the Theatre Royal and the Choral Hall on Monday next. There will be morning and afternoon sessions and a grand concert nightly at the Theatre Royal. A visit to Mj Allen Doone’s dressing room reminds one of a museum, such is the profusion of curios and hunting trophies to be seen. His recent tour of Africa has resulted in a collection of trophies that are univer sally admired. During his recent Wellington season Mr Bert Royle was the recipient of a splendid silver jackal rug, made of skins which fell to the donor’s gun in Rhodesia. Another rug entirely made of skins of the sacred nonkey, together with a number of antique bronzes, attracted the attention of an enterprising thief in Melbourne. He showed good discernment, a* the rug is unique of its kind.

NOTES ON CURRENT AND COMING SHOWS

Andre Skalski. the Polish pianist, will give two recitals at the Choral Hall next week, on Tuesday and Thursdav evenings. This artist has received some flattering newspaper notices wherever he has appeared in Australasia, and his performances are being looked forward to by Christchurch music lovers.

Manslaughter,” which conw*s to Everybody’s on Monday week, is one of the biggest productions of the year. There are some magnificent scenes in the picture. It took practically an entire week to film the dramatic trial, conviction and sentencing of a girl on a charge of manslaughter. Altogether th picture tells one of th most thrilling scones or its kind. Thomas Meighan who has given us some very fine characterisations in his time is said to excel himself in this Paramount produoton. Starring with Meighan in the principal roles are Leatrice Joy, Lois Wilson and Dorothy Gumming. Frank Mayo, the star in. “ The Flaming Hour,” now being screened at Greater Crystal Palace, personally is much . inclined toward outdoor activities, vigorous pursuits that are a real man’s heritage. Hunting, one or two popular sports and long distance motoring make up the bulk of his recreational activities. Miss Edna Keeley is the possessor ot a handsome diamond studded wristlet watch, a memento of a visit to the De Beers mines in South Africa. The fortunate owner of this beautiful souvenir describes the experience as 1 unique one. The sorting room was a source of never ending wonder as the deft fingered natives separated the rough stones from the particles of grit and gravel adhering to them. The net result of that day’s sorting was valued at £28,000, inclusive of one stone of a gross weight of 207 carats. The fame of Irene Castle is one of the biggest, box-office assets that any exhibitor could hove. Long noted for her charming grace, and inimitable way of wearing clothes, this dainty danseuse has won her way to the hearts of countless thousands of theatre-goers throughout the world. In “ French Heols,” being screened at Greater Crystal Palace, her personality is the dominating force.

The Male Voice Choir,-rafter being in recess for a year, appeared at the Choral Hall last evening, under the j leadership of Dr J. C. Bradshaw. 'Hie i choir was heard in part songs, glees and choruses, and it gave what was undoubtedly a revelation of expressive I and disciplined singing. Everything was right down to the last semibreve. Two chanteys introduced a novel feature. The Cathedral Choristers were present, and they showed themselves equal at least to the "Westminster boys of recent memory.. There are some fine

voices amongst them, and the boys themselves are of a fine stamp. It is grand to see the young idea learning to shoot well in music. The vocal soloists were Mr Prescott and Mr Penfold. The former was excellent in tone and style, but should study his diction. Mr Penfold was not happy in his solos, his intonation being astray. Miss Louise Croueher was delightful in her violin solos, which she played with the most expressive feeling and musical grace. Mrs Vere Livingstone, the accompanist, was ns helpful and sympathetic as an accompanist could be. The concert will be repeated on Saturday evening.' A remarkable balancing act will be coming to the Housa in due course. It is staged ' the Angel Bros, one of wno-e feats consists of one of the brothers lying on his back with his feet n» the air. On each foot he balance? » ladde- rir.d the other brother accords between the two ladders and does some balancing stunts. To-morrow’s programme at. the Grand is headed by “ The Chris linn/ a story written by Sir Hail Caine, whose son, Derwent Hall Cairo, plays a leading character in the picture. Anil her good picture on the same programme is “ Dinty,” in which Wesley ! Barry, better know as “ Freck’n - ” i.s featured. In addition there is a Mack Sennett comedv, entitled “Ma and Pa.” While the company of French motion picture players were encamped in the Sahara desert, where the exterior scenes -of ‘‘Missing Husbands,” the Parisian sensation imported by Metro. u ere made, Nem-ben-Ager. sheik of one of the most, powerful tribes of Northern Africa, attempted to abduct Mme Stacia Napierkowska, leading woman in the photoplay, for his harem. She had previously refused an offer of marriage on account, she said, of his already having eighteen 'otWer wr/os. “Missing Husbands” which will be screened at the Liberty to-morrow, is Pierre Benoit's novel. “ I.’Atlantide,” adapted to the screen by Jacques Feyder, Allen Doone last Tuesday tasted the delights of firing for the first time. Under the able pilotage oi Captain Isitt, the popular comedian took off in a De Haviland 4 from Sockburn aerodrome. A height ol IX)00 leet wa r soon attained, and at a speed of 80 miles an hour the visitor saw Christchurch and its environs lying like a vast map spread beneath. The visibility was very good and familiar objects were picked up with surprising ease. The present competition in connection with Greater Crystal Palace will close at 10 o’clock to-morrow morning. Another competition will, commence tomorrow in connection with Everybody's Theatre. Coming to Everybody’s next week is “ The Cowboy and the Lady,” a picture which has attained wide popularity. Mary Miles M inter and Tom Moore are the feature players. “ My Wild Irish Rose.” which will be shown at the Liberty to-morrow, is adapted from the famous stage play which made Dion Bnuoieault famous years ago. It was entitled “ The Shaughraun.” ’The story is unusual and full of dramatic sequences. Three lore tales are interwoven in the plot which deals with England and Ireland of an early date. The all-star oast is headed by Pauline Starke. Pat O Maliey and “Mickey” Daniels. Other well known players complete the cast, which is exceptionally large. Wherever he has produced “ The Parish Priest ” Allen Doone has been warmly applauded for his characterisation of Father John Whalen, a gentle and saintly figure whose words are spoken in a well modulated voice, the picture of the two old men in the warm glow of a fire while the priest sings “ The Old Fashioned Mother” is one of those interludes which the spectator will long remember. “The Parish Priest ” will be played to-night and to-morrow night, when the season will be brought to a close. Houdini has offered £IOOO as a reward to anv motion picture director or producer who provides a greater thrill than is seen in his special feature picture. “ The Man From Beyond.” which is being shown at the Liberty. The thriller on which Houdiui is willing to steake his £IOOO depicts a girl in a canoe being shot down the surging rapids of Niagara, with Houdini defying death bv swimming after it and making a sensational rescue on the very brink of Niagara Falls itself. ‘The Pride of Palomar.” being screened at Everybody s. is an infciesting picture to anyone of a. sporting frame ef mind. ft depicts one oi the greatest racecourse scenes ever seveeu-TO-NIGHT’S SHOWS. Theatre Koval.—Allen Doone Co., in “ The Parish Priest.” Opera House. Walter Georges Sunshine Play 's and vaudeville. Evevvhody’s.—“ The Pride of Pnjomar ” a rid “ Torchys Nut Sundae.” Strand “ Stronger than Death ’ and •• L 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 ” aad “ The Man From Be-