SCREEN and STAGE

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17036, 9 May 1923, Page 5

SCREEN and STAGE

NOTES ON CURRENT AND COMING SHOWS

TO CORRESPONDENTS. “Gloria.”—The cast of “The Christian” is as follows:—John Storm, Derwent JiaTl Caine ; Lord Storm (his father). Philip Rowland; filory Quayle. Elizabeth Risdon; Parson Qua vie (her grandfather), Charles Rock: Polly Love. Christine Ravner; Canon Wealthy, Douglas Munro; Curate Golightly. Frank Stanmore; Mrs M'Rae, Gwvnne Herbert ; Mercy (her daughter). Mary Dibly; Ford Robert Ure, Bert Wynne; Francis Drake, Gerald Ames. F. Hpod.—Thanks for contributions. Andre Skalski will give his second recital at the Choral Hall to-morrow night. The third concert in connection with the competitions will take place at the Theatre Royal to-night. Included in a fine programme of music at Everybody’s Theatre this week there is one number which by reason of its novelty makes a very general appeal. This is “ The Song of the Forge” from “Siegfried” (Mag nor). Clarence Crawford obtains the anvil effect from a very well toned orchestral anvil. “ Garrison’s Finish ” corning to the Liberty Theatre next Saturday, is notable because it marks the formal return to the screen as a star and independent producer of .Jack Pick ford, who for the last two years has been devoting all In'- t-ihie to directing. His best work in this line was in two successful productions of his sister. Alarj Pickford. These were “Through the Back Door ” and * * Little Loro Fauntleroy. “The Power of a Lie” Sis one of the most terrible forces working foi the destruction of the human happiness that represents the acme of existence. Tt is a power that only honesty can controvert. What fallowed the telling of a little lie of evasion, a dainty -deceit such as society considers so essential to its proper relation* with the world, is pictured dramatically- and without compromise in this Universal all star film production adap ted from tho novel and play written b'- Johann Bojer, a brilliant Norwegian thinker. The picture may be seen at Greater Crystal Palace. Hundreds of people were unable t-o gam admission to the Choral Hall last evening, when Andre Shnkski gave his first pianoforte recital. ** Ann’s Finish,” starring Margarita Fisher. “ The Militant Suffragette,” with the inimitable Charlie Chaplin in the leading role, “ Ladies Must Live.” featuring Betty Compson, an English Illustrated Topical and a scenic picture make a good night’s entertainment at the Strand. Melodrama has been the chief American amusement diet since “ Uncle Tom’s Cabn ” created a vogue. Thousands who enjoyed Louise Glaum in “ Love ” will eagerly anticipate the local showing of lAm Guilty! ” the mystery drama which will be presented at the Liberty on Saturday. “ I Am Guilty!” is said to be Miss Gianni’s greatest story since “ Sex.” He: By the way, Alice, I have two tickets for the movies. She: Oh ! Good. I’ll run upstairs and- get ready. He: All right. I guess you’ll be ready in time. They are for to-mor-row night. :

In order that every detail of the costumes worn by the woman prisoners in the penitentiary scenes of “ Manslaughter ” might bo absolutely correct, Cecil B. De Mille sent his assistant. Cullen Tate, across the continent in search of data and specimens of [prison attire. Ais a result oi painstaking care, the clothes worn by Leatrice Joy, Lois Wifson, and the other screen inmates of the women's penitentiary are authentic reproductions of the actual clothes worn by criminals serving sentence. “ The Christian,” which has the author's son, Derwent Hall Caine, in tho character of John Storm, “Dintv,” featuring "Wesley Barry, better known as “ Freckles.” and a- Mack Sennet! comedy. “ M.a and Pa.” form a lengthy and cnjovable bill of fare at the Grand. Mary Miles Minter and Tom Moore are associated in a dashing film production, “ The Cowboy and the Lady,” now screening at Everybody’s Theatre. Plenty of action, a generous allowance of comedy, and a romantic flavour to give piquanoe to the ensemble, are the conspicuous points of the production. When the French producers were seeking an actress to play the part of the heroine in “ Missing Husbands ” they announced that, regardless of cost, they would engage the actress for whom the majority voted in a contest run by a Paris newspaper with .t circulation of a million a day. It was not merely a beauty contest. The promoters were not seeking a merely classic type. They asked the question . “ Who fills your heart with the greatest desire? ” More than 700,000 votes were cast. Of these Stacia Napier kowska received 797.641. Napierkowska. a French-Russian actress, is the reigning favourite of the Paris theatres, and her charm is felt to its utmost in her portrayal of Antinea. All of Mae Murray's pictures are famous for their dancing. In “Peacock Alley ” Miss Murray was seen as a dancing girl of Paris. In “ Fancination.” she appeared as a clever flapper who could—and did—dance gracefully and with skill. Her latest picture finds the star as a Broadway dancer, and the dances she performs in this production are even more entertaining than the others. This popular actress may be seen nightly at. Greater Crystal Palaqp in ” Broadway Rose.” Skalski is probably one of the most brilliant technicians who have been seen here. The wonderful facilitv of his executive performance is largely remin iscent of Levitsky. His programme last night was admirably designed to show both technical and interpretive skill. The great works and transcriptions of Liszt showed him in most dazzling brilliancy, while the Chopin, Scriabine and Scarlatti numbers reveal ed wonderful delicacy and expressive interpretation. The audience last night was an exceptionally large one. The pianist remained on the platform -during the whole performance except for a short interval, and he was accorded a most flattering ovation. Latest advices from Australia state that Miss Rene Maxwell will shortly leave in order to join Madame d’Alvarez, the Peruvian contralto. At the end of last month she was appearing at the Tivoli, Brisbane.

Little Richard Daniels made such a hit iu Yit-a graph’s production of " The Little Minister” that a special part was written into the store of “ M - Wild Irish Rose” for him. Young Daniels is known as the “ frec-klcdost actof on the screen to-day- and the. word “actor'’ is well deserved in his ease because ho really has great ability in the portrayal of all sorts of emotions. Unlike most child actors he is never “stagey” or affected. The programme of music arranged this week by Miss Lilian Harper for the Strand orchestra is a particularly bright one, all the numbers being of the lighter class. Amongst the selections arc •• Vanity Fair.” Johnny Jones.” “ Her Soldier Boy.” “ The Cingalee.” and “ The Thirty Thieves.” The fox trots played are “ Truly,’ “ The Love Nest,” “ My Gee Gee from the Fiji Isles’’ and “Lovin' Lady.” “ Smiling ’ is given as an interlude, whilst the cornet solo. " Fleurette. 1 Shall Never Forget,” pleasingly played by Mr Percy Reeves during the screening of one of the pictures, is quite a feature of the programme. “ Room and Board,” showing at Everybody’s, is a bright and breezy kind of story concerning an heiress to an antique Irish castle. Constance Binney plays the part of the heiress in delightful style, and the manner in which she succeeds in having the mortgage lifted off the castle, how she be comes mistress and “ he ” becomes master, makes the picture worth watching. Fancy Melba, Tettrazini. Calve or any other three stars in the world of music, appearing on the one stage. Wliat a house and what a reception they would get! Next Saturday Christchurch theatregoers are going to have the opportunity of seeing three of the stars in the film world—Charlie Chaplin. Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pick ford. With three such noted artists appearing there is no need to go into detail concerning the coming programme at the Grand. Four new picture companies were registered in Sydney towai-ds the end of last month.