AMUSEMENTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17159, 1 October 1923, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

LIBERTY THEATRE.

KICHAR l> BARTHELMESS ] X “ FURY.’* RADIO NOVELTY. J It is probable that, no finer programme lias been seen in any Christchurch picture tineatre this year than that which was presented for the first 'time at the Liberty Theatre on Saturday. Apart from the pictures, which in themselves would be sufficient to support the statement, an interesting ■novelty was introduced. Tn these days there is much ta.lk about the wonders -of wireless, and ‘‘ broadcasting ” is a ■word that is in every mouth, but after *.ll few people realise just what the powers of wireless really are. A simple illustration is all that is required, and at was a happy inspiration on the part of this progressive theatre which gave | that illustration. A film, “Via Radio” was secured, and it gives a simple exposition of the science of. wireless, and shows also the wonderful things that can he achieved through it. That in itself is interesting enough, but it was carried still further with a practical wireless demonstration. By arrangement with Mr J. I. Smail, the music accompanying the picture was sent from the

wireless station 3AC in Francis’s buildings by members of the Christchurch Radio Society, picked up at the theatre, and amplified by a magnavox apparatus. The music, which was

played by the Lilac Jazz Orchestra, watf received well, and had people not known they would hardly have noticed that the theatre orchestra had ceased to plav. As an experiment, the demonstration was a complete success.

For months, people who have a knowledge of the great productions in flm land have awaited the coming of Fury.” the First National picture starring Richard Bart and Dorothy Gish. “ Fury ” will live, because it is a- film play that has caught the spirit of the sea. The romance of the sea is one that must ever make a general appeal. All fall under its sr>ell in early years, and no matter how cruel and boisterous the passages of life the love for p.ea romances is never lost. “ Fury ” is acted for the most part on board the four-masted schooner “Lady Spray.” but the scene is taken also to a limehouse tavern, and also another such place in Edinburgh. “ Dog ” Leyton, the master of the “ Lady Spray,” is a, mariner of the old savage type. FTe rules his ship with a rod of iron, and any wno dare dispute with him live to regret their folly. In early life his wife had deserted him for another man, and in consequence he was full of hatred of women, and a cynical disbelief in the existence of a love emotion. On hoard the ship with him he had his young son, “Boy” l.*eyton, a resolute enough lad in heart, but full of detestation for the brutal methods of his father. “Fight it out” was

“ Dog’s” slogan, and if men on board the 6hip quarrelled they had to fight to the death. One day “ Boy,” cut to the heart, interfered with one of those combats, and saved one of the men from death, but this, while gratifying to the man, was abhorrent to the master, and he dragged, his son into his cabin and began to thrash the ‘‘ woman ” out of him. After this the father continued to bully the boy. bub instead of being resentful, “ Boy ” continued to love his father. During one of his stays in Txmdon he met a little Limehouse slavey with whom he fell in love, and had the satisfaction

of having his feelings reciprocated. His rival, however, was tho first mate of the ship, and this man’s heart was filled with blackest hatred of tho l>ov. The mate proposed to the girl, and, of course, she refused him. However, her answer to a. similar question from "Boy” was ‘ Yes.” and he decided to

jump the ship at Edinburgh and marry the girl there. On the voyage Irom London “ Dog ’* Leyton died, and on his deathbed he made liis son swear that he would not marry until he had avenged his father o.n "the man who eloped with his wife, and then deserted her. With reluctance he took the oath, and there was a sad meeting between him and his wife-to-be in Edinburgh. He told her that the marriage must be postponed. In spite of her appeals, be remained resolute. and by a fortunate coincidence be came upon bis mother in a tavern. The girl thought that the mother was the drab creature for whom be bad forsaken her, but an explanation soon clears the matter up. A short time later “ Tiov learns that the man. who dishonoured his father is none other than the mate, who now has

command of his father’s ship. Tn the tarern he fights his enemy, but is defeated. and lie resolves then to continue the struggle at sea. For weeks he is bullied, but at last, over the place where his father was buried. Tie is given new strength, and in a fierce struggle hurls his adversary into the boiling waters. He then takes command of the ship, and steers for home, where he is united with the girl of his heart.. The acting in the picture is superb, and the character studies of T>orothy Gish, ns the girl. Tyrone Tower as ‘ Dog” Tjeyton. and Diehard Barthelmess as “Boy ” are admirable. The photography is beautiful, and some excellent sea scenes have been taken. The supporting programme consists of gazettes and two splendid comedies. As usual, the Liberty Quality Orchestra played fitting musical accompaniments. The following were among the numbers:—“ Pass pied ’ (Delibes), “ Andante Patheiique ” (Schumann), “Danse Miniature” (Ansell), “ English Sea Songs” (Moore), “ Arabesque” (Dehussy). A trio consisting of Messrs EH wood. A foody and Dickson. -played “ Aria tPaul Reugon), and Mr Moody played a piano solo. *To the Sea” (M* Dowell).

GRAND THEATRE

u TIMOTHY’S QUEST” AND “ THE GILDED LILY.’* The new programme screened at the Grand Theatre on Saturday was header! by a delightful picture entitled “ Timothy’s Quest,” founded on Kate. Douglas Wiggin’s well-known story of the same. name. “ Timothy’s Quest,” is probably the best-loved story by this popular authoress. Its charm is undoubted. Nothing of value or interest has been lost in the adaptation of the storv for the screen. The principal figures are children, hut because of this the picture is not one for children only. "Rather i« it a picture that should interest and appeal to motion picture patrons of all ages. There is an irre. ftistible charm about the picture. an<i for this charm the two children wlm

are the chief characters in the story are largely responsible. These two children are orphans living in the slums of a great city. Fear of being sent to a State institution for indigent children determines the boy, Timothy, to leave the squalid slums and seek a home elsewhere. Of course, he takes the girl, who is known as Lady Gay. with him. Their only other companion is a dog who answers to the name of Hags, a canine of doubtful breeding but of a very faithful nature. The children and the dog make the journey into the country in the same way as the hobo class of America, .journeying about in a covered truck on a freight train. It is in the country that the really interesting and delightful side of the story develops. Jn their dreams of an ideal home, the children had pictured a little white house kept by a kind old lady who would be. only too pleased to adopt them. The old lady was also to have a white cat and a white cow. At last the children arrive at a house, that appears in every way to fulfil the. home of their dreams. Jt is white, though certainly a hit larger than the. one they had pictured. There is an old lady sitting at- an o]>en window sewing, a white cow browses in the meadow, and a white cat basks in the sunshine. So the children knock at the door, and when the old lady answers it they in form her that they have come to be adopted. But, alas for their dreams! the old lady turns out to be anything but kind-hearted, and she angrily orders them to go away. However, the old lady has a lady help who is much kinder than her mistress. She insists on looking after the children, and the old lady relents to the extent of giving permission for them to stay one night, but no longer. But as things turn out. in the end the children have in reality found their ideal home. It would hardly he fair to those who have not vet seen the picture to tell how* this is brought about, or how the old lady’s heart is softened, or what other wonderful and delightful things happen to the children. It is sufficient to say that the story ends quit© happily for all concerned. The second attraction on the programme is ‘‘The Gilded Lily,” a Paramount production in which the noted actress, Mae Murray, plays the leading role. This is the story of a society butterfly, who is the queen of a certai t New York fast set. Then love comes into her life, or at least she thinks it does, and some time before the intend od marriage she gives up her former mode of living and settles down to a quiet home life. However, the change does not please her intended husband, who, as one of the sub-titles puts it, wants “more electricity and less domesticity.” She had given up her former way of life because she thought that by doing so she would please her lover, but again with the object of , pleasing him she returns tn it. The result is disaster, and the ‘‘gilded lily” is brought to realise that it was the glitter and show alone that had attracted her lover. However, this is not the end of the story. There is a happy termination after many tears and much anguish. The supporting programme, consists o. a gazette film depicting happenings of interest in other parts of the world, a Tonv Sarg cartoon and a. highly amusing comedy entitled “Hearts and Hats.” At the evening session on Saturday, a delightful programme of incidental music was supplied by the Grand Orchestra under the leadership of Miss , A. Shearsby.

QUEEN’S THEATRE.

“A FOOL THERE IV AS. - ’ A double featured programme that is said to be exceptionally entertaining will be screened at the Queen's Theatre, commencing to-day. The leading attraction is the latest Fox superspecial entitled “ A Fool There \\ as,” which lias been adapted from Kipling's poem. There are many well known names portraying this fascinating story. Estelle Taylor and "William V. Mong. of “ Monte Oristo 1 i)ime. are said to give splendid characterisations as well as Irene Rich, Marjorie Daw and Lewis Stone. Miss Taylor is said to be a symmetrical, beautiful version of the notorious ** rag. and a bone and a hank of hair.’ She is slim and wicked with beguiling eyes. Her methods as a vampire show a subtle knowledge of the demands of her role, and never once is she untrue to the character she portrays. Even in her cruelty she is beautiful, and up to the last, when she is shown scattering petals over the body of the man she calls her fool, she is characteristically picturesque. The picture has been given a magnificent production, there being many scenes of exquisite loveliness. The second attraction is “The Little M anderer,” in which Shirley Mason is featured. It. is a bright drama very suitable. to Miss Mason’s special type. Supports include an A 1 St John comedy and the latest Gazette. A special musical programme has been arranged by Air H. G. Glaysher, conductor of the Queen’s orchestra.

EVERYBODY’S THEATRE.

A PRODIGIOUS PROGRAMME. “THE WHITE FLOWER,” STARRING BETTY COMPSOX. “TOO MUCH WIPE,STARRING WANDA HAWLEY. Manipulating motion picture cameras on the. edge of the famous volcano Kiluaea furnished plenty of excitement to the cast of “ The White Flower.” the new Betty Compson Paramount picture, which was filmed in the. Hawaiian Islands, and which will be screened at Everybody’s Theatre this week, commencing at. the matinee to-day. The companv remained in Hawaii for several weeks, encompassing in that time beautiful backgrounds of Honolulu, exciting scenes on the. beach at. Waikiki, scenes with a background of pineapple and sugar cane plantations and other views colourfully representative of the famous American possession. An entrancing story of the Hawaiian Islands is The White Flower.” Miss Compson plays the part of a young, half American, half Hawaiian girl, who is in love with a young American, the pine-apple king of the island. Many are the plans which Miss Compson forms for winning this young fellow’s love. In fact, she almost does away with his fiancee by the aid of mysterious rites, so great is her love for him. She realises, however, what she is about to do, and at the critical moment her real womanhood asserts itself. The photography, as well as the acting, in the production is excellent. The direction by Julia Crawford I vers, who also wrote the story, is superb. The heart appeal is intense. Miss Compson plays a half-caste Hawaiian girl, and is supported bv Edmund Lowe, Edward Martindel, Arline Pretty, Sylvia Ashton, Leon Barry and Lily Philips. Wanda Hawley and T. Roy Barnes 1

as a young married couple, offer a treat in the supporting feature, which is entitled “Too Much Wife,” a Realart comedy-drama, and one of the beat things of its kind ever seen on the screen. It’s a long story when you try to write it. but it reels along at the limit of speed, with a laugh to mark off every couple of revolutions. Miss Hawley, as a fond little bride, eager to insure the. marital happiness of herself and her bridegroom, takes advice from her ’ masterful ” mother, but also, privately. from her henpecked father. Her effort to reconcile and act on both conflicting counsels makes the story—one you'll like. Wanda Hawley has the support of a splendid cast. T. Roy Barnes, who plays Miss Hawley’s husband in the piece, occupied the same happy' position in “Her Face. Value.” Other support includes Arthur Hoyt, Lilian Leighton. Leigh Wyant, Willard Louis, Bertie Johns, and John Fox. The. story of “ Too Much Wife ” is by Lorna Moon, and the scenario wa.s written by Percy Heath. Thomas N. Heffron directed under the supervision of Elmer Harris. An alluring musical programme has been arranged by Mr W. J. Bellingham. F.S.M., tor Everybody’s “ Select ” Orchestra. Chief among the items are the following—Overture, “ Patrol ” (Zamechik) : opera selection, “The Black Domino” (Auber) ; ballet music “ Faust ” (Gounod) ; danse suites, “ Slavonic Danses” (Dvorak), “Norwegian Danses ” (Greig) ; entr’acte, “ ’Tucky Home ” (Lewis) ; Hawaiian music, “Moonlight.” (Klickmann), “Sweet Hawaiian Isle” (Edwards), “My Isle of Golden Dreams” (Blaufuss). Reserved seats may either be obtained at The Bristol or by telephoning 4925.

GREATER CRYSTAL PALACE

LON CHANEY AND VIRGINIA VALLI IN “THE SHOCK.” NOBLE JOHNSON JN “TRACKS.” Lon Chaney and Virginia Valli in the big eight-reel Universal-Jewel super-production, that comes to a climax when a reproduction of the great earthquake of 1906 shakes San Francisco into kindling for the great fire, will be the big attraction heading the new programme at Greater Crystal Palace this week, commencing to-day. It is entitled “ The Shock.” The earthquake is shown on the screen with vivid realism. Tt was, in fact, an earthquake that the camera recorded. In the 550 acres of Universal City, a section of San Francisco was built in replica. It was then shaken to pieces and burned as San Francisco men who had experienced the great catastrophe stood by to point out the course of the fire and the duration of the shocks. Playgoers will he thrilled in this big Universal- Jewel which mirors real life on the screen. Unlike many productions of the screen, there is nothing forced. The action moves forward with the naturalness of life itself. The sweetness is provided by Virginia Valli, the beautiful star of “The Storm,” and the bitterness is shown in a graphic account of the life of a man in San Francisco’s Barharv Coast. The story of “ The Shock,” written hv William Dudley Pelley under the title of “Bittersweet,” abounded with colourful situations and plenty of action, but the task of finding two suitable stars wa.s a. difficult one. Choice finally settled upon Lon Chaney and Virginia Valli, hut. as both players were engaged in other productions, it was neoessarv to delay filming for several months. However, the delay was well worth while, as the two character isations are masterpieces of dramatic technique. “Tracks.” a. Playgoers feature, is the second big picture, on the new programme, and it has for its locale the broad sweeping ranges of Texas. Yet it cannot be called a Western picture in the accepted sense of that phrase, for it is not so much a story of the West as it is of mystery. As written by L. V. Jefferson, the story gets its name from the fact that invariably, when any of a series of raids is made by horse thieves, mysterious cow tracks appear in the neighbourhood. These baffle the ranchers anil rangers for a long time, and form the basis of a mysterious plot, enhanced by romantic complications. Noble Johnson, with Beatrice Burnham and Bill Patton, play the leading roles in this fine story of outdoor life. The supporting films are the eighth chapter of the big thriller, “ Around the World in Eighteen Da vs.” a very funny Century comedy and the latest International news film. In addition to the above piot\ires. a further chapter of “The Tim tier Queen” will be screened at the afternoon sessions throughout the Week. Incidental to and in conjunction with the screening of the various motion pictures the world-famous Symphony Orchestra, under the distinguished conductorship of Mr Alfred T. Riinz, will present a magnificent musical programme, which includes the following classical and popular numbers: Overture. “Morning. Noon and Night" (Supped: Symphony No. 5” ( Beethoven) : “ Siegfried-Tdylls ” (Wagner) : “ Within the Walls of China ” (Lively): overture. “1812” (Tschaikowsky) ; Ballet suite, “Oriental” (Vecsev); “Suzanne’s Secret” (WolfFerrari': “To-Night’s the. Night” (Rubens): “Beside a Brook” (Donaldson); “River Shannon Moon” (Walter). The box plan is at The Bristol, or seats may be reserved by telephoning Greater Crystal Palace, number 3758.

FULLER’S OPERA HOUSE.

A programme of real merit, will he offered to-night at Fuller’s Opera House, when a first appearance will he made by M’lvor and Scott, who are described as clever Scottish entertainers. Scotch dancing and bagpipe playing play a. large part in their act. Keith Desmond is another newcomer

who is described as a clever monologuist- with some delightful recitations. Nat. Hanley, one of the most, popular artists ever seen here, will he heard in. new items, while the last nights are announced of Mello and Nello, sensational acrobats, and Marie St George in her brilliant statuary offering. The Con Moreni Musical Comedy Company will be seen in their eighth production. This is entitled “ Antonio and Son,” and Con Moreni is said to be very funny as “ Antonio,” an Italian chef who is trying to run a cafe in Sydney. Good parts are allotted the popular principals, while the dressing, scenery and music is of the high standard associated with this company. Seats may now be reserved at The Bristol.