AMUSEMENTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17179, 24 October 1923, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

GREATER CRYSTAL PALACE The current programme at Greater Crystal Palace has two big attractions, with supports which, in their way, also are in the front rank of movie pictures. It wouhl be somewhat invidious to choose between “The Woman Who Fooled Herself'’ and “Sawdust.’’ The misogynist may say that most women fool themselves more ilo *o to the same extent as Eva Lee does in Mr C. A. Logue’s love story adapted for the screen by Mr E. A. M* Man us for the Associated Exhibitors. She finds that, instead of playing with the heart of an enemy, as she thought, she is playing with her own heart ; and it issad enough before she realises that Cupid’s random arrows ran turn contempt into love. Eva ]<ee is a chorus girl, vivacious and sparkling, with something of the devil in her. aud not above taking a hand in sharp practice. She is represented on the screen by Miss May Allison, who has had a career as a comedy queen, but who. in “ The Woman Wlie Fooled Herself," shows that sh« is sufficiently versatile to take with equal success a heavy dramatic part. Romance always has been associated with spangles. sawdust and the ring. ‘ Sawdust.” adapted for the Universal Special, -was written by Mr < 'ourtney B. Cooper, who, for many years has been associated with one of the largest circuses in America. He has seen the life from inside- -actually has lived it. in fact —ami he reproduces its atmosphere and spirit, in the charming character of Nita. a tight-rope walker. “ Around the World in Eighteen Days " is advanced another chapter, anil gives those present, another series of pleasant thrills. A Baby Peggy comedy. “‘Taking Orders, ts an admirable introduction to the attractions. and the International News contains up-to-date items. There is a particularly attractive musical programme. LIBERTY THEATRE. A very varied and attractive programme of pictures and music is provided in the new programme at the Liberty Theatre. Pride of place must be given to ‘‘Pay Day,” featuring the ever-popular Charles Chaplin. The story is full of ludicrous happenings from the time Chaplin is seen at. “work” on earth excavations till he is paid off. and bis contention with his wife over the possession of his wages affords abundance of fun. A Goldwyn picture, “ The Old Nest,' is the second feature. The theme is that of a mother who sees her six children leave her. Rupert. Hughes is the author of this poignant tale of mother-love. All the joys and sorrows connected with raising a family have been dramatised. The children grow to manhood or womanhood. all with their own individual interests, and then leave the old nest to follow t.he call of their desires. Only the mother is left in her loneliness and with her memories. The eventual renin ion is happily portrayed. Mary Alden, invests the role of the mother with a realism that cannot fail to attract attention. ‘‘The Cave Girl,” a vivid, pulsating story of youth, romance and adventure. enhanced by magni#scent, outdoor scenery. i§ the third attraction. Tn addition there, is a very interesting and instructive topical gazette. During the screening of the pictures an admirable, musical programme i.- contributed by the Liberty Quality Orchestra under the direction of Mr Howard Moody.

GRAND THEATRE. The new programme at. the Grand Theatre is headed by the First. National attraction. “ Tbo Dangerous Age. - ’ which can justly be entitled a first-class picture. Tn it the essential elements of humour, pathos and love interest are cleverly blended, and the whole story is of that well-constructed variety that keeps one in suspense until the end. Lewis Stone plays a leading role and among the other members of the cast arc such celebrities as Edith Roberts. Ruth Clifford. Helen Lynch, .Tames Mqrrison, Cleo Madison. Myrtle Stedmon. Edward Burns. Lincoln Stedinan and Richard Tucker. The second attraction on the programme is a William Fox production entitled ‘‘Just Tony.” One of the leading performers in the picture, is Tony, the famous horse belonging to Tom Mix. Tony plays a very big part in this picture, and in fact- puts his master, who of course also has a leading part, somewhat in the shade. *There are thrills in abundance. Plenty of opportunity'' is afforded Tom Mix to show bis skill as a horseman and as a rifle and revolver shot. The remaining pictorial items are a travelogue him entitled “With Rod and Gun,” and a Topical Budget cf interesting happenings in other lands.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. Everybody loves a thrill. With most people, the bigger the thrill the bettor they like it. Some people are apt to frown on what they term sensationalism. but even these are not lacking in appreciation of a good thrill, or slow to respond with quickening pulse to the influence of some well-arranged and executed piece of cinema effect. Patrons at Everybody’s Theatre got something special in the wav of thrills, and for that reason, if for no other, vote Goldwyn’s new Rupert Hughes picture. “ Souls for Sale.” one of the best that has been submitted for a long while. Of course, the picture lias attributes other than its wonderful climax to place it among the g-eat productions of the studios, but the startling nature of the climax so transcends anything else in the film and so overshadows the contributing incidents, that it naturally makes a very powerful appeal to the imagination and creates a vivid impression that is not readily lost. The climax depicts the burning of a big circus tent. A movie company is shown filming a storm scene in the circus, and, during the height of the mock tempest, a real storm of hurricane force

occurs. The scene possesses this novel characteristic, that the audience is shown first the make-believe storm, and then the scene is overwhelmed bv thtf real storm. The picture is notable for the number of prominent movie actors and actresses who appear in it. The average picture is very well endowed if it is able to present a couple of stars. In this film stars are jostling and falling over each other. The reason is that, the picture deals largely with that city of mushroom fame, Hollywood, and, in the different “shots’’ of events that occur there and of the people who contribute to their occurrence, the camera has taken in nearly all the great stars in one wholesale, comprehensive sweep Quite apart, however, from the interesting scenes which it depicts, and of the interesting people of whom it gives glimpses, the picture tells a story of great dramatic intensity. And, if it is to be believed. Hollywood is not such a bad place after all, nor the people half the roysterer.s that many critics, who know absolutely nothing about it, would have us believe. Of a quite different type is ‘‘ Sixty Cents an Hour.” a picture in which Walter Hiers quite lives up to the promise to provide sixty laughs a minute. Hiers is a clerk with wide, ambitions and a shrunken bank account., whom a. harsh world bss robbed of everything hut his optimism and his firm belief that, sooner or later, he will make the town sit up and take notice. He docs it. and gives good measure in the doing. The fun is furious nearly all the time, and even when the hero is engaged in de-adly strife with two hank robbers he contrives still to be funny. An admirable musical programme is provided-by the orchestra- ,

QUEEN’S THEATRE. The double feature programme showing at the Queen’s Theatre is attracting hig business to this popular house A delightful programme of incidental music accompanies the pictures. “Snowdrift,” the outstanding feature, is a story of the frozen North. It is off the beaten track of pictures depict mg life in these parts. “ Snowdrift ”is the name of a young girl who has lost her parents and is looked after by the Indians. Charles Jones is the leading character and is seen in the best role of his successful career. The second attraction is “ Boston Blackie,” a story of prison life and methods. William Russell is the featured player and sup. porting him is Eva Novak. A Sunshine comedy, “ Where There’s a'Will ” is one long laugh from start, to finish. The Fox News completes the programme.

“IF WINTER COMES." A PLAY WITH A WONDERFUL VOGUE. The dramatic version of A. S. M. Hutchinson’s famous novel “ If Winter Comes ” is to hare its premiere at the Theatre Royal on Saturday evening. In view of the widely read book, a deal more than ordinary interest is being shown in lhe production of the play. The adaptation is the work of Basil MacDonald Hastings, in collaboration with Mr Hutchinson. The play has had a wonderful vogue in England, where it is still running, and it has proved an outstanding success more recently in Sydney and Melbourne. For the New Zealand production, the directors of J- C. Williamson, Ltd., have engaged a number of well known English artists, including Garry Marsh, who was leading juvenile in London for some years with Cyril Maude and Hir .John Martin Harvey. Mr Marsh will he seen as Mark Sabre. Miss 1 sob cl Wilford will be seen as “ EfKe.’f Also prominently cast are Misses Ailsa Graham (Tady Nona Tyba.r) and Jane Savill© (Mabel Sabre). Other notable artists appearing are Messrs Sidney Stirling, George Blunt, Leslie Victor. J. B. -At hoi wood, Reginald Wykeham and IT. H. Wallace and Misses Georgia Harvey, Lorna Helms and Li Ivan Nightingale. The stage management, is in the hands of Mr TT. C. Nightingale. The “Herald.” Auckland, speaking of the opening performance in that city, says: “Tt is a play of passionate sincerity, which holds the audience'*in its g?-ip from the rise to the fall of the curtain. The sensational coroner's scene and the many other intensely interesting dramatic situations, so splendidly described by A. S. M. Hutchinson in his famous novel, give the artists' unusual opportunities fpr the display of their histrionic powers, and that they thoroughly realised the author’a intentions they manifested last evening bv their representations of the characters so well known to the many thousands who enjoyed the book. The great enthusiasm displayed by last night’s audience at the termination of each act and at the final fn 11 of the curtain was a great tribute to both the play and the company, which was acclaimed tho best J. C. Willi ainson organisation which lias appeared here for years.” The box plans open this morning at The Bristol.

FULLER’S OPERA HOUSE. Bright vaudeville turns are a feature of the current programme at Fuller’s Opera House. An act entitled “ Making Both Ends Meet,” introduces a clever contortionist in the person of Jack Birchley. Some charming Hawaiian scenes are presented by the Hilo Duo. '! be laughable sketches presented by .Joe Brennan and Ida Newton are very popular as crisp comedy and snappy dialogue quickly appeal to audiences. Ray Kemble does some female impersonations and carries off the part in good style. The Sinclair Bros, equilibrist?. Nat Hanlev, entertainer at the piano, and Keith Desmond. monologuist, are among others who appear on the programme. Next Monday evening will see the return visit of that famous act. Gdiva’s Seals. under the direction of their trainer. Captain Adams. Few collections of trained animals have created such a sensation as these wonderful mammals, and it is anticipated thatfresh records will be established on this visit. The box plan for the first week of their season will open to-mor-row niorning at the Bristol.