EVERYBODY’S THEATRE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17220, 11 December 1923, Page 5

EVERYBODY’S THEATRE.

“THE GO-GETTER.” A FINE PICTURE. The new programme submitted to the audience at Everybody’s last evening was, both from a musical and pictorial point of view, an undoubted •uccess. The interpretation of popular novels to the screen has. within the last few years, been the aim of all picture producers until, at the present day, characters created by the great writers appear on the screen, made to live and act their various parts as in the true spirit of tho romance from whence they sprang. Everyone is familiar with Peter B. Kyne’s bright and entertaining works, arid has come to know each individual character created bv that master pen, and the interpretation of one of his novels, “The Go-Getter.” the big feature presented last, evening, brings to the lover of good pictures a true replica of the original story. “The Go-Getter” was produced by Cosmopolitan Corporation and stars some well-known and brilliant actors, chief amongst them being T. Roy Barnes, as the energetic salesman who always got what he went after, and Seena Owen, who takes the part of Mary Skinner, the charming daughter of the manager of the Picks Lum-

her Company. William Norris gives a great characterisation of the redoubtable “ Cappy,” the head of the firm, while Tom Lewis takes the part of the cautious Skinner. The story centres round the activities of the salesman Bill Peck, who has acquired the happy kiuuk of making business where before no business existec.. Peck is a relumed soldier who, when discharged from hospital, is handicapped with a limp. As tho most likely place at which to find employment he selects the Alden P. Ricks Lumber Company, and bravely enters the offices of that company after having had with boundless egotism and verve a number of cards printed with the name of the company coupled with his own. The reception given him by Skinner, the general manager, is anything but Rat isfactory. and it is brought home to him how completely the ex-service men were forgotten, gaining but poor comfort from being told that the company was already overloaded with returned soldiers. Out once again he meets a young street arab from whom be purchases a dog The transaction* is witnessed by Mary Skinner, who advises him to see “ Cappy,” the head of the firm. Peck, much impressed by her kindness, regains his old pushing spirit, and decides to make another call, being rewarded with a job for his trouble. Skinner is rather annoyed at being overridden in tho matter of the selection of employees, and start g Peck off on a job selling lumber, the worst lino h© could possibly handle—skunk spruce possibly with the idea that he might meet with failure, but in this he is disappointed, for Peck makes a deal with a rival firm competing in the China trade. For this he gets in trouble and is discharged, but absolutely refusing to be dismissed he gets busy again and soon returns with a number of orders, much to Cappy’s delight, and that astute old gentleman decides he has made a mistake and asks Peck to continue with the good work. Bill takes Mary Skinner out to lunch at 1 p.m., and while at the restaurant proposes to her. Many interesting and diverting incidents take place. Peck has already had a number of visiting cards printed bearing the names of Mr and Mrs Peck. At this juncture he explains his plans, at first rather dubiously, but gradually gaining courage at the apparent acquiescence of Mary. Finally he produces the ring and slips it on her finger; to get first and ask permission after was Bill’s motto, and all was accomplished by 3 p.m. Cappy Ricks is greatly taken with Bill’s disarming smile and business spirit, and although trusting him fully, decides to put him to the supreme test—the blue vase test, a favourite trick of Cappy’s to test out his -trusty men before offering them responsible promotion. Bill has to procure a blue vas© from a certain dealer in antiques, but is given misleading information as to the street, and also when he does find the place the sign board is changed while he is attempting to ring the dealer on the telephone. Eventually gaining admittance he is only delayed in his task of delivering the vase to Gappy—who desires its possession before reaching Santa Barbara—by the dealer, who being in league with the lumber king, asks an exorbitant price. While discussing matters concerning the price a burglar, who had been shadowing Bill all the evening, steps in through the door, and, overhearing the conversa*tion, jumps to the conclusion that thjs vase is a valuable piece of china, lights it off the counter j|nd slips out through the back of tho shop- Bill’s dog, how-

ever, givej the alarm, and an exciting chase ensues, which eventually finishes up in a den of shady repute, a depot for stolen goods. Here a thrilling fight takes place between Bill and the burglar, whom he ’eventually overpowers. The owner of den then takes a hand and fells Bill as he mounts the stairs -with the precious vase in his arms. On regaining consciousness, Bill, through a trick, upsets his assailant, aqd after a hard tussle comes out the victor, much battered and torn, but still smiling and clasping his precious burden. The most realistic scenes of the whole picture are now witnessed where he knocks up an aviator friend, and literally forces him to get a machine ready to chase the express in which Cappy and his party are. The machine is seen, speeding along through the night while far below can bo seen the twinkling lights of cities. They are now delayed in a dense fog drifting in from the sea, but ultimately leave it behind Co espy the speeding train far below. How the plane is brought to a landing on the very edge of the shining rails, and Teck with a lighted flare brings the engine to a stop, these with the final scenes in the carriage. where Cappy and Bill “ have it out ” make a fitting and dramatic finish to a perfect production. Bill gets what he went after, the girl of his heart and the coveted position as the firm’s representative in China. Supporting pictures included a fine Bank's comedy, a Burton Holme® Travalogue. and a Paramount weekly Gazette. The latest film dealing with Zev and Papyrus was also shown. This detailed the exploits of these champion horses from the time of foaling until the running of the great race. An excellent musical programme under the cpnductorship of Mr TV. -T. Bellingham F.S.M.. was also rendered, blending admirably with tho pictures shown. The overture was Mozart’s “ L’lmpresario ” which was received with much appreciation. For an entr’acte, a popular fox trot, “ Goodbye Shanghai ” (Mayer) was played. Ballet music “ Callirhoe,” (Chaminade) was also well received. The outstanding musical number of the evening was the waltz. “ Italian Symphony ” (Mendelssohn). Other items rendered were “Danse OrientaJe,” “Pas des Echnrpes,” “ Danse de Callirhoe.” “ Yeoman of the Guard.” (Sullivan), “ Andante,” with an effective ’cello solo, and a number of popular fox trots.