EVERYBODY’S THEATRE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17230, 22 December 1923, Page 3 (Supplement)

EVERYBODY’S THEATRE.

“THE SNOW BRIDE * * AND “MIDNIGHT.” A Paramount production of outstanding merit comes to Everybody’s on Monday next, and with a noted cast headed by Alice Brady, “ The SnowBride” will make a wide appeal, Jt is a dramatic story of the Far North, that country which at once lures and repulses—lures by its very steruess and grim reality of life. Tho Arctic setting is maintained almost throughout the picture, in which French-Canadian characters predominate. The romantic side is evident almost from the first reel, with Annette Leroux (Alice Brady), and Andre Pprel (Maurice Flynn) mostly concerned. The girl’s father is a fur trader, whose business transactions are not always above board. During a fight between Indian ‘ Char-lie and Leroux, the former is killed, and, at a critical moment, Paul Gerard, the bad man of the cast, arrives upon the scene, he promises to keep the affair a secret, but in return expects to hold the inside running with Leroux’s daughter. Although Porel is the accepted lover of the girl, the latter .in order to shield her father, decides to poison herself—at the same time writing a declaration of her love for Porel. When Gerard, in a drunken stupor, drinks the poisoned wine intended for Annette, he dies, and the bride is accused of the murder. To accentuate tho distress her lover, as the sheriff, has to see tho penalty of the law- carried out. Many stirring scenes are witnessed in the closing chapters ,especially where, after the scaffold has been erseted, a fierce storm arises which uproots a tree and sets an avalanche moving, destroying the scaffold in its forward movement. Leroux is mortally injured, and on his death-bed confesses to the murder of Indian Charlie. There is a reconciliation between the lovers, and the entire village believes iu Annette’s innocence, and that God has proved it for her beyond the shadow of a doubt. The other big features on the new programme is a Realart production, u Midnight,’ starring winsome Constance . Binney. As Edna Morris, the daughter ! of the American Ambassador to a 1 South American Republic, who is in i veigled into a hasty marriage with worthless attac o T >’ same oay with ;t, i ; escape lie leaps into the bay Believe' I to be drowned, the scandal is bushed I up. and the girl’s father resigns his

estate in the United States. Edna -'falls in love with a young man named Dart (Jack Mullhall) and becomes engaged. At this stage, and unknown to her, her supposedly dead husband returns and trouble begins. Morris refuses to allow his (laughter to marry Dart, so they elope, to return at mid night, married. A startling climax is provided, which is, of course, the proper thing, and proves beneficial to those concerned. A brilliant musical programme has been arranged and blends admirably with the pictures. Box plans are now open at The Bristol.