SCREEN & STAGE

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17231, 24 December 1923, Page 5

SCREEN & STAGE

V *{* V NOTES ON CURRENT AND COMING SHOWS. Y V V

A picture of outstanding merit is screening to-night at the King’s, Sydenham. It is “Out of the Dust,” starring Russel Simpson and Robert M’Kim. A powerful drama of the golden west.

One of the main attractions on the Queen’s new change of programme today is “Gipsy Passion,” starring Malarne Rejane. It is a thrilling and romantic tale of gipsy life, their loves and passions.

Thomas Meighan, one of the most popular of Paramount 6tars will present as his first picture for 1924 “Homeward Bound.” This is an adaptation from the story by Peter B. Kyne and is said to be one of the best things that Meighan has ever done.

Bob M’Kenzie the sheriff comedian of “Don Quickshot of the Rio Grande,” Jack Hoxio’s initial starring feature for Universal, has a strong role in support of the cowboy star in “ Where is this West?” a satirical comedy-drama, now screening at Greater Crystal Palace. It is a high-powered story of the thrilling adventures of a small-town Eastern youth, his partner in the milk business of th© Eastern village, and a girl from the same home-town, on a Western cattle ranch.

Alice Brady, in, her latest Paramount production. “ The Snow Bride,” is the attraction at Everybody's to-night. This is a story of the Northland, with all its trials and hardships, plots and romances. It is ai\. altogether thrilling' tale and one that- will be remembered by picture lovers for consideable time to come. Maurice B. Flynn has. the male lead in The SnowBride,” while the supporting cast includes Mario Majeroni, Jack Baston and others.

Pauline Garon, who plays the leading feminine role in the new Pathe feature, “ The Power Within,” now screening at Greater Crystal Palace, has done all in her power to represent as many of the Allies of the World War as possible. Miss Garon was born in Lyons, France. He father was French and her mother Irish. In entering motion pictures she plays her biggest role in “ The Power Within,” appearing as a pretty* little Belgian girl.

A very unusual story is told in “The Soul of the Beast,” to lie shown at the Liberty Theatre next Saturday. Beginning with very realistic scenes of circus life, the wonderful sagacity and fidelity of a pet elephant in saving a circus waif from a destructive fire is depicted in a very sensational manner. Madge Bellamy, as the forlorn little elephant girl, reaches dramatic heights during the scenes that follow the arrival of the strange -pair at a ouaint little French-Canadian trappers’ village. The film is replete with interest from , start to finish.

“The Sag© Brush Trail,” the new Western picture now screening at the Queen’s, is a picture which carries th© utmost in adventure and romance. It takes the spectator on a fascinating journey to the heart of the West, and offers him a story of rapid action and suspense. The cast is of all-star proportions, including such popular fav ourites as Roy Stewart, Wallace Beery. Johnny Walker and Marjorie Daw It is a tale of a fearless sheriff who re forms the toughest town West of the Mississippi through the skill of a trigger finger, but who is frightened by a pair of petulant lips. How he carries out his duty and obeys the tug at hri heart is told in fire amazing reels.

Balfe’s famous opera, “The Bohemian Girl,” has been picturised, and the screen version , which is now screening at the Liberty, has lost nothing of the. charm which made the opera fa moos throughout the world. The cast 13 a splendid one, and includes England s most beautiful actress, Gladys Cooper. Ellen Terry, Constance Col her and Ivor Novello are also included fn the The settings are particulaiiy fine, especially the woodland scenes for the gipsy episodes ; . the fine old feudal castle (a real castle, not a mere “ set ”), and the film version of the vision, “ I dieamfc that I dwelt in Marble Halls.” The spirit and atmosphere of the great opera are wonderfully well brought out. the titles of th-well-known songs being very cleverly woven into the web of th© play. The part of the hero is admirably filled bv Ivor Novello a handsome young Enghsh artor_ who belongs to the musicfl firm of Novello; while Miss Gladys cooper, whose beauty and fame as an actress are known to the whole world' appears m the title role.

Lewis Stone is an actor who will he swm in a great number of Paramount offerings for the coming year. Ho takes the leading male role in “ You Can’t Pool Your Wife.” Nita Naldi aaicl Beatrice Joy are also iu the cast.

Will Hastings, English musical comedian. will mako his initial appearance pt the Opera House to night.

Special holiday matinees will be held at the Opera House on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons. “ The Covered Waggon,” Paramount’s greatest attraction for the coming year, is at Grauman’s Theatre at Hollywood at present. The larger seating capacity has enabled it to be screened to nearly six hundred thousand people in twenty-three weeks.

The ‘ ‘ Stiffy ” and “Mo ” revue company will make their first appearance in Christchurch at the Opera House to-night. This company come with a big reputation as entertainers of a high order. “ Stiffv ” and “Mo” make their initial appearance as lords in this production.

The Campbell Boys, who have always been firm favourites with Christchurch audiences, will make their re appearance at the Opera House after a lengthy absence. They have toured all over Australia since last they were here, and have earned the warmest praise everywhere for their very fine concertina playing.

Winsome Shirley Mason will be seen to-night at the King’s, Sydenham, in “ The New Teacher.” She enacts the role of a pampered society girl who eventually tires of the life and takes a position as a school teacher in one of New York’s slums “ Black Beauty,” at present filming at the Grand, is a picture version- of Anna Sewell’s wonderful autobiography of a horse. AH lovers of animal stories will appreciate this presentation and marvel at the complete knowledge of equine nature displayed. Appealing human sentiment to a rare degree is also depicted. Jean Paige is featured in the leading role. * * Jackie Coogan. the # incomparable juvenile screen star, who will be remembered for his work in ‘‘ Oliver Twist,” will be seen again at the Grand in an old favourite, ‘‘The Kid.” Co-starred with the popular Charlie Chaplin, these two do splendid work. This is the third visit of “ The Kid ” to this city, but nevertheless, those picture patrons who have witnessed the before will welcome the opportunity of seeing it again.

More than a touch of mystery, a tender vein of youthful romance, and situations dynamically powerful in the sheer force of climatic drama—all of these elemeents have been admirably inter-mixed to make “ Midnight,” which commences at Everybody’s today, one of the best pictures seen in recent months. This offering reveals still further the emotional talent displayed by Constance Binney in her recent productions. Miss Binney is seen as a. trusting, too-romontic girl whom an early marriage almost wrecks. A kindly and thoughtful action was performed by the vaudeville artists and members' of Hurl-Evans Revue Company at the Opera House during the week end. A subscription list was very liberally subscribed to, the object being to purchase a Christmas present for Miss Delora, who is at present in hospital as- the result of a fractured arm sustained one evening last week when she slipped whilst doing her trapeze act.

The Hurl Evans Revue Company, who concluded their season at the Opera House on Saturday night, were accorded a most enthusiastic farewell. At the conclusion of the performance the members of the company were simply showered with presents which were handed up to them over the footlights. It. took some minutes to distribute all the parcels, bouquets, etc., and while this was going on the audience joined in the singing of popular choruses, concluding with the singing of “ Aulci Lang Syne.” In brief speeches both Mr .Doddy Hurl and Mr llarrv «EvaJis returned thanks for the fine reception which had been given the company, and both wished the patrons a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

It is said that Mrs John Barrymore, professionally known as Michael Strange, the authoress of the play ‘‘Claire de Lune,” will support her husband in the screen version of “ Beau Brummel.” While in France together recently, a French producer was struck by her suitable screen personality, and offered her a part in French productions

A film with a title like “The Truth About Wives ” has a big subject to tackle. There are wives that talk of their wrongs, and wives that keep silent, but Betty Blythe, the leading actress in this picture, is both eloquent and illuminating without speaking a word.