AMUSEMENTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17244, 10 January 1924, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

LIBERTY THEATRE. Motion picture patrons who wish to see a film that is something out of the ordinary should not fail to visit the j Liberty Theatre this week, where the j current programme is headed by the ! First National attraction. "The Bright i Shawl." The leading role is played by Richard Barthelmeas and the principal female role by Dorothy Gish- The settings are taken in Havana, Cuba. To Havana comes a wealthy New Yorker, Charles Abbott, in search of adventure. Angered by the Spanish atrocities, he decides to embrace the cause of tbe Cuban patriots and in pursuance of this course of action pretends to become infatuated with a popular dancer, La Clavel. For a time all goes well, but then suspicion falls on Abbott and the dancer, and a trap is set to catch them. Thereafter follows a series of adventures and thrills—but it would not be fair to those who have no seen the picture to disclose exactly how it ends Other pictures arc “The Great Lover” and "Gay An excellent programme of incidental music is contri buted by the Liberty Orchestra, under the conductorship of Mr Howard MoodyGREATER CRYSTAL PALACE Miss Priscilla Dean’s strong personality gives peculiar life and interest to “ Drifting,” now being shown at Greater Crystal Palace. As Cassie Cook, Miss Dean appears in a melodrama that takes people into the heart of China, and. for a moment, strips bare the opium drug curse. From the start to end “Drifting” is a careful dramatisation, perhaps th© best linn of its kind ever shown at Greater Crystal Palace. Second to “ Drifting ” is “A Clouded Name,” with Miss Norma Shearer, Mf Gladden James and little Yvonne Logan as the particularly bright stars. Miss Shearer is the heroine in a story of the sufferings of two young people through the deeds of their parents. There are another chapter of the serial “ Th© Eagle’s Talons,” a Century comedy and an astonishing International News film, showing daring acrobatic “stunts” by an airman, many hundreds of feet in the air. The Symphony Orchostia, under Mr A. J. Bunz’s conductorship, supplies a bril- : liant musical programme..

GRAND THEATRE. It was inevitable that Miss Ethel M. Dell’s novels should find their way on to the screen. Those who have read this popular writer’s works—and also the comparatively few people who have neglected to do so—will welcome the adaptation at the Grant! Theatre of her story of the Indian frontier, “ The Place of Honour,'’ because it has caught the romance and fervour that brought fame to the writer, and be cause of its high intrinsic qualities as a kinoma drama. The story, as it develops on the screen, is so human and 60 natural that, probably, it represents actual incidents in the lives of British officers and their wives in the wildest parts of India. Smiling all the Way” is in quite a different class. It is a story of a triangle, with a society girl, a cook for a lumber camp and the owner of the lumber works as the three points. It is mainly and delightfully humorous, but there is much in it of a serious character, as it deals with the good and the bad in human nature. The title of this piece is taken from ths habit of the cook. Hannibell Pillsbury, of always smiling; and Mr David Butler, who takes the part, smiles so sunnily that all who see the story smile with him, and feel happier for having seen him. The part of th© society girl is taken by Miss Leatrice Joy, who needs no commendation to the Christchurch public. Amongst other items on an admirably varied programme are a Charlie Chaplin comedy, a surprisingly beautiful Pathe Gazette and “Puzzleland,” representing the dream of a little girl. The last named piece is as clever as it is charming

QUEEN’S THEATRE.

Pola Negri in “Bella Donna,” her first American-made picture, produced by George Fitzmaurice for Paramount, is an attraction that the motion picture public of this country will welcome with enthusiasm,- Never has this celebrated screen star been seen in a more powerful or appealing stor-tf than is developed in “Bella Donna.” In it Pola Negri, the heiome of “Passion’* and many other notable picture successes, is presented in a new light—glorious, flashing, vital and magnetic. In this photoplay, l’ola Negri’s superb art finds its highest and most winsome expression. The Pyramids, Sphinx and desert form beautiful backgrounds for many interesting and highly dramatic passages. Other pictures on the programme are on interesting Burton Holmes Travelogue showing pictures of life in Brittany, th© “Land of Pardons,” a Paramount Gazette showing pictures of Aldershot in England, the Prince of Wales and the great motor rare at Indianapolis. There is also a splendid comedy entitled “A Ladies’ Man,” featuring Bull Montana and Myrtle Lind. EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. The story of “ Modern Matrimony,” the principal picture at Everybody’s, starts where most screen stories end—with a. 'wedding, the wedding of Chester and ’Patricia Waddington, two young folks who have rushed into marriage without much deliberation, believing with the usual youthful optimism that the future will take care of itself. "Second-Hand Love/’ is a William Fox production, in which Charles Jones pUys the leading role. Pictures of the last Da.vis Cup match between America and Australia, a comedy and a gazette film dealing with recent happenings of interest in various parts of the world are also shown. The orchestra supplies o fine programme of music. “ THE COVERED WAGON.” A WONDERFUL PICTURE. Ono of th© greatest photoplays ever made will be the popular verdict when the motion picture public sees James Craze's colossal Paramount production, ‘ Tbe Oov©r«d Wagon,” which will be th© feature at Everybody's and Greater Crystal Palace all next week commencing at tbe matinee on Monday. That is the prediction made not only by Mr Cruze himself, but by those who have seen the picture and who hail it lor its bigness, impressiveness and l extraordinary realism*

Perfect realism, a strong love theme, tremendous dramatic action, thrills that are utterly unlike the ordinary sort; a background of real newness to the screen, where the camera has never before been ground , all these facts, coupled with th© splendid cast of virtually 3000 men and women, certainly indicate a picture that is worthy of any director’s enthusiasm. And James Cruz© is enthusiastic. He has believed in the picture from the 6tart and with each day of shooting, sometimes under conditions almost Unbelievably difficult, his enthusiasm has grown. Nor is he alone in his belief, tor every person in the drama of the old time western days shares his convictions. Th© story with the vast sweep of the western plains for background, across which wind the “ covered wagons ” with their human Height, is essentially good picture material. The plot is dramatic with the interest well sustained, and the story unfolds like a stirring panorama of an earlier day. The theme deals x% ith the adventures of a gallant young officer of the American army forced by a rival’s enmity to clear his name of an undeserved stain, that of being a cattle-thief, and to win his bride under heavy difficulties. ,T. Warren Kerrigan is the man. Lois Wilson the gil'l, and Alan Halo the scheming villain. This trio does the major part of the acting, and to them along with the director goes the credit for this superb production. Others in the cast are Charles Ogle. Ernest Torrence. Tully Marshall, Guy Oliver and John FoxThe action >is exceptionally thrilling, the incidents being dramatic and impressive. These include tlie fording of the Tv aw River the wagon train, the Indian attack and massacre, th© prairie fire, th© buffalo hunt, the fierce battle between Banion and Woodhull, the parting of the trains and tragic death of Woodhull. Tlie box plan for both theatres is now open at The Bristol. Intending patrons are advised to book early. THEATRE ROYAL. “THE BEGGAR’S OPERA.” The notable season of “ The Beggar's Opera,” with its melodies, refrains and comedy, was brought to an end at the Theatre Royal last night, when the opera was well received again. Those who took advantage of the opportunity to see this work of Gay’s, as produced by the Williamson Company, were highly pleased with it, and speak well of th© acting, singing and staging.

WIRTH’S CIRCUS. Under the big canvas opposite the railway station, Wirth’s Circus had another large crowd to watch the diversified programme yesterday afternoon and evening. Everything that goes towards making a circus of the best has been gathered together for Wirths. There are roaring lions, tigers, elephants and all the animals of the jungles; daring equestrians and equestriennes; acrobats, humorous and sensational, from many countries, and the indispensable clowns. The principal artists are:—Captain Zapf, with the lions; Muldoon; Flying Lloyds; Allred Clark: Evans and Perez, equilibrists; Prince Guiseppe Bignoli. “ the smallest rider in the world ”; Mim and Loue, pedestal equilibrists; Eugenie Pearl, trick rider; Miss Williams, tight-rope walker, and the Alfredo Egochargo troupe of burlesque artists.

GERTRUDE ELLIOTT. “WOMAN TO WOMAN.” On Thursday evening next at th© Theatre Royal J. C. Williamson, Ltd, will present the distinguished English actress, Miss Gertrude Elliott (Lady Forbes Robertson) and her complete English company, in a powerful drama by Michael Morton, entitled “Woman to Woman.” Mif;? Elliott, in association with her company, has scored successes with this play in the principal cities of Great /Jritain, America, South Africa, and recently in Australia her tour was one round of triumphs. Tlie story of “ Woman to YVoman” briefly is : —Louis© Deloryse (Miss Gertrude Elliott), a Frendh dancer, is th© mother of a child whose father was an English soldier in France during the war. After many years she again finds her lover, to learn that h© is. and was, a married man. The dramatic conflict between the two women centres not round the lover, but round the child. The situations so created have much appealing beauty in them, and the interest touches deep human emotions. A critic of the * “S3'dney Daily Telegraph” 6aid : “On Saturday night Miss Gertrude Elliott displayed the vivacity and grace which distinguished her as a great artist. In the part of the tempestuous Frenchwoman, who alternates between fits of bizarre vivacity and tragic intensity, Miss Elliott did not falter once in ’her characterisation. From her first entry, wild with joy at the return of her beloved David, through the succeeding scenes, showing the angry woman, the passionate mistress, the dry-eyed, brokenhearted mother, to the .sweetfaced, silver-hair-ed woman in the final act % she held the wrapt attention of tlie audience.” Miss Elliott’s company includes YVilliam Mollison, Mayne Lvnton. Lilias Waldegrave, Herbert Milliard. Athol Ford©, Milton Brooks, Anne M’Ewan J. B. Rowe. T. M Cliff, Gertrude Boswell and Dan M’Lean. The box plans for five nights and one matinee of “YVoman to YVoman” will be opened on at the Bristol. Other productions during the season will he “Blue Beard’s Eighth Wife*’ “Smilin’ Through” and “Enter Madame.’’ FULLER’S OPERA HOUSE, The predominant feature of this week's programme at Fuller’s Opera House is brightness. Tri every vaudeville act and the cliffy and Mo revue it looms largely. All the turns are full of merit and the revue, which is en- ’* Uh© Club,’ 1 is on© long laugh. “ Th© Club” is commendable for its humour, prettj' dressing and tuneful music. Signor Coscia, th© tenor, and Signora Coelho, the talented violinist, are given enthusiastic receptions nightly. Rosina Gordon is still a ruling favourite; her singing and piano playing ar© excellent. Charles E. Lawrence continues to tell and sing humorously and the versatile WiII Hastings shows that there really are not many things be cannot do on the stage.