AMUSEMENTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17245, 11 January 1924, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

”* THE COVERED WAGON.” The Jong-heralded Paramount, masterpiece, “The Covered Waggon.” will be presented at Greater Crystal Palace and Everybody’s Theatres for the first time in New Zealand, next week, commencing at the matinee on Monday. ITiis marks an achievement for the management of these theatres for to them goes the honour of the premier screening in New Zealand of what is claimed to be the greatest moving picture that possibly has ever been made. “The Covered Waggon ” has literally taken the world by storm. In England, America, Europe and Australia it has been hailed with an enthusiasm that could only have been aroused by a_ powerful subject. “The Covered Qgl?ou ’ is presented by the producers as something in the nature of a dedication to the pioneer lands of the world, and especially the pioneers of the great Western American prairies. The picture will therefore have a special appeal to all New Zealanders, many of* whom are the descendants of pioneer blood. It will serve in a measure to perpetuate the memories of that great stock of men. our forefathers. who did so much to make New Zealand what it is to the Mother Country to-day. The production is primarily the outcome of a decision on the part of Paramount to create an epic screen romance of the pioneers of the West. Vividly does it depict the struggles, the hardships, and the toils overcome by an indomitable band of men and ■women in the cause of civilisation. Here we 6ee courage attacking a barren waste of land, the tortures of thirst, the privations of hunger, and fights against the terrible red man who tried to keep out the invader. “ The Covered Waggon ” was produced at enormous cost, for it was necessary to gather together a vast amount of material for a production of this nature. Here are some of the facts: —Three thousand players spent three months in the Utah Desert eighty miles from a railroad. One tenth of all the Blanket Indians under the protection of the United States Government were obtained by special permission. Nine square miles of waste prairie were burned in the fire scenes. Five hundred bison were collected' together from all parts of the United States. This herd lias since been broken up and will never be seen again intact. Over forty thousand feet of canvas were used in covering the waggons. Five hundred specially built waggons were required. With these facts in view some idea of the magnitude of the production may be conceived. “ Perhaps,” it is said, “it is the most colossal film undertaking of all times. Nothing like it has ever been done before, and perhaps nothing like it will ever be done again.”

The box plan, is now open at The Bristol, and intending patrons are strongly urged to book their seats early and thus avoid the huge crowds that axe anticipated.

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. “ SeconeLHand Love,” is a William Fox production, in which Charles Jones plays the leading role. Pictures of the last Davis 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 a fine programme of music.

GREATER CRYSTAL PALACE

Miss Priscilla Dean’s strong personallUr 1 Ur 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 the best limi of its kind ever shown at Greater Crystal Palace. Second to “Drifting” is “A Clouded Name, with Miss Norma Shearer Mr Gladden James and little Yvonne Logan as the particularly bright stars. Miss Shearer is the heroine in a story of tue sufferings of two young people through the deeds of their parents. There are another chapter of the serial “ The Eagle’s Talons,” a Century comedy and an astonishing International News film, showing daring acrobatic “stunts” bv an airman, many hundreds of feet in the air. The Symphony Orchestra, under Mr A. J. Bunz’s conductorship, supplies a brilliant musical programme. QUEEN’S THEATRE. RODOLPH VALENTINO IN • THE CONQUERING POWER.” The management of the Queen’s Theatre have been fortunate in securing magnificent pictures to start the New Year with. First there was “ Prodigal Daughters ” then “ Bella Donna,” still showing, and next week there has been secured the greatest of the three, “The Conquering Power,” in which the ■green’s perfect lover, Rodolph Valentino is featured. This masterly pro*4i.vJion is an adaptation of Balzac’s famous novel, “Eugenie Grandet.” It wac produced by Rex Tngram, the creator of “ The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse ' 1 Reviewers claimed that “ The Conquering Power ” is even better than the former production and has more entertainment Talue. In addition to Rodolph Valentino there is heading the supporting cast Alice Terry, and it is claimed that these two popular players give splendid portrayals and could not be better cast. The story is of love, gold and avarice. Valentino is seen as the young dandy from Paris that falls in love with beautiful Miss Terry, who is seen as the daughter of a miserly business man in a small French town. As Valentino has very little money, he is hunted away from the town, and it is only after many trials for both of the young people that they are united again. The stpry teems with strong and tense situations and gives Valentino another chance to portray the perfect lover, but this time of an entirely different type. LIBERTY THEATRE. A t Liberty Theatre the current programme is headed by the

First National attraction, “ The Bright Shawl ” The leading role is played by Richard Barthelmesa and the priiv cipal 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 the 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 ot 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 are ‘'The Great Lover’ and ‘‘Gay Paree.” An excellent programme of incidental music is contributed by the Liberty Orchestra, under the conductorship of Mr Howard Moody-

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 will welcome the adaptation at the Grand 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 because of its high intrinsic, qualities as a kuiema drama. The story, as it develops on the screen, is so human and so 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 t triangle, with a society girl, a cook for a lumber camp and the owner of the lumber works as the three points. The title of this piece is taken from the habit of the cook. Hannibell Pillsbury, of always smiling; and Mr David Butler, who takes the part, 6miles so sunnily that all who see the story smile with hum. The part of the 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 Patbe Gazette, and “Puzzleland,” representing the dream of a little girl. % WOMAN’S TRAGIC FIGHT. AGAINST POLYGAMY. “THE SHEIK’S WIFE” AT LIBERTY THEATRE TO-MORROW. “The Sheik’s Wife,” which is to be shown at the Liberty Theatre to-ihor-row, is more than anything else, a pulsating story of warm-bloclded Oriental love' Incidentally, it deals with a world-wide problem of inter-racial marriage. The entire 6tory of “The Sheik’s Wife” is said to be told with true artistic feeling. There is no villain, in the hackneyed sense of the word. The psychology of the Sheik, who loves his wife with an ancient fierceness and who tries to dominate her in true Oriental fashion, is sympathetically set forth. The character of the romantic and high-spirited girl is also skilfully sketched. Many of the scenes are spectacular in the extreme. The dashing manoeuvring of the native cavalry is most colourful. There are interesting scenes in the luxurious interiors of the tent harems, views showing the Arab administration of justice and the heroine’s rendezvous amid the ruins an an ancient temple. *The fight between the Spahis and the tribesmen reflects incomparable action and beauty which lend atmosphere to the production “The Sheik’s Wife” was filmed entirely on the great deserts of Arabia under the direction of Henry Rousell, author of the story. The leading roles, including Marcel Vibert as tlie Sheik and Emily Lynn as the English girl who has married the Sheik, are played by professional actors, but thousands of native Arabs were employed in the production. There are no studio sets. All the scenes, down to the interiors of -the tent harems, were made on the actual location. The picture deals with the actual experiences of a white girl who marries a Sheik, and it teaches a lesson in forceful and dramatic fashion. That mother love may triumph even when science has failed is the story told in “The YVornan in His House,”* a. remarkable attraction which will be the second feature on to-morrow’s programme. It deals with the sacrifice and devotion which went to the cure of a child who science had said would always be a hopeless cripple. An allstar cast appears in this picture, headed by Mildred Harris who plays the role of the neglected wife and mother and Ramsay Wallace, who has the part of the over-ambitious husband and father, a great physician. The other principals include Gareth Hughes, Winter Hall. Bob "Walker and little Richard Headrick. The latter has the part of the afflicted child. The locale embraces the picturesque, rock-bound coast of Eastern Canada, and the homo and environment of the busy New York physician. A splendid supporting programme will be shown, including the latest Gazettes. Box plans are now open at the Bristol.

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 gees towards making a circus of the best has been gathered together for Wirth's. 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; Alfred Clark: Evans and Perez, eauilibrists; Prince Guiseppe Bignoli, “ the smallest rider in the world ”; Mim and Lone, pedestal equilibrists; Eugenie Pearl, trick rider; Miss Williams, tight-rope walker, and the Alfredo Egochargo troupe of burlesque artists.

FULLER’S OPERA HOUSE,

The predominant feature of this week’s programme at Fuller's Opera House is brightness. In every vaudeville act and the ediffy and Mo revue it looms largely. All the turns are full of merit and the revue, which is entitled “ The Club,” is one long laugh. “The Club” is commendable for its humour, pretty dressing and tuneful music. Signor Coscia, the tenor, and Signora Coelho, the talented violinist, are given enthusiastic receptions nightly. Rosina Gordon is still a ruling favourite; her singing and piano playing ore excellent.. Charles E. Lawrence continues to tell and sins

humorously and the versatile "Will Hastings shows that there really are not many things he cannot do on the stage.

MISS GERTRUDE ELLIOTT.

"WOMAN TO WOMAN.” An important theatrical event is the first performance hero at the Theatre Royal on Thursday evening next of the famous London actress. Miss Gertrude Elliott (Lady Forbes Robertson), and her complete English company. The opening production is a drama with a grip and thrill by Michael Morton, entitled “Woman to Woman. The “Herald.” Melbourne, under the heading of “A Brilliant Performance Lady Forbes R-obertson’s triumph” said: “If there has ever been a. 'greater emotional actress than Miss Gertrude Elliott in Australia it was not my good fortune to see her. Her success on Saturday night was instant and overwhelming. By sheer emotional force and sleverly disguised artistry of her work she grips aud holds one’s attention and dominates every scene. 1 “Woman to Woman’” is a play that, it is said, has captivated New York, fascinated London, enthralled South Africa, and in Australia scored an instantaneous triumph. The story is a simple, unvarnished one of everyday life. There is nothing of the superhuman about any of its characters. The hero and heroine are just a real man and woman with the frailties and defects that are common property of the greater portion of mankind. The company supporting Miss Gertrude Elliott includes many English artists who have been associated with the star's success in the leading cities of England, America, South Africa and Australia. Prominently appearing are Mayne Lvnton. William Mollison, Lilias Waldergrave, Athol Forde, Herbert Milliard, Gertrude Boswell. J. B Rowe. T. M. Ollif, Milton Brooks, lan M’Lean and Anne M’Ewen. “Woman to Woman” has had an exceptionally fine reception hy theatre goers in both Auckland and Wellington, and judging from the following; from the Auckland “Herald” is a. most satisfying evening's entertainment for theatre goers: “An unusually enthusiastic welcome was accorded Miss Gertrude Elliott (Lady Forbes Robertson). A large audience witnessed a magnificent performance.” The box plans for five nights, and one matinee of ” Woman to Woman" open on Mondav at the 1 Bristol,