SCREEN & STAGE

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17274, 14 February 1924, Page 5

SCREEN & STAGE

NOTES ON CURRENT COMING 8HOW&

The athletic J P M’Gowan has s©l dom been cast in a more congenial role than he has in “ Stormy Seas.” a Queen's Theatre headliner In fastmoving and thrilling stories. M’Gowan is seen at his best- “Stormy Seas ’ is of that type. There is not- a dull scene in the gripping narrative of the oceans and the men and ships who sail over it. The sinking of a palatial yacht is one of the big thrills when the climax is reached. “Bluebeard’s Eighth Wife.” n Paramount picture, starring Gloria, Swanson. comes to the Queen’s Theatre next week. The story is said to he quite dramatic, and the views of France, where the scenes are laid, are most colourful. Th© lov© interest is unusually anpealing, and the picture has heen produced in Paramount’s lavish way. .The gowns worn by Miss Swanson are wonderful, and it- is claimed she is better dressed than in any precious production. Exciting hunting. yachting and sporting scenes abound in Mae Marsh’s portrayal of Paddy Adair in “ Paddy the Next Best Thing.” which is the film Miss Marsh has chosen for her return to the screen after an absence of two years on her big live-stock and fruit ranch in California. Besides there are some notable studio settings, which form a. delightfully humorous and dramatic story. “Paddy the Next- Best Thing ’* comes to the Grand Theatre on Saturdav.

Society dramas, lavishly staged ana gorgeouslv dressed, have always been the popular offerings of Everybody’s Theatre. The manager, apparently, does not intend to depart from the old policy, for on Monday “ Does it Pay?” a drama of America’s social and home life, will be given its first release. Hold ing. as it does, the mirror up to life in the home. “Does it Pay?” is such a film that it will drive hard into cvcrv home. Hope Hampton does some brilliant acting as the vampire who wrecks a happy household after being invited to the home by the husband. Her dresses, too, are rich and Parisian.

A woman juror figures as the centra of the dramatic interest in “The AA’o man under Oath,” which deals with the problem from a. vital angle. “ The Woman under Oath ” has such an important question at issue that it should appeal to men and women, but more particularly to the feminine element, which usually so largely comprises an audience. This latest Florence Reed film, which comes to Everybody’s Theatre next week, will grip audiences from start to finish, according to reports. “ The Woman under Oath” contains, in strong measure, the invaluable factors of swiftness of action and depth of suspense, and concludes with a surprise which is least expected.

‘‘Fierce, implacable, steeled to any outcome, quick as a panther, sombre as death,” so Zane Grey describes “ The Lone Star Ranger,” and Tom Alix has stepped into the intriguing role in the screen version of the- famous author’s best seller, now showing at Everybody’s Theatre. Thousands upon thousands know of the thrilling nature of the story, hut few know of the origin ot the name or whether the Rangers are a myth. When Texas seceded from Alexico and declared itself an independent republic in September. 1836. it was fly ing the now famous Lone Star flag The flag bore two horizontal strips, the upper of white and the lower nf red. and a third, or “ field.” of blue in the centre of which was a white five-pointed star, an emblem of tho American settlers in Texas fighting for freedom against the tyranny of the Alexiean Government. The Republic of Alexico was definitely established in April. 1936. when the Alexiean forces were routed near San Jacinto, after much fighting and many heroic stands. The wearing of his so-called “ immaculate ” clothes does not prevent Ala from raising as much fun as ever at Fuller's Opera House. Stiffy, too. is another bank clerk. Stiffy and Mo serve new jokes and enjoy themselves at playing jokes on each other “ 111 the Rank ” is the revue's title, and. as indicated, money has a big say in the tun. The two comedians are equallv as good as they were last week in “The Policemen " The company, though, has much better songs. Quite a number of new melodies are tunefully sung. One making a hit with the Opera House patrons. Several other good songs are also given by Mike Connors, who earn, the lion's share of the musical honours. His duet. “ All by Alyself.” with Al as the partner, is enjoyably amusing. Queenie Paul sings well. The oth©. feature of the revue is the sprightly ballet, who dance, and sing brightly. If anybody wishes to be convinced that the Chinese can do feats oi skill, they need onlj to Greater Crystal Palace'. There thet will see undoubtedly the finest vaudeville act that is to be seen in am theatre in the world. The act is thai of Long Tack Sam and Ins amazing troupe of Chinese. The Chinese an more than marvellous ; so entertaining 1 are they that one has to see then more than once t-o fully realise the merit of their act. Indeed, one is to# surprised, the first- time th© troupe i; seen to give the applause the act de serves. For instance, it is anythin* but unusual to find two winsome Chin ese maids dancing the Highland fling and singing jazz tunes such as Ten nessee, a Chinese comedian mixing English aristocratic exaggerations witl A’iddish in his patter, and three splen didlv built Celestial gymnasts doing the finest horizontal bar work ever seoi in Christchurch. And their conjurin' and juggling, too. is of a fine order The act is well staged before sonn magnificent Chinese tapestries an l decorations.

This week is laughter week at, the Grand Theatre In addition to the Goldwyn comedy. “ Potash and Perlmutter.” Charles Chaplin’s comedy classis, “The Pilgrim.” is also being shown. The fact that the subtle com- 1 edy has run for nearly three weeks already is surely proof of the artistry and cleverness of Chaplin’s comedy. As attractive as its title is “ The Girl of the Golden West.’ 'to be screened at the Liberty Theatre on Saturday. Tt is among the best of AA'estern pictures. with all their adventure, and colour, without their absurd melodr nna. Tt tells of the roaring days of the Forty Niuers. an£ the boom of the Sonora gold fields, with all their thrills and dangers. Warren Kerrigan and Sylvia Breamer head the cast. Charming Betty Balfour has a most congenial role as a Scotch lassie in “ AA'ee Alacgregor’s Sweetheart,” now showing at the Liberty Theatre. Set amidst the heather and lochs of Scotland, “ AA'ee Alacgregor’s Sweetheart ” is a charming production, apart from th© human appeal of its storv. Like all ATiss Balfour's previous films. “ Wee Alacgregor’s Sweetheart ” is wholesome humour, with the clever English actress as the humorist. Tlie photography is of a high standard. In his latest picture. “Blinkey,” “ Hoot ” Gibson is seen as a dashing, intrepid young officer in the American cavalry. The role that he fills is that in which he is seen at his best. His prowess as a rider is well appreciated by all who have seen him in some of his previous productions. The picture is one in which thrill follows upon thrill throughout, and it is by no means lacking in humorous situations. A love theme is excellently blended into the picture, with the result that this production ranks with the best in which the virile voting star has vet appeared. “Blinkey” will undoubtedly be the medium of gaining Gibson a host of new admirers. Th© picture heads the current programme at Greater Crystal Palace.

In itself “Potash and Perlmutter ” is a complete fashion show. AA’ith the plot ot the delightful comedy centre.,* in the garment trade of New York • Potash and Perlmutter ” shows over twenty pretty models wearing the latest styles in gowns and wraps. In addition to that, “Potash and Perlmutter” is a scream from start to finish. The comedies of Montagus Glass have made an excellent film. Alexander Carr and Barney Bernard are quite at home in the title parts, as they have played them on the speaking stage before. The brilliant Vera Gordon. long to be remembered as the mother in “Humoresque,” has also 11 big part as Rosie Potash, whose faults were largely gambling. “Potash and Perlmutter ” i* keeping Grand Theatre patrons amused this week.

Well balanced, diversified and enjoyable items are given by the artists who appear in the first half of the entertainment at Fuller’s Opera House. The names of the artists are Lottie and Gor don. Lloyd and Raymond, the Baltos and Leo Sterling. Tumbling and wirewalking form the contribution of Lottie and Gordon, who have the arduous task of opening the night’s programme Popularity is still retained hy Lloyd and Raymond, two young men who dance well and make bright patter. The old favourite, Leo Sterling, plays upon a miscellany of string and win i instruments, his favourite being bis one-stringed violin and the cornet, upon both of which he plays good selections. The Baltos have earned note already for their sensational balancing act at all heights and on trapeze and lofty chairs and tables. A photoplay ranking with the best of the year, so far. is “The Woman with Four Fares.” which has been so lug a draw as to result in the “ full house ” sign heing displayed each night at the Queen’s Fheatre this week. Tn this thrilling, melodramatic and mysterious play, the talented Betty Compson makes four outstanding characterisations. which at no stretch of reason could bp attributed as those bv the one actress Firstly. Miss Comp son is seen as a stylish female criminal, then a bogus wreck of old age. and painted and powdered cafe waitress, and finally a masked burglar. “ The Woman with Four Faces” is all that the title suggests iu the way of mys- , rery and excitement. The story gives . Aiiss Compson a most unusual role, that of Elizabeth West, a magnetic girl and a clever criminal. By putting her talents to a lawful use. the ’ < :! rl succeeds in exposing a drug combine. How she therebv wins the love of the District Attorney. played by Richard Dix. forms the heart interest portion of the tale.