AMUSEMENTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17349, 14 May 1924, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

»• EVERYBODY’S THEATRE.

rji BEAUTIFUL PLAY —*? W OMAN TO WOMAN.” As woman to woman, she sacrificed •"her all. Fate had robbed her of her bridegroom and of the father of her child. No reproacV.es for her own suffering are hers : her one thought is that her innocent child shall be protected. It is a beautiful story that “ Woman to Woman ” tells. Pathetic appeal marks every stage. Those who see the film at Everybody’s Theatre this week are not likely to forget it. the scintillating Moulin Rouge, whither go those whose blood calls for life, and the pitied who wander there ! to drink of its dregs, Louise Boucher, 1 a lily in such sordid air. whirled her way in life. Her nimble little feet captivated all. In the crowd who worshipped her one day in those warstricken months of 1914 was David Compton, an engineer in the British Army. They met and in a few days the dancer and the captain were crowned with the halo of romance. Fate intervened. Louise's dream was over. Compton had been called overnight to the front. The next day was to have been the day pf the marriage. Five years passed slowly. “ Deloryse ” was flashed on the electric signs on a Strand theatre and London was at her feet. Fame had not wrecked Louise’s hopes. She lived in a world of happiness with little David, the living image of the father who had forgotten. But still she held hopes that Compton would return. In the West End, Compton lived an unhappy life with a wife who was absorbed by social ambitions. Years back in the trenches, shell shock had taken away his memory, and on his return home his uncle had bequeathed him a large factory with the proviso that he should assume the name of Anson-Pond. All memory of the faithful French maid had been obliterated. One night he watched Deloryse dance and his memory came back. Contrite, he told Louise the sad news. But her child ? she asked. Mrs Anson-Pond, who had engaged Deloryse to dance at her ball, refused to take her husband's child into her home. David, with love renewed for his dancer, who had sacrificed all for him, prepared to take Louise and her son to Paris. Then as woman to woman his wife talked with Louise and offered to take the child. It was a big sacrifice, but in the greatness of her mother love, Louise acquiesced. She agreed also to dance at the ball, but there she danced her last. Happy in mind that her child was with its father, she died on a bed of silken cushions as, behind the draped curtain, her admirers danced their happy way. As the unselfish woman, Betty Compson is sublime. Her delineation is remarkable for its combination of vivacity and restraint. Her artistry is superb. She had been seen in some great acting pieces but “ Woman to Woman ” eclipses all. Her picturing of the vivacious danseuse is so vivid that she carries the audience away in sympathy' ■with her. To watch her expressive face is to make a study of emotions from humour to pathos—both of the highest kind. At times, Miss Compson reaches the pinnacle of her art. Her mannerisms, her every movement are as convincing as if she were a real French woman. She carries the role through with such human and convincing power as to once again stamp her as a truly great artist. Then there is Clive Brook, as David Compton. Brook, an English stage idol, brings an understanding and virility to his part that is refreshing. Brook is a fine actor. His work throughout is worthy of praise, but his acting when he meets Louise on the English stage and his portrayal of despair is one of the finest pieces of art seen for many a day. Mrs Anson-Pond is a character cleverly drawn by Josephine Earl, who combines acting ability with a parade of fashion’s latest styles. Marie Ault has a small part as Henrietta, Louise's maid. The play is a magnificent production, from the artistic point of view. The theatre and ballet scenes are wonderful, while the scenes in the Moulin Rouge are alive with colour. The lighting effects are marvellous. Blazes of vermilion and green lights are thrown across the dancing crowd, with their costumes of the art colony nnd the immaculate dress clothes of the pleasure-seekers. The dresses worn by Betty Compson »nd the other ladies are marvellous creations and the photography is beyond reproach. Old sayings have it that the canny boot goes to London to acquire wealth But in “"The Fortunes of Christina. M.’Nab,” the supporting film, the Scot goes to the Empire's capital to spenct a fortune, w hich leads to a series of ad,ventures and romance that make a> striking picture. The story concerns Christina, a strait-laced daughter of a very “canny ’ Scot, who dies leaving her an income of £30.000 a year Overjoyed at her new-found w ealth, she tells her fiauce that she is now privileged to marry no man beneath a lord. Reluctantly, he agrees with her and so that she may learn the rudiments of style and life of the aristocracy she becomes the paying guest m a society family. Her efforts to acquire style are extremely humorous till at last, ir. a fit of pique, she decides she will purchase pretty gowns, daring in inode, and blossom forth as a hectic butterfly. The metamorphosis is remarkable. Her transformation makes her the beauty of the season's debutantes hut she is still waiting for a titled husband. Whether it was leap year or not does not matter, but it remains that she proposes to a duke and. without waiting for acceptance, announces the en gagement. Of course, the impecunious duke does not like his matrimonial prospects and his lack of initiative dulls Christina’s ardoui. Everything is ready for the wedding bells to chime when the old sweetheart’s intrusion draws her again into the atmosphere of romance. And a new idea in en gagements brings the picture to n delightful finish. Norah Swinburne is ically captivating as Christina, while the other players are responsible for good acting. Two ballroom scenes with remarkable lighting effects, add a big touch of colour to the film, which is a Gaumont production. There is a splendid musical programme bv the Select Orchestra. The items are:—Overture. ‘‘March nf tlm Mogul Emperors'' (Crown of Tndia). ' Elgar) ; Suites. “Valse Triste” (Sibelius'*, “Crown of Tndia.” (Elgar) and "Chant /Elegiaque” (Tschaikowsky) • song suites, “Three French Songs” (Massenet 1 * • entr’acte. “Berceuse” (Jocelyn). (Godard); opera, “Madam'* Butterfly” (Puccini).

LIBERTY THEATRE

Much has been written about “ Main Street,” the principal picture now being shown at Liberty, and many flattering notices regarding it have been published. It will be adanittted generally that the praise bestowed on the picture is fully justified. In the first place, the story is intensely interesting nnd genuinely human, nnd the atton,tiou of thg spectator is held from start

to finish. With Florence Vidor nnd Monte Blue at the head of a strong cas» of players, the acting leaves nothing to be de&iied, whilst the scenery and mountings are elaborate and realistic. “ Mam Street. ” is an adaptation of Sinclair Lewis’s novel of the same name. The picture follows the book with fidelity. The second big at- | traction on the programme is the First . National picture “ Th under cate, ” based ! on Sidnev Herschell Small s popular novel ' The Lord of Thunder gate.” The story deals in a romantic and dramatic way with the adventures of an American in China, who hears a strong reKerablance to a young mandarin, and who, through strange circumstances, is forced to masquerade as this mandarin. I,aid in the colourful atmosphere of the Orient, with the magnificence of Chinese temples and palaces as a background, “ Thundergate ” offers a wonderful opportunity to a brilliant cast of players to present a thrilling story. The humorous portion of the evening’s entertainment was supplied by n Christie comedy entitled “Take Your Choice,” in which that clever comedian Bobby Vernon is the star artist. An excellent programme of incidental music is supplied by the Liberty Orchestra under the direction of Mr' Howard Moody.

GRAND THEATRE.

“ My Wild Irish Rose.” which is being shown at the Grand Theatre, is anapted for the screen from the famous play by Dion Boucicault, known as “ Ine Sbaughraun.” Pauline Starke and Pat O’Malley head the cast. A special part has been written into the story tor “ Mickey ” Daniels,” who made such a hit in Yitagraph’s “ The Little Minister ” as Mican Dow. in

“ Mv Wild Irish Rose,” Daniels is cast as the young brother of Moya, the character taken by Pauline Starke. He is also the nephew or Lather Doian. The part of Conn, the Shaughraun, is taken by Pat O’Malley. He provides a typical version in personality of the devii-may-care Irishman. I lie secona attraction is “ Venus of the South Seas,” featuring Annette Kellermunn. This film bears the “ Made in New Zealand ” imprint, and that, plus the numerous commendable features, makes ‘ Venus of the South Seas ” an outstanding motion picture. It was a big undertaking for ivliss Kellerman to come from America with a company of camera-men, a director, actors anti scene hands, aud make a picture. She lias come through with flying colours. Annette Kellerman seems to be at home under the water, and for that reason the submarine scenes have been exploited so as to make them outstanding features of the production. The supporting programme is admirable, and includes an extremely funny comedy. “ The Idle Class,” featuring Charles Chaplin, and an interesting picture in slow motion, showing the various golf strokes as adopted by Gene Sarazen, the famous golfer.

QUEEN’S THEATRE.

“The Light That Failed” is the title of the chief picture on the new programme screened at the Queen’s Theatre. This film is a Paramount attraction, and it is an adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s well-known novel of the same name. In adapting the story for the screen, George Melford. the director, whose previous big attraction was “The Sheik,” has followed the original story very closely. The result is that the film version, backed up by able production, is quite as interesting and entertaining as the novel. The part of Heldar is well interpreted by Percy Marmont, who is famed for liis work in “If Winter Gomes.” Jacqueline Logan, who* takes the part of Bessie Broke, has won fame in several Paramount productions. Other capable players are David Torrence,- who appears as Torpenhow, and Sigrid Holiriquist, who takes the part of Maisie Wells. The second attraction on the programme is “ The Butterfly Girl,” in which Marjorie Daw plays the leading role. It is a society drama full of action, end set amidst elaborate surroundings. A good programme of supporting pictures is shown, and suitable incidental music is played bv- the orchestra, under the baton of Mr H. G. Glavsher.

GREATER CRYSTAL PALACE

Miss Priscilla Dean, perhaps the brightest fixed star in the movie firmament at present, has a. strong personality and unusual, probably unique qualifications for characterisations that demand power. She excels herself in “White Tiger,” a Universal-Jewel picture now being shown at Greater Crystal Palace, largely because she represents in it a type of imperious femininity that has a strong mind and a fiery spirit. The title- of the story is fanciful, buf not inept. Sylvia Donovan, the White Tiger, is queen in a trio of “ crooks,” not by any means the common class of “ crooks ” whom the police chase into the courts, but big-game, international “ crooks,” with boundless courage and first-class intellects, tn spite of this, they live in an atmosphere of sordiduess and of reciprocal suspicion that leaves no room for the romance novelist’s love to weave into the lives of men and women in the underworld. The dramatic climax is reached when the* White Tiger, tn a storm of passion, stabs one of the men with whom she consorts, and who, she then learns, is her brother. He recovers and turns over the proverbial new leaf; the White Tiger marries honest Dick Longworth. who had tried to save her, and the third “crook,” a tinsel count, flees into the blackness of the night. Bobbed hair seems to be coming into fashion again. There may lie doubts as to whether it always is attractive, but it certainly suits Miss Wantfa Hawley, who, iu the second big picture. takes the part of a girl who runs 'away from home and joins a friend in a futuristic art colony, where she wears unconventional clothes and Jiobs her hair. “Bobbed Hair” is n satirical comedy, light and bright, with the requisite balance of dramatic interest. “ The New Leather-pushers ” serial stili is very popular at Greater Crystal Palace. Mr Sullivan continues to provide good fun as Kid Robertson. On this week s programme there are. also, another chapter of “The Steel Trail,” a Century comedy, and the latest International News film. The Greater Crystal Palace Symphony Orchestra

supplies a very delightful musical programme.

FULLER’S OPERA HOUSE.

VAUDEVILLE AND REVUE. The programme at the Opera House for this week is a very attractive one. all the artists being of exceptional merit. An exceedingly good ventriloquial act is presented by Victor the Great, who is assisted by a lady and a young girl. Nell Crane is a popular performer, her child impersonations and singing being of a very bright nature. The Folies Bergeres Quartette give an admirable turn. The playing of “ Musical Milestones,” or songs that will never die, brings forth storms of applause. Charles Lawrence. favourite, and the Mirano Brothers are

very acceptable in their flying torpedo act. The second portion of tfie programme is taken up hy the George Wallace Revue Company in “ Athletic Frolics,” a production which is as entertaining as its predecessor.

“ WHAT HO!”

THEATRE ROYAL TO-NIGHT. The opening performance of the College Revue, “ What Ho!” will be given at the Theatre Royal this evening. This year’s production differs somewhat from those of previous years and it is claimed to be one of the best the students have yet. staged. The opening scene will be in a bachelor’s flat where many situations arise, giving much scope for comedy. Mr M. J. Burns is the leading figure as “ Reggie ” and Miss “ Bebe Cordite,” to whom Reggie pays more than ordinary attention is played by Miss O. Owen. “ Stiggles," the butler (Mr P. D. Hall), appears in a role which eminently suits him. The Jpart of the Russian art student is played by Mr W. Price, while Mr W. B. Harris appears as Colonel Cordite. Miss Frances Aislabie appears in the solo numbers. The scene then changes to a land agent’s office, where Mr A. A. G. Reed, as the land agent, indulges in dialogue of a most humourous nature with Miss Pamela Rooit, who is urgently seeking for a house. They finally seek one together. The scene then reverts to the bachelor’s flat, where the Rev Horace Hiccup, as Vicar of Merry vale, is performing the marriage ceremony between Reggie and Bebe, when in rushes Cordite, seeking his daughter. The second act will be sustained by the performance of a burlesque. “ Peace,” by George Calderon, the main characters being Messrs W. B. Harris, C. E. Beeby and L. C. Stephens. In the third act the curtain will open on a scene of Persian grandeur. Miss Ruth Jefcoate will be the principal soloist and charming ballets of dancing girls will, for the most part, dominate the scene. Miss Rose Reynolds will figure as the premiere danseuse, while Miss Merle Sowden will also render some musical numbers. In the “ grand finale ” a night cabaret will be portrayed in its alluring beauty and the plot will be further developed from the first “ spasm,” and some of the latest musical numbers and choruses will be rendered. The whole performance is said to be a procession of sparkling wit and humorous dialogue, combined with entertainment of quality which should suit the tastes of all theatre-goers. The orchestra is under the baton of Mr Sydney Williamson. The producer is Mr L. A. Rendle, who will be remembered for' his successful effort in producing “ Pot Pourri.”

Box plans for the season are open at the Bristol.