AMUSEMENTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17351, 16 May 1924, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

LIBERTY THEATRE. Much has been written about “ Main • Street,” the principal picture now being shown at Liberty. It will | be admitted generally that the praise bestowed on the picture is jusified. In the first place, the. story is intensely interesting and ffenuinelv human, and the attention of the * bectator is held from start to finish With Florence Vidor and Monte Blue at the head of a strong east of players, th© acting leaves nothing to be domed, whilst the scenery and mountings are elaborate and realistic. The. second big attraction on the programme is the First National picture “ Thunder gate.” leased j on Sidney Herschell Small’s popular ; novel “* The Tx>rd of Thundergate.” The j atory deals in a romantic and dramatic I way with the adventures of an Ameri- j «au in China, who bears a strong reaemblanoe to a young mandarin. and j who, through strange circumstances, is forced to masquerade as this mandariu- Laid in the colourful atmosphere ©f the Orient, with the magnificence of Chinese temples and palaces as a background, “ Thunder gate ” offers a womlerful opportunity to a brilliant Cast of playtrs to present a thrilling atory. The humorous portion of the evening's entertainment is supplied by a Christie cojmedy entitled “Take Your Choice.” An excellent programme of incidental music is supplied by the Liberty Orchestra under the direction of Mr Howard Moody. EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. It is a beautiful story that “ Woman to Woman ” tells. Pathetic appeal marks every stdge. Those who aee the film at Everybody’s Theatre this week are not likely to forget it. In the scintillating Moulin Rouge, Louise Boucher. 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 of the marriage. Five years passed slowly. 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 all recollection 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. The Select Orchestra provides a fine musical programme. GREATER CRYSTAL PALACE Miss Priscilla Dean, perhaps the brightest fixed star in the movie firmament at present, has a strong personality ana 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 tvpe of imperious femininity that has a strong mind and a fiery spirit. * Bobbed hair seems to be coming into fashion again. There may be doubts as to whether it always is attractive, but it certainly suits Miss WanfJa Hawley, who, in the second big picture, takes the part of a girl who rims away from home and joins a friend i;i a futuristic art colony, where she wears Unconventional clothes and hobs her hair. ” The New Leather-pushers ” serial still is very popular at Greater Crystal Palace. On this week’s programme there are., also, another chapter of “ The Steel Trail,” a Century comedy, and the latest International News filtn. The Greater Crystal Palace Symphony Orchestra supplies a very delightful musical programme. QUEEN’S THEATRE. “The Light That Failed” is the title of the chief picture on the new programme screened nt 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,” lias followed the original story very closely. The result is that the film version, hacked 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 his work in “Tf 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 “ Th© Butterfly Girl.” in which Marjorie Daw plays the leading role. It is a society drama full of action, and set amidst elaho- .ite surroundings. A good programme of supporting pictures is shown, and suitable incidental music is played bv the orchestra. under the baton of Mr H. Q. Glaysher. GRAND THEATRE. “THE FRENCH DOLL.” To-night will be the final screening of “Venus of the South Seas” and "The Tdle Class.” A complete change of programme will be screened to-morrow. Heading the list of attractions is a Metro production ” The French Doll ” starring Mae Murray. The story opens in Paris, where Monsieur Mazulier and his wife are the proprietors of a shop where fake antiques arc sold to gullible travellers and susceptible young men—for Georgine, their daughter, is very fascinating and often it is her presence alone which brings about profitable sales. For years this business is carried on and complications do not arise until after Smyder, the American wholesale manufacturer of antique furniture, comes upon the scene. lie makes an effort to have the business turned into Something stili more remunerative, and

he is not hampered in doing so by lack of conscience. The charms of Georgine are exploited to the utmost and the contents of the coffers swell, but not to great enough dimensions ; so it is decided to transplant operations to America. Here business is carried on satisfactorily, and all precautions are taken against the dreadful possibility of the chief asset falling in love. She is guarded at every turn and never left alone with an eligible man. However. Fate plays the oddest tricks, and Mr Wick, the canned fish magnate, proved to be Fates instrument. On seeing Georgine for the first time he became irtfatuated. He is lured to the. furniture establishment, and after making a casual inspection decides to buy the complete contents. Georgine has scruples and she feels that she is nothing more than a puppet in the hands of Snyder and her parents. She has too great a heart to be that alone, so she goes to Wick and tells him the whole truth. This little revelation came as a light to lead the pair to love, and maybe happiness, and there the picture ends.

The. second feature is that evergreen comedy. ” Tilly's Punctured Romance,” with Charles Chaplin and Mabel Xormand in the lead, besides a host of other well-known comedy players. Supports include ” A Ringtailed Romance.” “ LONG QDDS ” AND “ THE BAD MAN.” AT LIBERTY THEATRE. Wonderful success should greet the picture life in Central America, entitled “ Th© Bad Man.” It tells a story that is founded on the operations of the late Rancho Villa, who was such a notable figure in Mexican affairs recently. The production abounds in romance and has all the charm that is peculiar to pictures of this particular type. One cannot help hut go into rapruics over Holbrook Blinn’s characterisation of Paneho Lopez, the Robin Hood ol Mexico, and beloved courteous ‘‘ bad mail.” His fascinating polish is at all times irresistible ana the part is «,o well sustained throughout the picture that on© is absolutely spellbound ar his glaring audacity in the carrying out of his many daring escapades. All racing enthusiasts have a treat in store for them when the splendid British production, “ Long Odds ” is screened. This fine racing picture is in a class by itself. There is a villain in the story, but he is a company promoter and. contrary to custom, be does not try »o dope or injure the horse in any nay The big surprise—which is also the big sensation of the film — is associated with one of the littleknown rules of the turf, instead of with impossible circumstances. There are several novel effects and what is claimed to l e the mqst exciting steeplechase ever screened. This attraction is a Master Picture with an all English, cast and will be one of the features of Liberty for the coming week. The supporting programme includes a highly amusing comedy and gazette films showing recent happenings of interest in other parts of the world. A suitable programme of music is supplied by The Liberty Quality Orchestra. under the direction of Mr Howard Moody. The plan is now open at The Bristol.

" WHAT HO!” The revue “What Ho!” staged by the Canterbury College students at the Theatre Royal attracted another large audience last evening.and provided as much amusement as did the opening night’s performance. The students have tackled the problem of presenting a big revue in a courageous manner, and have carried their Efforts to success. The ballets are all good, the dancing bearing testimony to the careful training that the performers have undergone. The costuming is a pleasing feature of this, year's production, many of the colour effects being highly successful. The songs are all bright and well sung, and the dialogue contributes an important part to the success of the play. A large number of students take part in the production, and all are given full opportunity to show their capabilities before the footlights. “ What Ho!” will be produced again this evening. FULLER’S OPERA HOUSE. The programme at the Opera House this week is a very attractive one. 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 piaying of “ Musical Milestones,” or songs that will never die, brings forth storms of applause. Charles Lawrence, with his humorous stories, is an old favourite, and the Alirano Brothers are very acceptable in their flying torpedo act. The second portion of th© programme is taken up by the George Wallace Revue Company in “ Athletic Frolics,” a production which is as entertaining as its predecessors.

On Monday evening the return is announced <*f the popular Con Moreni Musical Comedy Company. Patrons will remember this organisation as one of the celeverest ever seen in this theatre and their new comedy. “ Catchem and Robber.i Ltd..” is said to be one of their best laughing shows. The company includes such well-known and popular performers as Con Moreni. Dan Weldon. Harry Meroni, Will Tvennv. Alex M’Allister. Les Austin and Winnie Edgerton, while the Six Winsome Brunettes ar© sure of a hearty welcome. In the vaudeville section, a first appearance is announced of Rice and Elmer. recent arrivals from America, who are said to present a most versatile and enjoyable novelty act.