AMUSEMENTS

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17345, 18 July 1924, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS

“Brothers Under the Skin,’' now at the Qut-en’s, is a domestic- drama del»ic.Lui‘4 strikingly the similarity of il;. w - trials of the wealthy and the poor. Bert Harrow. the mile-a-minut© comedian, who has made a host of friends at Fuller’s • Opera House, is seen at his best in a brilliant cricketing burlesque this week • An Old Sweetheart of Mine.” now at Greater Crystal Palace, is one of those pictures that arc so welcome to an aesthetic public It has an unusual heart appeal, and its theme is \ both novel and original. ‘•The Man in Possession” is the title of the production being offered this week by the George Storey Musical Comedy Company now at Fuller’s Opera House. It is brimful of wholesome humour. A picture with more thrills crammed into its six reels than are to be found in the average serial, will be the newest Paramount picture, ** Flaming Barriers,” which is now at the Queen s. Jacqueline "Logan is the dainty heroine of the picture. The stoyr of ‘ The Love Master.” now at Liberty, is laid in the sparselysettled regions of Canada, and centres about the mystery of the young man. who has arrived with Strongheart, ai\d ends with the solution of the mystery and the love victory of the young belle of the settlement, along with the hoy from the Status. Jacqueline Logan, Antonio Moreno and Walter Hiers arc the chief players in the new Paramount sensational pictine at the Queen's Theatre. Ft is “ Flaming Barriers. ’ and is the story of a man who saved a forest from destruction, placed a new fire-fighting machine on the map and won a beautiful girl. “Flaming Barriers” is just crammed with thrills, and one of the fastest moving pictures that the screen While Frank Lloyd was producing Black Oxen,” a First National picture now at Everybody's, three members of the company enjoyed their waits between scenes in conversation over old times. Thomas Ricketts, who plays Dinwiddie: Tom Guise, who plays Judge Trent, and Kate Lester, who assumes the role of Jane Oglethorpe, were all born in England, have all been in theatrical life for more than forty years.

George Archainbaud, director of ‘■ The Common Law ” and other successful pictures, directs Priscilla Dean in her latest Universal-Jewel, “The florin Daughter,” now at Greater Crystal Palace. The story is enhanced by spectacular settings, including a mutiny on a sailing vessel and a tempest, in which the crew is forced to take to the lifeboats. The leading male part is taken by Tom Saritscbi, and the cast as a whole is strong. A vigorous sea tyrant who hated all women, is Tom Sai.tschi in his j latest role, that of a hall-mad sea cap- ' fain in “The Storm Daughter,” starring Priscilla Dean, now at Greater ( Tystal Palace, Santschi cracked a hull whip in “Tundering Daffn." but in ‘‘llie Storm Daughter,” he strikes the toughest of his crew with his bare fists. .George Archainbaud directed the «ast, which includes William B. Davidson, Cyril Chadwick, J. Farrel M Donald. Bert Roach, George Jvuwa and others. ‘ The Love Master,” the latest First National picture, starring Strongheart, the wonder dog. and regarded by critics as being the best in which iic ever appeared, is now at the Liberty. As an. added attraction there appears in the cast Lady Julie. Strongheart’s wife, and the Strongheart quintuplets. The picture was produced by Laurence Trimble and Jane Murfiii. the discoverers of Strongheart, and was directed by Air Trimble, who also wrote the story. Lillian Rich, Harold Austin, John J. Richardson, Joseph Barrell, Walter Perry and Hal Wilson are among the players in the large cast. One of the strongest casts ever assembled to support a big star can be seen in “ The Storm Daughter,” Pris-e-ilia Dean’s latest Jewel feature, now ai Greater Crystal Palace. Tom Santschi, who had a. feature role in “ Thundering Dawn ” and other big productions; William B. Davidson, who might have continued as a successful lawyer, but who achieved equal fame in pictures; .Bert Roach, Century Comedy > tar; as well as Cyril Chadwick. George Kuwa. Alfred Fisher, Harry Mann and others, make up the players whom George Archainbaud directed. •.Merry-Go-Round. ” now at the Grand, a dramatic love story involving a poor girl of the Prater, the Coney Island of Vienna, Austria, and u high-born count, who goes to the Prater and courts the girl while pretendirg to be a “necktie salesman.” War, sublime anti terrible, wrecked the imperial glory of Austria, but it helped free the junous thought and military philosophy which kept itg under i- ■ tie o n misery for ccn•taries before 1914. It is on the basis of the social change just after the recent world war that the plot of “Merry-Go-Round •* is built. Filming has been completed at UniCity of "Captain Fearless,” fe..reen version of “ The Missourian,” Ihe novel by Eugen© B. Lyle. Reginald Dcnnv is the star. Bis* >u>i\v dealt with the Maximilian Rebellion in Mexico, but ojiens with a prologue and closes with an epilogue, both in the present. The screen ticatmeni i> along comedy lines.

Jack Dempsey, the champion boxer. i- making a series of ten pictures for Universal, the title of the series icing “Fight and Win.” This leading [ woman is Esther Ralston, the beautiful English girl who appeared in several of the “Leather Pushers” pictures. Carmel Myers, who is almost as talented a literary lady as she is an ac tress, is acting as correspondent for a newspaper syndicate while in Italy, where she is playing in “ Ben Hur.” She makes an alluring and irresistible adventuress in “ Beau Bnimmel,” the \ outstanding Master picture starring John Barrymore. House Peters, wlv> made his greatest screen hits in “ The Storm ” and “ Human Hearts,” lias been engaged by Universal on a six-picture contract. The first two of these pictures, v. ill be Lincoln J. Carter’s famous melodrama. “ The Tornado,” and Clarence Buddin'gton Kelland's coming Ladies’ Home Journal story now known os *• Miracle.” "lias the World Gone Mad?” I? the title of a. forthcoming Master Picture. which is inclined to doubt the benefits of our modern civilisation. All the extravagances and excitement if society at the present day form the background for the story of two families, in which Hedda Hopper, as the giddy middle-aged wife, plays one of the leading roles. The heart and soul of modern man and woman are .'-.aid to be portrayed in this sensational picture. The ..-•hie!’ .subjects of gossip in Now ork and Hollywood to-day are Bill Hart and Dick Barthelmest, although I'm sure they don’t know it (writes Scoop ('onion in the “San Francisco Chronicle’’». Everybody wants to know if these two popular favourites are going to be able io adjust their affairs ‘•o that they can go ahead making the kind of pictures they want to make. Each star has definitely split with hi> company. Hart with Paramount. and Bartlielmess with Inspiration. Neither could agree with their companies as to the kind of stories they ought to produce. Hart had the advantage of being able to quit but it appeals that Bartlielmess is tied up with Charles Duell and his ass ; »- cities. Duell is the producer who .is reported to be engaged to wed Lilian Gish. The star says the Inspiration people have broken his contract; they say they haven’t

The reception accorded “The Loves of Pharoah,” produced by Ernest Lubitsch, the creator of “‘Passion,” “Deception,' and other screen classics, on its premier screening at the Criterion Theatre. New York, on January 21. was emphatically enthusiastic. It was acclaimed a screen masterpiece by Press and public alike, and after showing at the theatre for eleven j weeks to enormous business ii was ! shown for a week each at the Rialto and the Rtvoli theatres to record bus.- | ness. “The Loves oi Plsaroah,” will • be released in New Zealand bv Para- | mount at an early date. Enough thrills for a full-length serial are incorporated in the George Melforrl Paramount production of “Flaming Barriers,” which is now at the Queen’s Theatre, Jacqueline Logan, Antonio Moreno and Walter Hiers arc featured players, and in the portrayal of their respective roles they accomplish death defying leats such as would put fearless circus performers to shame. Miss Logan pilots an aeroplane over a flaming forest, and drives a fire truck over a bridge enveloped by flames. John Galsworthy .perhaps the bestknown English popular writer, and many of his novels have been “ best sellers." In “ The Stranger,” adapefrom his story. “ The First and The Last,” there is drama in every foot, heart-interest, a marvellous love-inter-est. .and a most uncanny insight into lour - remarkable characters, four rotes that seem as ?f they were actually written for Miss Curnpson, Richard Dix. Lewis Stone, and Tully Marshall. Ii is a coming Paramount release. ! \A lien the script for "The Storm Daughter, now at Greater Crystal Palace, had been approved, it w as. believed that the dramatic situations of the story had been surrounded by enough ol the spectacular in the way of settings. The company, under direction of George Archainbaud, went to sea on the vessel on which many oi the scenes were taken, and when t they* came back the camera had recorded -o much real action that an additional I sequence was written to take advan- | Tage oi Dame Nature’s contribution. j “1- he Love Master." featuring , Strongheart, the wonder dog. now at Liberty, is packed full of thrills. A dog race, filmed during the j>rogress of n real one contested by the best dog teams in Canada tor prices offered by Laurence Trimble and Jane Murfin, producers, provides same real thrills. Strongheart’ s love idyll provides real comedy, and for sheer drama the fight waged by Strongheart against Death on behalf of his “love master” If as seldom been equalled on the screen. Because his voice was endowed with Lie noise-making qualities of a foghorn, Antonio Moreno got his fust job in motion pictures. In 1912 at the New York Ilex studios, a ] super-feature was i>eing made, called “ The Voice of All 1 lions.” It cout tamed a big mob scene and the directoi wanted a man with a deep, detonating, penetrating voice to lead the mob into the camera’s eye. There were voice tests. And Moreno got ilic position.

LIBERTY THEATRE. The setting of this week’s big feature, “The Love Master,” at Liberty, is on the snowfields of North America, j The famous dog actors Strongheart and Lady Julia. take what Americans call a “man’s-size job. As well as being a picture with a good story and making good entertainment, the film is one which is eminently suitable for children, teaching one of the great lessons of life—“Be kind to animals.” The “red mill” quarter of : j Paris, that portion of the city where ! art and vice live together, yet are things | apart, is the location of the second feaI ture. “Queen of the Moulin Rouge.” I As Rosalie Anjou, a little country girl | who becomes a “queen” of the cab- ' arct in order to help the man she loves, i Martha Mansfield has a heavy part to play, but acquits herself with honours. The Liberty Orchestra contributes a j fine musical programme. !GREATER CRYSTAL PALACE ! Alias Prisc-illa Dean i.s at her best m J highly emotional screen work— in tha! I particular branch ot her art she prooj ably is unrivalled- -and she never ha= I had greater opportunities for her uni usual talents than in. the storm at sea I and the storm in the heart of a kid napped girl, which are the outstanding features of ** Storm Daughter,” the his picture at Greater Crystal Palace. Ihe story goes back to the days of the sailing vessel. They were less sale leas comfortable ana less luxurious days than the days of the .steamer.' but undoubtedly more romantic. “An Old Sweetheart of Aline” is an adaptation of a poem bv James AV. Riley; a homely and affecting story, which appeals to everybody. Miss Helen J. Eddy appears as the pretty heroine, and Air Elliott Dexter as the hero. Another chapter of “Beasts of Paradise.” a Century comedy and an International News film are .shown, j The Symphony Orchestra under MBuna contributes an admirable proj gramme. QUEEN’S THEATRE.

• Flaming Barriers,” the main attraction at the Queen's, is packed with thrills. It is the story ot' an inventor, Patrick Malone, who mortgages his factory to get money to carry on his experiments on a motor fire-engine which he is perfecting. He and his daughter. Jerry Malone, are the only ones in Burbridge who believe in the five-engine, with one exception— Joseph Pickens, .he richest, and the meanest man in the community, who hopes io get possession oi’ the factory, the tire-engine and Jerry herself. Un- . der the pretext of helping Malone, he sends to the city for an efficiency expert io come down and superintend the factory. Sam Barton, rich and idle, is literally driven into the country by his father. Pickens explains to Barton what is wanted, but unfortunately for the plan he spoils everything by falling in love with Jerry. “ Brothers Under the Skin. ’ the second feature, is a highly diverting comedy of married life. EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. “ Black Oxen the name itself suggests something sinister. Ihe story is one of the most modern that has yet been seen in Christchurch and deals with a subject that is open to great possibilities. But, although, as is shown in the picture, the body can he rejuvenated, so far no method has been found of restoring to the mind its youthful thoughts and ideas. The. plot of “ Blac k Oxen ” is based firstly on Gertrude Atherton’s groat novel of the same name, and secondly, upon the recently discovered rejuvenation treatment of Dr Steinach, the famous Austrian surgeon. The tw r o leading players are Conway Tearle and Gorinne Griffith. There is an admirable supporting programme of comedies, topical and scenic pictures. A fine selection of music is contributed by Everybody’s Orchestra under t-he baton of Mr W. J. Bellingham. GRAND THEATRE. BEBE DANIELS AND ANTONIO MORENO IN “THE EXCITERS.” Co-starving for the first time in their career, Bebe Daniels and Antonio Moreno appear in the principal roles of the Paramount production of “The Exciters” coming to the Grand Theatre to-morrow. This i.s a splendid picturisation of a successful pla\ by Martin Brown, adapted to the screen by John Colton and Sonya Levien and directed by Maurice Campbell. Speaking of speed, one would believe that even the modern miss would, at least for a while, be satisfied with but one means of excitement. But not so with Miss Daniels in the role of Ronnie ■ Rand in this picture. Ronnie is a real . speed girl in every sense of the word. Morning finds her out for a spin in ! her power launch, and with the aftorI noon conies a series o f thrills in the I air. The close of the clay means to j Ronnie a delightful trip in one of her motors with the anticipation of a series of similar exploits on the following day. Pleasure is all that this gild has to think of. She ha? not a care in the ' world that is, not until she finds herself married to a supposed crook bent • on extorting from the girl’s family a ; goodly sum of rrionev for the aunulI ment of their marriage. ; A strong programme of supports will also he shown, particulars of which | will be advertised to-morrow. | FULLER’S OPERA HOUSE. ! The. current programme is delighting large audience at the Opera House. Marcus and D’Arma present a double musical sketch turn. Both the man and the lady have nice tuneful voices. Air Walters, a ventriloquist appears in military garb, and works with a lay figure also clad in regimentals, but of a much lower degree. The patter relates to camp life, and contains many good corned}' passages. The big feature of the performance is a demonstra- , tion of ventriloquial singing. Two comedy entertainers, the Dainty Dudleys, present a pleasing turn of patter ‘ and song. Bert Harrow, the mile-a-minute comedian, sings new songs and ;■ finishes up with a brilliant cricketing burlesque. George Edwards, Elsie ■ bylvaney and Alattie Hughes put on a ■ comedy sketch, "Off on Their Holi* ■ days.” The Rev. Frank Gorman sings new songs and tells entertaining stories. The revue. "The Alan in Possesslon,” by George Storey and comJ pany, meets with high approbation.

RAMON EATS ONLY ONCE DAILY. Insert in the Lost and Found columns of the classified advertisements, under the heading Found: An actor, a romantic actor, who restricts himself voluntary to one meal a day. It's a. blow to the volume of joke books fattened by anecdotes of the leanness of historic fare, upon the uncertainty of a thespian's absorption of nouishment; but it's so. The actor in mind is Ramon Novarro, one of the screen’s discoveries of the year, according to Rex Ingram, whose picture version of “ Trifling Women,” is coming next week to Greater Crystal Palace. Mr or perhaps it should be Senor. for he is Spanish—Novarro holds that three meals a day make one sluggish, unfit for high-tension mental work. He said recently at the Metro Studios at Hollywood : - - “ One big meal a day is my rule when I am working. I find that it gives the body an unaccustomed .zest, a snap and a respno.se that, burdened with the task of absorbing three meals, it lacks utterly. People to-day, with the constantly diminishing ratio of exercise that modern transportation methods are bringing about, take in too much food. It. I, with my constant exertion of physical training need only one meal a day. surely the occupants of offices, the sedentarv workers, no not need three.” Air Novarro scored an emphatic hit as the dashing Rupert of Hentzau in the Rex Ingram production. “The Prisoner oi' Zenda.” In “Trifling Women,” he is seen in an even more important role. This photoplay is based on a story written, adapted and directed by Rex Ingram. John F. Neitz did the photography. Starrett Ford was the production manager.