AMUSEMENTS

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17346, 29 September 1924, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS

Stars of yesterday, to-day. and tomorrow make up the cast of .Joseph M. Schenck’s superb production, “ Ashes of Vengeance,’ latest starring vehicle for Nonna Talmadge, a First National pic tur© now showing at Everybody's. Yesterdav brings to mind .Janies Cooley, Carmen Phillips, Josephine Crowell. Murdock MacQuarrie and William Clifford, favourites of an earlier day. Nor pi a Talmadge, Conway Tearlc and "Wallace Beery are stars of to-day And to-morrow’s stars in the cast are baby Jeanne Carpenter, Mary M’Alister, and Betty Francisco “Ashes of Vengeance” is an historical romance of the days of Charles IX.. well meaning but ■weak-willed king of France, and lus dominating mother. Catherine dc Medici: Thousands of actors, dressed in the costume of the period, take part in its stirring action, in addition to a dis tinguished oast. Forty-eight sets, some of them the largest ever seen on a screen, wore built with fidelity to period detail, for the backgrounds of this /•liar min rr rmnonrA

“'Hie Fog,” which comes to Greater Crystal Palace to-day, combines every element which goes into the making of a. screen masterpiece. The story is full of thrills, pathos and beautiful romance. And five story is made to live on the screen by on© of the niost distinguished groups of players ever assembled lor one picture. The cast includes Mildred Harris, Louise Dresser. Ethel Wales. Louise Fazenda, Cullen Tandis. Ralph 'Lewis. David Butler, Marjorie Prevost, Ann May. Frank Currier and Edward Phillips. The story ir. based on the struggles of a boy and a girl to pierce the fog of tyranny and misunderstanding which enveloped them. And their final triumph, after many adventures and disillusionment*, is brought, about through their love for each other. A college youth, expelled and cast off bv his lather, becomes an active figure in a Chinese revolutionary episode in ‘ The Fighting Adventurer.” UnivcrsalJewel feature to he screened at Greater Crystal Palace to-day. The story was written by William JKlwell Oliver, University of California student, winner of the Carl Laemmle inter-collegiate scenario competition. Mary Astor has th© principal feminine role, and Pat O’Mallov is the college youth. Other principals of the all-star cast are Raymond Hatton, Warner Oland and Edwin J. Brady. ‘‘The Tents of Allah.” commencing ao the Queen’s Theatre to-day, a story of passionate love hate. background is picturesque Morocco, where almost anything can happen to the traveller who seeks diversion from the humdrum monotony of everyday life ‘‘hack home.” The traveller in this case is an impulsive American girl whose innocent interference in a. religious rite makes her hated by the sultan. When she is kidnapped by desperate bandits who seek the favour of the sultan, the situation becomes romantic, dramatic and political, and sweeps swiftly on to a climax that comes after a thrilling hand to hand battle on the sultan’s ship between his soldiers and the desert tribesmen. Monte Blue is the desert bandit chief and Mary Thurman the girl who caused all the trouble. The second feature on the new programme at the Queen’s Theatre, commencing to-day, i.s -‘The Hill Billy,” the star in which is Jack Pickford. w hose re-appearance on the screen will he much appreciated by his many admirers. It is one of lus best pictures. The scenes are laid in the Kontveky mountains, and the story deals with life, romance and stirring adventure amongst the mountain folk A thrilling and dramatic story is that of ‘‘Monna Vanna,” Maeterlinck’s play of the same name, the screen version of which is now showing at the Liberty Theatre. It goes back to the fifteenth century when the Florentines were attacking Pisa, in the midst of their troubles Guido Gurlino, general of the Pisan army became enamoured of the beautiful Giovanna, a peasant girl, and that she might inspire him to victory she was at length persuaded by a priest to marry him. The Florentines, however, beleagured the city, and reduced it to starvation, their army being led by Vitelli, whose terms for the release of the food convoys included the surrender of Monna Vanna to him. Amid the prayers and tears of thousands of the people of Pisa the fair Giovanna departed for the sacrifice, but in the conqueror found one whom she had succored when in distress. Spectacular action, dramatic climaxes, elaborate settings. superb photography, and the beautiful pathos of Maurice Maeterlinck’s love story

all help to make the picture one of the most entertaining of the year. Tom Moore, and his winning smile, come to the screen again in “Marriage Morals,” now showing at the Liberty Theatre. He plays the part of an irrepressible young spendthrift. Ann Forrest, who made such a hit in “ If V inter Comes,” has the part of a girl who worked in a beauty parlour and married the spendthrift, whom she thought she could change into her ideal of a perfect lover-husband. W hether she succeeded or not is told in this remarkable story. Miss Forrest is noted for her dazzling blonde beauty. She bails from Denmark, and her screen career lias been one long series of suc- “ Safety Last,” Harold Lloyd’s latest picture, now showing at the Grand Theatre, is a mixture of thrills and laughter. The thrills come from watching his climb up the side of -i i twelve stnrev hinldirm. and the laugh-

ter from his experiences as a counterhand in a large soft goods store. The combination serve to make “ Safety Last” high grade entertainment. In making the film Harold Lloyd aimed to put on the silver sheet the greatest picture of his career. It is said that the picture took six months in the making, and that for every foot of film that was retained nine feet were thrown into the cutting basket. During the production the camera men used a total of 126,060 feet, or roughly twenty-four miles of film stock. Of this amount 118,073 feet, or approximately twenty-two miles, was developed. and nearly half of this was printed. • The "Woman ITe Married,” now showing at the Grand Theatre, tells the story of an artist’s model whose marriage to a millionaire’s son brings down upon th pair the wrath of the father. The son finds it impossible to support his wife, but she sticks to him loyally, determined to win his father s respect and to shame him for cutting off the son he had never taught to work. Complications arise, and circumstantial evidence points to the wife as the guilty party. How everything is cleared up forms a splendid climax to an excellent picture. Anita Stewart is the model. Darrel Foss the husband and Donald MacDonald the artist. Referring to “.The Hunchback of Notre Dame, 1 ’ the great Universal pie tur* which will be fchown at both Greater Crystal Palace and Everybody’s during the week commencing on October 6, an American w riter savs : Fortunate indeed is the actor lucky CMu'iah t„ have a role in a |,roducUo.i which scores one of the biggest hits in the history pf the cinema art, but when he comes right hack ns a featured member of the cast of another production hailed as greatest- of them all he can surely he said to be a child of destiny. Such is Ernest Torrence who plays fine of the principal roles in “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.” Torrence. was given lavish praise for his work in “ ihe Covered Wagon,’» but all who have seen hint in the new Universal production admit that he accomplished a piece of art that will go down into history. In “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,’’ his part is second only to that ol Lon Chaney, the star, who portrays the role of “Quasimodo.” Torrence will he seen as “Clopin, King of the l nderworld.” It is no reflection on either man to say that with any other man than Chaney in the title role, lor re nee would have “stolen” the stellar honours. Aside from Chaney and Torrence the cast is one of the* most lemarkable ever assembled, there being a total of seventy-five principals, including Tally Marshall. Brandon Hunt Patsy Ruth Miller, Gladys Brockwelß Norman Kerry, Nigel de Brulier and Ivato Lester. Two hundred players, originally programmed names, play small parts, while the extras totalled in excess of 3500. Betty Balfour’s next picture to bo screened here is “ Squibs, M.P.” “ Daddies.” a forthcoming Master Picture, promises to be very amusing. The story tells of the experiences of four bachelors, who adopt babies as a means of paving their debt to their country. “Poisoned Paradise,” shortly to be shown here, tells how four people went to Monte Carlo to make money at the Casino. They were a pretty milliner, a young artist, a professor of mathematics and a beautiful woman who lived by her wits.

GREATER CRYSTAL PALACE

PAT O’MALLEY AND MARY ASTOR IN “THE FIGHTING ADVENTURER.” MILDRED HARRIS AND CULLEN LANDIS IN ‘ THE FOG.” Thirteen persons, only two of them women, but all widely known to moving picture theatre patrons, were selected to portray the leading characters in “The Fighting Adventurer.” the big Universal-Jewel photoplay, which heads the new programme at Greater Crystal Palace for this week, commencing to-day. The picture was adapted from the scenario submitted by William El well Oliver in the Carl Laemmle inter-collegiate scenario contest, and was awarded first prize, a scholarship. Oliver is a student in the University of California; also has had considerable travels in China, and he drew upon his knowledge of those widely divergent localities. The hero is expelled from college and makes his way to China as a stowaway, where lie encounters much adventure in an effort to rescue his sweetheart from the power of leaders of a revolutionary horde of soldiers. Much of the action calls for hazardous experience in aeroplanes. Thomas Forman directed the picture, and the thirteen stars that appear in it are Pat O’M a I lev, Mary Astor, Raymond Hatton. Warner Oland, Edwin J. Brady, Taylor Carroll, Clarence Geldert. Allied Fisher. Jack Byron, James Wang.. Emmett King, Jane Starr and Frank Kingsley. O’Malley and Miss Astor Lave the juvenile leads and the others arc in character parts of a type for which they have become famous, both on the screen and on the speaking stage. Nathan Forge, horn a poet and a dreamer. is enveloped in the fog ot harshness and brutality which threatens to crush his spirit. In another town, Madeline Theddon is fighting her wav through the fog of whispered remarks that she is a girl without a name - and finds herself the object of Qor don Ruggies’s desires. But one day she is touched by one of Nathan’s poems and traces him. only to find that he has sought solace in the love of a girl unworthy of him. and has married her. She returns home, broken-hearted. Later. Nathan’s wife proves untrue. Nathan and Madeline go on through the fog, searching for each other, but never knowing what they seek. After a series of thrilling adventures, however, they find themselves in Russia, during the war. And it is there the threads of their lives cross, and there ends the quest for happiness. Such is the hare outline of “The Fog.” a Metro picture which is on the new bill. Tt is one of the most appealing, thrilling and powerful stories ever screened. It is a story that will appeal to those who love adventure in strange places. And all will delight in the unusual love story. Jn it is that vital romance which develops, conflicts and triumphs over them. The highly diversified situations have been developed and co-ordinated by the master hand of Director Paul Powell, under the personal supervision of Max Graf. The different roles are played by one of the most notable casts ever assembled for n single picture. Among the players arc Mildred Harris. Cullen Landis, Louis© Fazenda, Ethel Wales, Louise Dresser, Marjorie Prevost Ann May. Ralph Lewis. David Butler. Frank Currier and Edward Phillips—a cast that insures the highest type of screen acting. Supporting th© two main pictures are the third big chapter of “The Fast. Express.” starring William Duncan, a very funny Century comedy, and the latest International News film. Incidental to and in conjunction with the screening of the various motion pictures the world-famous Symphony Orchestra, under the distinguished conductorship of Mr Alfred J. Runz, will present a magnificent musical programme which includes the following classical and popular numbers:—Overture, “Pique Dame’’ (Suppe) ; “ Svmphony in O’’ (Haydn); “Suzannes Secret ’’ (Wolf-Fcrrari) ; “ Cristoforo Colombo” (Franchetti) ; “La Grande Duchesse ” (Offenbach) : “ Pierrot and Pierrette ” (Vecsey) ; “ Scene Rustiques ” (Mouton) ; “Reverie” (Schutt) : “ Carnival ” (Ring-Horne) ; “ Piccolo ” (Oscar Strauss). The box plan is at The Bristol, or seats may be reserved by telephoning Greater Crystal Palace, number 3758.

LIBERTY THEATRE.

‘ MONNA VANNA.” “ MARRIAGE MORALS.” A picture of a new type was shown at Liberty on Saturday evening, in the shape of an adaptation of Maurice Maeterlinck’s great drama. “ Monna Vanna.” The story deals with a little known portion of the world's history, when Pisa and Florence were independent States, each jealous of the other. How a good and pure woman saves the soul of a general and in doing so saves her own country, is the" 1 base of the story, which is wonderfully well worked up from a spectacular viewpoint. As Monna Vanna. the virtuous maid, who, in an endeavour to save her people, walks into the tent of the opposing general, Miss Lee Parry gives- a wonderful conception of Avhafc the author desired to convey to the public. Miss Parry has not pieviously played in screen dramas, but she has a great, reputation on the legitimate stage. She is of great beauty of a type not very common, but one which makes her ideally suited for the difficult- role in which she i.s cast and which she has to carry through. The whole production is on most lavish lines, no details being overlooked in getting the true “ atmosphere ” of the period of the play. The battles between ' the opposing forces are rej alistically shown and the camp scenes carry one back to the days when a man’s right hand was his surest means of defence. The attack on the walls of Pisa is realistically shown, huge battering rams being used to hammer the gates of the town down. When ! all seems to be doomed, a rally of the Pisans takes place and the Florentines are repelled. When peace is restored the lovers in the story are united, making an ideal climax to the drama. During the screening of the picture an effective touch was lent to it by the singing of an unknown singer, w r lio has been specially engaged by the 1 management for the screening of “ Monna Vanna.” Another big drama, but of an altoS ether different type, is “ Marriage lorals,” in which Tom Moore and Ann Forrest are cast in the stellar roles. It is the kind of picture of which all the spectators think they can foretell the conclusion, but when the conclusion does come it is very different from what was anticipated. To tell I the story would spoil the main attraction about it. but it is enough to say I that it is one of the most delightful comedy dramas that has been shown in ('hristchuroh for some time. Tom

Moore, as usual, a liappy-go-lucky individual. plays a splendid part. Ann Forrest has the part of a wife who is trying to guide her husband along the straight and narrow road of sobriety. The story is well produced, and proves a. good piece of entertainment. The Liberty Quality Orchestra, under Mr Howard Moody, plays a magnificent programme of music in its customary finished manner. The big feature is operatic in style, and lends itself to fine, music. The entr'acte on Saturday was Jarnefeldt’s “ Praeludium.” a charming, number which was played very tastefully, and which earned the whole-hearted applause of the audience.. One of the most popular items was a selection of Haydn Wood’s popular songs, and which included “ Roses of Picardy,” “ Fleurette ” and “ Eyes of Grey.” Two new fox trots played on Saturday were “ Frankie and Johnny ’’ and “ Tin Roof Blues.” A selection from Massenet’s opera “ Thais ” was played, in \yhich very fine Avork was done by the leader, Mr H. Ellwood. Other numbers included:— “Lilac Time” (SohubertClutsan), “Othello” (Coleridge Taylor). prelude to third act of *' Lohengrin ” ’(Wagner), “ Prosperine ” (Saint Saens), “ Rosamunde Overture” (Schubert), and *‘ Faust Ballet ” music (Gounod). Of special interest was th.? slow movement from the Bach concerto for two violins and piano There are comparatively few works written in thi form, and the soloists. Miss Norma Middleton, Messrs Ellwood and Moody, gave a fine interpretation of the piece. Mr HoAvard Moodv played Chopin's “Nocturne in D 'Flat.” getting a beautiful singing quality of tone ou of the instrument.

QUEEN’S THEATRE.

‘‘ TENTS OF ALL AH.” JACK PICKFORD IN “THE HILL BILLY.” Th© programme to he presented at the Queen’s Theatre to-day and all this week is claimed to be oven better than the usual splendid programmes screened at this house. There will be two big attractions in addition to carefully selected supporting features, and a brilliant musical programme. The outstanding feature w ill be ‘ I ho Tents of Allah.” This is claimed to bo the best desert picture ever produced. The desert scenes are Avonderful, especially those in moonlight, Avith hundreds of galloping horsemen going into battle. Monte Blue is featured in this production, and has the part of the dashing desert bandit. Mary Aldcn plays opposite. The story is of an impulsive and beautiful English girl, whose iinnocent interference in a religious rite makes her hated by the Sultan. When she is kidnapped by desert bandits who seek the favour of the Sultan the situation becomes romantic, dramatic and political, and sweeps on to a climax that comes after a thrilling hand to hand battle between the Sultan’s soldiers and the desert tribesmen. “ The Hill Billy,” an Allied Producers’ picture, will he the second attraction. and stars Jack Pickford. This is one of the best in which this artist link appeared, if not the best of them all. For gripping story interest, good acting and a very thorough and appealing story of tile Kentucky mountains, it is said to rank very high. A woll-A'aried programme of supporting subjects will be shown, whilst a bright programme of incidental music will be rendered by the orchestra.

EVERYBODY’S THEATRE,

“ Ashes of Vengeance,” the principal feature of the current programme at Everybody’s Theatre is a strong picture, and it requires a strong cast. Thoughts of the present fade out of the mind when watching it, and one is taken back to the France of the sixteenth century, when the Queen mother, Catherine, ruled the country with the steel of h£r barons’ swords. Unlike most dramas dealing with th© days that are gone, “Ashes of Vengeance” is strong in plot as it is in spectacle. As a member of the old nobility, Norma Talmadge is cast in a part in Avhich she has to love and to hate, to be tender and be scornful. She portrays all these, yet never once loses her personal charm, Avnich holds a grip on the audience. Supporting Miss Talmadge is Conway Tearle. I Under the baton of Mr W. J. Bel* [lingham. F.S.M., the orchestra gave •their full measure of assistance to the successful screening of the story.

GRAND THEATRE.

ANITA STEWART AND HAROLD LLOYD. There Aver© large attendances at the Grand Theatre on Saturday, when a new programme of pictures Avas presented, a programme that was well up to the standard that the public has groAvn to expect from the discriminating management of the theatre. Comedy and drama are well blended, and iu that Avay every taste is catered for. The first attraction i.s a Master Picture, starring the popular Anita SteAvart, who has not been seen in Christchurch for some time. “The Woman He Married” is the title of the picture, and it is one that must make- an audience thankful that Miss Stewart i.s still working for the screen. The story is ‘ a variation of an old theme, but a pleasant variation. Byrne Travers a great American artist, has a model Avho has been an inspiration to him through the years of Ins working, and at last he paints a picture of her that is accepted by the Paris Salon. He asks her to come to Paris Avith him, but she in refusing him. points out that he still has a wife. As far as she is concerned the old occupation of art model is finished Avith. Natalie Lane, the model, then goes aAvay, and accepts the offer of a rich man’s son to marry her. She makes the young man promise that he "ill do some work instead of leading a lazy useless life. The man has ambitions as a writer, and he promises to develop his gift, if ! any. The two get married, but the i young man continues to live extravagantly on credit, hoping that his millionaire father w ill come along and pay the bills. The father does come along and offer to pay the bills, but only on the condition that the son gives up the wife that the father considers to be j unsuitable for him. Then the fight be j gins. The son is determined that he will stick to his wife, no matter what the cost may be- 'They shift to cheap lodgings, and the husband settles down to write a play. There is little money about for the struggling pair, and th©y Averc almost on the brink of starvation when the Avife once more meets the artist that she used to pose for in the old days. He offers her the position again and she accepts. In the meantime the husband has hopes that the play will be accepted by a producer, but his hopes are ill-founded. The

young man’s father hears of the girl’s visits to the artist’s studio, and he immediately puts another construction on them. He tells his son of his suspicious, and the pair set out for the studio just in time to find that Travers has been shot. Natalie is found in the rooms, and she is about to he arrested when her husband’s young sister rushes out and tells the true story. The man had been shot by a girl Avhom he had brought from Paris. After that there are apologies and a complete reconciliation between father The second big attraction is the Harold Lloyd comedy “ Safety Last.” This picture ran all last week with record houses night and day, and for that reason the management has decided to keep it on for a second week. The supporting programme includes a Mermaid coniedv “Neck to Neck.” The Grand Orchestra under Miss AShearsbv plays an excellent profiramme of incidental music.

FULLER’S OPERA HOUSE.

A strong bill of stellar vaudeville attractions is promised at Fuller's Opera House to-night. That sterling singer, Mr Ilarrv Claff, Avill present another new melange of music and patter, entitled “ The White Knight,” which is said to be even better than his present offering. The costuming and scenic effects a?'e exceptionally delightful. A re-appearance Avill be made by the clever character actor, Mr Fred Macdonald, who is so well-known for his brilliant portraying of sketches of outback Australian life. Ilis new sketch is entitled “ His Son and Heir.” The delightfully entertaining couple, Bert and Evelyn Dudley, will appear in a new act entitled “ Drunk Again,” in which both artists are said to be at their best. Don G. Merle, the sensational magician, will be seen in neAV illusions. Hartley and Wright will present an entertaining mixture of patter and song. Eileen and Marjorie Avill continue to entertain with the sensa--1 tional acrobatics, Togo Avill be seen in more of his brilliant juggling, Vaude and Verne have more topical patter for the entertainment of patrons, new musical items will be presented by the Astleys and Lilas Birt is to be heard in some new character songs. Seats may now be reserved at The Bristol.

THEATRE ROYAL.

“THE SECOND MRS TANQUERAY.” Sir Arthur Wing Pinero’s tragedy “The Second Mrs Tanqueray” was presented for a second time bv Miss Irene Vanbrugh, Mr Dion Boucicault and their company to a full house at the Theatre Royal o»n Saturday night. The play is one that has been constantly revived since its initial production in 1893, and that pro A-es that it has qualities of endurance beyond those of other plays of the period. The fact also, that it- was the first tragedy in English for many years marked it down a.s an unusual work- The tragedy of the piece moves relentlessly from the opening scenes to the startling climax Avhen the distracted Paula Tanqueray commits suicide. The brilliant acting of Miss Vanbrugh in the part of Paula is one of the things that makes the present production memorable. She shows the development of the character with the subtlety and naturalness that are the property of

great, art. C. M. Hallard in the part of Aubrey Tanqueray does a fine robust piece of woi*k that proves him to be a great theatrical artist. Mr Boucicault as Cayley Drummlc, tlie diplomatic little man who tried to adjust the Tanqueray troubles, does brilliant and cultivated Avork. Janet Eccles makes a pleasing Ellean. and .loan Crossley does a splendid piece of character acting as Lady Erreyed. “The Second Mrs Tanqueray” will be presented for the last time tonight. “AREN’T WE ALL?” To-morrow night and four folloAving evenings Miss Iren© Vanbrugh. Mr Dion Boucicault and their brilliant supporting company will stage Frederick Lonsdale’s three act comedy “Aren’t We All?” For wit, eleveiness and richness of dialogue it is deekired that nothing in the same class as “Aren’t We All?” has been staged during the past decade. Originally produced in London, where it enjoyed the longest run of any play in years, it- lends itself to the temperament of the Vanbrugh-Boucfcault companv, tho members of which are all at their best in Lonsdale’s brilliant play, “Aren’t We all ” is undoubtedly the brightest and merriest comedy in the company’s repertoire. Brilliant flashes of wit stamp the dialogue at every line; subtle glimpses of a worldly philosophy, at times playfully cynical, add to the cleverness which is, it is said, a striking feature of the new comedy. “.Mr Dion Boucicault.” wrote a critic recently, “gives a remarkable performance as old Grenham, youthful in his passion for bachelor freedom ami his fondness for the fair sex. His excursions into the realm of domestic diplomacy, bent on patching the quariel in his son’s household, and offering all and sundry advice, the advice of his worldly wisdom and experience, is a delightful journey in his masterly hand.” Miss Irene Vanbrugh as the high-spirited kind and most human designing widow is, it is said, delightfully natural. The part gives Miss Vanbrugh further opportunity to display her wonderful versatility. Her patience and insistency toward the old philanderer. Lord Grenham*, are, it is said, most- amusingly portrayed.

SUNDAY CONCERT.

A Sunday evening concert, arranged by Miss Lucy CoAvan, was given at the Jeilico© Hall last night in aid of the returned soldiers’ unemployment fund. There Avas a full house. The items were given bv the pupils of Miss Cowan, Mr Harold Beck and Mrs J. H. Cocks. The following was the programme:— .Song, Joan Hughes; recitation, Muriel Kershaw; song, Lottie Colville: song, R. Allison; recitation, Clive M’Neil; song, Kathleen Read ; duet, Bert Goodland and Ronald Foster; ’cello solo. Miss Elwood ; monologue. Miss Enid English; duet, Kathleen Read and Lottie Colville ; monologue, Malcolm Rickard ; song, Muriel Kershaw ; song, R. Allison; recitation, Bert Goodland; monologue, A. Thompson; 6ong. Ronald Foster; duet, Joan Hughes and Muriel KershaAv. Misses Bessie Pollard and Elwood and Mr A. Thompson acted as accompanists.