AMUSEMENTS

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17461, 12 February 1925, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS

TH E THEAT KE S . ATTRACTIONS FOR THE WEEK. STERTBODT'S THEATRE "THE SILENT WATCHER " STERTBODT S THEATRE . .. "THE ENEMY SEX ’ LIBERTY THEATRE • - HARBOUR LIGHTS LIBERTY THEATRE “ MINE TO KEEP ” GREATER CRYSTAL PALACE “ LET'S GO” „ GREATER CRYSTAL PALACE ■ ■ “ THE REJECTEE "WOMAN STRAND THEATRE .. " ROODMAN BLIND ” strand THEATRE “ X—THE "UNKNOWN ” QUEEN'S THEATRE . . “ ENVIRONMENT ” QUEEN’S THEATRE “ JACQUELINE GRAND THEATRE . - TKE TEN COMMANDMENTS •• SYDDNHAM PICTURES . . " HAREOUS „ SYDENHAM PICTURES " ETIB or TKE roJtEST THEATRE ROYAL SEYMOUR HICKS AND ELL ALINE TERRIS. FULLERS OPERA HOUSE .. •• NAND EOX REYUE & VAUDEVILLE.

‘ The Silent Stranger,” which heads the programme at the Liberty Iheutre commencing on Saturday, has as its star, the athletic Fred Thomson, who, as a portrayer of Western roles, has earned the title of “Tom Mix s only rival.” His pictures are always characterised bv teats of great daring and .skilful riding. “The Silent Stranger” is no exception. Ln it, the. star has the role of Jack Taylor, a Western cowboy, who sets out to. secure a big reward offered lor the capture of a gang of outlaws, who had 1 been terrorising the particular area in which the plot is laid. As a means to gaining success in his object, the hero pretends that he has been stricken deaf and dumb, as the result of shell shock received during the war. His plan works. He discovers that the leader of the gang is the iiance of the local postmistress. From the time of that discovery, he has many thrilling adventures, finally winning the reward, and, (incidentally), the postmistress. Silver King, the | cowboy’s wonderful horse, adds further laurels to his reputation as an animal as near human as possible. ‘'Shattered Idols” is the title of the second feature coming to the Liberty Theatre on Saturday Immense in its scenic effects, spectacular in its big moments, and teeming with heart interest, this adaptation from I. A. 11. Wylie's novel, “A Daughter of .Brahma,’.' is in many ways unique. 'Hie story is laid in India, involving 1 ho suppression of a native insurrection and the rescue of a comely maiden who has been selected ns the bride of the unknown deity the cult worships, .lames Morrison takes the leading male role. Marguerite De La. Motte plays the title role, while William V. Mong, Frankie Lee, F/thel Grey Terry, Louise l/ovely, .Josephine l*Y«>we!l, jynl Mary W’ynn comprise the balance of a specially selected cast. “The Ten Commandments,” Paranijjpnt’s screen masterpiece, is still being screened at. the Grand Theatre, and is having a most successful run. The elaborate settings, the magnificent photography and the conflicting truthfulness of the tbeiue, make the attraction one of the most outstanding ever produced. It is in fourteen 7>arts, the first seven being in the form of a Biblical prologue. The children of Tsrnel are shown, first in bondage, and then fleeing from the Egyptians after their release. The most wonderful scene in this picture. which is packed with wonders, is that, depicting the Bed Sea dividing in order that, the Israelites might pass safely through, ln the cast Theodore .Roberts interprets the role of Moses, and Charles de Boehe is the Bharaoh. In the modern story the principal players are Beatrice .Toy, Nita Naldi. Kdytbe Chapman, Rod La Roeque and Richard Dix. A W illiam Fox product ion. “Six Cylinder Love.” will be screened at the. Queen’s Theatre on Monday. It is adapted from the stage drama, by William A. M'Guire. and is really the story of an automobile which by attracting hosts of parasite friends to 1 he successive owners ruins two homes. There are gay and frivolous friends, hut in the background George Stapleton (Benton Churchill), who, when the principal personages have come to their senses and the demon automobile has been parted with, rights up things and brings smiles instead of tears to the faces of the overtaxed Hilbert and Marilyn Sterling (Ernest Treiix„ and Florence Fldridge). An excellent oast includes Donald Meek. Maude Hill, Anne M’Kittrick, Marjorie Milton, Thomas Mitchell. Ralph Sipperlv, Harold Mana. Frank Tweed and Grace Gordon. “The Rip Tide” which comes to the Queen’s Theatre on Monday contains many striking and unusual features. It, is a story of conflict and strong emotions, of love and hate and the evil that men do. and is rich in incident and big moments. Rosemary Theby, Stuart Holmes. Diana Aldcn and Dick Sutherland have the leading roles. “Sundown,” a First National drama of the W est coming to Everybody s Theatre on Monday, is an original story by Karl Hudson. The story unfolds the dramatic theme ol the passing of the old West before the advance of cultivation. This is. incidentally current history, since the encroachment on the unfenced ranges of the south-west recently caused American cattlemen to unite their herds and drive them across the Rio Grande into Mexico, and it was these scenes which were filmed by First National to he incorporated in “Sundown.” Never again will such huge herds he seen in the United States. More than 100,000 head of ealtle will be seen winding their way in a huge line half a mile wide in this great production. The human players who enact their roles against a background ol awe-inspiring grandeur and immensity are Hobart Bos worth. Bessie Love, Roy Stewart, Charlie Murray. Arthur Hoyt. Charles Rollon. B. Crockett, Bernard Randall, Wilfrid North. Hal Wilson and Jere Austin. “The Truthful Liar."’ coming to F. very body's Theatre on Monday next., is an absorbing story of a wife who wanted to see life while her husband war- away on business, and the trouble into n hi< h she was precipitated. Then she tolrj lies to escape from the mnserpjenres. 'Wanda Hawley has the part of Hie pleasure-seeking wife. A wife to whom he was not married, an “enfant terrible.” which was also not his own, and a fascinating sister-in-law in name, whom he could not marry because he was acting as a. Mib^titnte. husband- these were from »hAt George Bair M Cutcheou choLe

as the worst complication he could i think of to trouble his hero. Reginald Dennv portrays the man with all these woes‘in “The Fast Worker.” winch is adapted from the M’Gutchepn novel, “The Husbands of Edith,’ and which will be shown at Greater Crystal Ralace on Monday. The story is one of thrills, alternated with laughs. A sensational auto truck collision on the edge of a cliff is followed by a screamingly funny situation, in which Denny tries to feed his mischievous daughter of four, while the sister-in-law dances with his hated rival. The story concludes with a particularly thrilling series of events. “ Ragan Passions,” which will he screened af Greater Crystal Palace on Monday, is adapted from the novel by Grace Sanderson, “ Micliie. ’ f .l he narrative itself is intensely human, while the exotie atmosphere of China and the tropics merely adds to its charm. Billy, an apparently half-caste Chinese hoy, is adopted by John Dangerfield, only to later fall in love with Dangerfield's daughter, causing the thought, to rai.se. in her father’s mind: “ How can I permit my daughter to marry a half-caste Chinese? ” "Ultimately the fact that Billy is not Chinese, but solely white, is disclosed in this dramatic story of the Orient, which, for accuracy and detail, fairly breathes the atmosphere of China arid the Malay Peninsula, with the Eastern life and characters depicted faithfully l»v a competent cast, headed b>? Wyndham Standing and Rosemary Theby. The Fight, that takes place, at the end of the Hell’s Bells Cafe scene in “Good Morning. jjDea.rie,” at Hi§ Majesty’s, Melbourne, took a good deal of rehearsing and (says a. Melbourne paper) George Highland, the producer, secured the services of a boxer to show Noel Ley land and George Crottv how to stage a real lively fight without getting hurt. The effect is very realistic, but sometimes lx>th the principals forget some of the points they were taught, and things begin to happen. One night during the week Noel Leyland put' a little more energy into his final punch than was really necessary, and lauded one on George Grotty’s jaw that sent him to the stage. When the ourtain rose for the call Grotty was still extended, and he was found to be unconscious. It -took ten minutes for him to “ come round,’’ during which time the understudy was getting ready. This was the cause of the unduly long interval. which aroused a good deal of curiosity amongst the audience. “ The Side Show of Life ” is the screen title of “ The Mountebank,” William J. Locke's great novel. Those who have, read the story will remember that it deals with* the fortunes of a circus clown, who during the Great War became a general, but when peace came learned that there were no more jobs left for men who had been brave in their country’s cause. Anna Q. Nilsson is the leading lady and as a daughter of an aristocrat learning for the first time what real love is, she gives a wonderful portrayal. Babbitt,’’ shortly to be screened here, is something more than a motion picture. It is a document of life--human, real, covincing. It is the story of a man, plain, ordinary average; just such a man as every person knows— his wife and his great one adventure in the land of romance. It’s not a spectacular film and it has no hair-raising thrills. But there's laughter, drama and heart > interest such as yon seldom see, in any photoplay. It is entertainment such as any audience may enjoy, be it young or old, large or small. Are twenty-four kissing scenes in one eight-reel photoplay too many? Frank Lloyd, the producer, and Glenn Hunter and Bessie Love, featured players iti “ The Silent Watcher,” now showing at Everybody’s Theatre, say “ most certainly not, that is, for married couples.” The usual photoplay has about half a dozen kissing scenes, but the principal characters in “The Silent Watcher” were deeply in love with each other, hence the number of kissing scenes is not unusual when compared to the real life of real lovers. In “ Daughters of Pleasure.” Marie Prevost wears cunning clothes and •.hows better reasons for wearing a habit than any other star. Clara Bow, who plays the demi-vamp, has tamed J her wild marcel waves and is prettier for the doing. Many people who have a desire to enter the theatrical or picture business have more optimism than ability (says a Sydney paper). This applies to the .search by Louise Lovely for Australian talent. However, no fewer than 45 of the most promising men and women approved of have been given roles and small parts in the Union master picture, “ Painted Daughter.” This is the first of a series of all-Australian pictures to be made by Union Theatres, Ltd., htul Australasian Films, Ltd. Mr .lack Root, a partner in (lie Mack Sennet- comedy films (says an English paper) has come from New York (o search Europe for a new cinema comedian. “The film world wants something fresh,” he said. “I want a. little man. clean shaven, and gpod looking. Film follower.- love, good-looking comics, and they like 1 them small, because they feel real sympathy with the small man, especially if you can arrange, for a large one to knock him about- His smile must have a suggestion of pathos. The light man could command almost anything. certainly more, than the President of the United States, whoso salary is £lo 3 ooo a year.”

LIBERTY THEATRE. Mr Bert Ralton’s Havana Band, from the Savoy Hotel, London, adds a very pleasant feature to the picture programme at Liberty Theatre. The seven members of the* band, with saxophones, trombones, a clarinet, piccolos, a mandolin, a piano, hells and other instruments. fill > n about twenty minutes with bright and lively music. which is heard to the full advantage, in the theatre. *‘ Harbour Lights ” took London by storm years ago, when Mr G. R. Sims was at his best. It. with “ Lights o’ London ” and a few more of his works, v”rl .stand for a long time as a popular melodrama. An adaptation of it. given first place on the programme at Liberty Theatre, has lost none of the playwright’s skill- It is intensely dramatic, anci emotional throughout, and every incident, lias been acted and set in a nay to heighten the general effect. “ Mine to Keep ” has, as its rnam theme, jealousy. It may lx* described as a romance, with thrills and tears, laughter and love. Above all. it vs i very human, and very natural. Its title, comes from the attitude ol a newiy married man to his bride, who. be declares, is his to keep. By his foolish jealousy, lie almost wrecks the happiness of both. Amongst the supports are an excellent travel item, and a Norwegian picture, showing how children are taught to swim. The Liberty Quality Orchestha does admirable work GREATER CRYSTAL PALACE In “Let’s Go,” Richard Talmadgo. piles “stunt” upon “stunt. ’ until those who watch him feel amazed and bewildered. This actor who, apparently doee not know (ear. goes through incidents that seem to defy death with the easy grace of a boy playing leap-frog at school. “The Rejected Woman” propounds the question : “Has the old-fashioned girl a chance?” The theme is the love of a Canadian girl and of a wealthy New York youth. I . would hardly be fair to give the answer to the question, but it may be stated boro that, after •many difficulties have been overcome, and many dramatic situations have been passed through, the end comes as satisfactorily as the most exacting picture patron could wish. In addition to the big pictures, an International News film and a Century comedy, are shown, one very diverting and the other very instructive and interesting. The Symphony Orchstra, undr "Mr A. J. Buna's conductorship. pi, ays delightfully. GRAND RECITAL. All this week at. the Grand Theatre there have been large audiences at the day and evening sessions to witness the screening oi the great. picture drama, “ The Ter. , Commandments.” The artistic qualities of the production cam.ot be questioned. The acting is good throughout, but it is more than good in the first parts, which arc given up to the old story of the Israelites in Egypt, the flight from Pharaoh, the pursuit bv Pharaoh’s army, the incident in the Red Sea, the worship of the golden calf and scenes on Mount Sinai, wheu Moses receives the Commandments. It iv all highly coloured. At the same time, it is presented with much of th« direct simplicity that characterises the first books of the Old Testament. Most ol the explanatory letterpress on the screen, in fart, is paragraphs from Exodus, Deuteronomy and Number* and the incidents fit them perfectly. Colour photography has been used in several places with wonderful effect.. This is notable when the Israeli ten, with their flocks and herds, their goods and chattels, straggle out oroithe sands to depart from the land of bondage. They are shown in bright costumes, under a blazing sun which tinges everything with gold. The atmosphere of the country seems to have been studied conscientiously by the director. Pietorially and spectacularly tbe best results have been obtained in representing Pharaoh’s army, with horsemen and chariots, advancing into the desert and down to the shores of the Red Pea. where the Israelites have gathered in a panic. The representation of the rolling back of the waters i- done marvellously. It is difficult to understand the mechanism used in this incident. Tlie sea is shown with waves chasing one another over its snr face They tumble together, then gradually are thrown asunder, forming h great, trough. The Israelites march mong the hod of the sea, with a wall of water, fifty feet high, on each side. The engulfing of the Egyptians is r. tumultuous and. powerful scene. The individual characters are well taken Moses appears as a long-bearded., venerable man, as in Biblical pictures ; Pharaoh is a young, hancisomo man, Miriam, who is given a prominent post tion in the screen story is a young, emotional woman. The later parts-of the production give the Ten Commandments a modern application. Tills really is another story. It is the story of a youth in these times who discards religion, breaks almost all the* Ten Commandments, achieves success in life, but, by the irreligion and his lack oT principle, meets with an awful fate. The moral b that the Ton Commandments must he the basis of conduct now ns formerly, and that children must he taught to obey them through love of God, not through fear of THm. Incidental music is played by the Grand Orchestra. EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. Pictures that thoroughly please and music of the highest order comprise the programme at Everybody’s Theatre this week. The principal item | is an adaptation of Owen Johnston’s no- | vel, “The Salamander,” shown under the title of “The Enemy Sex.” The story tells of a girl who played with fire but was careful enough not to get scorched. She believes in playing with life, and her frolics land her in some awkward places, but. through her own good judgment, she manages to escape unscathed. The stellar role is taken by Betty Compson, who is cast as “Dodo,” an actress, who does not like work. Miss Compson gives a wonderful exhibition of her art, and wears some equally wonderful dresses. Intense situations follow in rapid succession, ! each clear-cut and clever. A story of a. big American jx>litieal c ampaign, with its graft and its doubtful tactics, is shown in “The Silent Watcher.” The picture was made by Frank Lloyd, of 'The Sea Hawk” fame, and although of an entirely dissimilar nature to that picture, shows ■ the extreme care that characterises all the Lloyd productions. It is full of surprises, and although the audience is taken into the producer’s confidence, the story presents fresh ( interest sis it is unravelled. J.he orchestra under the baton of Mr

\Y. J. Bellingham. F.S.M., enhances the. enjoyment of the programme with some excellent numbers. FULLER’S OPERA HOUSE. The programme which is being offered at the Opera. House this week is well up to the standard which has made the theatre so popular. Every contributor to the programme is a capable exponent of the particular art in which lie or she specialises, and the result is an evenly balanced entertainment. The second half is devoted to a. revue, which is brighter even than those ii succeeds, and that is saying a good deal. Carlton, and Rosslyn introduce a. turn that is full of vim, and mixes music, dancing and humour in attractive proportions. Mill and Linda Newman are newcomers who do amazing things on bicycles. -J. E. Sutton is a brilliant entertainer at the piano, and Alice Hollander and Arthur Sandford are also excellent musical performers. “ Oh. You "Wonderful Girl.” is the title of the now revue which is being present, ed by F. Gayle AVyer and his; Band-Box Revue Company. From start to finish the piece sparkles, and the pace of the merry-making and melody is never allowed to slacken. QUEEN’S THEATRE. The first feature film at the Queen’s, “ Blazing Barriers.” is an adaptation of James Oliver Our wood’s famous novel. The story is a thrilling one. which has its setting in the backwoods country of Canada, and the interest is maintained right through to the finish. Al.ilton Sills and Alice-Lake are starred in “Environment.” The story is woven around a young girl, who as long as she remains in the city is a criminal. but when, drcunstanc© is kind enough to take her to the country she is a. changed woman. “Chicago Kail"’ was product of her environment, she knew only crooks, and the gay life of the cabarets. On the other hand. Stephen Marlnren knew only the good, honest environment of the country. So it. happened that the two met one dayin the country and the gin met her redeemer. The supporting programme includes a Sunshine comedy, “Up in the Air,” an educational film, and the. latest Vox Gazette. A fine programme of incidental music is played by the Queen’s Orchestra. MUSICAL RECITAL. PIANIST. ’CELLIST AND VOCALIST. The second recital given by Miss Vera Mitchell ('cellist) and Messrs Frank Hutchens (pianist) and Clive Carey (baritone) attracted a fair audience to the Choral Hall last evening. The programme was a well-arranged one. and it was admirably presented by the three contributing artists. Mr llutchcns found a congenial me-

fliuvn for his virtuosity in Brahms s " Rhapsodic jn E Flat." which he placed brilliantly. It is an exacting composition, full of moods and colour, requiring expressive as well as brilliant treatment. Very delightful indeed was the Chopin “Sonata, in B Minor, m which Mr Hutchens excelled himself. II is programme numbers were completed by “ Minuetto ” (Zanella) and "Toccata ” (Debussy), but there were several encores, played brightly and gracefully. Miss Mitchell contributed two movements from Ealo's Concerto, “Andante ” and “Allegro \ ivacc. and (e----sar Cui's “Cantabile.” Miss Mitchell plavs with skill and expression, and exhibits a verv effective command of her instrument. Her numbers were highly appreciated and were increased A group of his own songs was presented by Mr Carey, whose fine voice and free style were, thoroughly appreciated. His other numbers were four folk songs, which he gave with inimitable humour and expression. The recital as a. whole was a most enjoyable one. and maintained throughout a high standard of performance.