AMUSEMENTS

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17525, 30 April 1925, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS

THE THEATRES. ATTRACTIONS FOR THE WEEK. LIBERTY THEATBE . . CAPTAIN BLOOD.” LIBERTY TF.EATRE •• TTETUOES LIARS/' GRAND THEATRE • CAPTAIN BLOOD." GRE ATER CRYSTAL PALACE . . • TRY. TOItJi’AD O." GREATER CRYSTAL PAI ACE . . ” ATYINITIES." STRAND THEATRE •NO MOTHER TO GUIDE HUB.." STRAND THEATRE ” FLYYINCf HOOPS." QUEEN’S THEATRE •• LOPING LIES." QUEEN S THEATRE . . . . - THAT FRENCH LADY." EVERYBODY'S THEATRE "A THIEF IN PARADISE." SYDENHAM PICTURES “ VIRTUOUS LIAHS-" SYDENHAM PICTURES . . “ TItE BOHEMIAN GIRD.” TELLERS OPERA HOUSE .. REVUE AND VAUDEVILLE. THEATRE ROYAL . . . . CHRISTCHURCH OPERATIC SOCIETY —“ SAN TOY.”

“{sinners in Heaven. ' a Paramount production ol Clive Arden’s star* which ivas awarded the British prize ioi J9t!3. will be the chief attraction Everybody's l Ihe jure on Monday. niance of Adam and Eve. Barbara Stock lev ( Be be Daniels) is persuaded to fly from England to Australia in an aeroplane. She sets out with the pilot. Alan Croft (Riehard Dim. and the first stages ol the journey arc completed in safety, but as ll.c machine is firing over the I‘acilic Ocean, it crashes, and its occupants find themselves on an island inhabited only by unfriendly natives. i'or a time they are able 10 protect themselves by playing on the .superstitions of the savages. Just as the natives arc preparing to attack the whites a second aeroplane arrives and saves the girl, but accidental I v leaves Croft behind. He ;s rescued later by a trading ship, and returns home to claim the girl with whom he has fallen in love, lender romance and an abundance of thrills mafic “Sinners in Heaven" a most enjoyable picture. Film fans are accustomed to -cmEugene O Brien a- the polished city man of fashion. In “ frivolous Sal. a First National production, coming to Fvervhodv’s Theatre on Monday, however. he has an emirclv different role.

He rides madly over mountain trails, chases a band of robbers into a huge ice cave, and finally battles with, the ringleader as the two shoot across *i mountain gorge in the bucket of ar. nrv.i! tramway. “Frivolous Sal is si love drama of the pioneer Western mining camps, and affords Eugene O’Brien an opportunity for some rapid fire action. He is supported bv a strong cast which includes Mie Busch. Mildred Harris. Tom Santsehi and Mitchell Lewis. Gcorgo Behan’s “The Sign of the Rose.’’ which will be screened at Greater Crystal Palace on Monday, merits all the superlatives in the English language. The production reflects the concentrated experience ol the star veteran of a score of successes, and is magnificently played in a manner which ho has made peculiarly lus own. AVith consummate skill, Behan has built up his narrative. and. like a novelist. has dovetailed his incident and interest. “The Sign of the Hose” lias big scenes and thrills galore, including a tiro on an ocean liner, automobile smash. and a tense scene in a quaint flower shop. The picture was mad from the veil-known play which was developed from a dialed recitation aL a Chicago beefsteak dinner years ago. into a vaudeville sketch which created a furore, then into a stage plav— and finally into a superb photoplay. George Behan wrote the story and p!a>s the principal character. Lionel Barrymore, famous American stage and screen actor, has one of the greatest parts in his career in “I Am the Man. ’ which will be screened at Greater Crystal Palace on Monday next. He "’appears as an unscrupulous politician who wields a strange influence over those with whom he comes in contact. Then he meets a woman and falls in lore with her. but she hav no love for him. On this theme which is worked out to a logical conclusion. *• Manhattan." a Paramount production adapted from the novel ' The Definite Obiect - :' 5 bv the popular author Jeffery i.irmd comes m the Grand Theatre with the change ol programme on Saturday. Richard Dix is the star, and he is supported by Jacqueline I - ■ ui •» Pclei Minn'i. ;• young man “j New ork. who ha move mon©v lhun is good for }vr" Bored almo. • lo death with the dull monotony ol social engage men f . dance.v . parties and Hie like, b« determines to find adventure. He ultimately arrives at Hell’s Kitchen, where bis younger brother introduces him to Mary, a part played l»y Jacqueline T.ogan. Mary is only a little girl of tin- tenements, but the millionaire tails in love with her. and she promises («» marry him. But there is one, Hu 1

M'Ginnis. an underworld ruffian, wh claims the girl ami threatens to ki Peter if he takes her. Peter thercupo goes into training, with the result tbn when the fight does take place- M'Gn ids o-els the thrashing of his lile. 1 her are oth -r exciiing incidents, and happy ending. "For You My Boy.' the second at traction coming to the Grand Theatn on Saturday, tells the- vivid, dram ate stow of a bo'- who started wrong ant paid the penalty. Then when he hat rc-won a place of influence and ini portuncc for himself he is threatenec with exposure. Ai! this tune he hac been labouring under a secret sorrov and this new danger suddenly appear ing on the horizon of his limited ex isle nee causes the story to move t( a thrilling climax. Matty Roubeit ha: the part of the boy. and the prmcipa supports are Louis Dean. Jean Armoui an l Schuyler White. Fred Thomson, the famous Westerr ’ actor, is the principal figure in " i h« ) Mask of Lopez.” which will be showr j at the Liberty Theatre on Saturday ■ The storv is one in which a vuimj j Westerner, a beautiful girl, a bandi and a ranch are the chief features Stunts and thrills predominate. bm I the romantic interest has by no mean.' I been neglected. Amongst mar,;, magni J ticent scenes are some of the famous

Sherwood Forest, the beautiful Lake la Turas. and the great ranches, Lasky and Protreo. Hazel Keener is the girl for whom the hero risks his life, included in the supporting cast are Dot Farley. Wilfred Lucas, David Kirby, Frank Haquey, George Magrill and Dick Sutherland. Silver King. Thomson's wonder horse, who collaborates with his master in most of the daring incidents in the film, gives a most wonderful performance. A gay and whimsical love scene between Bebe Daniels and Tom Moore, on a barge in the shadow of Brooklyn Bridge: a bathing scene at Lake Maggiore, Italy, where Miss Daniels and others enjoy an afternoon "beach tea”; a medieval costume ball, curtained gondolas, decorated baiges, terraces festooned with flowers and lanterns, strumming mandolins, gay young nobles and ladies making merry m the costumes of thirteenth century Italy; a duel scene in the foyer of an Italian viila. in whk n an Italian Prince and another nobleman cross swords over Adele; a thrilling fire in a New York hotel, in which Tom Moore re cues Miss Daniels and the Prince falls to an ignominious death. There are but a few cl the ieatures 01. the Paramount production, entitled ‘‘Dangerous Monc\ ” starring Bebe Daniels, which conn’s lo tiic Liberty Theatre on Satuidav. wded into out film .. touud in "The Cyclone Raider." the high-speed Fox production coming to the Queen's Theatre on Mondav. Reed Howes, who takes the leading part, makes his litle red racing car behave hoc a stunt rider with an aeroplane, it leaps across twelve feet ol space from a river pier to a ferrv boat as if lt had "wings. It: dashes madly along a -00 ft precipice as if it were on a boulevard: it leaps in between two express trains; and beats them to the mark. There are other thrills such as a deseperate fight on the steel girder.- oi one of New York's highest skyscrapers. with the people hundreds \ 'ect below looking like flies, a thrilling swing from a miglitv crane on to a ledge of a tall building; a sensational motor-car race that nearlv ends in disaster, and ai! of these are made <u hi m with a delightful love story. in .'ln- ii Alnia Bennett is the iriiira! figure. 'ln,:;,- in .The L remi, ‘ Itoll" Ist taken a famous plav hot from the Parisian and \,, v Yolk si a g f „: ~,url turned I*. into a., exquisite!-.- ebamung pa-lure herself as Hi,;,-, (moipme. Mi: 7 >!ur ; ay rendp. an interpreta lion that is as . t'-id and alive as the stage vet. : ' Oll Ih" French Doll’ is a. deli,-ale and fragile beauty and forms remarkable entertainment. Jt will be shown ai Sydenham Pictures 1.,-night t-'tidav and Saturday. Disowned by her mother because the

wealthy arid eccentric woman did n<>t. like the man she married, the child ol that marriage failed to know anything ai 10,11 1 his rich grandmother itt ii lie met her in the course of his ])rolc,-sionai activities and as his profession wits that of taking other pcopie's good.- . ihe family reunion was rather startling. How it worked out is shown by Bert Lytell in “Alias Lady lingers." a. Metro picture showing at Sydenham Pictures to-night, Friday and Saturda* . LIBERTY THEATRE. Perhaps the greatest oi Rafael Sabai mi's novels, “Captain Blood” forms one of the finest pictures that has been exhibited in Christchurch for a considerable period. The store commences in i lie days of Monmouth's rebellion in England, when hundreds "f simple country fellows paid with their lives lor following an ill-fated cause. Peter Blood, a country doctor’, is captured while attending to one of the rebel leaders, and despite bis protestations of innocence lie is brought before the notorious Judge Jeffreys, who orders Ins deportation as a. slave to the. West Indies. As ;t slave, his knowledge of medicine proves valuable, and lie is appointed by the Governor as his doctor. One of the few things that make life as a slave bearable is the fact that lie lias fallen in love with the niece oi his master, Colonel Bishop. Vt hen the Spanish attack the town of Port Roya I. he manages to rescue the niece of his master from one oF the Spanish raiders, and later during ill© battle which ensues, he, with the aid ui a. number of fellow slaves, captures a Spanish galleon and turns pirate. Alter a spectacular battle lie defeats the French who attacked Port Royal, saves the town, and m appointed to the position of Governor. The action in the picture is rapid, and one thrill follows another in quick succession. A story of a woman who was deserted by her husband, and who achieved greatness, forms the second picture, Virtuous Liars.’’ The Liberty Quality •Orchestra, under Mr Howard Moody, provides a fine pro- ! gramme of music. GREATER CRYSTAL PALACE j i The Universal Studios are famous for the splendid settings of tlieir pictures. I The best that .Nature offers in the way | of forests, rivers, mountains and valleys, and of sunshine and storm, is used as a background for stories that lake in the most emotional and dramatic elements in human life. In “ The Tornado,” these studios have excelled all their previous efforts, making possible. what previously seemed impossible. Contrasting with the high dramatic lone of “ The Tornado ” is an adaptation of one of Miss .Mary Roberts Rineharts stories* with the title “ Affliiities.” There is no drama whatever in this Seizure k release. It is unmixed fun. and it caused ripples ol laughter as long as its six reels of film ran through the projector. In ibe “Fight and Win” picture. Mr Dempsey lights a good fight, out m the open, and during several rounds in drenching rain. A Century comedy, and an International News film are shown, the whole making a very outstanding programme. The Symphony Orchestra provides a varied and brilliant programme, GRAND THEATRE. If a plebiscite were taken it would probably be found that the romantic type picture pleases the. public Ivst. There comes a time when the people have, a surfeit of problem dramas, so they turn inevitably towards something which tells them a story of adventure. This is one of the reasons which ma> be said to account for the popularity of Rafael Sabatini s book. “Captain Blood.” There is no disputing the success of iiie book, and taking a step further there can be no disputing the success of the film version of the book. \ which is being shown at the Grand TheI afro. Peter Blood, a country doctor, is deported as a slave to the West Indies. As a slave, his knowledge of medicine proves valuable, and he is appointed by the Governor os Ins doctor. One of the few things that makes life as a slave hearable is the fact that he has fallen in love with the niece of his master, Colonel Bishop. With the aid of a number of fellow slaves. lie captures a Spanish galleon, and turns pirate. 3v moans of a ruse, be captures another Spanish ship, and later rescue** (bo British Admiral from a burning ship. On nearing Port Royal, lie finds that the .French have launched an attack against the town. After a spectacular battle, he defeats the French, saves the town, and is appointed to the position of Governor, in place of Colonel Bishop, whom Blood has to try on a charge of neglecting bis duty. The climax, where Blood, with his two ships attacks the whole French fleet, is one, ot tlie. finest film scenes presented. A fine musical programme is provided by the orchestra. QUEEN’S THEATRE. The programme at the Queen s Theatre this week is a very strong one; m fact, it is one of the most interesting to the average picture theatre goer that lias been screened there for a long Lime past. The leading feature is “ Loving Lies.”’ a United Artists production, based upon Peter B. lvyne’s story ‘‘The Harbour Bar.” Just as this author’s stories of the sea have delighted thousands upon thousands of people, so will this sea drama please everybody vho sees it. As one of the sub-titles conflict between love and work.” The second picture on the programme is “ That French Lady,’’ a Fox production adapted from the stage play, “The Strange Woman.'’ The story concerns chiefly a young French writer, Inez Pierreloml. who in a book expounds the theory of love in a manner which creates a sensation m Paris, Briefly, | the picture deals with a society pro’b- > | icm in interesting lashion. Shirley I Mason, one oi the most popular of J present-dav film actresses, is in the 1 leading role, and she is supported by I a very able cast. The supporting films j include an educational subject and the! latest gazette. The Queen’s Superb! | Orchestra contributes an enjoyable pro- | ! EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. I The leading picture at Everybody's Theatre is the dramatic production entitled “ A Thief in Paradise,” in which Doris Kenyon, Ronald CoJman and Eileen Pringle take the leading parts. It is a most thrilling drama and quite outside the usual lines. The story opeue |

in the C■h in a Seas, in “ The Island -of tln.r Lost. ' On this island arc congregated many o! the wrecks ol humanity. Included in the number there is the prodigal sou of ail American millionairc. With liim there is an Jiurasiau woman who is faithful to him mainly because siie expects that he will eventually inherit his father’s money. Another outcast on the island is an Eng- ; lisliman who has come down in (lie world. Very dramatic situations develop. and in its final stages the story becomes most interesting. The supporting programme is a strong one. It includes a couple of delightful comedies entitled “The Limit” and “Ocean Swells,** a scenic film and a Gaumout News. A delightful programme of ins ei dental music is played by the

THEATRE ROYAL. ! *\SAN TOY." ' ‘'Sum Juv. ’ ;< Chinese musical comedy in two acts, was presented again lasi night at the Theatre Royal by the Christchurch Amateur Optra lie Company. A« San Toy. Miss Hazel Faville shuns remarkable ability. and makes lull use ot her opportunities. She is well supported by .Mr Frank Morrison as Robbie, an English otiiecr. Others in a very good east, whoso work was pleasing, include Mr I'-- 0. Seed as Yen How. .Mr Dan M Ivivott as Ti. private secretarv to Vni Mow. and Air Hex J. Hobbs ms Sir Bingo Preston. “San Toy" a\ ill bo

presented a! the Theatre Royal again 10-u ight and lor the remainder ot tli ? week. “ CHEERIO.” THIS VICAR'S IGU.KCK RK\l'K. I hree nights oi : enjoyment will be provided at the Theatre .Royal on Monday. | uesday and Wednesday of next week, when the students will make their annual appearance in the produc- | lion '•Cheerio.' - ' There are three acts, i one ol an ambitious order, consisting ot solo and ballet dancing, and two of humorous dialogue and chorus worte. hi the first ‘‘spasm ” a certain Professor .Johns is mistaken for a Prolessor Jones, with innumerable complications following. Misses M. Sow den and N. Bill cliff and Messrs P. D. Mali, P. Barrett and A. R. Maslani play the leading roles. There are some amusing choruses and new &010 numbers. Misses Cwen Barnsdalc and Nancy Ives are ibe solo (lancers in the second act, the ballets having been specially prepared by .Mis.s Marjory Myers. The finale lias its setting in a prominent city cabaret. A section of reverend gentlemen come to investigate certain alleged happenings. However, the fates are against them and they fall to the irresistible lures of the situation and quite forget that they have a duty to perform. Merc most of the solo work falls to Mr !•’. Murrie in the role of Toby. The whole production is in the hands of .Mr Alan Brown, with Mr K. Petro as business manager.

I FULLER’S OPERA HOUSE. •\ brilliant vaudeville act by fuller’s Eleven Wonders and an entirely new musical programme by the Georgo Storey Revue Company are the outstanding features of a line programme winch is being presented at. 11 1 o Opera House this week. The work of all the Wonders is beautifully clean and neatly performed. Rena Rudd, an English comedienne, makes lier first appearance and as a skipping-rope artist scores a great success. Song and patter by tfie Alullanoy Brothers meet with approval. Their impersonation of classical and ballet dancers is very popular. The Alton Sisters in. rope tricks and Alaxwell Carewk songs conclude the first portion of the programme. tlu* second portion of which is devoted to Ge_9r.ce Storev and his revue company, whoso offering this week is magnificently-staged musical comedy. Each of the seven scenes is well produced. An interesting plot runs through the story. Mr Albert Ridguod’s orchestra contributes in no small degree to flip success of the vaudeville acts, and of one of the host musical comedies seen at the Opera. FI ouse. FAMOUS SCREEN ARTIST. j I t> V.rlT CURLS IT ill "RCfci. | !he celebrated actor of both stage and screen, Air ’Thurston Hall, who will make bis first appearance in Christchurch. at the Theatre Rovul next Thursday night, in the AngloAmerican laughing success, “So This is London,” is an American who has acted leading parts under the British Hag since 1922. Born in Boston (Mass.), after studying for Yale he drifted on to the New 7 York stage by way ot ** Airs W iggs of the ( abbage Patch.” “ I played the part, of a reporter. and dressed so well that the critics declared I must have owned the paper!” remarked the comedian in Wellington recently. Aladge Carr Cooke, who later appeared in Australia. was the inimitable Mrs Wiggs. . “The daughter of this artist was Eleanor Hobson, the Juliet in tlie allstar cast in which Kyrle Bellow was the Romeo (1903). After a great career slit* married August Belmont, the aristo- ‘ eratic millionaire, and patron of rac- • ing. I mention bis name because his < racecourse is formed on the English plan, obliging the horses to gallop ‘ the other way round,’ as compared with the American system. The change caused a deal of good-humoured de- < hate and hot temper in racing circles before if was accepted, and is worth mentioning because it is typical ol the theme of ‘ So This is London ’ —name- ' Iv. differences of taste and custom be- i tween the two nations, beginning in i a dispute and ending in a hearty 1 laugh. 1 gained my early experience with stock companies, the best school 1 o learn in. and then for some years I sang in such comic opera pieces as • Erminie.’ 'EI Capitan.' Wang ’ and • The "Wizard of the Nile.’ Just before I left America. L)e "Wolf Hopper was reviving some of them. My chief success was in the baritone role of Kim in • The Only Girl.’ by Victor Herbert, a charming and A'ivacious piece which I hope to produce in the Dominion. For three A*egrs (191(3-19) T was in pictures. including .Mare Antony to the Cleopatra of Theda Bara, in the William Fox series; in eight Paramount pictures, mostly with Dorothy Dalton,

recently married lo Arthur Hnmmcrvfcin, son of the deceased entrcpreneiu (Oscar): in <". 15. De Alilic’s 'We Can’t Have Everything AVe Want.,’ with Syl. via Bremer: and in two London films. ‘ The Gi’eat AYclI : and 'The I loyal Oak.’ not yel released. T first went to London to play lead with Dorothy Dix in ‘The. Broken AYing’ at the Duke of York's Theatre (1922). and stayed on for ‘Civilian Clothes’ at the same bouse, and ' Tlu* .Last "Warning,* at the Comedy 'l'll eat re,, before sailing for the Cape. ATy farewell in Now York was in ‘ The French Doll.’ I I'om t:he French, by David Belasco. at the Lyceum, in Avhhh J starred with Irene Borgoni ” “•So This is London ” will be piayed. for the first, five nights of the season. The box plans will open at The Bristol on Tuesday morning.