AMUSEMENTS

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17526, 1 May 1925, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS

THE THEATRES. ATTRACTIONS FOR THE WEEK.

LIBERTY THEATRE . . XtBERTY THEATRE GRAND THEATRE GREATER CRYSTAL PALACE GREATER CRYSTAL PALACE STRAND THEATRE STRAND THEATRE QUEEN'S THEATRE *< QUEEN'S THEATRE “ EVERYBODY’S THEATRE . . “ SYDENHAM PICTURES SYDENHAM PICTURES TELLER'S OPERA HOUSE _ B THEATRE ROYAL C

• CAPTAIN BLOOD.” “ VIRTUOUS LIARS.” " CAPTAIN BLOOD.” “ THE TORNADO.'* *• AJPEIHITIES.” " HO MOTHER TO GUIDE HER.” “ PLYYING HOOPS.” “ LOVING- LIES.” “ THAT FRENCH LADY.” • A THIEF IN PARADISE.” “FRENCH DOLL ” “ ALIAS LADYFINGEF.S ” REVUE AND VAUDEVILLE. CHRISTCHURCH OPERATIC SOCIETY

“ The Cyclone Rider,'' a pkffurisation of the story of the well-known writer, Lincoln J. Carter, many of whose melodramas’ won great popularity on the stage, will be the chief attraction on tiie new programme at the Queen's Theatre. It is the story of a young man who invents a new attachment for nis racing car and believes he now has the fastest car ever built. He falls in love with the daughter of his employer, but the latter forbids his attentions to his daughter unless he can raise his bank account to 5000 dollars within a stipulated time. As a means of raising the money he enters for a big motor race, in which the prize is the exact sum he requires. He frustrates the machinations of his rival in love, and after a thrilling race, in which he starts last but forces his way to the front, he seeifis to have the prize just -within his grasp. But sudenly a tiny child is seen toddling across the course in front of the racing car. He chooses swiftly and, turning into the ditch, is seriously injured. He leaves hospital on the day ' fixed for the wedding of the girl he loves with his rival. There is more excitement. but finally he wins his heart’s ciesire. The story is packed with thrills from start to finish, and the picture is undoubtedly one of the greatest from a thrills point of view that has been presented on the screen. “ Sinners in Heaven,” a thrilling and sensational Paramount picture, will be the main attraction on Everybody’s new programme, commencing on Monday. Bebe Daniels plays the role of Barbara Stockley, an English girl who is tired of her conventional village, and longs for a real adventure. Barbara has a friend, a Mrs Fields, who. aware of the girl's great longing, plans an .aeroplane trip to Australia, with her brother. Captain Alan Croft ( Richard Dixi as pilot. After great preparations the three adventurers set forth on thenperilous journey. The first part of the journey is accomplished in salety, but, as the machine is approaching its goal, Australia, it crashes on a island in the Pacific inhabited by savages. For a time the girl and the pilot. Alan Croft, keep the natives at bay by playing on their superstition, but finally the latter prepare an attack upon the while people. In the nick o£ time a second plane is seen to approach, and it takes the girl oft, but inadvertently leaves the man behind. He is rescued later, however, by a trading ship and returns home to claim the girl, whom he has learned to love. Romance aid thrills, are both to be had in this picture. Richard Dix plays opposite Bebe< Daniels. Thrills, smiles and tears intermingling upon a background of marvellous scenic beauties, are the predominating features of “ Frivolous Sal,” a First National production corning to Everybody’s Theatre on Monday. Tt is ;v real Western story, combining ail the adventure of the pioneer mining camp days with a very fine love story. The cast is one of uusual strength, including Eugene O'Brien, Mae Busch, Mildred Harris,, Tom Santschi, Mitchell Le wis and Ben Alexander. “ 1 Am the Man.” coming to Greater Crystal Palace on Monday, presents Lionel Barrymore in one oi' his greatest film characters. It is a story of a strong man who has always been able to gratify his every wish. A pc wet in finance and politics, his every wish is law, and it is only when he falls in love with a woman who does not reciprocate his affection that he learns tnat there are some things that money and power cannot buy. How he works out the greatest probjem of his life makes a most interesting picture. The star's chief supports are Seena Owen, Gaston Glass and Flpra Lc .Breton. George Beban has played tuc role of Pietro Baletti in “ The Sign of the Rose.” which will be screened at Greater Crystal Palace on Monday, snore often than he can reckon. His famous plea for just one rose for Ins little dead daughter has been heard by people in practically every Englishspeaking country on the globe, l i projecting the same plea by means of the motion picture his voice is, of course, silent, but the poignance of h.s acting will be felt and understood in quarter; ■where the spoken version of the plav could never have been. The- picture is filled with pathos, humanness and tenderness, and highlighted with delicious humour and contains a nice balance of heart interest, drama and inimitable character aiding. "Manhattan,” a' Paramount production adapted from: Jeffery FarnoPs popular novel, “Thd, Definite Object,” •will bead the , new programme at the Grand i Theatre to-mor-row. Richard /Dix, as Peter Slinuit, a young / New Yorker, lias more money than', he knows what to do with, and, bored by the dull routine of the teas, glances, and amusements of his set. ije craves adventure, and sets forth in search of action, anything that promises excitement. Ilis quest brings him to Hell’s Kitchen, where, through / her younger brother, Spike, he meets Mary (Jacqueline Logan*, a girl! of the tenement district. with whom he falls m love. Mary promises to muuvy him, but Bud M’Ginnss. a bruts o{ the under world, claims her. and threatens to kill Peter unless he leaves (peter goes into training with t'ne fixe/1 object of giving M Giniris the thrashing of his life. Then follow numeroius thrilling incidents, including a ttrnfic fight The climax is a fitting termination to a really fine picture "For You My Boy the second attraction on the new programme at the Grand Theatre, is a vivid, tense dramatic offering dealing with the seldomdepicted emotion of father-love. It provides absorbing entei tainment, and presents a question of paramount interest to every mother and father in JUic world today. "Fur You M> 13oy

i deals with the good old-fashioned homelv emotions, the mistaken sacrifice 1 made by a father for what he consid- • ered the best interest of his motherless ; baby boy, and as a result living a lile of pain and suffering as he was forced to stand by and watch that boy being ' led into temptation without the right or power to step in and interfere and i set him on the right road. The central figures in "The Mask of Lopez” corning to the Liberty Theatre to-morrow, are Fred Thomson, the famous athlete and Western actor and , his equally famous horse, Silver King. It is a regular Western story, with cattle thives, cowboys in the forefront and the action moves quickly but evenly throughout the several reeis. The > heroine is the girl-owner of a ranch whose herds of cattle are being rapidly depleted by the frequent visits oi the thives. Fred Thompson, in the part , of Jack O'Neill, secures a position on the ranch, the foreman of which is ■ Lopez, the head of the cattle thieves. ; O'Neill sets out to clean out the gang and finally succeeds after main stir- > ring adventures in which his horse ; J plays a prominent part. His reward is the hand of the girl, a part very capably filled by Hazel Keener. In “Dangerous Money,” a Paiamount production to be screened at the Liberty Theatre to-morrow. Bebc Daniels and Tom Moore portray the lead--1 ing roles. The picture is an adaptation of the novel “Clark’s Field” by Robert Herrick, and the story tells of a girl brought up in miserable poverty. For generations her family lias been almost destitute, the only thing of potential value which it owns being a couple of acres of undeveloped land on the Brookbv waterfront. A dispute over a will keeps the land practical!}, valueless. but, finally the tangle* is straightened out and the girl, Adcle dark, the last of her family, finds herself in possession of untold wealth. On a trip to Ttaly she is tricked into marrying a fortune-hunting prince. The sudden discovery of an old will which threatens to give the fortune to Adele’s former lover brings the prince and his wile hurrying back to America. There are a number of exciting incidents before a happy ending is reached. Besides the chief attraction “So This Is London.” Thurston Hall will appear in the great Mexican drama “The Broken Wing.” during his season here. Tn this he took the part of Captain Innoceneio dos Santos in London, New York, and South Africa, with Miss Gladys Webster. who is the leading lady with the company as Inez Viders. Thurston Hall has starred in many pictures, including ‘.‘Mrs Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch,” “Civilian Clothes” and “The Squaw Man.” The second feature at the Liberty Theatre. “Virtuous Liars,” is a society drama with intense dramatic interest and many gorgeous settings. It tells the story of a young woman whose husband deserted her and their small child, leaving the mother to earn her living as an artist. She struggles against odds until one of her paintings wins a prize and gains her a wealthy art patron, who later dies leaving her a comfortable income. Maurice Costello. Dagmar Godowsky. Naomi Childers, and David Powell head a brilliant cast. “The Story Without a Name.” which will be screened here shortly is the first picture to be made around the wonder of wireless, and tells a gripping an dthrilling tale of a. stolen invention. Agnes Ayres and Antonio Moreno are the star®. Tin’s year Ernst Lubitach who three years ago was almost unknown outside Germany, will celebrate his twelfth year in the film business. He recently completed the script of his new Warner play. happy endings. AN Al’l HOP’S VIEWS. [ ’ Happy endings in motion pictures years from now, according* to Robert fteab.e, author oi “Recompense.” a sequel to hi* famous novel “Simon • Called Peter,” a Master Picture wliic-ll ’ 1 w™!? 1 * 1 ’ IJ, ' OS recently finish-, cd for the screen. “While 1 appreciate e tbe public demand at present forhappy ; endings, and reab.se that producers of 1 pictures must live up to that demand.” s said Mr lveable, “j. feel that the dav ) wiy. come when life can he shown on - • the screen as it really j s .” Mr lveable’s comments came after he had looked over the print of “Re- - com pen se,” and learned that Peter ’ jnarnes Julie. “I do not sav that , he as it is lived is not shown on , the screen to-day, ’ Mr lveable con--5 turned, “except in certain specific in- - stances And one of these is the tendency to make everything end hap - pily, which in real life is-too often ; the reverse. However, I feel that as 3 a result of the state of evolution f through which the screen is passing - ten years from now if “Recompense”’ - is again filmed, the public will he -so - educated that it will not be necessarv i for a wedding at the end in order f„ ' satisfy the taste of on audience.” Mr K cable said Warner Bros had made Ihe atmospheric background of his story startlingly accurate : after looking over the various still - pictures of Mane Rrevost as Jo lie - he paid her a neat compliment “Miss t Provost to be absolutely in" tlie l mental attitude of Julie,” he. stated. - “She seems to have studied the clinr- . actor from the hook and absorbed the woman’s psychology

EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. The leading picture at Everybody’s Theatre is the dramatic production entitled “ .Y Thief in Paradise,” in which Doris Kenyon, Ronald Column and Eileen Pringle take the leading parts. It is a most thrilling drama and quite outside the usual lines. The story opens in the China Seas, in “ The Island of the Lost.” On this island are congregated many of the wrecks of humanity. Included in. the number there is the prodigal sou of an American millionaire. With him there is an Eurasian, woman who is faithful to him mainly because she expects that be will eventually . inherit his father’s money. Another outcast on the island is an Englishman who lias come down in the world. Very dramatic situations develop, and in its final stages the story becomes most interesting. The supporting programme is a strong one. I t includes a couple of delightful comedies entitled “The Limit” and “Ocean Swells,” scenic film and a Gaumont News. A delightful programme of incidental music is played by the orchestra. LIBERTY THEATRE. “THE MASK OF LOPEZ” AND “DANGEROUS MONEY.’ The new programme at the Liberty Theatre on Saturday is headed by Fred Thomson, the famous athiete, in “The Mask of Lopez,” a picture described' as unique among Western dramas. Thomson is supported by a competent cast, including Silver King, the famous horse. Fred Thomson takes Lie part of Jack O'Neill, a lively youn B Westerner, who visits his brother, warder of the Arizona State penitentiary. At the prison he finds “Angel Face” Harry, a notorious cattle thief. Harry at one time had saved Jack's life, so the latter decides to hold out a neiping hand when the prisoner is released. On his return to the cattle country Jack finds that two thieves have terrorised the country-side, and with the help of the ex-convict and his rnar\ Mlously trained horse he routs the conspirators after many thrilling events. One of the most startling scenes in this picture is where O'Neill puts up a powerful fight with the villain by diving over a seven-foot fence, pulling him off his horse, dragging him through the dirt, and throwing him into a watering trough. The climax" is intensely dramatic. The heroine is on a* runaway horse, and is heading for a chasm that means certain death. O’Neill puts his horse to the gallop, vaults over barbedwire fences, and snatches the girl from the other horse while both animals are rearing in the air. The American cattle country is the locale of the picture, winch is in a class above the ordinary drama. Love, romance, trials and tribulations such as everybody meets in ordinary liL, make the picture very interesting, and the most unusual feature is Thomson’s athletic exploits. In addition to Fred Thomson the cast includes Wilired Lucas, David Kirby, Hazel Keener, Frank Hagney and others. The second big attraction is “ Dangerous Money,” which opens with a gay and whimsical love scene on the Brooklyn waterfront between Bebe Daniels and Tom Moore. The action takes place on a bridge, with the tali spires of Manhattan in the backgiound, and tug-boats and barges passing i;p and down th.e river. There are also a bathing scene at Lake Maggiore, Italy, where Miss Daniels and otners enjoy an afternoon “ beach tea,’’ a mediaeval costume ball, curtained gondolas with flowers and lanterns, strumming mandolins and gay young nobles and ladies making merry in the costumes ot the thirteenth century Italy. The storytells of a poor girl who became wealthy, but her money instead of bringing the happiness that was intended proved a danger to her. Bebe Daniels is the girl, and the supporting cast include Tom Moore. William Powell, Dolores Cassijnelli, Mary Foy and others. The supporting pictures incxtide a comedy and topical budget. The Mackinnon Boys, will appear in a musical and dance turn. These two artists are most versatile and they are very entertaining. Their dancing is really wonderful. Besides being good dancers, the Mackinnon Boys are also capable musicians, and on the whole the turn they have to offer is reallv high class. A delightful musical programme will be rendered by the Liberty QualityOrchestra under Mr Howard Moody. ' QUEEN'S THEATRE. The programme at the Queen s Theatre this week is a very strong one; in fact, it is one of the most interesting to the average picture theatre goer that has been screened there for a long time past. The leading feature is “ Loving .Lies. ’ a Lnited Artists production, based upon Peter 13. Kylie’s story “The Harbour Bar.” Just as this author’s stories of the se.i have delighted thousands upon thousands of people, so will this sea drama please everybody who sees it. As one of the sub-titles states, " In every man’s life comes a 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 Pierrelond. w ho in a book expounds the theory of love in a manner which creates a sensation in Paris, Briefly, the picture, deals w ith- a society problem in interesting fashion. Shirley Mason, one of the most popular of present-dav film actresses, is in the leading role, and she is supported by a very able cast. The supporting films include an educational subject and thelatest gazette. The Queen’s Superb Orchestra contributes an enjovable programme of music GREATER CRYSTAL PALACE ! The Universal Studios are famous for the splendid settings of their pictures. The best that Nature offers in the way of forests, rivers, mountains and valj leys, and <pf sunshine and storm, is take 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 tone of “ The Tornado ” is an adaptation of one of Miss Mary Roberts Rinehart's stories., with the title “ Affinities.” There is no drama whatever in this Selznick release. It is unmixed fun, and it caused ripples of laughter as long as its six reels of film ran through the projector. In the “Fight and W in " picture, Mr Dempsey fights

a good fight, out in the open, and during several rounds in drenching rain. A Century comedy, and an International News film are shown, the whole maxing a very outstanding programme. The Symphony Orchestra provides a varied and brilliant programme. GRAND THEATRE. “MANHATTAN” AND FOR YOU MY BOY.’ ! For the benefit of the children who have not had an opportunity oJ seeing “Gaptain Blood,” the great picture from the story by Kaiael Sabatini, the management of the Grand Theatre have decided to give a special and final the matinee on Saturday, commencing at 1.30. Jeffrey i'arnol’s famous novel, “The Definite Object,” which will be shown on Saturday under the title of “Manhattan,'’ ieatures Rjjcbavd Dix and Jacqueline Logan. Jt is something out of the ordinary aud gives a wonderful insight into- the underworld of New York. Peter Minuit. a wealthy young idler, dons an old suit of clithes and starts cheerfully for Hell’s Kitchen, the abode of Gentleman George, Bud -'ll Ginnis, and other notorious criminals. Here lie meets Mary, and it is a case of love at first sight with both ot them. Spike, Mary’s younger brother. it seems, wants to show Bud M’Ginnis, czar of all New York’s gangland, just what he can do. He climbs through the window of Minuit’s home to steal anything, just to show Bud lie is not yellow'. Minuit catches him, and thereby hangs a tale —the tale of “Manhattan,” which is claimed to be just about the fastest-moving and most entertaining “crook” drama that's ever reached the screen. The supporting cast includes Gregory Kelly, George Seigmann, Gunboat Smith, 'Oscar Figman, Edna Mae Oliver and Alice Chapin. The second attraction, “For Y'ou My Boy.” is a vivid, tense, dramatic offering dealing with the seldom-de-picted emotion of l’ather-Jove. It provides absorbing entertainment aud presents a. question of permanent interest to every mother and father in the world to-dav. “For You My Boy” deals with the good old-fasliioned, homely emotions, the mistaken sacrifice made by a father for what lie considers the- best interest of his motherless baby boy, and as a result living a life of pain and suffering, as lie was forced to stand by and watch that boy being led into temptation without the right or power to step in and interiere, and set him on the right road. Tin’s gripping story is interpreted by the following cast:—Louis Dean. Jean Armour, Mattv Roubert. Ben Lewin, Schuyler White, Gladys Grainger, Franklin Hanna and Scott Hinchner. 'Pile Grand Orchestra, under Mr Harold Beck, will play a delightful musical programme. “ CHEERIO." SEASON OPENS ON MONDAY. “ Fitting it is to show levity on occasion,” us the Latins say. So next Monday night the students will throw' aside their hooks and gowns and turn to the Theatre Royal in a genuine attempt to amuse the public of Christchurch. “Cheerio” is the name given to the attempt—a comedy of comedies iff three acts. Humorous dialogue and cheery chorus work comprise the first act, where an amusing situation is sustained by Misses Merle Sow den and N. Bill cliff, Messrs P.* R. Hall, P. Barnett aud A- L. Haslam in the leading roles. The curtain opens on a scene of fairy-like wonder in the second act. with novel ballets and solo work specially arranged by Mi§g Marjery Myers. Messrs Gwcnedd Barnsdale, late of Wellington, and Miss Nancy I*%s, who has appeared before Christchurch audiences previously, will be the solo dancers. • Three gentlemen on investigation bent find themselves in a. “vy compromising position in the fn. act, which is set in a prominent cat. ' ” of city fame. Tt is a laughter-raising situation from beginning to end. Air F. Marrie is at his best here as Toby. Mr Alan Brow'n has charge of the whole.production and Mr Frank Petre is business manager. FULLER’S OPERA HOUSE. A brilliant vaudeville act by Fuller’s Eleven Wonders and an entirely new musical programme by the George Storey Revue Company are the outstanding features of a fine programme which, is being presented at the Opera House this week. The work of all the Wonders is beautifully clean aud i neatly performed. Rena Rudd, an English comedienne, makes her first appearance and as a skipping-rope artist scores a great success. Song and patter by the Mullaney Brothers meet with approval. Their impersonation of classical and ballet dancers is very popular. The Alton Sisters in rope tricks and Maxwell Carew’s songs conclude the first portion of the programme, the second portion of which is devoted to George Storev and his revue i company, whose offering this week is ■ a magnificently-staged musical comedy. I Each of the seven scenes is well produced. An interesting plot runs through the story. Mr Albert Bidgood’s orchestra contributes in no small degree to the success of the vaudeville acts, and of one of t4ic best musical comedies seen at the Opera House. —— * ■