LIBERTY THEATRE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17569, 20 June 1925, Page 6

LIBERTY THEATRE.

ZANE GREY’S “WANDERERS OF THE WASTELAND” AND BETTY BALFOUR IN “SQUIB'S HONEYMOON.” COMMENCING TO-DAY. Coloured motion pictures are going to occupy the same place in the film world that coloured printing is taking in tho publishing field. The time is rapidly coining when there will be a public demand for coloured films. They will be classified in the minds of picture jvatrons as the art product of the industry, and the resulting coinpetitio 1 will bring about their widespread use. Many prejudices have retarded the development of coloured pictures. There has been the impression that they are tiring on the eyes, that they detracted from tho interest in the story, that colours were not true to life, and that there were expensive technical difficulties in the actual handling of the film in exchanges and theatres. That these defects have now been satisfactorily overcome, all who see “The Wanderer of the Wasteland,” Zano Grey’s novel in picture form, at the Liberty Theatre during the new picture week, commencing to-day. will be readily convinced. The outstanding features of this picture are declared to be the allcolour photography and the flawless acting of a superb cast. This Zane Grey story has lost none of its vitality by its transfer to the screen. As a matter of fact, under the capable direction of Irvin Willat. tho picture brings out with effective vividness all the dramatic strength of the story. Of course the fact that ir was made entirely in colour—there isn’t a black and white sequence in the entire feature—on the actual locations described in the book adds to its realism and pictorial beauty. All the featured roles are in the able hands of excellent players. Jack Holt’s characterisation of the title part is a notable one. Billie Dove fits perfectly into the picture: Noah Beery does a~splendid bit of character acting, and Kattilyn Williams, as usual, does very good work. The second feature on tho Liberty bill this week is ‘‘Squib’s Konevmoon,” featuring vivacious Betty Balfour. In “Squibs” Betty Balfour has created .. lovable Cockney figure that has enthroned "itself in all hearts and become world-famous. The art of Betty is a thing apart. One might believe that she really is an elf but for the fact that at times she can be the very spirit of tragedy. Perhaps what has made her more popular than anything else, however, is that most often she appears as the spirit of vivacity, yet never lacking in winsomeness and whimsicality. and with qneer ways which perhaps only appear so queer because the virtue of unselfishness is so uncommon Betty is British and her art is British. She is “Britain’s Queen of Happiness.” On tho same proeramme there is an excellent comedy; “The Mystery Man,” featuring Snub Pollard. The Libertv Quality Orchestra, under the able conductorship of Mr Howard Moody, will provide a line, programme of incidental music. Intending patrons are stronglv urged to book their seats at the Bristol Piano Company. For telephone reserves ring Libertv Theatre, 2300.