On The Screen

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17572, 24 June 1925, Page 5

On The Screen

THE THEATRES

ATTRACTIONS FOR TfIF WEEK. QUEEN S THEATRE “ THE SHEPHERD XING ” QUEEN'S THEATRE “ MY HUSBAND S WITES ” EVERYBODY'S THEATRE “AS MAN DESIRES ” EVERYBODY’S THEATRE *• CIRCE THE ENCHANTRESS M GREATER CRYSTAL PALACE . . “ THE MAD WHIRL “ GREATER CRYSTAL PALACE . . •• SECOND FIDDLE ” GRAND THEATRE .... THE GARDEN OF WEEDS ” GRAND THEATRE «« THREE WOMEN " LIBERTY THEATRE . • WANDERER OF THE WASTELAND ' LIBERTY THEATRE “ SQUIBS’ HONEYMOON ” STRAND THEATRE “THE HEART BUSTER” STRAND THEATRE “I AM THE MAN ” KING'S THEATRE (Sydenham) “THE BRIGHT EIGHTS OF BROAD WAY " KING’S THEATRE (Sydenham) . . “ THE GRINGO DEVIL ” THEATRE ROYAL LONG TACK SAM PULLER'S OPERA HOUSE VAUDEVILLE

To-morrow, at the Theatre Royal, Maurice Aloscovitch will open his season in his celebrated production of “ The Outsider." a tense and virile drama, originally written for him by the authoress Dorothy Brandon. In Sydney recently this production had the phenomenal run of nine and a half weeks, which is said to constitute a record for any drama for the past ten years in that city. “ The Outsider ” ■v ill afford theatregoers the opportunity of seeing this master actor in one of his greatest modern roles—that of Anton Ragatzy, the “ Outsider," who defies the whole Royal College of Surgeons and provides sensational and thrilling scenes in a play that grips and enthrals from beginning to end. Miss .lean Robertson, the leading lady with Moscovitch, as Lalage, a cripple girl, js said to reveal herself as an actress of emotional power and artistic restraint, and evokes pity and admiration by her sensitive portrayal of the character. The Paramount production “ The Garden of Weeds,” which is the principal attraction at the Grand Theatre, is an adaptation of a Broadway stage success- Betty Compson has the role of a chorus girl, Dorothy, who falls in love with a young millionaire. Warner Baxter plays this part. Rockliffe Fellowes is the villainous master of “ The Garden of Weeds.” a magnificent country estate. lie is a bachelor and a man of great wealth who believes that everyone with whom he comes in contact lives for but one of two purposes—either to serve as a victim for his financial schemes or as a puppet for his amusement. lie seeks to use the young millionaire and the girl for these respective purposes, and the story moves forward to a dramatic climax. There is plenty of action, humour and suspense in the picture, and a thrilling fight which ends in the death of one of the combatants. “ The Shepherd Xing,” the \\ illiam I'ox special now showing at the Queen’s Theatre, which was filmed in Egypt, Palestine and Italy, is notable ior its settings and spectacular gran deur. It opens with a prologue showing Moses and the Children of Israel going through Egypt to Palestine, and this leads up to the picture proper. AU the colourful atmosphere of Egypt and the Iloly Land has been caught by the camera as the background for one of the most dramatic stories ever pre- . sented on the screen. It is a page oi history, significant and soul-stirring, depicted* vividly in the very locale where thousands of years ago the most heroic figure of Biblical times led an entire race of people out of bondage into the Promised Land, an historical event that stirs the imagination. 1 he picture contains many big scenes, amongst which arc the slaying of Goliath by David, a battle between the Israelites and the Philistines and the crowning of David, the Shepherd King of Israel. V glamorous and thrilling talc ot the South Sc a. Isles is mniold<?d in First National’s new picture. “ As Alan Desires,” which is nuw showing nr Everybody’s. Milton Sills and Viola liana are co-featurcd. The story was adapted from Gene AN right s novel. “Pandora La Croix,” and affords a quick-action drama base i upon the old adage: “ llell hath no fury like a woman scorned.” Milton Sills bias a dual identity, first as a surgeon in the British array who deserts to escape a false murder charge: and next as the captain of a South

Sen pea l l fisher. A’iola Dana lias throle of “Pandora,” a bewitching South Seas dancing girl, whose charms raise havoc with Sills when lie lands in Tahiti. As the modern Circe in “Circe the Enchantress,” now showing at Everybody’s Theatre, a story specially written for her by Vioento Ibanez, Ala© Murray spent her time in luxurious surroundings, but when lit came to the mythical scenes in which she portrayed the ancient Circe, working conditions were far from pleasant. The main objection was the presence of more than forty hogs which were imported into the studio from a nearby stock farm and allowed to romp about the throne on which Miss Murray was seated. The porkers had no previous motion picture experience and tt took the' combined efforts of every member of the company to keep them within the camera lines. “ The Mad Whirl/’ Universal-Jewel all-star production now showing at Greater C rystal Palace, deals primarily with the divergent views of two families, one feverishly seeking pleasure a.ml the other living a placid, well balanced life. May Al’Avoy -lias the feature- role of the cast, that of the daughter of a former saloon keeper who believes in obeying the law. .Jack Mulhall plays the son of the Herrington family, a wealthy man and his wife who maintain a luxurious summer estate near the village where the ex-saloonkeeper and his daughter make their home. The young couple fall in love but the girl’s father forbids her to associate with any Herrington. The reason wliv has been developed hv the manner of pleasure indulgence that rules the family and the hosts of young folk who call the vast estate the Herrington “roadhouse.” George Fawcett plays the former saloonkeeper: Myrtle Stedman is Mrs Herrington. and Alec B- Francis, Herrington : Barbara Bedford is a vampisli professional dancer angling for Papa Herrington, and Ward Crane is her partner who is submitting to the blandishments of Mother Herrington. “Wanderer of the Wasteland,” a picturisatiou of which is showing a.t the Liberty Theatre, is regarded by many as Zanc Grey's best novel. It is a clean, virile type of Western drama, packed with thrills, with a charming romance running through it. “ AVanderer of the AYasteland,” as produced from the Paramount studios, marks a new era in cinematography. The stirring story is , presented in natural colours and the thrill of the sunset, the glaring heat of the desert, the glory of nature forms and the sheen of the far blue hills is brought light before the eyes of the audience. 1 he story is one of dramatic strength. “Squibs's Honeymoon-” at the Liberty I heatre, is another adventur? of that delightful screen comedienne. Squibs, as played by Betty Balfour, and. incidcntly. it is stated to be the last of the series of Squibs pictures. Squibs is married to her ex-policeman lover, and her wedding in the picturesque old Norman church sets off the charming picture that Squibs makes in her bridal finery. The lovable little Cockney laclv goes to Paris, and Ibe first thing she docs is to lose her new .husband. From then on until the pair are reunited the fun i.s .fast and furious.

(‘live Brook, the young .English AA'arner Bros., was before the war a Continental publications. He first appeared in “ Fair and AYarmer” on the London stage, and first appeared on the screen in “ This Freedom.” "Name the Man." a picturised version <1 Hall Caine's "The Master «>f Man." will be screened simultaneously at Everybody's Theatre and Greater Urystal Palace all next week. The picture referred to by a New York critic as one that "holds the audience breathless through its many dramatic scenes,” has been produced in Auckland and AYellington, and in each city the season had to be extended so much was it appreciated. At one time Dan Morris, of the Moon and Morris Revue Company, which commenced a season at Fuller s Opera House on Monday, aspired to be a speed demon. That was in the early days of the tank lop control motor cycle before magnetos were used. The best times lie could get out of machines then were trilling compared with the velocity at which motor cycles arc driven to-day. AN*hen Mr Morris took up motor cycling horse-drawn omnibuses were a familiar feature of London transport. On one occasion he accepted a challenge to cross London Bridge on a motor cycle at six o'clock at night. When he reached the centre of the

bridge he was engulfed in the dense traffic, had the flesh stripped off one of his shins and incidentally lost the wager.

GREATER CRYSTAL PALACE

A problem some parents have to face in their care for their children is the theme of “The Mad Whirl. ’ the first big picture on the programme at Greater Crystal Palace. It deals with a . phase of modern life which sometimes is described in the newspapers. and which, although incomprehensible to people who have been, brought up in Ihe sober atmosphere of the ordinary British home, cannot be denied. ‘ Second Fiddle” is 'made up of thrills, drama, suspense, human interest, and a grand climax. The story deals with two brothers, one a modern Beau Brummel the other just an “ordinary.” a younger son. a Cinderella in trousers, who stay s at home ami works in the garden in order that the tamily s idol ipav go to college. A third notable feature is another chapter of Air -Jack Dempsey's series of two-reel boxing stories. Those three picture items are supplemented by a Century Comedy and an International News item. The symphony orchestra does admirable work.

EVERYBODY’S THEATRE.

Of recent years plots of >* new • i:aiactcr have been rare, and it. is olteu thought by picture-goers that there jo little left iu the nature of someth i nv. new. A great many of the mo lot u pictures have for their themes ideas that have become well known to the public. Something new has appeared, and has been produced in a maimer that is unusual and interesting in lb© shape of “ As Man Desires,” which was the main item on the current programme at Everybody's Theatre. 1 lie name of Ibanez lias been before ihc public a great deal lately in view ot liis attitude to the King of Spain, and an original story of his forms an interesting subject. Apart Jrom this fact, the story, “Circe the Enchantress,” stands on its own looting as something out of the ordinary. The story starts in the days of Grecian mythology and takes a sudden leap to the twentieth century, where a modern Circe is shown practising her wiles on men. She meets her l lysscs. however, and in a novel way finds that he will not submit to her machinations. He is her model man, and finally becomes her husband. Mae Murray takes the leading role, and carries it through in her usual style. I hc orchestra, under the coiuluctorsbip of Air AN. J. Bellingham, provides a fine programme of music.

QUEEN’S THEATRE.

"THE SHEPHERD KING.” A brilliant PRODUCTION. Modern plays are absorbing enough, but there comes a time when change o. faro is desired bv many people. who have a wish to go hack to one of the worldk- oldest stories lor entertainme.it Those who feel this mood upon

' them could not, tit, heller Ihis week than p. i to the Queen’s Theatre, where 1 the principal feature is ‘‘The Shepherd KitiK,'’ a magnificent Son production The plot is the Old Testament story ot J David and his rise from shepherd boy to king. The pie lure opens with a prologue showing the sorrowful departure of the Children of Israel from the land of Egypt. This is an appropriate introduel ion. for from the lions** of Aloises came Ihc House of David. The Fgvpland is made oven more remarkable because of its having been photographed in Egypt under tin* shallow of the Pvramids. The picture is LrillianiU produced. and the battle scenes in tic* desert have been staged with realist if effect. The interior scenes are also pirn didlv managed. The second feature.' "My Husband's Wives." is a delightful comedy crammed full of embarrassing situations. 11 ithe man's ox-wives wlm bring about all the trouble and the nr.-some of one of them at the hotel where lie is spending a. lionevmoon muses most ol tlm complications. The wife and ex-wife soon fall foul of «*acli other but. in the end the new wife gains a. fi.D derision over her rival. Shirlev Mason, who is starred in the produd ion. docs work which, cannot fail to enhance her reputation. The supporting pictures include "Monkey Romeo.” a rnmc.rly. and the Educational News. A brilliant musical programme is played l»y the Queen's Superb Orchestra.

LIBERTY theatre.

There is a variety of life and action in Zanc Grey’s story, “NYandercr of the AYasteland.” and it has lost none of these characteristics—rather have they been brought about in bolder relief—in the transition- stage between the written word and the screen. Tins author has often dealt with desert life, but in “AA'amlerers of the NYastcland,” the story also concerns doings in gold country. There is a strong element of the picturesque in this.' and it. is liutingly expressed in the production, which is a coloured picture. In- the past there have been a number of experiments in colour photography ior the movies, but the average picturegoer has probably regarded these as oddities, rather than a development which is likely to become general. The colour work in “AYandcrer ot the AYasteland,” howe.ver. is very well clone, and is appropriate to the atmosphere of the picture, with its background of vast expanses of desert and stunted growth. The picture is presenter! by a very strong east, including Jack Holt and Billie Dove. "Squib's Honeymoon,” is a very laughable tale ot the accidental separation of a young couple on their honeymoon trip. Tho subject of marriage and honeymoon couples has provided many burlesques for authors, and playwrights, but in tin’s instance the scenario writer has produced a new and entertaining one. The picture features the charming Betty Balfour. The Liberty Quality Orchestra, under Mr Howard Moody, provides a very fine programme of music.

GRAND THEATRE.

j l’liil Flagg, arcli-swindler that he : was, had an eye for beauty; but lie was no gentleman, ,I.lc maintained a mansion for the solo ymrpo.se of studying his friends. 'They amused him. 11*' fed them, kept them in line clothes, , provided, them with limousines, and let. them swim in his bathing pool. Phil Flagg was not a psycho-analyst- —just an over-generous scoundrel. And those foolish people who saw no harm in partaking of tho gifts ho held ,out to them, paid dearly in the end, for the toll he demanded was their self- ! respect. Phil Flagg i.s the eonvi nc-i ng villain in “The Garden of AYecds,” .Runes Cruze’s latest, production for Paramount, which heads the current programme at the Grand Theatre. Three AVorncn ” is an engrossing tale of a mother who makes a great mistake. She is the victim of a heartless villain, who seeks her hand solely ! to gain her fortune. Then he finds that her alluring young daughter has a large bank balance also, and be decides that she would perhaps after all make a better wife. It is a moving story simply told. The musical programme played by Mr Harold Beck's string quartette. is in accordance with the high standard set by this theatre.

FULLER’S OPERA HOUSE.

REA’UE AND YAUUEYI LLE. The now revue company, headed by Moon and A 1 orris, with AYalter George as producer, drew another large at-

ing. The revue is staged on an elaborate scale and is based on a wellknown novel, having more than a semblance of a plot to if. The whole company, who are new to Christchurch audiences, have made a successful debut. and their work i.s worthv of the praise which has been accorded itSome of the situations are very humourous. and’ there is an cnunl amount of good musical work in the show. On the vaudeville side of the programme. Miss Sadie M’Donald doc a novel actcomprising violin playing aml gymnastics combined. .Ernest Pitcher's stories and concertina playing make lam popular with the audience.. A newcomer, w ith a fine baritone voice, is Alex Kcllaway. who earns the hearty applause that is accorded him. Miss Estelle Rose brings with her a new batch of stories, and her comic singing U excellent. B*n Bono seems to take his lite in bis hands for the entertanmeut of others. His efforts on the trapeze cause the audience to hold their breath, but no each number successfully.

MOSCOVITCH.

GR FAT ACTOR-GEM US. Of Ihc s.ucccscs in recent years, nothing lias surpassed the boon - , that lias attended the showing of the intensely intcrcstng three-act- drama, “The Outsider,” to be staged lor the first time in Christchurch by the firm of J. ('. Williamson. Lid., vt the Theatre Royal to-morrow evening, with the famous actor-genius. Alauriie Alos- ! ruvit.il. in the lading role. Alcmbers of the medical profession in Sydney and A Tel bourne were rather agitated over tin* production of “ The Outsider ” when the piece was played in ' those two ciiies some time ago hv j Maurice Aloseovitch. They appeared u> | hold that the play was an attack oil : tin- medical profession. Air Aloscovitch I immediately refuted this. He declared that “The Outsider" is jurt a play mil. a lesson for the people. It, was . witten. by a crippled girl about a I crippled girl, and it iu\s bare flu sou' of a woman who is desperate fnr the love that men deny her because ui her infirmity. Alauricc Moscovitch plays Anton Ragatzy. the “quack” wlm tries to cure her. in spite of the iron barriers of the Royal College .1 Surgeons. “ Front the outset ii wn> obvious that the reputation that preceded

| him from London had been well enru- | cd.” said a leading Alelbourn© critic. ••He was impressive. He not merely acted but lived, the part. His enrnij elation was perfect, and his interpre | tation of the character of Anton Ra gatzy carried the play to the audience in a manner better than lias been the case with any dramatic production staged in this citv for a number of rears.” “The plav has been written with blood, not ink. by a person who has gone* through the experience,” said the famous" actor in Sydney recently. Jt tells the story of a “ quack” doctor who cured a beautiful, crippled girl whom many distinguished surgeons had unsuccessfully treated. There is muc h comedy at i be expense of these doctors, and cm Ibis account the play has been described in sonic quarters as j propaganda for unlicensed healers. However, Mr Moscovitch would not take part in a drama with that object. “Healing of the kuul in ‘The Outsider’ may be all right in the plav, but onlv because the people as a whole like a iiero to stand out against other people, and pit his opinion against theirs. But the man who most acini ires the healer in the play would be the first on© to run to a regular doc-

tor if he became ill.” The drama was written by Dorothy Brandon, a crippled girl, for Air Aloseovitch. “The Outsider ” will servo to introduce to Christchurch several artists who will he making their first appearance in ibis city. The scenery, properties, wardrobe, etc., arrived from* AYellirigton yesterday morning iu charge of a largo staff, so as to ensure that everything will he in complete readiness for the openng performance to-morrow evening. The second production, on AA'ednesdav and Thursdav next, will he “ The Alorc hant of A'eniee.” which will bo followed on the two following nights b.y “Tho Great Lover.” The* Ik<*c plans arc now* on view at the Bristol.