ON THE SCREEN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17710, 3 December 1925, Page 5

ON THE SCREEN.

THE THEATRES. ATTRACTIONS, FOR TIIE WEEK. GRAND THEATRE ** THE NIGHT CLUB ” GRAND THEATRE . . *• THE COMMON X.AW ” LIBERTY THEATRE “LOCKED DOORS" LIBERTY THEATRE “ THE TRIFLERS ” QUEEN’S THEATRE “ DICK TURPIN ” QUEEN’S THEATRE . . “ MARRIED PEOPLE ” GREATER CRYSTAL PALACE . . “ RED CLAY ” GREATER CRYSTAL PALACE . . “ THE MAN WITHOUT A NAME '* EVERYBODY’S THEATRE “MY SON ” EVERYBODY’S THEATRE “ THE SHOOTING OF DAIT Me GREW '* STRAND THEATRE “ LEARNING TO LOVE ” STRAND THEATRE “UP THE LADDER” FULLER'S OPERA HOUSE REVUE & VAUDEVILLE

In “The Ilalf-way Girl,” which is i -c lead in g feature on the new programme to be screened at Everybody’s on Monday, First National have produced a very Hue study of the journey towards happiness of a girl who surprising 1 }* tmder-estimated herself, and a man who has lost all faith in womankind, and counts all pleasure a sham and a triumph of self-delusion. As P,oppv La* Kuo. a girl who has befriended m my but has never a friend in the wold, Doris Kenyon gives a most appealingly pathetic portrayal. Injured innocence is her part most of the time and ©he plays it wc-11. Lloyd Hughes and liobart Bos worth are equally well e is , the one as a thoroughly bitter young cynic “a derelict of the War - and n woman." -and the other as a father who seeks to protect his son from the ‘ wiles of a woman whom he consi iers ©s merely an adventuress of the worst type. A serious complication is introduced in the fact that father and sen ©re completely out of touch with each other. In such circumstances there ©re a number of tangles before the threads are finally straightened o u~. A Paramount picture, "The Crowded Hour;” which heads the new prorramme coming to the Grand Theatre, is very appropriated named, for. from beginning to end, there is a constant whirl of excitement. Bebe Daniells is the central figure in the producti >n, and she gives one of her .best performances: to date. Supporting her are such artists as Kenneth Harlan. Roy Barnes, Armand Cortez, and Warner Richmond. The story deals with the eternal triangle in a novel manner, pie figure's in the triangle being a se-tbli woman, a voung millionaire and the millionaire's wife. The story is a most y>uwerful one. and it culminates in a sensational climax. Luck.” the second attraction on the Gr*and programme, is one of the best of Johnny Hines’s comedies Like all his productions, it moves ahead at a rapid pace, humorous situations and minor thrills being mingled in charming confusion . Johnny has to make a million dollars within twelve months, and he ha? to hustle to accomplish the feat. After a very long absence from the screen Charlie Chaplin makes a verv welcome appearance in “ The Gold Rtish,” which forms the principal attraction coming to the Liberty Theatre with the change of programme.

By many critics this is regarded a-; the great comedian’s best production, though in the public mind possiblv will be some hesitation in placing it in advance of “ Tljc Kid.” In the latter Jackie Coogar. shared the honours with Charlie; in “The Gold Rush” the. latter is the central figure throughout. Though in -the character of a lone prospector in the far frozen North, he appears in his well-know t get-up —Derby hat, cane, baggy t-ou-sers and floppy shoes, and his wacidlv walk is as pronounced as ever. The picture, is described as “ a dramatic comedy,” and it certainly is" not all comedy, the innumerable comedy situations at interval? being relieved by rare touches of pathos, fleeting as it were, in order to grant a respite from the. effects of hearty laughter. “ The Gold Rush " is based on the foundati m of a certain amount of story set mainly in outdoor surroundings, and round this revolves the inimitable Charlie in deft and polished Chaplin touches, novel in many respects, humorous in all. Those who are looking for g- 1 entertainment should not miss “ The Gold Rush.” The second feature coming to the Liberty Theatre is “ The Midnight ExExcitement 'is provided in the capture of an escaped convict on a train, and the subsequent wrecking of the train. Elaine Hammerstein and William Haines appear in the leading roles. “The Teaser." a hilarious comedyromance, which will be presented at the Queen’s Theatre bn Monday, is a Uni-versal-Jewel special, with Laura La Plante and Pat O’Malley in the leading roles. The “teaser,” it is mentioned, is a new kind of flapper, and Miss La Plante portrays the new type in this picture. She does a society girl with a flirtation complex; O'Malley portrays a flashy cigar salesman —and a most laughable love story is woven about the pair. The cigar salesman takes lessons in etiquette from a deposed duke to make himself a suitable husband for the social butterfly—-and while Re's studying this intricate subject she flirts with all the married men she knows, just to get even with her family for opposing her love for the purveyor of tobacco. The plot waxes very fast and hilariously funny. She gets mixed in an alienation case, and a domestic scandal —and her lover turns up very jealous in spite of his new-

found veneer applied by the ex-duke. There are a few thrills in the story, too, and a charming heart-interest story woven through it. In Scandal Proof,” the. second feature coming to the Queen’s Theatre. Shirley Mason, playing the double role of Grace Whitney and Enid Dav, is first; placed in settings more gorgeous than she has ever enjoyed, and then she is . placed in the contrasting circumstances of a nurse girl. The story is that of a woman’who, although wrongfully accused of crime, is willing to accept the blame when the happiness of the man she loves is at stake. She ir rewarded for her sacrifices by eventual happiness, foliowing a series of heart rending trials. "The Light of Western Stars,” a screen version of Zane Grey’s adventurous story, will form the principal attraction on the new programme coming to Greater Crystal Palace on Monday. The story deals with early pioneer days in Arizona when a man’s life depended on his ability to draw fast and shoot straight. The play follows the career of Gejic Stewart, a rancher and cowboy, whose efforts to quell the lawless desperados of the Border Country furnish many thrilling scenes and startling climaxes as the plot unfolds. How he succeeds in establishing law and order on what was America’s last frontier, and how he Anally claims the girl of his heart after' rescuing her from a band of cattle rustlers, is told in graphic manner. Scenes are filmed on the desert of- Arizona, with it? far mountain peaks.set agleam with shafts of sunlight. Action takes place on the original locations selected by Zane Grey as the stage for his drama, while the characters of the story are faithfully portrayed by a strong cast headed bv such favourites as Jack Holt, Noah Beery and Billie Dove. “The Snowshoe' Trail.” the second attraction of the new programme coming to Greater Crystal Palace, deals with the adventures of a young# society woman who journeyed to the frozen north in search of her lover, who had not been heard of for many months. There is plentv of action in ihe picture, and several thrills. Jane Novak and Roy Stewart have the leading roles. LIBERTY THEATRE. It is always a guarantee of good things in store when the name of Miss Betty ( ompson is included in the cast ol any picture, and that rule has not been broken in "Locked Doors," the current feature at the Liberty Theatre starring this well’ nown and' very talented actress. Doors” is a drama of the tense type, unfolding a plot which keeps the attention of the audience riveted on the screen from the start. In addition the ending is by no means conventional. The principal supporting film. “ The Trjfiers,” is also a picture with a very wide appeal and one which, in addition, points a healthy lesson. Mae Busch, Frank Mayo, Elliot Dexter, Eva Novak and Walter Iliers are among those who are responsible for its success. It is the story of people who did not take life as seriously as wisdom dictated, and who courted danger by reckless flirtations and contemptuous cynicism. “Our* Gang.” a comedy, helps to round off an excellent programme. Mr Howard Moody’s orchestra is. as usual, u.n important ingredient in the success of fhe production. GREATER CRYSTAL PALACE The first feature at Greater Crystal Palace is " The Man Withcut a Heart, ’ a Banner production starring Kenneth Harlan. The picture is adapted from a novel by Ruby M. Ayres. The plot is a novel one. and situations develop and climaxes are reached in the true classic; manner. The simplicity ol the the. theme increases its power. The plot of the picture is centred around an ultra-modern wife and an ultra-modern husband. The versatility of iiliam Desmond has never been better shown than m " Red Clay,’" the second feature on the programme. It is a

powerful drama of opposing heart interests. Desmond has the part of an Indian of to-day, that is, one who has been trained in the way of the white man and is his equal in intellitual attainment. However, education does not remove the racial barrier which love itself is not able to bridge. The Greater Crystal Palace Symphony Orchestra, under the conductorship of Mr Alfred. Bunz, plays a fine programme of incidental music. GRAND THEATRE. ‘ The Xight Club,” which stars the new comedian, Raymond Griffith, possesses fine comedy mingled with thrills and the supporting cast, which includes such well-known players as Wallace Heerv, Vera Revnolds and Louise Fazenda, is excellent. The story opens with a froiing man. Robert White, at the. Vtar. He is just about to-place the ring on the girl's finger, when her former lover, whom she believed to be dead, appears, and she deserts Bob. lie returns to his rooms and decides that he has finished with women tor ever. As he stands meditating his lawyer rushes in, and tells hint that his uncie has just left him a million dollars- but to get the money he must marrv a certain girl This fails to attract Bob in his annoyance, and he tells the lawyer to clear out. Bob lives through many exciting experiences, but finds happiness at last. Of the second picture “ The Common Law,” it is unnecessary t<> say much, for Robert \V. Cliambers's famous novel from which ihe picture is adapted, is well known. Corinne Griffith and Conway Tenrle, who take the main parts, are supported by Elliot Dexter. Doris May. Hobart Bosworth. Bryant Washburn. Miss Du Pont and Harry Myers. The Grand Augmented Orchestra. under the supervision of Mi- Howard Moody, renders suitable musical selections. QUEEN’S THEATRE. Dick Turpin is brought to life by Tom Mix, of cowboy fame, the Queen's Theatre this week. Tom Mix of N the leather chaps, sombrero and two guns, becomes the dashing highwayman in heavily brocaded velvet coat, satin breeches, ostrich-plumed hat and lacetrimmed sleeves of the pe’riod, and a line characterisation is given. To stick more closely to tradition, the star kept his famous horse Tony in the. stable, and trained a superb black mare to enact the part of Black Bess. This is the most ambitious production that Tom Mix has tried, but it will leave the public asking for more of the same sort. In support of the Western j star is the most powerful cast he has j ever been aided by. The sec- j ond attraction is “ Married People,” ; in which the popular star's, ! Percy Marmont and Mabel Ballin, are j featured. It is a society drama with splendid settings and beautiful gowns.

The supports include a comedy and the latest Gazette. Incidental music is rendered by the Queen’s Orchestra. EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. The chief item at Everybody’s Theatre is “The Shooting of Dan M’Grew,” a film adaptation of the wellknotvn poem of the same, name by Robert Service. One of the outstanding features is the skilful manner in which the poem has been adapted for the screen. The tense melodramatic situations are brought out forcibly and the climax is a stirring one. Not only that but a wide range, of settings is introduced. Scenes of the tropic seas where it seems to be “ always afternoon,” of the jazz palaces of New York’s famous Broadway and of the snow-swept wastes of Alaska are shown in turn. The second attraction is the First National picture, “ My Son,” in which the popular actress Nazimova plays the leading role. An excellent programme of incidental music is contributed by the orchestra under the baton of Mr W. J. Bellingham. “ THE GOLD RUSH.” C OMMEXfING F RI DAY. LIB E R TY TIIEATR E. An artistic genius and a sense of : humour that can convert tears and heartaches into joy and laughter—that can cause the tear of pathos to lose itself in the wrinkles of fun - is a combination seldom met in real life, and much less encountered, on the motion picture screen. But this is just what Charlie Chaplin does in his new film comedy, “ The Gold Rush,” a L'nfted Artists ('orporation release, which is described by picture experts and competent critics as the greatest Chaplin comedy ever produced. “ The Gold Rush ” comes to the Libcrt\* Theatre to-morrow aftcrOut of a situation where a halfstarved wanderer throws himself into a Self-enforced faint at the door of a gold prospector's cabin, so the prospector will pick him up, carry him inside and revive him with hot coffee and a 'much-needed, meal, Chaplin builds a comedy scene tnat is said to excel anything he has ever done. “ The Gold Rush ” deals with the stampede into the Klondike, and Chaplin has cast himself in the role of a tenderfoot and lone prospector. And when he tears himself from mob of thousands of prospectors crossing the Chilkoot Pass only stubbornly to go his own lonely \Vay thrugh a blizzard that shreds his shabby clothing and finally blows him like a piece of paper into the cabin of a fugitive from justice—again tragedy is turned into hilarious comedy. There are tears and laughter, too, when Charlie is the wrong recipient of an endearing note of apology written to his rival by the girl he adores, and the note—not meant for him at all—sends him into the seventh heaven of eriamoured delight. Again Charlie's all-important love affair is rudely interrupted by Big Jim M’Kay, whose one and on!}* interest in life is the search for gold. M’Kav literally carries the lone little prospecaway from his sweetheart—and straight to the treasure that is to make them both rich beyond their dreams. “ There is a laugh in every one of the. nearly nine thousand feet of film in ‘The Gold Rush,’ ” says one of Chap- | lin's close associates. Patrons are advised to study the advertisement in to-day's issue, as it will be to their benefit. Prices are only increased in some departments, and that very slightly. Box plans arc at The Bristol, and are filling very rapidly. MYSTERY SENSATION. AT FRENCH OPERA HOUSE. | The Grand Opera House, Paris, furj nishes the scene of one of the most j startling mystery sensations ever imagined or conceived by man. In no I other profession in the world is superstitution more prevalent than in the theatrical profession, where shibboleths and fetishes are zealously pandered to. Gounod’s great opera “Faust,” with its sinister character of "Mephisto,” forms the background of this remarkable sensation. M. Gaston Leroux, the eminent French literatteur, is re-

sponsible for the conception, and with his extraordinary and vivid imagination M. Leroux has constructed a markable work. “The Phantom of the series of incidents connected with the Paris Grand Opera House that cause mail}* so-called mystery sensations to sink into insignificance. Leroux's reOpera,” is one of the most sensational and fascinating romances ever written. “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” was a screen triumph, but th<j screen presentation of “The Phantom of the Opera” far excels it from every viewpoint. Startling in its audacity, the new production suggests the story always—it never comes right out with a direct narrative Xold in terms of direct action on the screen ; shadows, ges-ture-fleeting glimpses of its people in weird settings and strange, eerie underground cellars tell the tale always in terms of thrills. The great Paris Opera House, the largest in the world, and its brilliant throngs and gay revels, and a complete performance of “Faust” reproduced in colour, stand out in relief to the sinister activities of the “Phantom.” The magnitude of “The Phantom of the Opera” is almost overwhelming. and the first presentation in Christchurch will cause an undoubted sensation.