BESSIE LOVE AT CRYSTAL PALACE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17830, 26 April 1926, Page 7

BESSIE LOVE AT CRYSTAL PALACE.

H. B. WRIGHTS NOVEL COMES TO SCREEN. A programme of exceptionally fine merit has been selected for presentation at the Crystal Palace Theatre today. when “A Son of His Father,” a Paramount picture adapted from Harold Bell Wright's famous novel will be the principal attraction. The very human characters that made the book so popular have been entrusted to the care of Bessie Love. Warner Baxter and Raymond Hatton. with Walter M’Grail creating mischief as the villain. and on the screen they are every whit as heroic, and daring and humorous as they were between the written pages. Although set in the picturesque wilds of Arizona, the story .is far from being what is so comprehensively known as a "western,” and while there are thrills and actiop and bad men enough to satisfy the most insatiate son of the open spaces, romance, unadorned. is never far from the scene of action, and these two qualities, which stand for success in any pictorial enterprise, give an appeal to the picture that is hard to resist. There are unexpected twists to the story w-hich are a reminder at every turn that the author is the famous Wright, and his hand is evident throughout. The scenes of the southern states, where the story is laid, contribute in a large measure to the geographical accuracy of this thrilling romance. The acting leaves nothing to be desired, the two stars giving a thoroughly satisfying rendering of the principal characters. The second picture is a production from the English studios, "The Woman Who Obeyed, ' with two celebrated British artists starring, Hilda Bayley and Stewart Rome. This is a courageous play in keeping with the tone of the age, the story of a woman w'hose love for her children was greater than her ambition and desire for social conquest. An episode in this picture is an actual screening of the famous Chelsea Arts Ball, and the artistic beauty

of the production places it on a par with the best efforts of the American studios. The Crystal Palace Symphony Orchestra, under Mr A. J. Bunz, will play a special musical programme, including the following:—“Miss Mardi Gras” (Stoughton), ‘‘Marriage of Figaro” (Mozart), “Conte d’Averil” 1 Widor), “Schon Rosmarin” (Kreisler), soloist, Miss G. Vincent, entr’acte “Rosary” (N'evin-Kreisler), “Wild Flower” (Youmans). “La Paloma” lYradicr). “Andantino” (Lemare), “Because They Love You” (Malie). The box plans are at the Bristol Piano Co., ■where seats may be reserved.