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Star (Christchurch), Issue 17880, 23 June 1926, Page 7

ATTRACTIONS FOR THE WEEK. KVD»Y»ODY’B THEATR3B 4t JOAJTNA ” CtRSATER CRYSTAL PALACE “ THE BEST PEOPLE ” GREATER CRYSTAL PALACE “ THE STREET OF FORGOTTEN MF. LIBERTY THEATRE « WHAT HAPPENED TO JOHB3 ” GR AND THEATRE “ THE WHITE DESERT ” GRAND THEATRE " RACING LUCK ” OVEENS THEATRE “SHORE LEAVE” QUEEN'S THEATRE “ THE ENEMY SEX ” STRAND THEATRE “SPORTING LIFE” I'TRAND THEATRE “ TBOUSLES OF A BRIDE ” THEATRE ROYAL PAVLOVA FULLER'S OPERA HOUSE VAUDEVILLE

Hut for the screen, the greatness of the eminent English actor. Sir John Martin Harvey, would never have been realised in this part of the world. His performance in “The Only Wav,” the big British film which will be released here shortly, endorses all the eulog;sm that old-world critics have lavished upon him. Mr Stanley X. Wright, special Sydney representative for First National Pictures < Australasia i. Ltd., fs superintending the production in New Zealand, together with the stage appearance of the Sunbeam Children from Svdnev in “The Wedding of* Baby Kerr." ’ An instance of the effect of American film on British children: In a I-ondon school a little girl was asked v hat M.P. stood for. Without the slightest hesitation, she replied: “Mary Bickford." It is understood that over 200.000 dollars were spent on Valentino’s latest picture. “The Son of the Sheik/’ before the cameras started turning. Frances Marion is said to have received a record price for her script. George Fitzmaurice is to l>e paid more money than any other director has ever received for making one picture. Valentino will get a cheque for over 100,000 dollars. Vilma Banky, who will play opposite the star, is to draw a large salary. The other day someone was admiring one of these stunning white Stetsons that Tom Mix wears, and it leaked • >ut that when Tom made his recent trip to Europe and throughout the United States with Tony, he used up over 200 of them. Everywhere he went some prominent man connected with his reception would want to keep a hat for a souvenir. They became so popular for this purpose that Tom wired for 200 extra ones, and returned to America bareheaded at that. In Hollywood, “The Bat” is easily the costliest mystery melodrama ever made. Roland West, independent producer, paid a record price for the screen rights to Mary Roberts Rinehart and Avery Hop wood, authors of the .famous stage play. The Bat’’ started a flood of mystery plays, but critics agree that the pioneer gasp-pro-voker, which still is a perennial favourite on the stage, out-thrills them all. T hat is why, for years, the owners of “The Bat’’ would not consider the sale of the screen rights. The play was such a tremendous money-maker that they repeatedly turned down offers rom picture producers. West put over

the coup only after weeks of negotiations, and by offering a huge sum. This picture will be in New Zealand at an early date. “The Gilded Butterfly/’ a Fox Films production, is a'fascinating story of the inside of societv, featuring Alma Reubens and Bert Lytell in the two principal roles. Alma is the lovely society butterfly, who almost singes her wings. She is typical of many of the daughters of to-day, raised in surroundings far beyond their parents’ means, to expect the best things of life, unable to face reverses and disillusionment in a cool-headed manner. Bert is a young American officer anxious for a berth in the diplomatic service. He is clean-cut and idealistic and different from anv other man Alma has ever met. She falls in love with him. and this love changes her whole attitude towards life. Iluntly Gordon is cast as the thoroughly likable heavy, who backs Alma after her father's death, in order that she may be in. his debt. However, when the show-down comes, he finds himself genuinely in love with the girl and acts accordingly. How Austrian war-barons became so wealthy during the war that they dominated the social lite of \ ienna, once the gayest city of the empire, is dramatically revealed in “The Greater Glory,” June Mathis’s screen epic for First National release. Italy became a picture location when a company, headed by Lillian Gish, filmed "The White Sister" in Rome. The old-world glamour of the cities, .•streets, gardens and castles of Italy contributed to the tremendous success of “The White Sister." Now motionpicture patrons will shortly have an opportunity to see more of Italy in another Lillian Gish picture, “Romola/’ This time the locale is the old City of Florence, the centre of culture during the Renaissance. Florence, which has not changed much since the time in which the story is set. 1492, formed the background for all of the stirring scenes in the picture. "Romola” is an inspiration picture released by Metro-Goldwvn. "Say, partner, that horse you're leading is pretty lame.” A lean-faced man stopped a horsedrawn vehicle at a busy Los Angeles crossing. ‘Behind the truck another horse limped painfully. “We re taking him to the stable," explained the driver of the truck. “He went lame on us up'the street.” “But you can t go any farther with the poor animal," the lean-faced man

protested. “Can’t you see it’s in great painr" Two traffic officers, attracted by the crowd that had gathered around the truck, came up and investigated. Then they ordered the driver to send for a horse ambulance. This was done. The lean-laced man turned and started away. “Just a minute,” . said one of the officers. “What's your name? We might want you to give evidence about this case." “William S. Hart," said the leanfaced man. The foregoing is from an American movie magazine. But just imagine Bill Hart not being recognised by a Los Angeles policeman.