STORY OF ROYAL FRANCE AT CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18011, 23 November 1926, Page 7

STORY OF ROYAL FRANCE AT CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE.

“ VOLCANO ” GIVES CHANCE TO BEBE DANIELS TO SHOW GREAT SKILL.

Miss Bebe Daniels has appeared in many attractive pictures at Crystal Palace, but the most romantic role of her career is Zabette De Chuvalons in “ Volcano,” which thrilled and pleased a large attendance at that popular theatre, last night. She appeared on the theatrical stage when she was a very small girl, being carried in front of the footlights in an actor’s arms, but it was not until she was taken in hand bv the Paramount Studios that she became a star. In this, the latest Paramount drama, she is a girl who always believes that in her veins there was the bluest blood of aristocratic France, until she is cast out by her relatives and torn from her sweetheart, because she is suspected of being a quadroon. The story opens in France, in the middle of the nineteenth century. The action is quickly transferred to Martinique, and there, in the loveliest tropical scenery, most of the incidents are worked out. The little French girl, as fiery as she is bewitching, has her career brought to a great climax with an apnalling eruption, which has given a title to the picture. This is the most dramatic and spectacular Incident’ in the story. It has been worked out with all the resources and all the art of Hollywood and its unrivalled appurtenances and properties. It is on the same scale, and shows same care for detail, as “The Thundering Herd,” which, like “ Volcano,” was directed by Mr W. Howard. There is an exciting rescue when Mount Pelee bursts forth. ,All through, unusual attention is given to dramatic effects. The story itself is frankly melo-di-amatic. There is a great deal of sharp contrast in it. This is particularly strong when the people of Martinique are shown laughing and dancing under Mount Pelee’s menacing presence. When the lava flows down the slopes and the gases sweep towards the town, there is a wild rush for the boats in the bay, Europeans and natives intermingling and struggling frantically. Miss Bebe and her screen sweetheart, Mr Ricardo Cortez, reach a

vessel safely. There they find a priest, who tells Miss Bebe that she is of pure French blood, and who gives his blessing to the hero and the heroine. This is utterly disconcerting to one of the most famous movie actors of the day, Mr Wallace Beery. He was at Crystal Palace a few weeks ago in comedy. He is back as a screen villain, one of the best of them. This hero of “Robin Hood,” “The Sea Hawk,” “ Richard the Lion-Hearted,” “ The Spanish Dancer,” “The Wanderer” and "The Pony Express” now is a quadroon, a sort ol: lord of Martinique. He tries to claim Miss Bebe as queen of “The Quarter” when slve is taken to the island, but deserts her in the hour of danger. Amongst others with the eminent trio in “Volcano” are Mr E. A. Carew, Miss Eulalie Jensen, Miss Marjorie Gray, Mr Brandon Hurst and Miss Edith Yorke. In its cast, as well as in its theme and setting, “Volcano” is an outstanding picture, which everybody can enjoy. The eruption scene is the best of its sort screened. As a second attraction last night, there was shown a picture of youth, gaiety and romance. “The Plastic Age ” is a college story, dealing largely with the rage for jazz in song, dance and amusement. Perplexing problems are handled deftly and tactfully, and temptations and experiences that mould some people’s lives are disclosed. The star in “The Plastic Age” is Miss Clara Bow, who recentlv joined the Paramount studios as a star. She is versatile and has a keen, sense of the dramatic. Opposite her is Mr Donald Keith. These two acted together as an Apache couple in “Parisian Love.” Both are the personification of youth—and, it may be added, of beauty —in this quick-moving, very modern story of a passing phase of life. Miss Mary Alden, Mr H. B. Walthall and Mr Gilbert Roland, all taking important parts, help to make “The Plastic Agie” a The “Paramount Gazette,” dealing with Australian affairs, had interesting views of police training and of motor tests, and “Screen Snapshots” were both interesting and amusing. The Symphony Orchestra- opened ■with an old favourite, Suppc’s “Morning, Noon and Night,” an overture to a splendid programme of classical and' popular music. Mozarts “Allegro” was particularly well played, as was also Sullivan’s “Selection of Songs.” Amongst the other items were: Brahm’s “Zigeuner, Wagners “Rienzi.” Strauss's “All Souls’ Day.” Hanley's “Sweet Home” and Horne’s "Lorette.” All the items were well received, and several were heartily applauded.