THE THEATRES. ATTRACTIONS FOR THE WEEK

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18339, 16 December 1927, Page 5

THE THEATRES.

ATTRACTIONS FOR THE WEEK

EVIRTBODT'S THEATRE “ XS SKAT SO ” BVERYBODT-S THEATRE “ TIME TO LOVE •* GREATER CRYSTAL PALAOR " LONESOME LADIES " GREATER CRYSTAL PALACE “ TBS WANING SEX»» LIBERTY THEATRE “ THE SIGN OP FOER '* LIBERTY THEATRE “ PAINTED PONIES ,J QILATTU THEATRE “ SEYENTH HEAVEN ” QUEEN'S THEATRE “ TBS HEART OP A COWARD QUEEN'S THEATRE “TBS TEXAS TRAIL” STRAND THEATRE . . '‘HE WHO GETS SLAPPED ” STRAND THEATRE “ THE CLAW ”

wiiiiiiiiiiMiiiiimiiiiiimmiimiMiimiii “ The Prince of Tempters,!’ which will be shown at Everybody’s Theatre on Monday, introduces a very strong team of screen artists. At the head of the young man released from a monaster v to take up a title and a position m the world of luxury. Lya dc .Putti. who created something of a sensation in “ V'arietv." has another interesting role, as the lady, of London society who. tries to captivate him. Other players in the cast are Lois Moran. Mar\ Brian and lan Keith. The story, adapted from

' “ The Ex-Duke** a novel*by the popular ; author, K. Phillips Oppenheim. has to j do with an English duke who marries a • poor Italian girl. Their child is brutight i-]- in a monastery until he is 20 years : of age, when it is discovered that the j lad who has been sheltered under the i wing of a kind abbot is a titled young ' nobleman with the whole wide world ; and fortune awaiting him. Given dispensation and released from his vows, ! the young man sets out for London. The story then develops into a fast-moving romance as a number of beautiful women try to ensnare him for the sake of his wealth and title. The supporting feature, “ The Gilded Highway,” based on the novel, “ A Little More,” by W. i B. Maxwell, is a story with a moral: ! that wealth does not necessarily bring ; happiness. 1 the case of the Welby ! family, around which the story centres, 'it brings selfishness, discontent and finally tragedy. The leading roles are filled by Dorothy Devore. Johnny llar- | ron, and Sheldon Lewis. ' “ Ritzy.” Betty Bronson’s latest pic- | ture. is the head-liner of the new programme coming to Crystal Palace next : week. The picture is from a story by • Elinor Glyn. and is the tale of a girl j who suddenly became “ high hat.” stuck ! her head in the air. and put on the j ritz.” Ritzy Brown felt that fate had ! set aside a coronet for her pretty head, j Then, when Harringon Smith came j along she stifled her affectation and ! transferred all interest to the “ Duke of j Westborough.” But—Ritzy didn’t ; know that Harrington Smith was the i real duke, while the second chap was | merely masquerading for her benefit! i However, things come out all right .in i the end as Ritzy’s tme character floats jto the top. James Hall plays opposite ; Miss Bronson. The second feature is entitled “ Back to God’s Country,” a picturisation of the story from the pen

of James Oliver Cuvwood. ll is a typical north-west film, made in the snows • and wastelands of North Ame-

rica. Renee Adoree. takes the leading feminine part, and is supported by a strong cast which includes Robert Frazer. Walter Long, and Mitchell Lewis. The picture is a romance of the North, where two men struggle for the love of one woman.

Renee Aflorec'and Antonio Moreno have the leading roles in “ The Flaming Forest,” -which conies to the Liberty Theatre next week. The story is from James Oliver Cunvood’s novel and, like all stories based on his works, is replete with thrills and gradually works up to a gripping climax. If concerns the organization of the North-west Mounted Police in 1874 when more than three hundred thousand square miles of Canadian North-west territory was entirely without law. It recites the attempt of the halfbneeds and Indians, under the leadership of Jules Lagarre, to establish a North-west Republic with Lagarre as president. The second feature is “ White Pants, Willie,” with Johnny Hines in the part of Willie Bascom, who works in a garage and invents a magnetic bumper. He rebels against the hard-boiled garage owner, and issues forth in all the glory of his new white pants, and hies to Cold Springs, a fashionable summer resort. His adventures, after being mistaken for a crack polo player and forced to enter a championship match, form a series of hilarious events from which he emerges with flying colours, and eventually with the girl. Some of the sequences are filmed in colour. Leila Ilyams plays the leading feminine role, while Peaches, the goose, who is the comedian's shadow throughout the maze of comedy situations, plays a conspicuous role with considerable distinction. “The Scarlet Letter,” which will be the main attraction at the Grand Theatre next week, is adapted from Nathaniel Hawthorne's well-known story. The film depicts the stern and oftiines cruel intolerance of the early Pilgrim Fathers in America, their handships and their fanatical opposition to all that savoured of pleasure. In reviewing the picture an American critic said:—

“ Technically perfect though this picture is, it is the inspired acting of Lilian Gish that makes it outstanding. Entering with amazing whole-heartedness into the theme of the story, she brings before the eyes Hester Prvnne herself, l the joyous, impulsive girl who, suri rounded by intolerance and repression, I is forced to carry a badge of shame ; through life to shield the man she loves. Tn such scenes as the amazing pillory scene, where her lover, under the pretence of exhorting her. voices his love and remorse, while she vows deathless love, the poignant drama of the situation is most intense.” Supporting Miss Gish is Lars Hanson, the Swedish actor, who has the important role of the Rev Dimmesdale, the man who loves, and is loved by, Hester, and for whose sake she wears the scarlet letter “ A,” which in those days was recognised as a brand of shame. Karl Dane and Henry B. Walthall also have important roles in the cast. The principal picture to be shown at the Queen's Theatre next week is " The Prince of Pilsen,” with Anita Stewart and George Sidney in the leading roles. It is a lavish farcial production dealing with court life in a mythical European kingdom, and the comedy element is ever present and relisnable. George Sidney, featured as Flans Wagner, a Cincinnati brewer, who, on going to his old home in Pilsen, is mistaken for the Prince of Pilsen himself, is the chief comedian and reveals himself as a thorough artist. Anita Stewart, who plays the part of his daughter Nellie, is seen in a role which provides full scope for her mimetic ability, and of which she makes_the most. The chief supporting roles are portrayed u - Myrtle Stedman and Allan Forrest..