AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17115, 9 April 1921, Page 10

AMUSEMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE. There was 3 large audience at the Opera House last night, when the current prof gramme of vaudeville and revue was\ repeated to a. well pleased audience. This afternoon there-. will be the usual matinee, ana the programme will be repeated to-night. 2STAZIMOVA IN "THE BRAT." AT GREATER CRYSTAL PALACE. "Under Crimson Skies'" and the present big programme will be shown for the last time to-day at Greater Crystal. Palace. The | Lyric Four will appear at the. night session de lure, and the big Symphony Orchestra will play at the afternoon session as well as at night. The attraction next week will be the first presentation here of Nazimova in the most recent and biggest of her many successes, ''The Brat." In her study of the strange little street waif, N&zimova is said to run the entire range of the emotions* and never has she had a role that calls fbr so amazing l a display of her powers of mimicry, etc. "The Brat" is a creature of moods as variable as spring zephyrs, and as fleeting as sunbeams dancing on a bubble. It is certain that no moTe admirable impersonation could be found for the celebrated Russian actress. "The' Brat" is a Metro super production, and ranks as one of the moat elaborate works that the • screen has given us. It Teveals the supreme Nazimov* in a role totally different from any of her previous masterpieces, and it has many qualities of highest excellence that surpasses the best of her former productions. '.'The Brat" is really a screen epic. It tells the story of a-slum child with a woman's heart, and it begins with her life in the chorus of a musical comedy. Strange to say, it is the first time in her astounding career that Nazimova has played the ;part of an American girl. Of onlv secondary importance to "The Brat" is "West in West," with Harry Carey in the star part.' Mr Carey will' be favourably remembered for his excellent work in "The Three Godfathers," which was recently screened at Greater Crystal Palace under the name of "Marked Men.," "West is West" is a real Western picture minus the mushroom camps, gun-play, whooping cowboys, and crooked sheriffs, and is considered the Strongest and most interesting mining romance ever filmed. It is a picture which the manager, Mt V. 11. Beeb?, says carries his personal'guarantee as one. of the cleanest and most interesting pictures he has ever presented in tho big theatre. . An additional picture on the lengthy, programme is a fine two-reel comedy, featuring l the wonderful monkey, Joe Martin—it is named "Over the .Transom,"'' and is the second of the Joe Martin comedies to bo scieened in' Christchurch. _ In keeping with the quality of the pictures will be an excellent new musical programme by Greater Crystal Palace big Symphony Orchestra,' under the competent conductorship'of, Mr Alfred J. Bunz, and the second movement o£ Weber's fanious concerto, "Concertstuck" will be played with orchestral .accompaniment, the soloist being Mr Howard Moody. The management request as many of their patrons as . can possibly 'do so to attend the day sessions, or book their seats at The Bristol, as enormous crowds are expected to attend the night sessions de luxe. , EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. . Another double star programme is to be screened at Everybody's Theatre next week, commencing at the matinee on Monday. One of the attractions stars Wanda Hawley, who again, plays a sweet girl of the Golden South, in the new Paramount-Arteraft picture, "Held by the Enemy." Those who saw Miss Hawley in "Secret Service," in which she played" the same kind of role, wilf recall how admirably suited she was to the part. In "Held by the Enemy," as in the former, she embodies the true spirit of Southern womanhood, which existed prior to and during the great Civil War. Both pictures are adaptations from plays by/WiUiain Gillette, a noted American playwright and actor. The cast generally is one of the best, and includes such players as Agnes'. Ayres, Jack Holt, Lillian, Leighton, Lewis Stone, Robert Cain, Walter Hiers, and others. Donald Crisp was the director. The next attraction, is the Paramount-Artcraft comedy-drama, entitled "The Old Fashioned Boy," starring Charles Ray, which is heralded one of the most amusing and interesting* vehicles in which the popular star has yet appeared. This Paramount-Artcraft picture was personally supervised by Mr Ince, from a Btary of Agr.es Christine Johnston. .' Everybody's "Select" Orcestra will provide an entirely new musical programme. Reserved seats •may be book either at The Bristol or by ringing No: 4925. -' GEORGES CARPENTIER AT THE LIBERTY. ..

At the Liberty" Theatre, to-day tho initial -.screening of. "The Wonder Man," starring Georges .Carpentier, the champion pugLiift of EuropV who makes his bow as a screen actor, Carpentier's work as tho gentleman-hero compares well with his proficiency as a boxer. The picture proves that had he not chosen 'pugilism as his sphere, he might have achieved success as a movie actor. ■,' Besides furnishing excellent entertainment, "The Wonder Man" gives a perfect "close-up" of Carpentier the man and Carpentier the fighter, who became Heavy-weight champion of Europe by his sensational defeat of Joe Beckett in London last year. Carpentier lives up. to all, tho favourable reports that have been circu-i lated concerning'him. In the anti-climax of: the picture he appears in a four-round fight: with the villain, Eobert Barrat an actor and | boxer of no mean order. The story is from* the pen of Dr. Daniel Carson Goodman, and is an intriguing romance of American society, j presenting the star in the role of a French. Secret Service agent. So expense has been spared in the' making of the production. Carpentier has the support of Faire Binney, Florence Billings, Cecil Owen, Downing Clarke, and a number of equally notable .players. ' Francois Descamps, Carpentier's manager, also plays an important part. Supporting items/include the Pathe Gazette, Topical Budget episode 11 of "The Invisible Hand" (Vitagraph serial), ".Overall Hero" (Chester come'dy), "Setting' a New Angle" (Chester Outing), and a budget of popular songs by Mr Wyatt Hadland, an English tenor. . : ■■" ■

'■, * GBAND THESTES. The new programme to bo shown at the Grand Theatre to-day contains two star features. "The Invisible Divorce", presents an all-star .caste, and is a. very fine adaptation of Leila Burton, Wells's poignant drama of domestic doubts. Skilfully worked up situations and excellent acting distinguish "Tho Invisible Divorce" from the ordinary run ofphotoruays. The story'is a strong one, and depicts tangled lives and misunderstandings. It is stated to be.one of the most absorbing photoplays shown > here for some time, departing as it does from the beaten path. The eternal triangle is again in evidence, but in this picture there.are two triangles, .which adds to the interest throughout. The climax is magnificently handled, and Walter McGrail, Beatrice Joy, Grace Darmond, and Walter Miller have never appeared on the screen to'• better advantage. The second attraction is the frfmous photoplay "The County Fair,' adapted from Maurice Tournour'B celebrated drama, described as a,-big. special, full of the joy of living. There is. a which requires to be seen to be appreciated. Another of those absorbing episodes of "The Great Gamble" will also be shown. The prices arc as usual, and the box plan is at The Bristol until 12 noon,»thence at the theatre ('phone 2934). STB&ND THEATEE. The stirring race-track storyH "Checkers" will be filmed as the leading attraction in tho new •programme at the Strand Theatre to-day. Checkors is a tout, and has a great admirer in a youth, "Push" Miller.. Checkers ' falls' in love with Pert Barlow, a Southern Beauty, and ho finds favour with' her, but her iather, Judge "arlow, has different notions about what sort of a man- bis daughter should have as husband.. There is another suitor named Kendall, who is wealthy and .often drunk. Hendall and his hired thugs endeavour to prevent Checkers- from getting. Pert's horse, Remorse, which is to compete in a big race at New York, on to the course, but they are frustrated. Pert is then kidnapped by Kendall's hirelings, and taken to an opium den, but Checkers learns, her whereabouts and rescues her. Arriving after some thrilling episodes at the race-track, they find that the jockey selected to ride Remorse has been blinded, but Pert dons the silks and rides her horse to victory,' and the judge is won over. Supporting items are a Sunshine comedy, "Elephant's Nightmare," and Australian Gazette, World's News, Mutt and Jeff cartoon, and a Ford Educational, "Out of the Woods." QUEEN'S THEATEE. / \ Commencing to-day, the "Strand" magazine! story "Lady Voggs," featuring Miss Joan Morgan, will be screened :at the Strand Theatre. The new programme includes "Elmo the Fearless"' (chapter 10), the comedy "An Old Man's Fancy,," and a scenic. MADAME STRATHEARN. Great interest attaches to the first recital by Madame Strathearn, A.R.A.M. (London) at the Choral Hall to-night. 'The programme will resemble those which were given by Madame Strathearn' and other great singers to the soldiers in war time. Her songs will represent most part 3 of the Empire and coun<> tries of our Allies as well. Madame retains' a fondness for the songs the soldiers liked, and she is never happier than when singing to them. She has readily consented to visit the Military Sanatorium at Cashmere Hills and sing for the soldiers on Monday afternoon. Her l visit- has the cfirdial- interest of

the R.S.A., <uid recitals -will be patronised by members of that body. ■ . MALE VOICE CHOIR. The Male. Voice Choir will open its fourth season by concerts to be given in the Choral Hall on Saturday, April 23rd, Thursday, 28th, and Saturday,.3oth. There.will thus "be three concerts instead of the usual two. This 'lias become recessary owing to increased public interest and support. The third night, providing as it does nearly 1000 extra seats, makes the acceptance of additional subscribers possibles—good news for those who so far have not been able to link up with the Society. PROFESSIONAL ORCHESTRA. The Christchureh Professional Orchestra will give one' of its popular concerts at Liberty, Theatre to-morrow night. In addition to a wel'-selected orchestra programme, Miss Gladys Verona will be a special attraction. She" is an Australian soprano with a wide reputation, critics declaring her to be among the leading singers heard in the Cotamouwealth in some of the big nunibers from the best-known grand operas.