AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17127, 23 April 1921, Page 4

AMUSEMENTS.

' OPERA HOUSE. Tier© was a larga attendance at the Opera. House last, evening, ,'whin ib* "Mam tc.leMirui Diggers" again a big impression. In the first half Haagen Eddy Martyn, Gladys Verona, Sumas, Hii.ey md Bent, and Wendy and Alphonse ail obtained g-ood .hearings.. The program me will bo repeated to-night and there will" be a, matinee this afternoon "ONCE TO EVERY WOMAN." AT GREATER CRYSTAL PALACE. "Once a Plumber,' "Risky Business," and the present popular' programme of pictures and music will bs repeated at Greater Crystal Palac-i this afternoon and to-night far tho last times, and the big Symphony Orchestra will play at both sessions. As usual Greater Crystal Palace will be closed on Monday until 6.30 p.m. on account of Anzac Day, but will bo open Monday evening for the night session de luxe, when next week's high-class programme will be ..presented for the first time. "Once to Every Woman," tho magnificent Universal-Jewel super masterpiece, which was proluced by Allen Holubar, and' which has as i'-a star Miss Doiothy Phillips, will, head the new bill. Theatregoers, who revelled in the dramatic wealth of "The Heart of Humanity," and "The Right to happiness," also produced by Mr Holubar, will find the "Ones to Every Woman" surpasses in screen perfection the igrandeur.. of these two notable productions, and that Miss. Phillips, called by many critics "The Bernhardt of the Screen," rhes to dramatic heights seldom demanded of an actress in the silent drama. "Once to Every Woman" is said to be a human screen document. Its characters are ordinary mortals, and the homely atmosphere of the early scenes, always strike a svmpathetic chord in the hearts bf the audience. It is a production big in theme and mnssiv* and magnificent in execution. Over 2000 people appear in one interior scene, which represents the auditorium and Btage of tho Metropolitan Opera House in New York. Eighteen hundred people constitute the audience, there are sixty-five musicians in the orchestra, and more than a hundred actors on the stage. In the eminent allstar enst supporting Mips Phillips are Robert Anderson, Rodolph Valentino Frank Elliott, Emily Chicesier, Elinor Field, Mrs Margaret Mann, Willi»m Ellin'gford, Dan Crimmins, Rosa Gore, Mary Wise, Katherine Griffith, Emma Gerdes, and many others.: The second big picture on Greater Crystal Palace programme next week is claimed to be the biggest circus story ever filmed, en-, titled "Kincr of the Circus," with the ever populer Eddie Polo as the featured player. In "King of the Circus" a complete American circus is shown ii full operation, and it i% said to be even bigger and lxitter than Barmim's, becauso three huge jcircuees were combitied- to make the picture, which ranks as one or the most thrilling and stupendous of all screen productions. "King of the. Circus" embraces the flower of daring performers, gymnasts, aerialists, acrobats, beautiful lady equestrians, clowns by the.score, and the largest menageries in existence. It is. a_ clean, healthful picture, which'is sure to appeal equally to old and young. . In. addition to tho picture portion of the lengthy programme there will be an entirely now musical programme by the famous Svmphony Orchestra, under the distinguished conductorship of Mr Alfred J. Bunz. The box plan is at Tho Bristol, or seats may bo reserved by telephoning number 3758. "SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT." Stag© settings of unusual beauty are> assured in any photoplay bearing Cecil B. do Mille's .name, and "Something to Think About," the Paramount-Artcraft Royalty Masterpiece, which will be shown at Everybody's Theatre throughout next week, easily reaches tho high standard set by previous de Mille productions. But "Something to Think- About" has in addition to several stage settings of remarkable beauty, some of the most realistic backgrounds of a humbler sort ever seen in a 1 motion picture production. The story offers a gTeat opportunity for contrast, and due has been taken of every opportunity. In this production, haß been supplied a ,humble blacksmith's home,' his workshop and the poverty-stricken apartment wherein some pf the most important action of the story transpires. " Against this background Cecil B. do Mill© placed a home of exquisite beauty. By thus contrasting the two surroundings, they have emphasised the realism of ohe and the artistic ivorfection of the other. Notable, examples of thio decorative lavishness are

to be found in the Oriental living room, library, and music room which comprise one _; ;.i question. An- <• . i svUiia-' ssmVle of the ultra-modern ''•ifU—rc-- in '""iaV-ior decoration is in the diiiiaV-room of the same dwelling. A boudoir of striking biauty completes this household. Miss Gloria Swanson pla.v3 the central lemiuine role in -Something to Thin* About." Other notable names in ttocass include Elliott Defter. Theodore Kobcrts, Monte Bine. Clair McDowell, Jamea Mason and Julia Taye. A South African story «by Cvnthir. Stocklcy servos n« Eihol Claytons latest Paramount vehicle, "Sins of B<«anne, the supporting attraction on the programme. Miss Clayton plays the most unusual film heroine seen in many moons. Saved from death as an infant by an old Malay woman, the daughter of a wealthy English vndowliving near the Kimbcrlev diamond mines, grows into womanhood imbued by the Malay, with an insatiable craving for bright atones This leads her into a diamond smuggling scheme, in which she is the accomplice of a sinister jeweller. But romance enters her life, snd, after exciting adventures, she i» freed from the Malay's influence and becomes her real self. "Sins of *«*»«» •*" tracts by the unusual character of its story and by the sterling work of Miss Clayton in the heroine's role The cast also includes Jaek Holt and Fred. Malatesta. Tom Forman directed the picture. An jew musical programme, consisting of th«» W«J» elections, will he Sl™ by IwTWi >Sdeci" Orchestra. He may to booked at. The Bristol, or by telephoning management advertise that Everybndv's Theatre will be closed on Anzac Day until 6.30 ?.ra. LIBERTY THEATRE. . Jamre Oliver Ourwood's popular novel, "The Courage.of Marge OJDoone, h«* «*" filmed by the Yita'graph Company, ™djuU I*. presented at ,the Liberty Theatre to-day. The picture was filmed in Truckee, and the company lived for wesks the lives of Mr Cm-wood's characters. Snowcapped mountains and fir trees, dappled white and green, form a background for one of tho most .fascinating stories which has ever ueen pnt on the screen. On<> "f f-'" 1 v i""-' ; " actual fieht between two enragod gmaly bears. Others show the gradual taming of an outlaw wolf-dog, and a gruelling • battle between two men for the possession oi a woman. Pauline Stark* appears in d>* tlll;0 I<Ke '' a,ld has the support ofXUes Welch, George Stunto, Jack Curtis, William Dyer. Boris Karloff, and James O'Neill. A Pathe Gaze.tJ and Review, Topical Budget, a ne* episode of the Vitagraph serial, "Tlie Invisible Hand," and a Oapitol-Goldwyn comedy, "A Fly in the Ointment," complete tihe ricture programme. An announosment of special importance is tho engagement of Mr Alan Shrimptors baritone. Mr Shrimpton comes from Australia, and is said to l:e a singer of distinction. His numbers will be, "Around the Galley Fire," "Th.- Mcrun-. tains of Mourne," and."The Blind Ploughman." The Liberty/orchestra, will s'.lso be heard in « superb musical programme, which includes the overture from "Martha." GRAND THEATRE. ' The new programme to be- shown at the Grand Theatre to-day promises to be quite up to the standard of this popular house. As usual, there will be two star features. ."The Prodigal Wife" features Misses Mary Boland and Lucy Cotton, supporting an allstar cast. Dr. Frederick Farnham, an ambitious young physician, with his wife and four-year-old daughter, occupy humble quarters in a boarding-house in New York, tho front parlour of which the doctor, at certain hours, uses as his ofilce. Mrs Farnham Tebols. against the narrowness of her lite and her husband's devotion to his career, and accepts the attentions of Thomas Byrne, a fellow boarder, who has suddenly struck » rich. Thereafter the plot is sensational, and the climax is very dramatic "Dollars and the Woman" features Miss Alice Joyce and her performance in this .Vitragraph production, is stated to be one of her best. It fol,low's on tho lined the stage play, and is just as full of incident, suspense, and interest.* Good judgment has been used in the selection of the cast. Another of the popular chapters of the remarkable serial, s The Moonriders,"- will . also be shown. Patronß are advised to reserve thew seats at The Bristol' until 1? noon, or at the theatre ('Phone 2934) thereafter. .

STRAND THEATRE. ! A new programme will be screened at the Strand Theatre to-dayT As usual, there i»a big Fox film at the head of the bill In other words, the ever popular William Farnum will be seen in the diverting story of a, Canadian villager in New York society. How the big man makes the big sacrifice for his sister, and how he obtains tbs truth by mean* of a red-hot iron, are shown m the film.' A "Sunshine" comedy, a "Mutt aul Jeff" cartoon, a "World's News,' and an Ausare included in the big programme. "'*'' .'■■ - -. MALE VOICE CHOIR. .-. ■ The Ghristchurch' MaJe Voice Choir will give its first programme of the present season to-night at.the Choral Hall,.and, judging by the heavy booking, there should-be a large attendance. A number of seats will be available at the door to-night {or nonsubscribers at 2s each. Patrona are askeM to be in attendance by 7.30 im order to facilitate seating before 8 o'clock, at which time the programme will commence. MUSICAL RECITAL. A recital by A. Stanley Darwick, formerly of tho State Conservatorium of Musio, N S.W., and elocutionary' judge .at the Wel-lfn<>-ton and Christcmrrch competitions', willbe "given in the Choral Hall on May sth. Mr DaTwick will be assisto'd by* leading local aTtists. PIANOFORTE RECITAL. A pianoforte recital will be given in the Art Gallery on Tuesday evening- next by Madame Leadham Crowe.