AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17420, 3 April 1922, Page 11

AMUSEMENTS.

PICTURE HOUSES.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE.

WILLIAM S. HART AND WANDA HAWLEY. William S. Hart's latent Paramount picture, "Three Word Brand," which will bo shown at Everybody's Theatre this week, is notable in many ways, ono of the most intereating features beingf that Jane Xovak is leading woman. Miss Novak has appeared opposite tho western star before, but never to better advantage than in, this instance. Her appeal, beauty, and firmness, coupled with her womanly sweetness, servo to render her a. particularly effective figure in tho wild scenes that ensue as a result of tho efforts of a band of cattlo rustlers to ruin a firm of ranchers in Utah. Tho offenders aro working hand in glove with certain political powers, and only after several thrilling contests are tho ruffians worsted. Another feature of interest is the fact that Mr Hart plays three distinct roles in tho picture. As father of twin boys ho in trapped by Indians in a prologue to the story, and kills himself rather than submit to capture, after having sent tho two boys safely away. Later ho appears as Three Word Brand, port owner of a great cattlo ranch—ollo of tho twins—and then as tho Governor of tho State, the other twin. Double exposure of perfect cruality makes tho illusion remarkably effective.

Destined to bo a welcome innovation is tho introduction of typical French, farco into the field of American film comedy-drama. At least such, is the opinion of Wanda Hawley, Bealartist, and her director, Sam Wood. Certainly this pair aro in a position to know aB they have just completed "Her Beloved Villain," adapted from an uproarious French success of a few years ago. This picture will bo shown aa the supporting attraction on tho programme. "French farce adds a pleasing noto of originality to tho field of comedydrama," stated Miss Hawley.. "Tho French approach, tho interpretation of fun from an entirely different anglo than wo Americana do. They get laughs in a rapier-like, rapidfire way that keeps tho audienco gaspiDg. Their versatility can create, fun where fuu nover grow before 1 Why, in this picture the French author? havo adapted tho staid old American Miles, Standish-Priscilla-and-John-Aidon incident into a, sparging fare® that dashes along at high speed from start to finish. Of course the characters aro different, but tho idea is tho same —a man who asks his friend to propose for him. "You can imagine," continued Miss-Hawley, "what a clever twist tho French can give such a situation. They havo a knack of saying daring things and doing daring things .without giving offenco. This adds a savour and a 'difference' to French farco that so far wo haven't been able to approximate in our current American farce." ■ An attractivo musical programme will bo given by Everybody's "Select" Orchestra, under the conductorship of Mr W. J. Bellingham, F.S.M., chief among the, numbers being:—Overture, "Llmpresario" (Mozart); grand opera, "Danae of Apprentices" (Wagner)- "Inquisitive Woman" (Wolf Ferrari); entr'acte, "Coming Home" (Willehy) (specially arranged by W r . J. Belhngham, F.S.M.); symphony "C. Major No. 36 (Mozart); overtures. "Athalie" (Mendels eolm), "L« Boi d'Ys" (Lalo); light selections, "Gipsv Love" (Lehar). "Tumblo In (Friml); waltz songs, "Wondering If Its Love" (Hylton), "Sweet and (Johnstone); xylophone solo, "O-hi-o" (Earn), Clßrence Crawford; quartette, "Assai Vivace" (Schumann), Everybody's String l Quartette. , ■ . , -n * Boserved seata may bo obtained either at Tho Bristol or by telephoning-number 4925.

GRAND THEATRE. Picture patrons who have not yet had the pleasure of eeeing Charles Chaplin's greatest comedy, "The Kid," will welcome tho news that it is to be screened at the Grand Theatre this week. It was shown fo» tho first time at this popular theatre on Saturday, when the weekly change of programme, was made, and it met with tho warm appreciation if a large audience "Tho Kid. which was written and directed by Chaplin himself, is certainly the most ambitious photo-play, in, which the famous comedian, has appeared, for besides exploiting the undoubted comedy talent of the famous "star," it tells a coherent and touching story of real lifo. Charles Chaplin is seen in ihe principal role, attired id his usual make-up, and ho has asociatecl with bim Jacky Coogau, the clever youngster who plays the kid, and Edna Purviance, who has played feminine lead for lum for sonio years. The scenes are laid in mean, streets in a. large city, and Chaplin extracts the maximum amount of comedy from what are apparently the most commonplace situations, but are in reality the result of a year s hard work and study on tho part of tho authordirector. , , , Those who were fortunate enough to eee Hr and Mrs Carter de Haven, in, "Twin Beds" and "The Girl in the Taxi 1 ' will assuredly make a point of seeing ' My Lady Friends," in which these clever artist* ore appealing at the Grand Theatre this week. This is an excellent farce, and created a very favourable impression in Christchurch when presented on tho legitimato stago recently. The picture version is quite as enjoyable and it will be admitted that the Carter de Havens have not done anything better than their characterisation of the married couple whose domestio happiness is shattered by the well-meaning intentions of the husband to afisiat three young and protty girls towards winning fame and fortune. The husband is a wealthy, easy-going young man who believes that it is his duty to bring happiness into the lives of others by spending some of his surplus wealth. His \viic ia aJ frugal woman who has never risen above the ordinary daily routine of suburbia, dwpite the fact that her husband has become a millionaire. She will not allow him to buy jewels and oars, and is pld-fashioned enough to prefer to do most of the household dutieß herself. .'When she find's that her husband has been, keeping three young women in three different cities she experiences a rude shook, and immediately T uts the worst construction noon his aotions. The whole play is entirely enjoyable, providing one of tho moat clever and wholesome comedy films seen for u, long time. There is a good programme of supporting pictures.

[ STKAND THEATRE. ! Th« current programme at the Strand Tl£atreTW<& by -The Highi , Ho«««». r&TMi* feature. The story is baaed on Max dranS's Mvel "Wild Geese" and is a aequo to the poP«l»r Mix picture "The Untamed. TT,« surwortinp; pictures w i bME? (Sunshine Comedy), "In Asia" SK For World's New,, Au 3 t r ahan Guzette. "THUNDERCLAP." TSvo of the moat spectacular scenes ever registered on the screen tahe place in Thunderclap/Mho big feature to be screened next Friday. Ono is the hair-rawing paasaKeof thehero down the tempestuous rapids on the top o£ a board, and the other is the Racetrack acene. These two scene* alono make the picture a big attraction, besides many other elements of appeal. Mary Carr ia given a great mother role. Without the use of her body or limbs, unable to open her mouth playing tha part of a paralytic, she scores'a great hit. Her acting has to bo done by facial expression alone, and s ne proves worthy of her reputation. The story deals with sporting lifo and® the gaining; tables and "Thunderclap" takes its title irom the racehorse upon whose victory the fortunes of the hero and tho heroine rest. Plots and counter-plots are set in motion to keep "Thunderclap" from winning, but with the aid of a good jockey, the crooked gambler's efforts are frustrated. The beginning of tho picture discloses the suffering wife ansious to bring her child home from the convent] and tho husband, the cliT.d's stepfather, refusing to have the "brat" abo»t tho hoU£c. In a. moment of desperation the mother threatens to disclose the crooked methods of the gaming-house keeper if he docs not grant her wish. The gambler strikes ber, an'd she becomes paralysed from the shock, losing the use of her limbs and ber speech. rAn orphan boy drifts into t*e employ of the gambler, who is now running a fashionable establishment in a largo city, and brings with him his horse "Thunderclap." Tho racer was bequeathed to the boy by the only kind employer he ever hei. The gambler, finding his business falling off ruinously, sends for his beautiful stepdaughter to act as hostess of the gaminghouse. Complications aripc, and in desperation tho gambler promises his daughter in marriage to an old reprobate, with tho understanding that a large sum of money is to bo paid to the step-father within a specified time. Tho two great thrills in the picture are when young Tommy, on tho top of a board, rides down tempestuous rapids, and the all-abeorbing moving pioture of a not of fact flying heels in the remarkable horserac».

GREATER CRYSTAL PALACE. OKCHEa'IKAL CO.XCEKX, VOCAL KECITAL, AND MOTION PICTURES. A stupendous- programme, comprising all tho delights arid attract if eness oi an orchestral concert, vocal recital, and motion picture entertainment combined, :3 the triple attraction offered by tho manager c; Cirector Crystal Palace, Mr V. M. Beebo, lor thi= week, oommenemg to-day. Miss Mario Niis50n, tho'world-iamcd .London prima, donna, has been le-engaged for a further week, auu will be. hoard at tho night sessions de in tho following choice grand auu vocal selections:—"One Fine Day," from Puccini's "Madame .butterfly," with fiu. orchestral accompaniment; • I 1-it.ch My Lonely Caravan at, Nigiit" lEric Coatea), with violin obligate by H. EUwood; "Gomui Through the Bye" tßurr.s); -April Showers (Louis Silvers); serenade (Gounod.). 'the world-famous Symphony Orchestra ot tweinytwo soloists, under tho distinguished conductorship of Mr Alfred J. Bimz, will include the following numbers in their offering:—Overture, "Lustspicl" (Keler iX'.a); first movement Beethoven's eixth Symphony; "Andantino" (Lemarc); "Summer Days," a, now and beautiful composition by Eric Coates; "Ir.terme7.zo" (Sinclair); "the Three Nymphs" (Cobb): "Tho Rebel Maid, a, new and very tuneful light opera by Montague Phillips; "Suite Gaie," by request (Gabriel Marie): "The Naughty Princess (Guvillier); pianoforte quartet, number one (Fcsca), artists, Miss Hemus, Messrs Allwood, Moody, and Lawrence. Despite the fact that Greater Crystal Palace has presented many notable motion pictures in the past, it i 3 doubtful if a more artistic or elaborate programme of pictorial gems has ever boon offered at the big theatre than tho on© announced for this week. In "Tho Exquisite Thief," tho big six-part Universal masterpiece, magnetic Priscilla. Dean, who seome to bo gaining popularity at every tick of tho clock, hu3 the star part, and it is doubtful if this great actress has ever been eeen in a more suitable role, iho Exquisite Thief" is more than a swiftly moving, exciting crook drama. Thero u a deeper noto, based on the themo of regeneration, that gives the big picturo heart appeal as well as intense interest. Tho underlying idea of "The Exquisite Thiof" is that, m the matter of character, two wrongs can mako a right—that two criminals, remorseless and unrepentant when alone can so react on each other -hat that together they can accomplish what would bo beyond their strength of purpose if attempted singly. "The Exquisite Thief js tho story of a super-crook—and she* a girl. She had caused tho police to employ "stool-pigeons" from her own environment; to trap her—and even they fail io see in BaleJean Billio the clover jewel, thief who bad pulled off tho most sensational robberies in police annals. But even, in the heart of a super-crook there is a capacity for romance —and love—and Blue-Jean Billve finds it in. the courso of hor exciting career. As she stands in the doorway to one of the spaciously palatial homes of the 'MOO,' pointing, a blue-nosed revolver at the guests assembled to do honour to tho daughter of the house and her aristocratic fiance-she looks into tho eyes of The Man. the story then sweeps on to a climax as gripping as it is unexpected. ~ An all-star cast supports Madge Kennedy in tho big Goldwyn masterpieco, lrio Blooming Angol," tho second big picture on, the long three hours' programme, such wellknown and popular players as Pat 0 Malley, Margery "Wilson, Arthur Hoiusruan, "Vera Lewis, B. F. Blin, and Billy Courtright being in. the long cast, "The Blooming 'Angel" is a laugh-producing story .«»*«" to do with the dealing w.th a husband by a live-wire wife. The.plot centres around the advertising and exploitation of a marvellous face cream invented by the young, wife, much to tho disgust, o her literary husband. It « a picture of fast action, and complicated and amusing incidents follow each other in rapid succession. Like all Goldwyn photoplays, Tho Booming Angel" k notable for the sumptuousness of its dressing and f ° l, f"'fv r,The supporting pictures are the final chap fcer of tho Eddie Polo adventure story, D<> or Die"; a very laughable Century comedy, Featuring "Joe Martin," the marvellous monkey and tho latest International News film. The bos Plan is at Tho Bristol, or sea * may be reserved by telephoning Greater Crystal Palace, number 3753.

QUEEN'S THEATKE. "The Greatest Love" is the principal feature on the new programme at the Queen's Theatre. This is an intensely human drama Wed on mother love, sacrifice, and family honour, and stars Vera Gordon m tho principal role. Miss Gordon is the actress who made such a great success, m "Humoresquo fn™ l in her latest photo-play she fully maintains her fine standard of acting. The plot fa centred upon tho death under mysterious circumstances of a w« known theatrical producer. Many theories were forthcoming to account for tho man's death as to to widely hated and feared, but tho guilt is eventually fastened upon LanUm, u youngman who is found bending over the bod> The case against him looks hopeless, but the mother refuses to believe hor eon anything hut innocent, despite the opinion to the contrary held by tho legal men and the State governor. Not for ft moment does she relai. in her efforts to prove her boys innocence. In portraying the role of t.ie distracted mother Vera Gordon rises to great heights of oinotional acting. Will Rogers is well loved by all movie patrons, and his appearance at tho Queens an "Jes' Call Me Jim" is certain to attract, crowded audiences this week. The story concerns an amiable, unassuming fellow, Jim Fent-on, who goes to great lengths "to save Jiin friend. In this'picture Rogers has full scope for his whimsical humour, and tho patrons who witnessed the picture on Saturday night came away well pleased and thoroughly satisfied that Will' Rogers was the only man in tho film world who could have portrayed such, sv character with such charm and sympathy.