AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 17990, 6 February 1924, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS.

PICTURE HOUSES.

QUEEN'S THEATRE. Peter B. Kyne's sea stories so much action and human interest that they make ideal subjecis for the screen; tk e >" could not, in fact, be excelled. It mi S ht almost bo thought that in writing' them the celebrated American author saw in each of them their possibilities from «, (scenario point of view. One of the Cesi of his stones is undoubtedly "The Lig-i* to Leeward," which has been filmed a-a T>ut before the public under the title ot "Homeward Hound." In thinking 01 iM actors fit to interpret the part of Pet" B. Kyne's heroes, none comes more readu to the mind than Thomas Meighars, and tma artist it is who has the principal oi Jim Bedford, the <ral]?.nt mate of the -Newport, and subsequently the skipper 01 a hotter vessel, in "Homeward Bound, tiie lending rjietrtre now showing at the Queen s Theatre." Thomas Sleishan, as usual, gives every satisfaction as the hero of the piece. He is favoured with n fine manly face ond figure and, in addition, knows how-to act in what the Americans call "he man P"' s - He is siven able sunport bv daintv Ma 7>e. The other films are exc»llentlv d<versifM. nnd the orchestra, under Mr H. <?■ Glayshcr, plays a fine programme of music.

GREATER CRYSTAL PALACE. Vaudeville, music, ond pictures comprise the three-feature- bill offered this week to patrons of Grea-ter Crystal Palace. The Two Vagabonds (Messrs Dane Burt and Carlton Fay) aro an entertaining duo. Dane Burt is the violinist and Carlton Fay the accompanist. Both are particularly able musicians and separately would grace any concert platform, but together they aro responsible for an excellent offering. Both are essentially humorous, and it miglit be mentioned that real humour is extremely difficult to exir.k.l ixom buca tAaiu. aim lnsiiuuienia ua the violin and. tne uiuno. Xiieie ure any number ui artists who tiUi appear ueiore the loouignts una produce a. suuicjcncy oi good melody to impress an audience, but mere aro lew who can both piay splendidly and present tho essential oi nyni, liuniour a,t tho same time. .t'roin their nist uppe:inince each secures the goodwill of the audience. Carlton Fay strolls on to the stage in oostumo reminiscent of the Parisian Apache, while his companion appears a little later dressed in an easy-going Bohemian costume, more familiar to the Dominion. The pair come direct from tho Tivoli Theatre, Sydney, with something of a reputation. Alias Audrey Knight is another fine artist, whose season in Christchurch has been extended. "The Clean Up" is the principal number amongst the pictures. H. H. van Loan is the author, and the Universal Film Producers aro responsible for its production. It is a. farcical film, but in its very lightheartedness it contains a striking morol, one which is not thrust under tho noses of those who witness its screening, but nevertheless one which cannot be ignored. Tho star i 3 Herbert Eawlinson, an actor who • stands amongst the foremost of screen stars of tho day, and who is really worthy of his prestige. There is entertainment in every foot of the production, which tells a story at once entertaining and instructive Under Mr A. J". Biinz, the Symphony Orchestra plays some beautiful music

GRAND THEATRE. TEo current progTammo at the Grand Theatre is an excellent one. "Beyond the Rainbow," a masterpiece from the Mastex-pictuje-studios, features -tie charming Lilian. "Billie" Dove and tho Btalwart Edward Mallory, whoso acting in this" film surpasses anything previously attempted by either of them. Wonderful comedy and etirring drama permeate every scene, and tho theme is original' .tna unusual. it tells how JUanon 'layior ipoitrayed by Lillian "jsiuio" Dove), a stenographer in the einploy ot Edward Maliory VMarry Morey), a Wail street magnate, is, wifu airfcciuty, repulsing his daily advances lommy, Marion's baby brother, has been a brigut apot in her hie ot privations, and for his sake she has tried desperately io keep her position in Mallory's olhce. One night after a trying day, she is bribed by him to impersonate a certain Miss Chandler, a wealthy New York society butterfly and when she is at the ball, Mallory arrives and Short 'y »"« tho Ji-hS are switched off and Mallory'is shot. When the lights are again turned on Bruce Forbes htm "•ft" n ° aa lOVer ' is "»» Ending over him with an army revolver in his hand fcnally the mystery ls wived by the New is also 3 a ° WiO P-tur,

LIBERTY THEATRE. ' So .fault co"uld be found by the most fastidious with the present programme at the Liberty Theatre. "Potash and Per.muttor," the latest First National drama, which is the film version of the famous stajo play and book of the- same name, heads tho ' cuurent programme of motion pictures, and it ia quite eate to declare that no more magnificently mounted or lavishly d. signed production has been seen in Ohrifttchurcn lor many months. The story u too we 1fcnown to require treatment, buc lie scr.en veision brings unotaer asptct ultcgether. Thd gestures 01 me fiery Jewiili p-rtnj.s in tUd xeady-inoae dressmaking concern m iNeiv *ork are moio eloquent tnas words, ana the famous actors handle tho parts witn rare discrimination, wtuie Vera Gordon, tee much-taiied-ot feminine artiste in "Humoresque," act& wnn tnat sympathy and cha>.m wliich characterises her "mother' roles. '-Ar, You a i'aiiurei'" 13 the entrancing story of a young man molly-codd.ed by two maiden aunts, who, fiowever, proves that ad his associates made" a huge mistake in considering him. a '"dud." Inc«denta.ly love episodes are introduced, and it is litle wonder with such a charming associate as Madgi Bellamy, these are delightfully render.d. Dkect from the Boulevarde Cabaret, Paris the liaison Lyons and the Ritz, London, Monsieur If. Hyman was greeted with the spontaneous appiause of a crowded, surprised, and enthusiastic audience when he appeared in his latest 'specialty set, "J'azz-'up-to-da-ta." Tho Liberty Orchesbra plays a fino selection of mnsTa.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. An excellent bill ia presented this week at Everybody's '.Theatre. The Charles Jonc3 feature, "Hell's Hole," is a remarkable fantasy, in whiui romance, deeds of daring, Uurilis, adventure, and ep.sooUa oi pr-aon lite hold one almost Bpelibouncl for an nour. The story aeiua with, two pais oi tno Western huid, who are not 100 iiusii oi caan. 'JL'ney are turned out oi an attrucii»e oancing Usui, wnere tlio nigut tnrous.oi ""wine, women, an-a Bong," aniy to ana in liu Beit no ux or bo living in luj realms ot a remariiabie romance, in winca a irain incident, u, largo sum oi Bio.cn money, tne laent vl tne loan lor tne tnen, legitimate Bcexies oi piison tile, the escape oi uie innocent lmin oa a mission to ciear Tin ma ana to save tna h<;ro.ne troru the ciUtnes of tno villain, tue thrills oi t_e chase througn wonaeriul country in tile oourso ot wrucii (Jnar.es Jones creates a sensation by a oaring leap witu. his horse into a turbuient river, followed by a struggle the rapias; the end ot ihe cna3j, irT which hero, iha villain, and the girl are in a mountain cabin which is overwu-mei Dy on avalanche —tnese and other incidents are indeed o£ Bensational order, .keeping onb in a simmer ot excitement througaout the screening. But if all this one, tno greatest surpriae c.im?3 i_- tha tmai moments, oi tne picture. The second feature i 3 "A Prince of a King,'.', and the.e is also the playing of the Select Orche.tra; unu.r Mr W. J- Bellingharn.