AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18232, 17 November 1924, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

PICTURE HOUSES. GREATER CRYSTAL PALACE. A Y7ONDERFUL PROGRAMME OF _. MUSIC AND PICTURES. The manager of Greater 'Crystal Palace, Mr V. M. Becbe, announces a, wonderful programme of music and motion pictures for this week, commences -to-day. 'Unusual pictorial beauty because of the- backgrounds ox giant trees and. heavily wooded hills is promised in the showing of "Big Timber," the Universal special production, in which "William Desmond has the featured io!e, and which heads the new programme. Some of the biggest tarn The world were the background, California,6 own giant redwo;ds. "Big Timber",is the, tale of two great, rival .lumber camps and i'h» new owner of one of them. Tins man, the leadin- figure in- the s.ory, is ■ handicapped in his battle with I\'a;uro and the •primitive industry of lumbering by. the fact that he takes charge of .the great industry under a cloud of suspicion. His men believe, that he obtained his control trough •tlirl- work," which ended in the smculo of the former owner. He has battles ga ore on his hands, and never passes up a challenge, which keeps him busy. There are two -iris in the elorv one a.,-, orphan wait ol the woods in tomboy clothes, played by Olive Hasbrouck, and the other a newspaper feature writer .in search of a, clue to the cuicide motive, played .by Betty Francisco Besides Desmond and these two, the oast includes the very capable Lydia } camans litus, Ivar McFaddeD, and Albert J. Smith. An unusual supporting cast is an out-cta-nding feature of "The ..Sleep Walker a Constance Bir.ney Ecalart picture, which lS the second bisf feature on the new programme. The clever star. long accepted as one of the best or the younger emotional ar--lists.'has with her such capable people .as Florence Roberts, famous old-Urns "ta«e star of "Zaza" and "Sapho": Cleo Kidgel,, former screen star; Jaak Mulhall, unusually popular leading man; Beitram feassby, and Edvtha Chapm:.n. ''The Sleep Wa. ker is a delightful photoplay, filled with limbing situations and ,-trong- appeal. It is athoroughly enjoyable picture. . The third big: picture is "The Christmas Handicap," or. third, race of the- worldfamous "Fast Steppers" waxes. This is a true-to-life production from the fascinating romances, of the great Tia. Juana, Race Track, as bitten by-Gerald Beaumont master of sporting fiction, and featured in the Keel Book Magazine. The cast of picture is a. Buperb one and is headed by BU> Sullivan, popular star ot '"The Leather Pushers" Such film favourites as Shannon Day, James T. Quinn. Duke E. Leo, Frank Kingsley, and Cesaro Uravma are'in the supporting, cast. , Besides the three star pictures the following supporting films will be shown:-!ho loth chapter of "TheFasfc Expr«B,» a very funny Century comedy, and the latest Inteinational Ncw3 film. Incidental to and in conjunction -with the screening of the various, potion pictures, the world-famous Symphony Orchestra, under the distinguished conductorship of Mr Alfred JBunz, Will' present a magnificent musical programme, which, includes the following, classical and : popular 3 "Morning, Noon and Night'! (Suppe); Symphony.in B Minor, Ist .movement (Schubert): "Allogro. from 6th Sympnony ' 'Beethoven) ; "La Foret Enchantee" ( <Tincent d'lndv); "La Navarraise" £».assenel): The Forest Banger's Courtship" (Ei enberg): "Discreet Flirtago" (KobertyV; ,} n ,.t™ "Cloisters" (Torrance); "Sleep" Lebie? , "I Am Nobody's Darling" (King), effects hr' Mr "W. Debenham. . . The bos plan is at The Bristol, or seats may be reserved by telephoning Greater Crystal Palace, number 3753.

GRAND THEATRE. "FAIR ArTD •WARMER.";: ■-' H ■■:■'■"■ Riders .of.TiaE daw.'' :• The new programme at the Grand Theatre drew the ■usual large crowd of . satisfied pations to that theatre on Saturday. Avery. Hopwood's farcical play, "Fair and Wacncr," .which has already been, seen in Christohuxch.in: ita.;<iriginal" setting;'has, aeit>deßerve3 'to he; been adapted to.meet ;the requirements of movio fans, and the version is :« good one, omitting nono : of tho essentials, and at the same time accentuating the many telling points' which inaudibility mi-ht causa to be. missed by an audience in°tho spoken, play. iNo doubt this is one of the reasons why. so many people preler the photoplay to the'other, and while some peoplo hold that-to cee tho former version before..the latter. tends to spoil subsequent enjoyment/vothers •cJaimT.tMt it serves the purposed of-v enabling one': to understand it the better. '■'■', Among, those, witnessing "h«ir and Warmer" on Saturday were some who had first : ' Seen, tho,spoken play, .and others who had Wt'.. "Both sections seemed to,be equally delighted with tho. picture, from which it may be assumed that it was presented satisfactorily. : The story deals with tho doings of two young married couples. It abounds, in amusing.complicatione, which follow.one'another with great rapidity,, and keep one in a simmer of mirth The characters are compromised-in: masterly fashion, and just when it soems that their position ia hopeless matters are suddenly straightened out, jand everybody is-, satisfied. May Allison is starred, and others 'in the cast are Pell Trenton, Eugene. .Peliette,., ; Christine Mayo, William Buckley, and Erne' Conley.

One of Zano Grey's out of-door stories, ''Eiders of the Dawn," is the second feature tture, and it makes a good contrast to tha other. Tue oast includes euch artists S3 Claire, Adams, Joseph.'J. Dowling; Roy Stewart, Robert McKimm,. Frederick Starr, Mark ■ Bobbins, and Frank Brownlee. Th 6 etory,' briefly, is as follows:—Captain Dorn, after a record at the front,. learns on his return to his farm that a gang of discontents is terrorising the district, hesitatingl at nothing ehort of incendiarism and murder. Ho determines to put a stop to their evil practices, .but realises the difficulty ahead of him when he learns that the district attorney and the police aT© making no effort to deal with the situation. A cold-blooded murder, dearly the work of the gang, takes.place on the adjoining farm, in consequence of which Dorn sets up a, vigilance band, and after a series of sensational incidents the gang is run to earth, the remarkable discovery then being made that the head miscreant is no less a personage than the district attorney himself. The disclosures made by the attorney so enraged the vigilance band that they are only with tha- greatest difficulty restrained from dealing out summary justice to the scoundrels in which the lynching rope would have played a big part. The gang, however is handed over to the tender mercies of the law. ■ , ..

Good supporting films are als* shown .Under Miss Agnes Shewby the orchestra, plays a delightful programme of music. STRAND THEATRE. "THE CLEAN-UP." UniYorsal's powerfully humorous photoplay, "The Clean-Up," heads the new bill which commenced at the Strand Theatre on Saturday. Herbert Bawlinson' is th 9 star and is provided with excellent material frorn. which he extracts the largest possible amount of humour. Every development is a fresh laugh, and it is surrounded with a two-fisted righting star working out the talo 'in thrilling adventures. The main •story is built around an eccentric milliony aire's will, which leaves a fortune to every citizen in a village. Wild with money, the villagers stop all work in a mad pursuit of pleasure. Crooks, of course, invade the town. X'no most useless citizen in the place, a typical society he-flapper, oakes the reins of government, becomes his fighting self long |cancealed under tho social venaer, (and brings the town out of its daze. Claire Adams plays the principal feminine rolo irt "The Clean Up." The-second attraction is t, most fascinating ■ drama featuring Ruth Clifford and Niles 'Welch in "Whisperod Name." Other pictures are "A Regular Boy," starring Buddy Messinger, International News and 'The Gnosfc City," Episode 8.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE.

TWO BIG ATTRACTIONS. "A SELF-MADE FAILTJKE" AND-"GALLOPING-FISH." Thoss . who , have . b<v?n fortunate enough, to review "A Se'f-Hade Failure," " the J. K. McDonald production which Firat National is scheduled to screen - thia week at. Everybody's Theatre,' commencing ' at'' the matinee to-day, Have" pronounced' it'.' one of the best- pictures of 1921. ■ The prod Ucer of this film l;as the record of making two of the best pictures of the season "Penrod and Sam" and "Boy of Mine," aid he ha<= followed up those successes by a third that is. even, more human 'and appealing 'than the two ■which installed him ao a member of tho cinema hall of fame. Whatever mav be said of McDonald it must, be admitted that he knows picture audiences; and tlfeir demandc Unlike most producers.' he pbns his pictures scientifically, and with an esactitiub that shows a considerable know'edgo of the science oE human, psychology-.' °The plot revolves largely about the adventures of Ben Alexander and Lloyd Hamilton,'and Director William Beaudine has deigned; to stoop to slapstick where he wa3 auro that slapsticks and hokum wero demanded. But thejo are not the only ingredients of, "A Self-Mado Failure." There is pathos aplenty and thero is real .physical beauty in the settings and many of the alluring scones-. The entire picture reveals a wide insight into human nature and is ' a ' criss-cross between humour and genuine drama. The cast includes: Ben Alexander; Lloyd Hamilton Matt Moore, Patsy Ruth Miller, Mary Carr,' Sam De Grasoe, "Chuck" Ricsner, Victor Potol, Dan Mason, Harry Todd, Alt* Allen, Priscilla McCray and'"Cameo," the do2V •' •

The "Venue de Milo" and the ."Venus do Medici" havo long held a place of intern.itional favour among the art critics, b.ut Thomas H. Ince has just put out a "Diving Venus" who promises to put the' international beauties on the back fhe.lf.. • She appears in Ince's latest comedy special, i'Tho Galloping Fish," which will' be shown as the supporting feature, and does somo remarkable diving stunts. • And her u'amo is Louise Fazenda! Screen audiences have laughed themselves into hysterics many time 3 over the. comedy -etunls of Mks Fazenda in Sennett comedies. In' the ~l'nce comedy for tho first- time they are introduced to Louise, the water nymph. With a. trained seal, which has the title.role of the production, the "Diving Venus" disports herself in a. glass tank act and an Annette Kclierman bathing suit: The act opens-up.a series of uproarious Fequences that fill seven celluloid ree'.3 with fast notion and hilarious laughter. Ineo proved , h'l3 mettlo -as a comedv-makor lost year" with ''Tho\ Hottentot." ""The Galloping Fish'" is twice'.-- as funny as "The Hottentot," with a sparkling story and an all-star cast of comedians that would bring laugli3 from King Tut himself. The plot is woven Rbcr.it the adventures of "Venus" when she tries' to hide her seal from a sheriff who is attempting to servo an attachment'on tho animal for a bill which tho diving beauty has failed to pay. A lovelorn voung husband .who- has .dropped into the theatre seeking consolation after his first quarrel with, his bride gets mixed up'in the nlot with hilariously funny results thpt-.wind up in a spectacular- flood. byd Chaplm, Ford Sterling, Chester Conklm, Johw' SteppHn, Lucille Bickscn .and Truly support Louise Fazenda and "Freddie the seal in one of the cleverest comedies which haVyet- been offered.. Del Andrews directed the picture, which ia a First National releA%plcndid musical' V^™mmc^ -vvill heoiven bv Erervbody'a ."Aielcc l' 'Orchcs lr» : nnd« the conductorship of Mr■ V. J. Bolftngban , I, Chief amons-thc items are the fol- . • Vlvnrturo "Ola South" (Zamcchik); l0W l" S "SuSc-Sons fexoliquo" (Mouaon): suites, Jm P T f,p'„ lTi }» (Rina), "Danoo of ballet innsic. C ;?™V'HJ.>.iuatoin) "English Dances' (QM.Her) c ntj_ , Switch" Part 11. tAlloraj. j . } oi by-telephoning ,4920- . _-.;•■■

THEATRE.-|r;; >• • "THE BEDROOM HEAET. .BANDIT::' ..., . Tho - programme. '. commencing, . at, corning is l'arly good one.". ! ..<.-../■;•.. : ;- 5 ... :.;' •'■" Rupert I'xapklin'a. name'- does:, not- appear ia the roster ot player in W-ilUam do-MiUej. Paramount production of .The - Bedroota •Window," which-will bo tho chief, attraction AU that ho had to do was to lie on tho floor in the opening scenes and-pretend that ho ivw. dead- yet for nearly six x*g* A cast of noted 'p.ayerfl, headed by May McAvoy, Malcolm MacG-regor, llieaido Colics, iina Ueorgo Fawcott; was .involved by what ho did, either suspected of having coir.milted murder, .or keen to, mystery. Mystary, melodrama, •■■ thrills, heart appeal;' >md; all -the, - rest packed "mto "Tho Bedroom Window." Tho'production is well nigh perfect ecreen entertainment. Thero havo been many mystery dramas; -but never before has a, story quite conio up (o the interesting theme running ii-ll' through. . fciomo pictures start off with a. bang, only to tlow up as. they progress. Others start elowly "arid'close with a. great climax. "Tho Be<|room Window" , qpens with a bang and closes with, a. emaßhing climax. . The second attraction la "The Heart Bandit," a. Metro., production with, .-v-'splendid caat, including Viola Dana. Thio : is a grand • story, giving tho delightful little• actress plenty of ccoypo for her ability..Other pictures to' be shown are' "Fool Proof," :a. comedy, the latest > Paramount.' Gazette, and a Burton Holmes scenic. A , brigiit programme o£ incidental music will be played by the Queen's orchestra, under'the direction of Mr Harry Ellwood. ■

LIBERTY THEATRE.

"MOEE TO BE PITTED THAN'

, SCORNED." ""WHEN THE DESERT CALLS

' A famous Btage play has. com© to the Liberty Th«atro in the form of "More To Be Pitied Than Scorned"—a great drama, of home aad stage. The initial presentation took place on. Saturday and was, witnessed by a, large audience. The story deals'with Viola Lorraine and Julian, a happily married couple. The latter, who is -a local stock company leading man, is loved by -an actress, Josephine Clifford, and Viola is sought after by Vincent Grant. In order to win over the girl Grant tells. her that her husband intends- to divorce her to marry Josephine Julian, in an extremely, drama tic scene, interrupts the .conversation and Grant leaps out of the window. The husband is suspicious that his wife has a. lover and leaves the house, taking his child with him. He reuents later, and returns, but only to find his wife gone. In the meantime the wife is injured in an accident and-, loses her memory. Julian searches for her in v a in, and in course of time he marries Josephine. The scene then lcapa over several years, when Viola's memory has returned to her. She finds her child and takes her to her home, Grant following, and threatening harm unless she consents to marry Mm. To avoid marrying him and having her child injured, Viola return the child to Julian. The child'tells Julian that her mother brought her there and the husband roskes out just in-timo to . catch Viola as she. is about to run away. A scries of extremely interesting and dramatic scenes fellow. In ihe course of the play in- which- Julian. \ Grant syrd Josephine are playing, the husband attacks Grant who tires :\ shot, killing' Josephine-. Then ' comes a desperate ■ battle- ot brute strength and it ends in Grant being- killed in a fall from a. balcony to thev orchestral Kosemarv Theby, Alio* Lake,' Josephine Adair, Frank Glendon, Gordon Griffith and ' Philo' McCullough are included in a- stron<? cast of characters. From tho ' point of --iew of sheer drama, the -film-pluy is one of the best seen locally for some timt. The various parts arc taken by carports in their own particular line, and . each. char-, acter is a, studv in it-self. The storv is' powerful and keeps interest alive from flashon to fade-out. ■ " .' The second' big feature deals jnh the mvstorv of the Great Sahara, the ; all™ ftlmospWe of the Orient, and, in addition to containing a powerful story, the rW nlav is unusually *rocd. Anyone delight ng in 'the fasinatioiv of Ironical '« ta " i; f lfl romance of the East will find "When 111, De'fert Calls" 'a -picture to be reniemW?U. One of Hepworth's mterestins. dance film••How to dunce'-the Tango," and a Mermaid comedv are the supports. . . . The Liberty Quality- Orchestra, «mtor-Mr Howard Moody, r>lavs- no «»al .part »n ,£ success of tins wcct'< entertainmont. Tbj entr'acte is the popular i<* trot „ I • A trt X -Mias Doris MMdleton opportunity to shew abilitr.. A h.iUp" (Gninn) played for the .first, time frT this t, proves most appropriate for tie Oriental picture. Cesar -Crus C f\ >• fflavdn)» Dorothy Fo~ E UrV from Quav.d" (Debussy); "Spanish Suite" /Leoncavallo-)■ ' ; ._