AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18238, 24 November 1924, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS.

PIGTUKE HOUSES. GREATER CRYSTAL PALACE. "THE SIGNAL TOWER". AND -"TOUB FRIEND AND MINE.' "The Signal , Tower," TTniversal-Super-Jevel production, heads tie new programme at Greater Crystal Palace for this week, coinnirr.cing' to-day. It is a great plvjtoplay that sends {he spectators homeward: wonder ing just how many families there is ih this land whose st-ory might have furnished • the material for this thrilling drama. "True to Nature" when applied to this drama, may be a ''nature" that most persons have no real knowledge about. It is true net all of • us are railroad employees destjxiod to carry on their duties in a lonely stretch of forest, but all.known quite well what. the' joys • • and tragedies are that enter the homes of the average in this country. "The Signal Tower'' was directed, by Clarence L. Brovrti, and he has achieved success in two ways: one in the convincing ability of his characterisations and the other in the reality of the externals. The vital dramatic interval cf the story is si-t in the swirling environment of a storm at night within a mighty forest. A train wreck comes to add its chaos to the tormented mind of a man who believes that by devotion to his task—that of tavihg the lives of those who ride by rail—he would wreck forever the happiness of his homo life. Virginia Valli, star of this appealing story, has never been seen in a better role than that of Sally Tolliver wife of a man who works in the signal 'ower of a railroad that runs through a lonoty forest. But there is no loneliness in the home life of this family of three —father, mother, and child. Neither is there tragedy until the coming of a third mnn. also a signal tower man, who, against the desires of the wife, is taken into the family. The story that, develops from then on is just- as true as is the story of the happy days that came before. Throughout the picture is full of human touches that appeal. Tlie'cast includes Rockliffe Fellowos, Wpl'ace Beery, Frankie Darro, a child actor who goe« through his part as though it were -no but juft "doing things"; •Tameß 0. Barrows, Dot Farley, and J. Fnrrell Ma: Donald. "The Fi»nal Tower!' is «aid to be one of the finest photoplays that has ever been screened, and one which should not be missed by lovers of good entertainment.

Enid Bennett enacts the leading feminine role in the Metro production of "Your Fiiend and Mine," the photoplay version of Wirard Mack's great stage play, directed by Clarence Badger, and which is.the second hip picture on the new programme. Miss Bennett's role in this picture, that of a neglocted wife of a money-mad business man, is the best of her career. Durirg the, few years phe has been in Diotures, Mips Bennett has est-hliehed herself as one of the, most beautiful and most talented of screen actresses. and she has been featured in several ail-star productions. The cast assembled for "Your Friend and' is an, exceedingly fine one. and l>cs' cl "s Miss Bennett,-includes Willard Mack, Huntley Gordon, and Rosemary Tliebv. .... Th«- tb'rd f«<>tu>e picture o« the; new mil is entitled "The Shooting Star," or fourth race in the famous "Fast Steppers' aeries, f was written by Gerald Beaumont, one of ?*ia cleverest 3port writers the short p tory world lias ever known, and has -popular --Billy Stillivan in the. lending role as' the loveable "Information Kid." Besides (he three star mctures, there are n fine variety of supporting films which include the 11th chapter of "The Fast Express,"' a very funny. Century Comedy, and tlis latest International News film. Incidental to and in conjunction wwn .he screening of the -various motion pictures. the wo.'d famous Symnhonv Ortrcstia, undo" tHe coiiditeitfrship'of. Mr Alfred J. Bunz, will. present a musical .programme which.includes the following" and popular numbers: -Overture, "The New Colonial ■nhonv No. 2, first movement (Beethoven); "Don Carlos" (Verdi); "Alborada (BimskyKor.»ak"S); "Valse Des' F eurs kowskyl: "Eastern Bomance" (Rimsky-Korea-VoC); "Three Famous . Pictures (Haydn "Wood); "Coronach" (B«rr»tt)_; May Time (Rvlva): "Marchetii" JSohertzinger). , The box plan is at The Bristol, or seats may be reserved by telephoning Greater Crylstal Palace, number 3758.

QUEEN'S THEATRE. to-days change. "THE MORAL SINNER.' AND "A HALFDOLLAR BILL." A complete change of programme will 13b presented at tho Queens Theatre today, 'which' should meet with the approval of all. Two attractions will be screened, besides a well-varied supporting programme. Well-selected incidental music has been selected by Mr H. Ellwood, conductor of the Queen's Orchestra. The chief attraction will be "The Moral Sinner," a Paramount production • with Dorothy Dalton in the leading part. In this picture Miss Dalton is seen in a. new rolo, tha-t of a girl who tries to be a professional thief and finds that she cannot do what she is Wing made to do. It is a picture that is filled with dramatic adventure, thrills, and swift action. Many thrilling scenes are aean of the Parisian .underworld, and Miss Dalton is most beautiful es the Queen of the Apaches. The second attraction is "A Half-Dollar Bill," with Anna Q. Nilsson in the leading part. The story tells of the finding of an abandoned baby by a sea captain and his cook. The mother hopes at a future date to- claim the child by. presenting the other half of the dollar note, and by strange circumstances the mother is hired as housekeeper. Her husband, who has deserted her, finds out where the boy is, and attempts to steal him. In the struggle on board the ship the father is . killed and tie way opened for the -union of the captain and the girl. The supports include a bright comedy, the latest Gazette, and a Burton Holmes Travuiogue.

STRAND THEATRE. "THE LAW FORBIDS." "HOOK AND LADDER." A splendid boll at the Strand Theatre is headed by a Grand Universal Jewel picture, "The Lav/ Forbids," featuring Baby Peggy. Paul Remscm, a playwright, and his wife Rhoda become estranged and seek a divorce. The judge denies a divorce and decrees they shall separate for a year, and if th'e trial separation is a success, the case is to be reopened. The little daughter Peggy is to remain six months with each parent—the mother first. Rhoda departs for her parents' he le. Peggy maltes friends with, chickens and farm pets, and passes the day in play. Paul in the city, becoming discouraged, seeks the company of prominent actress, for whom he is writing a play. At her suggestion he twists the play so that the "other woman" in a story much like his own proves the real woman to bring the hero happiness. Little Peggy, longing for her father, sets out with her pet rooster for the city. Rhoda,. learning of this, follows, arriving in time to meet the judge, who takes her to the opening performance of her husband's play At the climax of this, little Peggy, playing behind the scenes, walks on to the stage with her pet rooster. The actress playing the "other woman" seeks to retrieve the situation by 4 sharply ordering the child off Peggy answers back, and the actress leaves the stage in a huff. Paul, playing the hero becauße of the lending, man having become indisposed, stands dumbfounded. Then tho actress playing the enters and makes up some lines. A reconciliation is enacted on the spur of the moment—and saves the show. How Peggy in a remarkable climax completes the story off stage, concludes a series of gripping dramatic scenes^ The supports axe Hoot Gibson in "Hook and Ladder," "The Ghost City" (episode 9), ■ Quit Kidding" . (Buddy Messinger comedy), and the International News.