AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18366, 27 April 1925, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS.

PICTURE HOUSES.

GREATER CRYSTAL PALACE.

HOUSE FETEKS IX "THE TORNADO COLLEEX MOORE IX "AFFINITIES. JACK DEMPSEY IX "FIGHT AXD WES".

Tho manager of Greater Crystal I alace, Mr V. M. Beebe, announces another triple star programme for this week, commencing to-day, when the new bill will be headed by Houfe Peters in "Tho Tornado," Colleen Moore in "Affinities" and Jack Dempsey in the famous "Fight and Win ' stories. Big in its dramatic values, smashing in its conception of the spectacular, Tho Tornado," is fine entertainment in many ways, but probably its biggest appeal li®* in the stupendous scenes the fur;, of nature as emphasised :u the resistless powers of storm and flco<i. ±]iLiy are & number of these big scenes. A.he mos., thrilling and daring in ate inose resultant from a bi-» log jam, ••-.•inch dams up i storm-swojen river unt.l the ncoti waters threaten to sweep away u acVUepient. At the same time there is an assault by hurricane, a veritable tornado that tears loose. The air is filled with debris; the other is the battering down of a bridge which collapses jjist as a train is crossing, tho whole beirj plunged into the river where the passengers and crew struggle for iaeir livefi. House Peters plays the ro'e of a man who seeks by the terrific endeavour consequent upon a life in the iogging camps to deaden the heart pain caused by what he believes to have been the. infidelity of the woman who had promised to be his wife. A stern, relentless, grim figure of a man. he becomee known as "The Tornado.' Kuth Clifford plays the part of the woman, and "Richard Tucker plays her husbana, who. it develops, was the. false friend, who came l>a,ck from France and told the woman the man she Had promised to marry was dead. Peters and Mies Clifford do some.fine acting in tho scene where she goes to hie cabin to learn why he has refused to sec her. Another tensely dramatic, scene is where Peters, informed by a logger that there is a quarrel "between them two strangers over in tho hotel," goes to their room and nearly strangles the husband. Early the next morning tho couple leave on the logging train for the main line and that day the storm descends upon tho land. It is "Tho Tornado" who, at the risk of his Jifo, breaks the ja-m, in one of the big thrills of tho picture, and it is "The Tornado" swept on the crest of th» flood, who saves the woman from the fearsome wreck. 3vate Price and Suite Edwards have a clever comedy situation between them, and Jackie Morgan is oppealing as a kid- worshipper of "The Tornado" and about the only human being tho latter has any affection for. The others in the oast do well in parts of losser consequoee. King Baggot directed, and it is the biggest picturo of its kind made by Universal studios. It is the screen version of the world-famous Lincoln J. Carter drama, of the some name.

One of the fastest moving l pictures ever shown in Christchurch is tie second big feature on the new programme. The name of it is "Affinities," from the novel of the same name by Mary Roberta Rinehart. Colleen Moore and John Bowers are the.featured players. It is a ffodkineon release and one of the best that this office ha/s ever Bent out.

Jack Dempsey, world's champion, says that fighting for the motion picture, is even harder than fighting'in the prize ring. "In oider to be convincing I caught myself hitting harder and working faster in my Universal pictures than "I' ever have before a live audience," he explains. "There is something about the environment and the'knowledge that the camera is getting it- an." The second of Dempsey's new Universal series, "Fight and win," ia the third, big picture on the new programme. Besides the three main pictures there is-ft very, funny Century Comedy, and the latest Internationa! News film..

Incidental to and in conjunction with the screening of the various motion-.'pictures the world-famous Symphony Orchestra, under the distinguished conductorahip of Mr Alfred J. Bnxiz, "will present a magnificent . musical programme, particulars of which are advertised.

. The box plan, is at The. Bristol, or seats .may—bo reserved by .telephoning. Greater i Crystal- Pakoe, number 3758.

GRAND THEATRE. A YITAGEAPH MASTERPIECE. . "CATTAIN BLOOD." . Instead of the; usual change of programme on Saturday, the Grand Theatre screened its new bill for the present week on Friday last, and it must be said that it offered eomething exceptional in -the way of motion pictures. There could be no doubt that tho largo audiences whicVvritnesaed the initial screenings of the new bill had been drawn by the announcement that the featuro picture wis "Captain Blood," a film which is claimed to bo the greatest which the Vitagraph studios have- produced during the twenty-seven years of thmr activity. Tho picture has been adapted from RafaeL Sabatini's great novel of the same. name. The book is -one of . the class which it ia impossible to leave alone until the last page has been read, and much the same might be said of the screen production. "Captain Blood" ia certainly not one of the clais of pictures which one is tempted to leave (halfway through tho screening. As an historical novelist-, Sabatini seems equally at home with cfpisodos in England's past as those of America. However, in "Captain Blood" he deals exclusively with the England of tho time of -tho infamous Judge Jeffries. From tho turbulent * Homeland of that period' the story rapidly "mcves to the West. Indie 3,. where men, oonvicted of offences against tho State,, as well as all sorts of criminals, have been- transported to work on the plantations under the most revolting conditions. Such is the author's story, but in the writing thereof he has laid the foundation of- a stirring film drama, the possibilities of which' tlhe producers "Rave realised, cjid ha.ve < grasped eagerly. They have chosen for tho. title role ; J. . Warren Kerrigan, an actor who has succeeded in ' bringing the character whom he portrays, to life. Sabatini's Captain Blood wras an individual who possessed an exceedingly complicated personality, and in reading the book it must at once be realised that' in taking .such a part an actor immediately finds faced with a similar difficulty which w<>uld bo experienced in tho - role of. Sherlock Holmes. Ceiptain Blood, in other words, although an historical character, might' well be.* exiting to-day, and in taking his part an aetor would hare to become, in fact, an impersonator. However, Mr Kerrigan handles his role with An adaptability which proves him to be a master of his ©raft, and his noting throughout is as enjoyable « it is clever. Je*n Paige,has the opposite part, that of • Arabella, niece of the sometime owner of Oapfcain Blood. Jn'the taain the story is one of the pirates who infested the western seas in the earlier part of the reign of Willis n ITI. Th'e was a period when-there existed a truce between England and Spain, but freebooters still continued their depredations on tho ships of-all nations—with the exception of thoee of Prance, who offered' them safe havens in. return for their services -in annoying and harrassing the phipping of her enemy, the Spaniard. A great number of sfamnff sea fights took place', and in depicting one of these —an engagement" between Captain Blood's two ships and the French fleet which is attacking a British;• colony, the producers of the picture ' haive. attained a triumph in realism. This section of thopio | ture also servos well to indicate the difference vihioh existed in naval warfare _ between {he times of tho clumsy "windjammers" and thoee of to-day. Ships engaging each other then lay with their sides almost touching, their guns pomping shot into each other at apparently suicidal - rang®. Then there waa the boarding and " hand-to-hand fights, all of which can be seen to advantage in the film. Besides "Captain Blood, there aw a number of excellent supports on the bill, amongst *heee being a delightful mfosieal programme by the Grand On&estra, under the ©ondnctaabip of Mr Harold Beek. The screening'of "Captain Blood" is-prefaced by a selection, from MaCTenc*'s- "M»aon," brilliantly arranged by Juki Retiere, *ho was conductor oi one of the mo«t famous Parisfan owshestaa. The introduction is a* coca drimatio and lyrical, serving as a fitting prelude to the etirrin? pdotnre. The inatninjentation is rich and colourful, while the whole -work is inspired. The entr'acte » "Ave MariA" tSciubert). In the qoartei arrangement of this nomber the melody _ » criven to the «ok> violin, wfcfl# the ratrted pisocivto aocoppim xnoni is luiTp-lfk# in effect, th® lAaJft, which ia nost bemiifol and Appealing.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE.

TO-DAY'S CHAX-C-E. THIEF IX PARADISE.' 1 George Fitzmaurics's "A Thief in Par■sr dise" is being ofisrcd at Everybody's Theatre by First National tiiia Meek. commencing at the matinee to-day. The story, ail adaptation by Frances Slarion of Leonard Merrick's novel, "The Worldlings," opens with a vivid episode in the pearl fisheries of the China Coast and progresses swiftly to San Francisco, Burlingame. and Del Monte, Calif. II is the story of a man whom Fate has made a failure, and who seizes tho opportunity to masquerade as anoiher man in one, last .-ffort to regain his telf-respcct. His accomplice in the impersonation is a Eurasian girl, who falls in love with him and stops at nothing to win him. In the role of the other man, he meets and eventually marries another sir). The dramatic )>oisibilitie* ot this situation are worked out. to the ultimate limit. The story told against almost any background would be intensely gripping, but Fitzmnunce, with his usual leve of lavish pictorial effects, has provided a wide variety of backgrounds and novt-llies. There is the unusual girls' polo game played by two U-Mir.s oi beauties clad in bathing suits, and the l.ovel undersea dance pageant which marks the turning point in the story. A thrilling runaway hoise episode and a hand-to-hand fight on the floor of the soawhich is ended by a. man-eating shark are other ingredients, which have been fkilfiilly incorporated in the story. Acting honours go to Ronald Colmstn, the young actor recently signed by Samuel Go'dwvn under a long-term contract. He plays the rcie of Blake, the derelict who masquerades as another man. Doris Kenyon is the girl he ioves and marries, and Ailoen 1-ringle gives a splendid characteris;itint: as the F.urasian girl. Splendid portrayals are also given by Claude fiillingwnler, Aiec Fr-incis. John Patrick, and other members of the supporting east. A brilliant musical programme is to be given by Everybody's "Select" Orcliest/a, ur.der the conductorship of Mr W. J. Bellingham, F.S.Jf. Chief among the items are the following:—Overture "Bohemian (!irl" (BaHe): opera "Cherubin" (Massenet); snng miilc, "Gipsy Songs" (Dvorak!; symphony, "B Minor" (Schubert): suite, "Peer Gvr.t, Part II." (GriegV: entr'acte, "Serenade" tWidorl; light selection, "Cnbaret Girl" (Kern); fox-trots, "IToodoo Mail" (Brown), "Aunt Hagar's Blues" (Handy). The. box plan is, as usual, at Tho Bristol, and scats may either bo reserved there or by telephoning .1325. Intending patrons are advised by ths management to book their seat 3 early.

STRAND THEATRE. TO-DAY'S CHANG 13. Jack Ifoxie in "Flying HoofsV' is . the star attraction at the Strand Theatre to-day. All indications point to the fact that the brother ] of Sheriff i'ranlc Moody is the mysterious I?aven who has robbed the residents of the ' countryside of cattle, money, and holding up motor-cars. The brothers havo lost their ranch to Banker O'Connor, with whose daughter the youngest and suspected brother is in. love, and who loves him. The daughter of 'one of the rich oat men in the country loves the sheriff, but ho is bashful. To effect a capture the sheriff takes • the place of 'his brother nn befcnown to his deputies, and with the death cap over his head' is led to the gallows, bul before the noose can be placed the Raven and his men effect a rescuo. After the flight the sheriff whips tho death cap from his head and at the same time handcuffs himself to the Haven, who turns out to be a prominent citizen. • The sheriff loses his bashfulness when the girl arrives. "No Mother ' to Guide Her," 'starring Genevieve Tobin, is ■ tho second attraction on the bill. This is a picture adapted, from the stage play by Lilian Mortimer. The plot deals with two young girls, one the daughter of 'wealthy parents, surrounded by everything, that love audi money can, give her, tile other motherless and left to the care of a brual stepfather. The author has followed the fortunes of these two girls from their childhood and ■ woven a strong and human 'scries of events about their lives. The picture contains some humour and quaint bits of character drawing. It also contains a sensational • train wreck that makes a high-power thrill. . "Wolves of the -North," a new serial,: also "commences to-day r This is a" strong diama of vigorous lifo and love, in the grim harshness of tho Canadian fur-producing north. Made in surroundings never surpassed in any jnan-mado production, this superior ten-chap-ter production is a step lip in continued screen dramas. The star and cast are artists and athletes—in a whirlpool of intriguo. "Ravenous wolf packs, outlawed furpiratee, Nature's relentless elements, perilous adventures and miraculous rescues mark the ten chapters of this drama.

QUEEN'S THEATRE. i "LOVINa L 183." • A PETEB B. KYNE STORY." The programme to bo submitted at the Queen's Theatre all this week, commencing to-day, should prove very attractive. Two splendid attractions will be presented, the first being a big special entitled "Loving Lies," • which is an adaptation of the famous story "The Harbour Bar," -written by Peter B. Kyne. Like most of this author's works, it is a story of the sea, and is marked with thrilling incidents and virility. The story deals with a sea captain who lets his kindness of heart get the beet of him in helping an unfortunate girl, thus furnishing food for scandalmongers which threatens to wreck his own romance. There is an abundance o£ action, many thrilling situations, including a realistic storm at Bea, and a lot ■of human interest; in fact, it is one of the few pictures where there is not' an idle moment during its entire length. The title refer® to the Kes regarding his work which the hero tells his wife to keep her from worrying. Later these lies are found out and a "different idea is received by the wife. Monte Blue heads the cast,i and give 3 a <»ood characterisation of the red-blooded but" too kind-hearted sea captain. Evelyn Bront ia admirably suited for the part of his wife. Several well-known players fill the smaller parta. Shirley Mason's newest picture, That French Lady," will be the second attraction". Ths petite star is rarely so lucky in obtaining a role -so thoroughly moulded for hor as that of Inez, the little Flench woman from which the picture takes its name She is chic, and wears an abundance 'of beautiful and up-to-the-minute clotho6 and fairly dances through this Bcreen play with the vivaciousness that is characteristic of her. Bright, alert, and full «£ fire, she the jwrformanee of the typical high-strung Parisionno m a most convincing manner. The story deals with the problem »f. free lore, and. Inez is en osponcnt of the theory. The manner m which she is won from her views makes lor an interesting dramatic photoplay. Theto is an excellent supporting pro•rramrae. including ft comedy, an educational and tho latest Fox News. Incidental music' will bo played by the Queen s Superb Orchestra.

LIBERTY THEATRE. "CAPTAfX BLOOD." BY RAFAEL SAEATIM. Score? o: people were- turned rnvav tioin the door? of the Liberty Theatre on Fridsv night, when the management presented to the public what is undoubtedly the best pictorial programme screened at that popular place of amusement so far this year. The house was packed to overflowing long- before the usual starting, and queues began to form in front ui the theatre from six o'clock in the evening. The programme took over, three hours to set- through, and was thoroughly enjoyable. "Captain Biood," a screen adaptation *>f Kafaci Sabaiini's enthralling and wcll-rea-.i book of the same name, is the star attraction on this week's new bill. It is "useless to attempt to describe "Captain Blood" as a "superb production," a "gigantic attraction," aud so o-n, for all those terms have been emplnved and abused too frequently to carry any weight with them: thev arc "now almost iivKiningless in a picture review. !t would be better to describe it in an ordinary and simple way. "Captain Blood" is a good picture. Nothing like it has been •seen in Christchurch since the screening of "The Sea Hawi>,'' the first adaptation of any of Sabaiini's work. The tale is exciting and vividly portrayed. Romance, love, adventure, and red-blooded action are blended perfectly. It tells of tho time* wheji Kinj; James If. was on the throne. It was in those days that men made their fortunes by their wits or with their swords, and privateers and crews of cut-throat pirates sailed up and down the broad' Spanish Main; lurked around the French coast or scoured the torrid tropic oceans. I( tells of how innocent people were shipped off to some far distant land: away lo the West Indies and sold into slavery. There one beholds them as their taskmasters flog them and leave theni to dis of tVirst and starvation on the scorching sandX For one to fully appreciate the magnitude, spectacular value, and skilful direction :| is nccessarv to see the various sequences unfolded on the screen. Words fail to convey an adequate idea of (his picture, Tho stirring battle between ancient. gal|eons, a love, romance wiLli sympathy arousing heart interest, a drama of the days when freebooters roamed the sea-s and when gallant men crossed blades for the hojiour of the; woman thev adored: these are (lie elements which have been fused info the biggest Vitagraph production yet made. As is generally known, young Dr. I'eter Rlood is (he hero of f,lte iule. The story tells of how Dr. Blood incurs the anger of King .lames by tending a wounded: man who was one of Monmouth's supporters. One sees him banished 'for life fr<un his country ami sold into slavery in Barbadoes. After months of sickeniing torture Petor .Blood escapes from his bondage during the raid of a crowd of bullying Spaniards. In company with the other forgotten slaves, lio seizes a. Spanish ship and scurries across the ocean away from Barbadoes. And it is then that-' be becomes Captain Blood, one of the most famous buccaneers of'thc Spanish Main. For weeks ho sailed up and down the. seas plundering and freeing slaves from their captors. His physical daring, his swagger, his chivalrous manner, and his romantic generosity won him world-wide fame, while his gallant fighting niado him feared by all men. As tho years' pass Captain Blood and his crew of ruffians become rich, but love seems lost to tho pirate chief until the path of Arabella Bishop, tho beautiful daughter of a wealthy yet brutal planter in Barbadoes, whore he was once held as a slave, crossed his. Then a pretty love story is'unfolded. Sea fights, sword and pistol duels, rescues of damsels in distress, and many thrills go to make up tho picture. The 3ea effects aro truly remarkable. A fleet of 17th Century battleships are seen bombarding each other, and the explosions aro shown in vivid colours on the screen. Captain Blood, of course, finally leaves his piratical life, and' is united "to his Arabella .since King William 111. can readily forgive rebellion against the former ruler of England, -King James 11. The cast is excellent. Captain Peter Blood does all those thingß that eyery red-blooded boy and man would like to do. Sab&tini's hero is faithfully portrayed by J. Warren Kerrigan, whose screen come-back in "The Man From Brodney'e" is intensified! in' this Master Picture. Jean Page's portraiture of Arabella Bishop is -very convincing, Arabella is tho type of womanhood to which ; girls aspire and men admire. Reckless Jeremy Pitt is tho boldl dashing youth with tho . courage of- his/.Convictions,' who. dates, ■ and keqjw sil(ipt*s Jainea' Morrisoto aptinfT in tho rolo "of this young careless follow is good, as is also that .of Charlotte Merriam in tho role of . Mary Traill, a typo of woman men fight for and love. In support of tho featured film there is another Master Pic tare entitled "Virtuous Liars," with Maurice Costello, Dagmar Godowsky, and David Powell in the leading roles. The story tells of the various types of liars that aro"apparently in the so-called "select artistic set." The society scenes are the average but the acting is clever. The Liberty Quality Orchestra, under Mr Howard Moody, provided a programmo of music which fully maintained standard eot by the picture programme. The entr'acte this week is tho Prelude to the 3rd Act from "Lohengrin" (Wagner), a.nd it makes an effective prologue for Blood." "Tho Bose" (Myddleton), a ejection of old English melodies, included "Here's a Health Unto His Majesty," "Cherry Ripe," "Tom Bowling," and; proved most suitable at the commencement of thi big picture. The charming - "Gavotte Mignon" (Thomas), cleverly arranged as a glockersniel solo, was another favourite number. Mr "Arthur Gordon plays "Chanson and Pavano" (Couperin-Kreisler) with artistry. An exhaustive selection from Verdi a "Othello" was a work new to tho orchestra, and received an intelligent interpretation. Mr Howard Moody plays Ihe popular "Prelude in <j Sharp" (Rachmaninoff). Other numbers included Symphony. "Military' (Haydn); opera, 'Henry VIII." (SaintSaens); suite, "Reverie et Finale" (Guirand); "AdmiTalfi All" (Bath), "Plymouth Hoe" (Ansell), "Petite Suite do Concert" (Cole-iid»e-Taylor), "L'Arlessienne" (Pizet).