GREATER CRYSTAL PALACE.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18367, 28 April 1925, Page 14

GREATER CRYSTAL PALACE.

EXCELLENT ENTERTAINMENT. SPLENDID PICTURES—DELIGHTFUL MUSIC. "With tha coming of the winter, the short, chilly evenings, and the long-, cold nights, tha public seeks its amusement in cosy theatres. Last night a, crowded house witnessed the initial evening screening of the new programme at Greater Crystal Palace,

i'nd expressed itself, by its frequent applause, as being highly delighted with it. The programme this week is original and thoroughly enjoyable, and it took over three full hours to get through last night. A picture that must rank as one of the finest cf Universale achievements is "The Tornado," a melodrama of ove, hate, and adven'uie, which is tho headiiner on the current, bill, it is fine enteitainment in n.uny way;;, bur. perhaps its appeal lies in tho way in v.'hiuh it arouses heart interest, and in tho red-blooded action which fills it. Tho talo tells how a stalwart young man comes home from the Great War and finds that the girl he had "left behind" when he went away to fig'ht had apparently forgotten her promise to him and had married another man. He becomes a lumber foreman in a hogging camp away in the north. To the bullying lumberers he is a mystery. No one knew where he came from, and nvery one feared him because of his enormous strength and iron will. The ruffians called him the "Tornado," and he, by the terrific endeavour consequent upon a life in the logging camp, sought to kill the thought that the woman wh-> had promised to become his wife when he returned from the war had been unfaithful to him. A merciless man, he lives up to the name of "Tornado" given him by the lumberjacks. But it transpires that a false friend of

"Tornado's" oanie back to the hometown of the girl "Tornudo" left behind, and told tho woman tint the man she had promised to marry was dead. Then while tho "Tornado" is draggirg cut his existence in the little lumber settlement, the c;uple appear on a visit, and there the three meet. There is material in plenty for the dramatic climax which follows. The most thrilling situations are those following upon a big log jam which dams up » surging river until the flood waters threaten to sweep away the entire town. And then, just as the flood waters were at their height, a tornado struck the settlement, sweeping all before it. Grim death faced the man who ventured out to break the jam, and to save the to.vn from the flood, but '•Tornado" did not hesitate, and the scenes showing him riding the turning logs is exciting. The ending, though dramatic, is good. As "Tornado," the relentles.3 lumber foreman, House Peters gives a striking portrayal, and his acting is oonvincing. Ruth Clifford plays the part of the "girl he left behind" very effectively, while Richard Tucker is oast as the false friend. Colleen Moore, who won her laurels in "Flaming Youth," and John Bowers, who rose to fame in "Lorna Doone," are featured in "Affinities," a picturisation of Mary Roberts Kinehart's widely-read novel, which is the second big attraction on this week's bill. Laughter permeated every scene, thus making the production a whirlwind of fun. It "hits tho pace" from the first flash and proves to be. one of the fastest things yet thrown on the silver sheet.' Bright, sparkling entertainment is furnished by the story, which abounds in amusing situations and humorous complications.

The world's heavy-weight boxing champion, Jack Dempsey, is again featured in the second release of the popular and very entertaining "Fight to Win" scries whicii aro being shown at this theatre. Boxing "fans" were not the only persons interested in last night's picture; tho feminine portion of tho house deemed to enjoy the film equally as well. A hilarious comedy and a. news film completed a very pleasing bilL • Mr Alfred J. Bunz'e Symphony Orchestra played another fine programme. Tha overture was "The New Colonial March" (Hall) in which the trio was prettily played. Tho Hecond movement from Schubert's B Minor Symphony waa the principal item, and it was played in a refined manner. It' toad a, muted cornet opening, and the first entrance of the principal subject was given out in charming tone by the clarinet, which was ■answered by the oboe. The next number was "The Procession of the Grail,", from Wagner's "Parsifal." This was opened with the bells, which gaive a fine effect to the piece. "Canto Dolorosb," by Snoek, was also a pleasing number. The. entr'acte w?.s "One Little Dream of Love" (Gordon). Mr W. Debenham was loudly applauded for his splendid work at the xylophone.

QUEEN'S THEATRE,

"LOVING LIES."' A PETER B. KYNE STORY. The programme which is being presented at the Queen's Theatre this week is a very fine one, and well worth going a long way to see. It iB headed' by the picture adaptation of Peter B. Kyne'e famous etory, "The Harbour Bar," and in support is shown "That French Lady," starring the vivacious Shirley' Mason. "Loving Lies" is the title, of the chief attraction. The producers have exerted every effort to make their picture of a standard which will compare favourably with the author's story, and in this they have succeeded beyond all expectations. Pet'ir B. Kyne is especially at home in writing stories of the sea. and "Tho Harbour Bar," from which tho picture has been taken, is a splendid example of rub beat work. 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 best of him in helping an unfortunate girl, thus furnishing food for scandalmongers which threatens to wreck his own romance. ' There is an abundance of action, many thrilling situations, including a realistic Btorm at sea, and a lot o* human interest; in fact, it is one of tho few pictures where thorc is not an idlo moment during its entire length. The title refers to the lies 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 wife. Monto'Bluo heads the cast, and gives a good characterisation of tho red-blooded but too kind-hearted sea captain. Evelyn Brent is admirably suited for the part of l.is wife. Several well-known players fill tho smaller parts. Shirley Mason's newest picture, "That French Lady," is tho second attraction. The petito star is rarely so lucky in obtaining a role so thoroughly moulded for her as that of Inez, tho little French woman from whom the picture takes its name. She ii chic, and wears an abundanco of beautiful and up-to-tho-minuto. clothes and fairly dances through this screen play with the vivaciousness that is characteristic of her. Bright, alert, and full of fir*, she gives the performance of the typical high strung P»risionno in a most convincing manner. The Blorv deals with the matter of free love, and" Inez is an exponent of tho theory. The manner in which e-he is won from her views makes for an interesting dramatic photoplay. There is an • excellent supporting • programme, including a comedy, an oducationa! and the latest Fox News. Incidental music is played by tho Queen s Superb Orchestra.