AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18414, 22 June 1925, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS.

PICTURE HOUSES. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. "AS MAX DESIRES" AXD "CIRCE." A GALAXY OF STARS Captain Milton Silis brings the gocd ship Drama safely across the shoals of tragedy " co ag^' n in '"a latest First National ■icture, "As Man Desires," which comes to •verybody's Theatre to-day for r. •veek's screening. The salt tang of the S ea ? mingles with the mysticism of he Orient in this strange romar.ee, adapted 2; on } ~ n ® Wright's novel, "Pandora La •>voix. Sills and Viola Dana occuny the centre of interest. Un ike "The Sea Hawk." 'ov.ever, this production '■'ills is a Bnt-.sh army surgeon in the Ind an sonice. It shjws him falsely enmeshed in a murder by a woman who" had failed in to icing her lovo upon him, and compelled to flee for h'.s hie. It. picks him up again as a swashbuckling captain of a dingv pe*rl fishing c-chocner in the South Sea Islands, giving two-fisted, six-shooting battle for pearl bed rights, and having all women because of the one who had betrayed him. Jhen into bis life stepped a drsky, beautiful, and coquettish native dancing girl of Tahiti, enacted. by Dana. Driven to the depths 'of huisjn degradation. Sill; marries the sportive creature. contemptuously promising to make a "fine lady" of her. Meantime, however, his . name has l>een cleared of the Indian murder and eearch instituted fcr him by the rirl' he really loves, the daughter of a fel ow oscer. How they finally meet, rnd their pathwav to happiness is cleared by a bullet which pierces the heart of his dancing girl bride come 3 as a dramatic climax to the vivid story. Included in the supporting cast are Ruth Clifford, Rosemary Theby, Tom Kennedy, Paul Nicholson, Lou Payne, Hector Saruo, Anna May Walthall, Ednch Altemu3, and Frank Leigh. Mae Murray is a truly great actress and also a great entertainer. "Circe the Enchantress," her neweft Metro starring picture, which is the second feature on the programme, is without doubt one of the best pictures in which this beautiful blond 1 star has ever appeared. "Circe the Enchantress" is an original story, writ'en especially for M'ss-'Murray by Vicen'e B asco Ibanez, and it was directeid by Robert Z. Leonard. Ibanez has ba6ed his story 011 the mythical goddess Circe, who,, according to legends of that time, had the '-power to turn men into bea3ts. Tliii legend has been transferred to the screen in all its colourful detail. In the real story Miss Murray is a mcdern Circa, who _is likened to tho goddess of the legend. "But there is one; man who refuses to be ewayed by her powers, and from that t'nio on Ibanez has developed a powerfully romantic story. A notable supporting cast, including Jam-s Kirkwood, William Haines, Charles Gerard, Thomas Ricketts, and Lillian Langdcn appear in support of Miss Murray in "Circa the Encho.ntrees." Under the conductorship of Mr W. J. Bellingham, F.S.M., a fine musical P'o" Cramme wi'l bo given by Everybody's "Select" Orchestra. Among the items are the following:—Overture, "La Fontaine de Jouvence" (Lautenschlager): euitrs, "Hymn to the Sun" (Kimsky-Tvorsakov), "Thais and Talmade" (a) Prelude, (b) Religious Themes, (c) Love Motif, "(d) Death of Thais (Campbell); entr'acte, "Caprice Yienoisej (Kreisler); Slavic DsiiCe "Xo. 10 Opu* 72 (Dvorak); 'cello solo, "Berceuse" (Grieg), Miss Doris Middleton; classical dances, (a) Pa vane, (b) Passepied, (c) ..Courante (Chaminadej. , / Scats may as usual either be reserved at The Bristol or by telephoning 4925.

GREATER CRYSTAL PALACE. MAY McAYOI IX "THE HAD WHIRL." GLEXX HUNTER AXD MARY ASTOK IX "SECOND FIDDLE." "The Mad Whirl," Universal-Jewel all-star production, which head 3 tho new programme at Greater Crystal Palace for this week, commencing to-day, i 3 a colourful vehicle in which players in v?ry evident accord with their roles give excellent portrayals of-pre-sent day life, thanks to William A. Seiter. The men and women who are pert-rayed in "The Mad V, hirl" aro young for ihe most part, and unmarried, but they indulge in ft form cf piejisur© that a few years asro would have bsen loud y corclemncd, namely hearty 'ndulgance in Coverages forbidden by the Eighteenth Amendment, ' Also, their openness o: displaying ardent rffecti-n for the sex has become known 03 "petting.' Jliero is comedy, straight nan-ativc. and well conveyed drama i:i _lhe liad Whirl, which is by way 01 being t.ie geroen version of that sensational story, "Here's How,' written to the consternation of nvirv by none less than Richard Waniburn Child, former American Minister to Italy. As a matter o: fact the stcry and picturo toll the story c-t a fatner and mother, possessed of great wealth, who believe that they can safeguard the young folk cf their acquaintance bv joining in t,neir ja-.zy parties. Consequently, the summer estate of fhe becomes an onsis thrc-ng-ed bv* glorious vouth, vith thing suit parties, highballs and all the like. The contrast is contributed by a former oaloon keeper and his daughter. The latter fall 3 111 1 i'"c with the heir. But her father despises fhem all and tells her so. It is hnve th» tine drama of the storv begins. ' May McAvoy has the feature, role in .a.'cast of uritisaollv noted players. The male iuvenile is w»H cared T*>r bv 2r,." z ■ Muihpll. and the others are ? r yr"e Stedman, Barbara Bedford. Alec. B. Francis. Ward Crare, '"■eo-ge Fawcett Mane' Aataire and Joseph Sineleton. Thrill?, suspense i-vd' hvnmn in.+ere=t abound in "Second Fiddle," the second big nlcture on the new Programme, featuring Glenn Hrnter. Hnry Astor ard ether lar. .screen celebrities. The fact that clothes do not always make, th" man is most, interestingly portrayed. Have v-u ever been caught in a rain storm while 5-011 were rut driving in an automobile and endeavoured to put r." one of those proverbial one man tons? If you have you ran sympathise with M->"v Astor, the feminine star in "Second F : ddle." M ; ss Astor encounters a similar difficu'tv in tho picture, and her eff-rt'! in extricating herfelf constitute an amusing and entertaining bit of comedy.

• A little while ago.' newspaper readers as .well . us all snort levem were surprised to '•-■ ad that TJuivei-sil pictures had signed the xn-'st' celebrated boxer of our times toplfl'v the stellar role in a tevies of ten tworeel stories to be written especially for the champion, Jack Dempsev, by Gerald Beaunmnt, famous "Saturday Evening Pest" author. The last of thii f,eriea is also on tho new presrramme, and it is the. best cf the lot. Those who have not yet.' seen Dempsey sliou'd take this opportunity cf doing so, because, apart from being the heavy-weight champion of the wrld. he is ah actor of 7>romisirg ability. Besides the three main pictures thoro is a- very funny Centur" crnedy and the latest International news film.

Incidental and in' conjunction with the screening of .the various motion pictures, the world-famous Svmphony Orchestra., under the distinguished conductorship <~f Mr Alfred J. Bunz, will present .a magnificent musical programmo which includes tho following classical and popular numbers: Overture. "Jolly Robbers" (Suppe); "Symphony Xo. 7": 1 Vivace, 2 Allegretto, '3 Presto. 4 Allegro Con Brio (Beethoven) J "Morning" (Sneaks); incidental musio "Faust" lColerid?e-Taylor); "Floroal" (Jardin) ; "Chiquita" (Fernandez); "Lassie (Hesse): "Love's Wilfulne&s" (T*arthelemy): "Crystal Palace March," new (llornc); "If I fot Money" -(Rule). ; The box plan is .at The Bristol, or, seats may be reserved bv telephoning Greater Crystal Palace, number 3758.

GRAND THEATRE.

BETTY COMPCON IJ7 "TUB GARDE'N 1 OF WEEDS." "THREE WOMEX.'' It was j&mall. wonder thai tlio "full house" sign wa3 hung out • early at the Grand Theatre on Saturday night, for the management was offering a spectacular bill of generous length,' together with a . delightful programine of -music. This feast 'of eye and ear will be provided 'for the remainder of the week, and'peopie who intend-to enjoy it should take : the precaution of -. booking their seats ahead. An unusual drama, "The Garde l of Weeds," 'featuring Betty Compson, k the main picture, and the second attraction is "Three which Btars Pauline Frederick and Lew Cody. Supporting films aro high in quality. • "The Garden of ' Weeds,'' which is the story of an ambitious chorus girl, has-been I produced by James Cruze on a magnificent 6cale. It is an adaptation of the Broadway success of the ramo name. Betty Ccmpson. who will charm- all who see her, plays the role _of the _ ambitious . chorus girl. She mado the hit of her life in just 6uch a part in James Craze's "The Enemy Sex"' for Paramount—-and, as regards "The Garden of Weeds," Craze's latest -faramount picture, it is a case, of lightning striking twice in the same place-—net th»t the two pictures :are any : way alike by- any means. "The Garden of Weeds" js a, screen version of Leon Gordon and Doris Marquette's big Broadway hit. Warner Baxter, Kockliffe Fellowes,. Charles Ogle, and A 1 .St.,. John appear in featured rc-les. As Dorothy, a showgirl, Miss Oompson is confronted with accepting the attentions of two men. One promises a beautiful home and love, the other, a career. Which does she choose? The picture shows in an entertaining, not to aay dramatic, manner. The sensational Master picture, "Three Women," is the second . attraction. May McAvov, Marie- Prevost, and Pauline Frederick share the stellar honours, .supported by Lew Cody, Mary Carr, Willard Lewis, and Pierre Gendron. May McAvoy, as the wife of a fickle husband,'plays her part in changing sincerity, while Pauline Frederick, who takes- the role as her mother tnd former sweetheart to her husband, seema to hare bsen made for the part. Marie Prevost, as still another sweetheart, is the perfect vampire typo. The plot baa unusual complications, which all wind'up to a very dramatio climax. : '

The musical programme played l)y" Harold Beck's string quartet is in accordance with the'high standard eet by this theatre. The quartet gives inimitable interpretations of McEwen'e "iia Raeleuse" and the beautiful "Cayatina" by Beethoven. The entr'acte, "Moon Dream Shore/' arranged so exceedingly well by that master of jazz music Zamechik. is enthusiastically ieceived,- while prominently feature in tliis programme is ihe complete ballet suite from "Pcramors" by Kubinstein; two valses by Dvorak, the first o! which is very popular with pianists, and the finolo from the New" "World Symphony by Dvorak. Miss Aitkeh plays beautifully the Liszt "Liebestraume." A number of new fox trots are a delight to lißten to as is also the "Theme" and "A Heart of a Rose," which is featured extensively -thxughout tli9 big picture.'

STRAND THEATRE. "THE HEART BUSTER" AND "I All THE..MA2T." Tom Mix in - "The Heart' Buster," a. westem romanoo of unusual interest .set in tip heart of the cow country in Arizona, heads the new bill presented at the Strand Theatre. Tho plot centres round Mix in the role of Tod "Walton, a young ranch owner desperately in love with Bose Hillyer, daughter of his neighbour. Rose has just completed her education in Europe and her homecoming is a cause of great excitement around her father's ranch. Speculation ia rife, however, when eho steps off the train accompanied by a young foreigner of distinguished bearing, whom she announces as .her fiance, when Tom knocks him. down for kissing her. From this point on one is kept cn razor edge. Tom recalls seeing the gentleman who J] as won Bpse'a heart engaged in a pursuit on which the law frowns, and although he tells the lady of tis'heart about it, sherefuses to believe and Tom-has the job cf proving his accusations. ' This proves a hard . task, for while he is* doing- it he must . also prevent the marriage. His activity in this direction lands him in gaol, where he is rescued in' an extraordinary nianner by his faithful ; horse Touy. Esther Ralston plays the part of B;se Hillyer, and the supporting,cast is a ■very :strong one. -Lionel Banymore in "I Am The Man," "Wolves of the North" (episode 9), a Sunshiho comedy, and a News -were "shown in support. _ . . . .

LIBERTY THEATRE.

"WANDERER OF THE WASTELANDS." "SQUIBS' HONEYMOON." STARRING BETTY BALFOUR. Even though (he air was keen and frosty the "nil! house" sign was swinging on a p;l".ar at the entrance to the Liberty Theatre at an early hour on Saturday night, when the management presented to its ever increasing" crowd cf patrons another long and thoroughly interesting programme.

The headline? on this week's till - 3 a Paramount masterpiece entitled "Wanderer of the Wastelands," which has been adapted t-> the screen from the widely read took of the samo name by Zane Grey. It is _a. picture cf the desert and the West. Xothing like it jbca been seen in Chris tchurch since tho Ecre-ening cf "The Riders of the Purple Sage," and ike "Rainbow Trail/' which were adapted to tho screen from novels v.ritfen bv the sartio author. Tho whole of the "Wanderer cf T\o "Wastelands" has been screened in natural colours, which .aid considerably in the r.irture rp.«Hsfic. Jar t Holt, Noah Beery, Kathlyn "Williams "-d w-i'jo ]) o ve aro the featured olavers. The tale tclla how, in a drinking saloon in the Wm'. a young man (played by Ja-cx Holt) shot a gambler nnd then fled for hi-?, life to the desert, while at hi* hee!s a drunken mob of miners "muMer. For years he Tendered the wastelands alone, f v isfhtrned to return because of the fear oi ihe law. The only friend in the desert he hod was a r<*u?b, swsgsxM'in*? fellow namea TJjsmukes (nlayed by TCcvih Beery), who had once saved his IK**. Their trails cross often in the deae'.tt. Every can veil and sandhill was known to them. but fhev spoke seldom to.each other. yet their friendship was great. Th?n it c?ma fibout that th»\ younger thti tw-» came iroon a cabin in a yawning jv't v-Vpre the hent wa3 tervi£o and the nir stifling. A beautiful woman find husb.:»nd wpre -all that occupied it—isolated from society in a shifting desert. It Vie re fi n mo. cf the most thrilling scenes in picture aro taken. Evenfuallv the wanderer returns to {he town in the west to fncA law. bur finds that man he bp'3 veavs before was rot. dead at all. th* story a pretty love tale ia cVverlv worked in.

Tn pmu'rv parlance, "Bettv "B;il"onr « latest "ill picture" entitled "Squibs' Honevmo'n," Master picture is tV»c« second p-tiraction. is ft scre-am. Squibs, tlift mercurinl py-flcwer f*irl. after bp- ,sp:\i in Parlipm<?nt decides to marry her policeman lover. Preparations tot tha marculminate in the ceremony itself, cud tho happy pair depart for their honeymoon 011 thft Continent. leaving the bride's father, Sam *»nd bis crony. Honorbunn. to celeb v a*e uns+intedlv with intoxicating bevpiages. At Calais Sqp'bs mi* e es the trpin. Her husband goes to Pavis and both are distracted. Hearing ot each whereabouts. they cross en route, twice missing each other. Hopkins and Honeyhunn ore pent for and complications immediately ,set in. Ail abduction of Squibs by_ on a barge ends in Squibs' escape, Alonte Cristo fashion, in man's, attire. On a French country road, ehe has a car smash, and finds her hii-sbnnd in the colliding vehicle. Unharmed and overjoyed they begin their honeymoon over again in. a nearby cottage. In this domestic "shriek' Bett) Balfoui is undoubtedly at her best. In the same bill there is a Patho Gazette, and "Tlxo Mystery Man, featuring Snub Pollard. The Liberty Quality Orchestra,, under Mr Howard Moody, provided a fine programme of orchestral music. Tho entr'acte this week is ''Bambalina," .the song hit from "Wildflower," and the number was enthusiastically received. A feature of the ■'Squibs" picture was the introduction of several of the. most popular Chevalier Ccckney 60nga. These included "My Old Dutch," "The. Old Kent Road," "Tho Little Nipper,' etc., and- gave tho picture. tho right atmosphere for the opening scenes. A new suite, "English Folk .Songs" (Vaughan Williams), introduced "Seventeen Come Sunday," ' Bonny Boy," and. "Somerset Folk Song." Another number played for tho first time in this theatre was the Andante from the Fiit-h Symphony (Schu'bcrt). The whole movement received .an excellent interpretation and proved an excellent addition to the orchestra's repertoire 'm»v»Ta were:—New tr.x trots, "Siivei Canoe" (Boat), "Ain't My Baby Grand" (King); grand opera, '"Girl of tho Golden West" (Puccini); suites, "Three Light Pieces" (Fletcher), "The Village" (April). "American Indian Songs" (Cadman); jazz waltz, ""In Shadowland" (Albeit).

QUEEN'S THEATRE.

"THE SHEPHERD KING" AND "MY HUSBAND'S WIVES." It is said tliat every great pi ay and every tremendous'novel had its origin, in life somewhere down the ages. Tlio truth of this is splendidly demonstrated in the "William Fox production, "Tho Shepherd King," which "will bo presented at the. Queen's. Theatre to-day. Tho dramatic story of David, tho shepherd boy, who finally became monarch," with its romance and pathos, bafl been reproduced on celluloid with impressive results, j. (jordon Edwards, the director, sought rea'ism and was satisfied only with what he found at the base of tho Pyramids, where the camera clicked in tho sardonic face of the Sphinx. More than 5000 extras, with 500 camels and as many donkeys, form the sorrowful army of the children of Israel being led out of Egypt by Moses. This seen? the director has used, as a prologue for the reason that ' from tho house of Moses came the house of David. As Princess Michal, youngest daughter of Saul, -who eventually becomes the . queen of the Shepherd Ring, Viclet Mersereau rises to the emotional peak of her career. She has the superb support of the cast that made "Nero," consisting of continental artiste whoso work is beyond reproach.- Massive sets and' impressive mob scenes add to the beauty of the picture at every turn. The interiors are* remarkable enough, but the desert scenes, filmed in the shadows of the ancient Pyramids, are even more so. The picture was entirely produced in Egypt and took more than a year in- the making. Embarrassing moments, many of them, fill the delightful comedy drama, "My Husband's "Wives," starring Shirley Mason,, which will ba tho second attraction of this big programme. As tha title suggests, if is the esv/ives who cause all the trouble in ,this fast and clever comedy.' During the honeymoon an ex-wife happens to be staying at the same hotel. From thia point the story takes on many thrilling -and exciting incidents and not till Miss Mason, who is playing (he riart of the bride, manages to get rid o£ tlw former wife, do things more along in a normal way. In addition to the above big features there will be an attractive supporting and a superb musical programme.