AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19141, 26 October 1927, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

GRAND THEATRE. "l!en liar," now attracting huge audiences to tlie Grand Theatre is easily the greatest, screen spectacle ever screened in a Christehureh theatre. Scenes which have never before been attempted by producers, are anioug the outstanding features of the production, and there are so many of these mighty spectacles and all of them on such a colossal scale that it is difficult to say which is the finest. The story offers exceptional opportunities for corgeous settings on a lavish scale, and the Metro-Ooldwyn-Jlayer studios, who were responsible for the production, obviously laid themselves out to surpass anv aid all of the big spectacular productions' of the past. To realise just how far thev have succeeded it is necessary to see "Ben Hur." Of magnificent scenes there ar- manv. For instance, there is a thrilling sea tight between n fleet of Roman triremes and an equallv lar-'fi fleet of pirates. -Such a sea fi-ht has never before been screened —it is stupendous. Then there is the great chariot race between lien Hur and Messala. the brutal Roman legionary. This is a marvellous piece of work, and holds the' audience enthralled for finite n lengthy period. The vast arena, peopled with thousands of spectators, recreates a scene from the period when Rome was at the zenith of her power, and it would seem that a small fortune must have been expended to effect such a truly stupendous setting of a Koman festival Kainoii Novarro as Ken Hur l,„s Ho- l"-t role of his career. Francis X. Bushman, as Messala, is a Koman; he simple lives, in arrogant, haughty mauner. the lording spirit of that hateful man; Simonides is perfectly played by Nigel de Rrulier Esther wistfully giveD by May MeAvov, Joseph the Carpenter is portrayed with gravity and dignity by Winter Hall, while the Mary of Betty Bronson is a cameo of quiet effacenient and youthful dignity. \ line prologue introduces the story proper, Mr David Mct'iill singing the "Star of Bethlehem." The Grand Orchestra, speciallv augmented for the se.isou. interprets a musical score-written for the picture, and a quartet sings "Abide with Me" during the Crucifixion scenes.