"ON THE STROKE OF THREE."

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18926, 15 February 1927, Page 13

"ON THE STROKE OF THREE."

WESTERN ROMANCE. AT THE QUEEN'S. Stories whose themes run around mortgages »re infallibly full of exciting md sensational events and situations. There aro always the numerous retains, and the essentially grim and determined hero, whose efforts at the last minute foils the villains' plans. •'On the Stroke of Three.' the main attraction at tho Queen's Theatre this week, is just such a story—fast and sensational. Tho picture is one of rather unusual strength, and is most entertaining. Built on a story of moro then the average appeal, brilliuntly directed, and acted by a cast of exceptionally gocd act-on-, it is one of the best pictures of its kind released fcr some time. The story itself 15 sufficiently exciting and intriguing to ensure it a high place in the ranking of motion pictures, but together with the remarkable acting of the heroine Madge Bellamy, and the versatility of Kenneth Harlan, the picture gains considerably in staying powr-r. "On the Stroke of Three" is the epitome of thrills and counter thrills, and although the plot is complicated and bafflin?, and the action replcto with the innumerable incidents calculated to have everybody guessing, everything is cleared up in the end, and the mystery unravelled to the satisfaction of everyone. Heading the supporting cast i:» Mary Carr, an actress who has had wide experience in all kinds of pictures, but whose talents seem to be admirably suited to this type of photoplay. The second attmction stars the newWestern star, William Fairbanks, in "Hearts of the West," a picture full of action and suspense. There is always something happening in this stoiy, with a great deal of drama, but with sufficient comedy to make it palatable to all tastes. Fairbanks does gome coal and daring things, and ho is rapidly gaining in popularity as tho cowboy hero. Nothing is too reckless or daring for this versatile actor, and in this, his latest and best picture, Fairbanks, who delights in performing prodigies of fearlessness and sensation, eclipses all his previous records for sheer daring and recklessness. In addition to the two big pictures, there are two exceptionally good comedies, "Mother's Joy," the tale of a gcmi-demented, and exceedingly pampered little fellow, and "This Way Out." A very popular film, "Screen Snapshots," is showing. It comprises intimate glimpses of the more famous actors and actresses of the motion picture world, and forms a new and interesting type of entertainment. "The Magic Carpet," a new kind of cartoon, and "Eve'e Review," a fashion review, are all on the programme. 1