EMPRESS THEATRE.

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 142, 13 December 1923, Page 4

EMPRESS THEATRE.

Ar fascinating story of the sawdust .'ing"-will be finally shown to-day at the Enipress Theatre, with Madge .Bellamy in the leading role. The title of the picture, "The Soul of the Beast," is apt. .There ire.- two , beasts, human and animal^ biit it is Oscar, the elephant, who is the mightier souled of the'two.- As Ruth, Miss Bellamy is winsome and- appealing. Supporting-the staf; ■ieafiiireT.; is'.~ a'; Mermaid comedy, "Three Stjikesy"(. which is typical of the 3 studios,. - from' .which.:, it . came. Thei musical'''scena,' '.'Three o'clock in the:»Morniiig,"-by-'Mr. E." Hyrnan;. a clever jazz ; is a notable innpration. Th&^Bnipress Orchestra 'of sixteen players'plays it splendid programme of'incidental .music under the baton of Mr. M. Dixon; and gave great pleasure in .the overture, "Rosamunde." /..-' f "THE BRIGHT SHAWL." -' Viewing such a motion picture as Richard''Barthelmess's new starring ve-flicji6,!:>"jCl;B-.'Bright .Shawl," which will be Ucreen'ed at the Empress Theatre to- . morrow, 1; one instinctively recalls the pre- j vkmi productions for purposes of comparison. "Tol'able David" was, oi coirfse^a masteipiece; "Sonny" almost its.'.equal-; "Fury" a classic among sea pictures^ But "The Bright Shawl" is ■ a screen epic, the finest thing this talented young actor has yet given the public. It's another Joseph Hergesheimer'istory, directed by no less a master than John S. Robertson. The colourful locale is Cuba in those hectic days of Spanish domination that preceded liberation. The star is seen as a wealt'ny young New Yorker, Charles Abbott, in Havana in quest of adventure. Angered by-Spanish atrocities, he embraces the cause of the Cuban rebels. Also he fillf. in love with Narcissa Sscobar, lovely daughter oi a rebel leader. "La Clavel;:'; ravishing dancer, whose beauty has made here the idol of Havana, also becomes infatuated with the good-looking > American. Dorothy Gish, as La Clavel, , is bewitching, alluring; she is seen in 'ihe-;<greatest emotional part of her career, andy her wort is a revelation. Mary lAator makes a charming Narcissa. Anders Randolf is a convincing terror as Santacilla. Jetta Goudal,. as La Pilar, the fspy, brings a new and most fascinvatiflg type of vamp to the screen. In addition to the big feature, a pleasing series of supporting films will be screened ,'including "Hands Up," a Mermaid coraedy,,"Gay Paree," a trip to the Fiench capital, and the Empress News Filft. The novelty interlude will be a series of Spanish dances by Wellington's premier danseuse, Miss Elsie Dick. Thej Empress Symphony Orchestra, underfthe conductorship of Mr. M. Dixon, ■wjli?- contribute a programme of music. The:box plan is at The Bristol till 5 p.rn^ then at" the theatre.