EMPRESS THEATRE,

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 37, 12 February 1926, Page 4

EMPRESS THEATRE,

Extravagant claims were raa'de for the programme which-commenced at the Empress Theatre to-day, but the programme more than justifies them. Richard -Dix has the leading part in "The Lucky Devil," a Paramount picture,, and Esther Ralston makes an exceedingly charming loading lady. The story was written specially for Dix by Byron Morgan, who wrote all the auto pictures for the late Wally ,Reid. Dix has an ideal rolo in a fast-moving' comedy-drama^ in .which he plays the ,part of a young clerk who wing an automobile at a charity bazaar, the very machine around which has revolved a sensational breach of promise ease. He starts on his vacation and meets a very pretty young typist; who is touring with her aunt in an old battered Ford. Judging, on the car he is driving they assume that he is the young man of the breach of promise case and quietly give him the slip, then the chase across country commences and incidentally the romance and thrills begin to pile up in a marvellous plot of. love and comedy. "Welcome Stranger" is an adaption of the stage play which had a wonderful run on Broad-, way and which was such a success in New Zealand. ■ The central character is Isidore Solomon, a poor clothing merchant, who wanders in to a small town one New xear's Eve when the mercury is below zero. Cold as the weather is he find* the inhabitants of the town more frigid find unkind. The cast inchides Florence Vidor, Dore Davidson. Noah Beery, Virginia B. Faire, Lloyd Hughes, Robert Edespn, William V. Mong, and Otis Harlan. The supporting pictures include a Stau Laurel comedy, "Near Dublin," and the latest Pathe Gazette. The Empress Orchestra, under Mr. M. T. Dixon, will be heard in charming incidental music.