EMPRESS THEATRE.

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 39, 14 August 1926, Page 13

EMPRESS THEATRE.

Paramount's screen version of Peter B. Kyne's vivid novel, "The Enchanted Hill," produced by Irvine Willat, is crammed full with thrills, action, mystery, and romance, and is a sequence of wild rides, aeroplane flights, gun fights comedy, and lovp. . Lee Purdy, a gallant and a care-fre© ex-army aviator, settles down on a ranch in Mexico, adjoining the ranch of Grail Orinsby, who has inherited the property from her uncle. The girl evinces a strong dislike for her insouciant neighbour, and makes no pretence about hiding her antipathy. Built on a magnificent site on the top of a hill, and containing buried treasure, unknown to the owner, it is no wonder that a gang of desperadoes are coveting the valuable property, and it is part of their plot to have Miss Ormsby's ranch also. Jack Holt is admirably cast as young Purdy, and a»ain his athletic prowess and skill in the saddle stand him in good stead. Florence Vidor is the girl, and Noah Beery an ideal villain. Mary Brian is also in the cast in a juvenile role. In the second feature, "The Verdict," Phil Goldstone, the Hollywood film producer, has given a bold argument for the abolition of circumstantial evidence in criminal charges. It is a dramatic episode, and features such splendid character actors as Lpu Tellegen, Elliott Dexter, and others; while in Louise Lorraine and Gertrude Astor are two utterly different types of actresses whose work is excellent. There is a Pathe Gazette, showing among other items of topical interest the Test match at Nottingham. The music by the orchestra under Mr. Dixon is tuneful.