EMPRESS THEATRE.

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 145, 16 December 1927, Page 6

EMPRESS THEATRE.

Has the mantle of the beloved Walter Reid fallen on William Boyd? His latest picture "Two Arabian Knights," at the Empress Theatro, shows him. In the type of part that Reid would have loved to play. Boyd had a twinkling eye and a devil-may-care smile. Despite his wealth of experience, this comedy-drama of two soldiers at the close of the war and what happens to them is really Boyd'3 first effort in a film production dealing with hilarious situations almost exclusively. Boyd's role In the film is tho part of a young private of infantry, who hates his sergeant. How these two characters are thrown together, and how they indulge in a series of personal flghts until dangerous circumstances compel them to be pals are part of the story, which serves to give B»?d an heretc character as well as one tho siMctatora. ni*.y laugh with thoroiighout. Louis Wolhelm plays tho sergeant. Mary Astor takes the part opposite Boyd, the role of the daughter of an Arab chieftain, who is unwittingly the cause of mo3t of the doughboys' troubles. Tho soldiers escape from an enemy prison camp in Arab garb. The conflicts they get into, QghtIng each other when there is no one else to light, clashing with the Arab girl's sweetheart and his minions, and other exciting sequences, form a background for exceptional humour Tho supporting feature, "April Fool," is a "Potash and Perlmutter" type of screen play, and one of the most absorbing and most amusing pictures that has been seen in many a day. Jacob Goodman, a Russian immigrant, wins his way to the top. Success in business Is paled by the shadow of a blasted romance that darkens his life. Living his youth again in tho love of his only daughter and, her fiance, he is doomed again to a bitter fate. In the depths of despair, he finds a greater happiness In the waiting love that a bitter Joke has withheld these many years. Throughout the story there is a constant thread of wholesome humour. Tho fun Is of the most joyous, always natural and unforced, never unkind. The chief roles are capably handled by Alexander Carr, of "Potash and Perlmutter" fame, the star, and Snitz Edwards. "Our Gang Kidldes" • are seen in "High Society." This is screened once only owing to the length of the programme. A Pathe Gazette is also shown. ■■ .