PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 19003, 27 July 1925, Page 2

PICTURE THEATRES

OCTAGON Bobo Daniels and Ricardo Cortez are the leading players in ‘Argentine Love,’ which is now at tile Octagon Theatre. The story tells how .Imm Martin, a wealthy and powerful owner of vineyards in, the Argentine, in return for financial assistance to Emanuel Carcia, mayor of the little old-world town of Alcorta, lias been promised this executive’s daughter's band in marriage. The girl, Consuelo, has just returned from the States following the eonipletinn of her education. Jn addition to absorbing modern ideas of independence while at school., the girl has become engaged lo Philip Seays, an American engineer, who also arrives in the Argentine on the same boat, whore he, is t o do const ruction work. The girl’s aunt tries to break off the engagement, only to have Consuelo como out bluntly that she loves only Sears. Juan Martin conics to claim bis bride. The family points out that her education and even tiie clothes on her back have been paid for by him. Consuelo is furious, vows to take nothing more from Martin, and leaves her protesting elders to. live with LaMosca, iiernur.se, in a deserted hacienda that was once her father’s old home. Martin sends a spy, Pedro, to watch ibo movements of'the girl. On the night of a great fiesta in town Consuelo is induced to dance the tango with Juan Martin. She attracts the attention of Raphael, an ardent young Argentine. In defiance of Martin the girl encourages him. There is a quarrel between the two men, and Raphael is killed. The townspeople vent their antagonism on Consnclo, whom they regard as the cause of the tragedy. Following the murder, Senator Cornejo, father of the victim, and several high officials come to Alcorta to enforce justice. They find the townspeople and the Jofo (Consuelo’s uncle) reluctant to prosecute the powerful Martin. A jealous rival yif Consuelo turns the Senator and the people against her. The crowd attacks her, ties her to a cart, and. flogs her. Philip arrives in time to save her from the mob. There are further strange developments which finally result ip happiness for Philip and Consuelo. A ' brilliant musical programme is placed bv the Octagon Concert Orchestra'. EMPIRE ‘So Big,’ which features Colleen Moore, is attracting large audiences to the Empire Theatre. The story takes Colleen out of her erstwhile flapper characterisations, which #nn her fame in ‘Flaming Youth,’ ‘The Perfect Flapper,’ and others. It shows her as the Wife of a poor truck farmer near Chicago a generation ago, wrestling on her hands and knees with the weeds in a cabbage patch. It is a surprising role for the young star, and grows more surprising as, with the passage of years, she is seen slowly transforming into a middle-aged woman of poverty. Nothing could bo more remote from the gay and giddy flapper of yore. But the climactic surprise comes with the emotional heights to which the actress rises in the finale of her difficult role. The baby has grown to manhood, and stands at the portals of fame as an architect. It is then a designing woman enters his life and threatens him with disgrace. Another fine programme of music is cniiihuted by the Empire Orchestra. EVERYBODY'S Mary Bickford’s ‘ Dorothy Vernon of Haddon Hall ’ is the main item at Everybody's Theatre. The part of Dorothy Vernon calls for the utmost in 'dramatic acting, with expressions varying from the comedy for which Miss Bickford is famous to extremely dramatic moments, one of which shows what happens when she realises that in her haste she has caused an order to he given for the death of her lover. As Dorothy Vernon, Alary Pickfonl appears more beautiful than ever, and the vivacious and wilful little lady of Haddon Hall will win the hearts of those who see the picture, just as in it she wins the heart of Sir John Manners. The part of Sir John" Manners is played by Alan Forrest, while Anders Raudolf takes the part of Sir George Vernon, and Marc M'Dormott, well known on stage and screen, makes an admirable Sir Malcolm Vernon, cousin of Dorothy, to whom she, has been betrothed against her will. QUEEN'S AND KING EDWARD. Jack Iloxic has the role of a defender of the victims of the rapacity of a big irrigation company in ‘The Sign of the Cactus,’ which is being shown at the Queen’s and King Edward Theatres., The second picture, at the Queen’s only, is ‘Between Friends,’ which features Anna. Q. Nilsson and Norman Kerry. In addition, there is a full list of supporting pictures. PLAZA AND GRAND ‘ The Arizona, Romeo ’ is the big picture at the Plaza and Grand Theatres. From an artistic standpoint this latest Buck Jones starring vehicle is a noteworthy production. In addition to this Buck Jones lias as his leading lady the beautiful and talented Lucy Fox and a tine supporting cast, including Maine Geary, Thomas R. Mills, Hardee Kirkland, Marcella Daly. Lydia, Ycamans, Harvey Clark, and Hank Maun. ’The supporting item is ‘ IVolf Blood.’