PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 19021, 17 August 1925, Page 10

PICTURE THEATRES

ERPIRE AND KING EDWARD The First National picture, ‘Madonna of the Streets,’ is the attraction at the Empire and King Edward Theatres. The story has tn do with a. beautiful woman who marries a mission worker out of sheer revenge because he had inherited a fortune to which she laid claim. The fortune is left to John Morton, of London, and on him she concentrates her subtle attack. Morton, played by Milton Sills, of 1 Sea Hawk ’ lame, begins to give his fortune away among the poor of Limchonse, and s[ary (Nnzimova), eventually meeting the clergyman, marries him,.and objects to his using the fortune in this manner ■when she believes .she is entitled to some consideration, Morton employs a detective to find tiro woman In’s uncle cheated, so that ho can do her justice. His responsibilities force him to neglect his wife, who turns to Howard Bowman, one of Morton’s converts, for sympathy and love. Subsequently the detective strikes the right track, and Mary is traced to the mission doors, where her husband learns of her past. Tt is a terrible blow to him, and, in a hitter scene, he drives her from the house, tolling her that she married him with a lie on her lips and that she is a devil with the face of a Madonna. .Later ho repents of his hasty action, and endeavors to find his wife, hut all trace of her is gone. A wearisome search follows, during which he loses his power to convince people, so that many turn on him, jeering. Alary is eventually found, after innumerable incidents, but she is nigh unto death, and her case seems hopeless.

An added attraction is the arrival of the U.S.S. Melville and fourteen destroyers at Dunedin; and the Empire Orchestra renders appropriate music. OSTAGON ‘Miss Bluebeard,’ a Paramount pictnrisation of Avery Hopwood’s stage liit, * Little Miss Bluebeard,’ is the feature at the Octagon Theatre tin’s week. Bebo Daniels is the star, and Robert Frazer, Raymond Griffith, Kenneth MacKcinia, and others appear in the supporting cast. ‘ Miss Bluebeard ’is a story of Colette Girard (Bebe), a French actress, who goes to London, inn route she meets a young fellow who poses as Larry Charters, a prominent composer. The pair are stranded in a small town railroad station, and go to the mayor’s house as the only place of shyUei* in the little hamlet. The mayor mistakes them for a young couple lie is ('Sinning, ami marries them. Now, Bob Llawley, Colette’s temporary husband. had given the name of his friend, Charters, so the girl finds herself with not one husband, but two! There is nothing to do now but get a divorce. But when the real Larry Charters gets a glipsc of his mado-to-order bride, he decides it is a honeymoon Colette will get, not a divorce.

Included in the supports is the official film of the All Blacks' 1925 tour. The Octagon Concert Orchestra supplies a musical programme of the usual high standard.

QUEER'S The two pictures at the Queen’s Theatre are ‘ Galloping Gallagher ’ and ‘ Champion of Lost Causes.’ The former picture is a Western drama, and features Fred Thomson. The leading role in the latter picture is portrayed by Edmund Lowe. Briefly the story lias to do with a mysterious murder syndicate, as well as with the dual personality of a cold, polished, heartless, middle-aged gambler named “ Nicholas Zauten ” and a young man of fashion named “Dick Sterling.” EVERYBODY'S Imposing sets, luxurious costumes and furnishings, and some marvellous photography are contributing features to the dramatic love story told in ‘ Fifth Avenue Models,’ starring Mary Pbilbin and now being screened in Everybody’s Theatre. Norman Kerry is loading man. ‘ Scarred Hands ’ is the title of the second picture. PLAZA AND GRAND ‘ Women Who Give ’ is the chief item at the Plaza and Grand Theatres. This interesting story and well-made production has the distinct advantage of a cast worthy of being called all-star. Barbara Bedford and Ilono Adorce share honors in the leading feminine roles. Robert Frazer is admirably suited to the role of a young sea captain, and Frank Keenan is seen to advantage in another sterling role. The second picture is ‘ The Heart Bandit.’