PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 19025, 21 August 1925, Page 1

PICTURE THEATRES

OCTAGON The adaption of the well-known novel, ‘ The Master of Alan,’ by Sir Hall Caine, will be initially screened this evening at tho Octagon Theatre. Its title is 1 Name the Man.’ _ The cast is exceptionally strong, and includes Mao Busch, Conrad Nagel, Hobart Bosvvorth, and Creighton Hale, ihe story has for its location the Isle of Man, with its quaint villages, its century-old .stone castles, its stern, rugged, yet beautiful scenery. The story deals with the youthful Deemster, or judge of the island, and the trial of the girl whom he had wronged for Hie murder of her child. The picture is declared one of tho most dramatic and emotional ever filmed, and in it Aliss Busch and Mr Nagel rise to their greatest emotional Ik igjits. Tho picture was enthusiastically" acclaimed by critics and public, and had long runs at large theatres in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, and other of the largest cities in the United States, It is of interest to Australians to know that what is, no doubt, the finest piece of acting in the picture is the work of Mae Busch, a Melbourne girl, who takes the leading feminine role, and makes of it a characterisation that will stand out among tho finest portrayals tho screen has yet offered. Tho Octagon Concert Orchestra will play the following selections ;—Overture, ‘ Asmodeus ’ (Roilinson), ‘ Devotion ’ (Dcppen), ‘Bells of Anseley Butterflies’ (Hume), ‘Vision d’Amour’ (Friml), I Lo Chant de Boulevard’ (Zanecuick), ‘Midsummer Night's Serenade’ (Alhenz), ‘Processional March ' (Scharvvenka), ‘Evening Song’ (Wood), ‘ Meditation ’ (Glazounow). ‘ Eligic. ’ (Arensky), ‘Dance Slave’ (Chabries). EMPIRE In a Riverside drive home in New York live three lovable old bachelors— Judge Trumbull, the financier Findley, and Dr Gaunt—as fussy as old maids, still dreaming of the girl they might have married. Chance brings to their home Sydney Fairchild, the daughter ot an old love, now alone in tho world, lake a breath of springtime, the girl works her way into the hearts and affections of tho three old men—not to mention Gordon, the nephew of Findley, who also makes his homo hero. At tins time a gaol break is staged at the State prison. Hundreds of convicts escape. One of these is Benny the Duck, a forger, who has sworn vengeance on Judge Trumbull, who sentenced him. Another is John Crawshay, Sydney’s father, who was wrongfully imprisoned for embezzlement. Sydney learns her father’s whereabouts, and in bringing him food and money meets Bonny the Duck. Tho latter wastes no time in breaking into tho Riverside drive homo to “get” Judge Trumbull. Sydney intercepts him, saves the judge’s life, and then, fearing her father may become involved, helps Benny to escape. But the defectives are too sharp for Sydney. Circumstantial evidence incriminates her, and she goes to her father, leaving three broken-hearted old men behind her. Tho boy Gordon, alone refuses to .believe her guilty. Sydney is to the spot where her father and Benny are in hiding. Willi the capture of tho three Benny the Duck realises his game is up, and in confession absolves Sydney’s father of the charge against him. AA’ith her father proven innocent and the love of Gordon and her three old men Sydney’s joy is complete. This is tho story of ‘ Three AAhse Fools,’ which lias premier place on the new Empire programme. Included in tho supports is ‘ Midnight Blues,’ a truly laughable comedy. The Empire Orchestra will again delight with a special musical programme.

QUEEN'S ‘This Freedom,' tho companion picture to ‘JI AATliter Comes,’ was released to-day at the Queen’s Theatre. 'J history is followed faithfully, and the producers have studied the location oi the various scenes well, there being sonic excellent views oi tho busy life ol Lombard si reel, fhc centre of tho monev market of the world. The life (4 Rosalie Occleve is carefully depicted from the days whim she was a little girl in country rectory until she has become one ot tho leading financial powers ot the dav. Another picture of merit is ‘The Fainted Flapper,’ in which James Kirkwood and Pauline Caron arc featured. EVERYBODY'S MB KING EDWARD A picture of tense dramatic situations is ‘The Kingdom Within,’ tho new headliner nt Everybody’s and the King Edward Theatres. The story deals with a sturdy old blacksmith, Caleb Doming, who longs for a sou who will bo sturdy and strong and a man among men. Tho child is born a cripple. However, lie possesses a keen spinlua] insight to offset his physical delect, which lie oxerfs upon Emily Preston, the girl next door. The story is gripping, and moves forward rapidly to a thrilling climax, where ho liglus rlio superstiious lumberjack, and finally recovers tho use oi his paralysed arm. Gaston Glass plays_ tho rolo ot the cripple Amos. Pauline Stark is the girl in the case. The second feature at Everybody's is ‘ The Beloved Cheater.’ Lew Cady is the star. PLAZA AMO G!;Afi3 ‘ Tho Painted Lady ’ is the featured attraction at the Plaz. and Grand Theatres. The story concerns the soulsaving South Sea romance ot a beautiful girl, driven by hunger and despair 10 become, a “painted lady.” But though sitting on top of the world ol wealth and luxury, her heart hungers for tho simple honest homo life, nil under star-studded southern skies she meets and is loved by the man of her dreams. George O’Brien and Dorothy Macks ill head tho big all-star cast. An excellent supporting film is ‘ The Swan.’ Adolphe Alcnjou is the leading actor.