PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 19044, 12 September 1925, Page 10

PICTURE THEATRES

EMPIRE The screen version of ‘The Mystery of a Hansom Cab,’ by Fergus Hume, was witnessed for the first time at the Empire Theatre Inst evening. Apart from the appeal which the hook makes to its readers, it has a more than ordinary interest to the people of Dunedin on account of the fact that its author was at one time a resident of this city. The story, which was written some forty years ago, has been brought to life oil the screen with an entirely modern dressing. It depicts, in most convincing manner, social_ life in our great cities, and deals intimately with life in the lowest slums. The production is beautifully mounted and admirably acted. Arthur Shirley, as Brian Fitzgerald, the hero of the story, gives a perfect portrayal of a most difficult character, his acting being on a par with the leading screen _ stars of_ the world. The. picture contains one of the most delightful love stories ever screened. There are many interesting and beautiful scenes of Australian station life; delightful effects have been attained by magnificent scones of the towering bluegnms and the bullock teams at their daily work. During his stay in Australia Dir Shirley has proved that in the Commonwealth there are capable artists, mechanicians, and other workers required to produce a picture of the highest standard, and has thereby done a great deal to promote the interests of the film-producing industry. The artists supporting Mr Shirley have, it is claimed, entered into their work with a remarkably good realisation of what was required from them, with the result that the film may he regarded as a singularly pleasing one, and one that will do credit to the producers and provide satisfaction to the public. Many enjoyable selections are played by the Empire Orchestra. The overture is ‘ The Gondoliers ’ (Sullivan). QUEEN'S AND KING EDWARD ‘ The Breath of Scandal ’ had initial screening at the Queen’s Theatre yesterday. Apart from the very absorbing theme around which the story of this the latest Master Picture, unfolds. there is a clearly cut picture of life-like characters that is all too rare in these days of overdrawn film plots. Even the “ other woman ” has been allowed to digress from the stereotype vampire until she becomes a thoroughly sympathetic figure. ' Aileeu Pringle, and Antonio Moreno have been assigned the leading roles in ‘ One Year to Live,” the supporting feature, and which is showing also at tlie King Edward Theatre. As a beautiful French girl who is told by her physician that she has but one year to live, and proceeds to live it in her own startling way, Miss Pringle proves a revelation. EVERYBODY’S Fate, fear, and love is the strange compound from which Huso Peters' latest starring vehicle, ‘ Head Winds,’ the Universal Jewel feature now at Evcrbody’s Theatre, is composed. It was an innocent trick of fate that made John Peter Rosslyn, as portrayed by Peters, a wealthy yachtsman, and a. regular man among men, fall head over heels in love with the petite, though headstrong Patricia Van Pelt, as played by Patsy Ruth Miller. Tim manner in which the hearty seaman did his wooing, however, was more than just blind luck, but rather a sense of judgment coupled with a rare sense of humor, and, of course, toleration. ‘ Cold Nerve ’ is the title of the supporting film. PLAZA AND GRAND The title of the new Paramount picture which heads an excellent bill at the Plaza and Grand Theatre is ‘ The Top of the World.’ The story deals with a complex love problem involving a girl and two cousins who resemble each other physically. The bitter struggle between these two men reaches a terrific climax and takes an unexpected turn when a raging flood sweeps down from the mountains with disastrous results. Another film is ‘ The Scarlet Honeymoon.’ Shirley Mason is at the top of the cast.