PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 19063, 5 October 1925, Page 1

PICTURE THEATRES

<—• OCTAGON The gigantic new version of ‘ Quo Yadis?’ is proving a big draw at the Octagon Theatre. The scenes are set in the splendor and glory of ancient Romo, when the vicious and inhuman mounter Nero was at the height of his power. Rome at her greatest, just before her fall, with the Palatine and mighty pagan temples, filled with a pleasureseeiiing, degenerating people hastening to national doom, forms the theme-of a great which in its scenic and human portraits demonstrates the almost incredible strides made _ by the camera in the reproduction of historical drama dealing with ages long since au but forgotten. Grandeur and' scenery, however, are by no means the chief claims of ‘Quo Vadis?’ to recognition as a masterpiece. The story of the classic is world-famed, and- helped to win for its author the coveted Nobel Prize in 1906. First National has taken the romance and human interest of*the story and placed them in capable hands. The love story concerns a beautiful Christian slave girl, Lygia, who captures the heart of the pagan Vinicms. Emil Tannings eclipses all records in his representation of the powerful and awful Nero; while Lillian Hall Davis lias the rolo of Lygia, his beautiful and unfortunate hostage. Such historical scenes as tho burning of Rome by Nero, seeking inspiration for his maudlin verse, the wholesale destruction of Christiana at the stake and _in the arena, and tho crowded amphitheatre that gazed in lustful pleasure at tho dying’ martyrs are portrayed in such vivid fashion as to leave no doubt in the minds of the audience as to the cause of Rome’s fall and decay. Ursus, the giant slave of Lygia, the Christian, slave, is seen in mortal combat with a savage bull to whoso back is lashed the mistress of the loathsome Nero, paying dearly for her unfaithfulness to the most despicable and horrible character in all history. The picture was made in Italy ' with a polyglot cast, chief among whom aro Emil Tannings, a German actor of American birth; Lillian Hall Davis, a pretty English actress; and many Italians, including the gloriously beautiful Elena di Sangro. Tannings’s acting and the spectacle of the story are the salient features of this film, which, of course, has its basis in tho romance that Henry Sienkiewicz wrote to show tho beginning of Christianity in Romo. Jannings’s study of Nero is a wonderful realisation of that tyrant’s bestial nature.

Incidental music is contributed by the Octagon Concert Orchestra. ‘WONDERFUL LONDON’ COMING.

All the glamor, all tlio cliarm ; all the magic of London's groat majesty are embraced and revealed in the remarkable production ‘ Wonderful London,’ which will bo presented at the Octagon Theatre on Friday next. ‘ Wonderful London ’ is in every sense inspired production. And this splendid picture, it is good to know, is British ; it is a convincing answer to any contention that British ability _is unable to compote in tho moving picture world with the best that can be done in other places. ‘ Wonderful London ’ is a superlative proof to tho contrary. It takes without any question a position of pre-eminence from which it will be many years before it js dislodged. The method adoptcd_ in the presentation of this great film is novel. It is the story of London, a story rich in historical detail and wonderfully appealing in tho manner in which it incorporates so much that is of the vital history of the British race. Characters whose names are written largo on tho pngos of British history appear for the moment in the picture to tread again the paths they trod in tho far-off days when London was younger, and to visit the spots that were familiar to them in their day, and which still stand to-day as .links” with the great past of the groat city. ‘ Wonderful London ’ gives a hotter’ idea of the world’s greatest capital than probably lias been afforded by any other medium. Its range is tremendous, its photography is a masterpiece, its surprises arc ever recurring and alwavs refreshing, its novelties nro unending and delightful, and its interest is absorbing. The box plans will open on Wednesday at Chas. Bcgg and Co.’s. EMPIRE The current attraction at ibo Empire Theatre this week is the Goldwyn picture ‘Three Weeks,’ which was adapted from Elinor Glyn’s novel of the samo name. Tho story tolls of the Queen of the Sardalia, who, disgusted by tho brutality of the King, goes to Switzerland. There she meets Paul Vcrdayne, a high-born Englishman, and they are irresistibly attracted to each other. Their love for each other continues to grow until it becomes a passion which doc's not count tho cost. Sensing danger, the Queen leave;; for Venice, and Paul follows, but when Paul barely jscapes assassination at the hands of the King’s hirelings tho Queen returns homo, never disclosing who she really is. Paul goes back to' England and gives Ids life vo the performance of good deeds, ennobled by his love for tho Queen. 'Three years later she sends for him. The King learns of Paul’s presence, and in a jealous fury he kills her as she has sent Paul away. Her .servant then kills the King. Paul returns, and she dies in his arms. Two years later Paul goes back to Sardalia and witnesses the coronation of their son as tho King, bis hearl filled with the memory of bis love for iho child’s mother. For'the romantically inclined it is a picture that, with its frank scones of love, its inferences of paneion, and its thrills, will hold the intoiest from tho first scene to tho final fadeout. Supplementing this is the, fact that from a production standpoint it is unusually artistic and truly beautiful costuming, lighting, composition, and sets radically different from the con volitional combine to make every scen« resemble a painting by some celebrates artist, and all blend in with the theme itself to make a harmonious whole While Conrad Nagel as the English' man is satisfactorily cast, the h'ou’s share of tho acting honors go to Ailecn Pringle os tho mieen. Stately and dignified in the_ Court scenes, in the sequences with Nagel she strikingly suggests a great love. The entire supporting cast is excellent. John Rainnolis does fine work ns the king,' with Stuart Holmes and Robert Cain as his confidantes, and Dale Fuller, Mitchell Lewis, and Nigel De Brulier as the queen's loyal, servants. EVERYBODY'S An exciting dramatic tale is unfolded in ‘ A Roaring Adventure,’ a Universal picture starring Jack Hoxie, and now being shown at Everybody’s Theatre. Hoxie is cast in the part of a young chap who comes from tho East to visit his father, and becomes mixed up in the plot of some cattle rustlers to despoil tho ranch the father owns in the hills some miles from a little town where tho father makes his homo. Hoxie is supported by a oast that includes Mary M'AlHster, Marin Saia, J. Gordon Bussell, Francis Ford, Jack.

Pratt, and little Margaret Smith. Tha famous Universal Ranch Riders contribute some spectacular features in the way of horsemanship. On the same programme is a stirring drama entitled ‘ Moccasins.*-

QUEEN'S The titles of the two pictures at the Queen’s Theatre are ‘Her Husband’s Secret ’ and 1 The Lover of Camille.* Antonio Moreno and Patsy Ruth Miller are co-starred in ‘ Her Husband’s Secret/ which tells of the complication* arising when a youth with a “ shady ” record attempts to force an internationally famous banker to protect him from the law by proposing marriage to the banker’s daughter. How the odd romance gains headway and how the banker tries to cheek it* progress without shattering the dreams of his daughter is said to point the drama toward one of the most unique and dramatic climaxes given a photoplay story recently. PLAZA AND GRAND Warner Baxter plays the leading role m ‘ The Air Man/ which heads the programme at the Plaza and Grand Theatres. Baxter portrays the part of Russ Kane, a clever crook and daring aviator, who joins the Air Service solely for the pui’pose of robbing the mails, and is regenerated by the spirit of the service, the love of a beautiful girl, and the companionship of an orphaned boy. ‘ The Hunted Woman/ a drama pi the North, is the second picture. KING EDWARD The main item at the King Edward Theatre is ‘ Three Weeks.’ From a production standpoint it is unusually artistic and truly beautiful. Conrad Nagel is Paul, the Englishman, is deNagel as Paul, the Englishman, is deacting honors goes to Aileen Pringle as the. Queen. The supporting cast Is excellent, and includes John Sainpolis, Stuart Holmes, Robert Cain, Dale Fuller, Mitchell Lewis, Nigel Da Brulier, etc.