PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 19173, 13 February 1926, Page 4

PICTURE THEATRES

OGTAGOH Photographing moving pictures and reproducing them in movement —in oilier words, Him production—is the basis of the I bird largest industry in the United .Stales, and one assuming very great proportions in all ether civilised countries. Since the first movies ” flickered spasmodically and liniidly on the screen some twenty-five years ago incredible developments have nalurally followed, until to-day leaves the expert craflsmnn engaged in die producing side of Iho industry but little room for improvement. it was inevitable that, attempts should he made from time to time to make the " silent drama ” audible, to link up speech and all forms of sound with photographed relevant movement. Quito ingenious some of these efforts have been, but with one or two exceptions the "speaking” ride has had a gramophonic or all.ed foundation. With such the great essential factor of perfect synchronism between movement and sound has been tantalisingly elusive. It has, indeed, never been achieved until Dr Lc. De Forest, one of America’s foremost scientists, known throughout the world for ids groat achievements in wirele;s,_ fished out a real miracle Horn his extensive inventive repertoire, and discovered how to photograph sound. The result of (his extraordinary invention the world knows as the phoiiofiim, the true speaking picture at last, new, practical, and vital, with unlimited possibilities. Phouofilms were given initial presentation at the Octagon Theatre last evening before a packed house. An added attraction is ‘Hold Your Breath,’ with Dorothy Devore Dying to hold down a job on a newspaper; but she hud the family to support, so she struck. She turned maid, secretary, acrobat, and a few other tilings—she brought out the police, the Hro department, the mayor, and the whole town—she almost broke her neck—but fho made good. Walter Hiers, Tally Marshall, Jimmie Adams, Priscilla Bonner, Jimmie Harrison, and Lincoln Plumor support the star. EMPIRE ‘Kings of the Turf,’ which is now at the ,Empire Theatre, is a delightful tale of two generations. In the first portion is told the history of Virginia's Future, a well-bred racing filly, who is the property of Roger Beaumont. The latter lost vast sums 'in betting, and finally he J>ct the remnant of his lortune on Virginias Future in her first race. She did her best to justify her master's confidence, but fell and broke her leg just when the race seemed won. Beaumont was ruined, and disapneiirod. The crippled filly soon fell upon evil times, ultimately pas.-ing into (ho hands of a, pedlar, who treated her bruiall}'. Not until her daughter, Confederacy, grew up and restored the family fortunes by winning one of the most thrilling races ever screened was she redeemed from bondage, and returned to her beloved blue, grass pastures. A unique side of the film is lhat the story is told by the racehorse, the "humans” in the picture being but part of fho retting. Man-o'-War (who is acclaimed the world's greatest thmoughbrod), Kegofol (winner of the French Derby), Morvich (winner of the Kentucky Derby m 1922), Fair Play tsire of Man-o'-War, and The Finn (sire of Zev) arc the mighty "kings of the turf" which appear in the picture. Gen rude Aslor is starred. ‘Kings of fho Turf’ is also at the King Edward Theatre. QUEER'S An excellent programme is being screened at tho Queen's Theatre. Tho main item is ‘The Halfway Girl,’ a story of an American girl who is stranded in Singapore. Doris Kenyon is the girl. Lloyd Hughes, in the role of a young man who has been broken by Ibo war and jilted by a woman, steps into the picture, and his path crosses (hat of Poppy, the girl. Other players are Hobart Hosworih, Tally Marshall, Sam Hardy, Charles Wellesley, Martha Madison, and Sally Crule. EVERYBODY'S ‘ Old Homo Town is the title of one of (■ho pictures at Everybody's Theatre. In brief, (ho story deals with tho experiences of a small (own boy, who returns homo after being in Now York. Tho townspeople take it for granted that he has been successful, but his position to a certain extent is false, and when this is discovered bis friends torn from him. He, however, saves many of the leading citizens from an nil swindle, and thus reinstates himself in their good graces. Ho also wins the most, charming girl in (ho (own. Tho oilier picture is ‘Lillie Robinson Crusoe,’ and Jackie Cnogan is the star. Pim AND GRAND At (ho Plaza and Grand Theatres is a nowspapea’ story, entitled ‘Tho Fighting Cub.' Pat O'.Malley, Mary Carr, and Wesley Barry head tho all-star cast of ‘The lighting Cub,' with (ho balance of featured players including Mildred Harris. George Fawcett, Waller Long, Aim May, Stuart Holmes, and Olio Lederrr. The slope is woven around the exploits of a dashing ,young reporter, who discovers and captures a band of gem thieves after tho latter had eluded the police for many months.