PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 19298, 10 July 1926, Page 4

PICTURE THEATRES

EMPIRE ‘Winds of Chance,’ the big First National screen version of He's Beach’s novel of the Alaskan gold rush, has a featured cast of nine internationallyknown film favorites, plus a supporting group of more than twenty players. It provides a three-sided assurance of . good entertainment, the story being n 1 famous one, the cast being exceptional, , and the producer being one of himI doui’s ” most dependable. Chief among 1 the nine featured players are Anna ! Q. Nilsson, Viola Dana, Ben Lyon, I and Victor M'Laglcn. Miss Nilsson is ! seen as the Countess Corteau, a bnli liant business woman who dared the i hardships of tho Arctic and cast her 1 lot with thousands of men in the great gold rush. Miss Dana plays Rouletta Kirby, a mite of a girl,' orphaned when her father is killed in a fight, and who becomes tho ward of Poleon, an optimistic Fmich-Canadiau packer, ami river pilot. Ben Lyon assumes the part of Pierce Phillips, an inexperienced youth, who loses his last dollar gambling at Dyea, and earns his way to Dawson’ bv packing outfits over the Chilkoot. Poleon, Leach’s Involute hero, is played by Victor M'Laglcn, a former British film star, who was chosen by Mr Lloyd {producer) for the character after interviewing more than twenty screen stars. In addition to a giant stature, M’Laglen possesses,, according to Lloyd, tho emotional ability of George Behan, and an exceptionally strong personality. Hobart Bosworth as Rouletta’s father,, Clando Gillingwater, Dorothy Sebastianand John T. Murray are others in this big picture at the Empire. octagon A romance of Scottish history is told in ‘ Mary Queen of Scots ’ at tho Octagon this week. The popular English actress, Fay Compton, is in tho title role, and is supported by an exceedingly strong cast. The time of tho story is during the reign of Queen Elizabeth, and is full of the valor and chivalry of that ago. This picture is something more than an ordinary love story; it is an actual reproduction or history. The story opens in France, where the young Queen lias spent the early part of her life. Her Soy husband dies, and she conceives the idea of making herself Queen of Scotland. Her cousin. Quean Elizabeth, refuses her permission to set foot on English soil; so Mary prepares to sail for Scotland. On her arrival in Edinburgh she is acclaimed Queen. , Some time later she marries an English earl, who becomes jealous of his wile’s Italian poet and musician, and in a fit of jealousy stabs him. Shortly after the birth of her son the King is himself murdered while he is confined to his bed. Tho Queen is accused of the crime and sentenced to death. Throughout the whole of her imprisonment, however, she refuses to give up hope, and, aided by a young and chivalrous knight named George Douglas, she attempts to escape, but is unsuccess!ul, the knight losing his life in the attempt. Throughout the picture the acting is superb, and the scene ,in which Mary’s last wish (that of seeing Lor son seated upon the throne) is very touching. In addition the latest development, entitled 1 Storeoscopiks,’ in screen productions is shown. This deals with the elusive third dimension which has been the enigma of scientists for years. But now, through the efforts of one of America’s leading figures in the world of science, the problem has been solved, and the figures apparently step out from tho screen into the audience. EVERYBODY’S .Raymond Griffith has vindicated the confidence in him with his first comedy as a fulJ-ffedgcd Paramount star, portraying the life of a young European prince in ‘ A Regular Fellow ’ during bis working hours. What with reviewing parades, laying foundation stones, christening ships, and judging baby contests, he is shown leading a very hectic life. Mary Brian, (he Wendy of ‘Peter Pan’ fame, is featured in support of tho “star.” ‘The Little French Girl’ and ‘The Street of Forgotten Men ’ also saw her in prominent roles. Tho tale of ‘ A Regular Fellow ’ was adapted by Keene Thompson from tho story by Reginald Morris and Joseph Mitchell. QUEER'S Wheat fields of Oregon and the money market of New York form the locale in which are staged tho stirring action, the romance, and comedy of Under 'Western Sides,’ the Edward Sedgwick-Universal-Jewel screen piny at the Queen’s Theatre. With an excellent cast and a well-known director, the picture is novel and interesting, and combines tbe two great sections of the country in smooth and easy manner. Norman Kerry, as Robert Erskine, plays the male lead with all his customary skill. He is the young man from out of the East who finds himself in between Oregon ranchers and New York capitalists, he espousing tho cause of the former as against his father James Erakine, who is at the head of* the moneyed group of the East seeking the rich fields at their own price. George Fawcett enacts the role of James Erskine, and is all that one would expect of a hard-headed business man and a father who is proud of bis sou ROSLYH THEATRE , A matinee was given at the Roslyn Theatre this afternoon, when ‘I he Darling of the Rich ’ was shown as the chief picture. The over-popular Hetty Blythe is in the leading role, that of a young girl who goes to New York to earn her living and to help her crippled 1 sister. She finds, like so many other young and attractive girls, that tho great city does not care particularly about her difficulties. In the darkest hour, when she is absolutely desperate, she meets a Russian Princess, who sees in her beauty a talent which can l.c made profitable. She suggests to I Charmion (Miss Blythe) that the latter lean probably sell jewels for impover- | ished Russian noble families through j her charms, and induces Charmion to | change places with her, which she does with much benefit to herself. KING EDWARD At the King Edward Theatre the ‘ Phantom of the Opera ’ is drawing large audiences. The story tells of a mysterious shadow that is said to haunt the collars of the famous Paris Opera-house. Lon Chaney, Nor.nm Kerry, and Mary Philbin are the featured players, and each one gives an excellent portrayal of the characters entrusted to them. In this picture, Lon Chaney’s make up is said to emipse anything yet attempted on the screen. PLAZA A tense drama of the air, combined with a financial intrigue, is told in ‘ What Fools Men ’ at the Plaza Theatre. Lewis Stone , and Shirley Mason are in the leading roles, and they are supported by a strong cast. Tho story tolls of a band of crooks who try to rob a scientist of his, invention, which he claims will revolutionise linen manufacture., In the meantime, his madcap daughter scandalises her society friends by eloping with her father’s chauffeur. Later", however, the father becomes reconciled, and the story is brought ip a satisfactory conclusion.

GHAHQ ‘Along Came Kutb,’ Viola Dana and Raymond M‘Kee in the stellar roles, is the attraction at the Grand Theatre. The story is of a young girl who is penniless, but who possesses plenty of energy. She descends upon a “ dead ” towni and with her energy and advertising ideas rapidly puts it on tho map. In addition, is ‘ What a Wife Learned,’ a panorama of contrast between a primitive husband and a modern -