PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 19327, 13 August 1926, Page 1

PICTURE THEATRES

OCTAGON Dae for screening at the Octagon Theatre to-night is a production described as Colleen Moore’s crowning effort. The star appears in a screen version of ‘lrene,’ the famous musical comedy success, and tho additional scope afforded by modern screencraft is said to have furnished an amazing presentation. Miss Moore is still remembered for her work in ‘Sally.’ Though the bewitching story itself forms ample entertainment, one of the high lights of ‘ Irene ’ is tho gorgeous colored fashion parade.' The story deals with Irene O’Dare, who, when she is unemployed, finds an unexpected friend in Donald Marshall, who arranges with the ambitious proprietor of a newly-established modiste’s _ shop to employ her as a model in return for his patronage. Tho proprietor brings his models to the Marshall home to participate in a charity fashion show, and Donald discovers that Irene has been left to mind the shop, being considered quite impossible as a mannequin. Donald has her array herself in a newly-imported French creation, and takes her to the affair, where sho creates a sensation. Dubious as to hor eligibility in her son’s set, _ Donald’s mother sends to a genealogist for a report on her antecedents, but before this arrives Larry Hadley, whose unwelcome advances had once won for him the contempt of Irene, takes pleasure in spreading news as to Irene’s shopgirl past. The report reaches Donald, and he gives it to Irene to peruse just as his mother swoops down on her and denounces her as an imposter. Proudly Irene reminds her that she stands in tho presence of a descendant of tho first King of Ireland, as the report indicates, and runs from the house. Donald, after convincing Mrs O’Dare of his deep affection for her daughter, starts, with her to find Irene. They locate her in tears on tho fire escape at the O’Dare homo lamenting her separation from her beloved. ’1 ho story ends in the usual happy manner. Miss Moore is given ample support by a big cast. One of tho laughable features is the anting of George Arthur, who portrays the effeminate Madame Lucy. Li charge of a set of mannequins, his mannerisms are said to provide a, feast of, hilarity. As Irene’s parents, Charles Murray aud Kate Price provide’plenty of Irish humor with their various verbal wars. An ‘lrene’ prologue, including special song and dance numbers, will bo staged nightly, and, under the direction of Mr L. D. Austin, tho Octagon Orchestra will be responsible for the musical programme. EMPIRE A splendid sea story, ‘The Midshipman,’ commenced a season at the Empire Theatre to-day. Ramon Novarro and Wesley Barry are the heroes of the story. As Dick Randall, the fighting midshipman, Novarro befriended ' a younger aspirant for naval lienors, and as a reward for his kindly action received the affections of tho youngster’s sister, Patricia. Years passed, and Dick came to tho end of his preparation for the life afloat. Patricia’s brother, Ted, gets into trouble, and Dick is ordered to arrest him. In tho meantime Patricia has been kidnapped and placed oil a yacht heading for the open sea. Outside tho three-milo limit the girl was to be married by force, but on. the horizon appeared four destroyers flying to tho rescue. No action was taken, against Ted, as it was found lie was the victim of a plot. Dick and Patricia find happiness with each other. In the supporting cast are Harriet .Hammond, Crawford Kent, Kathleen Key, .Margaret- Seddon, William Boyd, and Harold Goodwin. ■ A strong list of supporting films is also shown, and tho Empire Select Orchestra plays Selected music. Tho overture •is ‘ Somiramido ’ (Rossini), and the entr’acte ‘Prelude in C Sharp Minor’ (Rachmaninoff). QUEEN’S AND KING EDWARD The ncjy attraction at the Queen’s and. King Edward Theatres is entitled ‘ The Splendid Road,’ and has Anna Q. Nilsson, Lionel Barrymore, and Robert Frazer in tho loading roles. The .story tells of Sandra De Ha.ult, a young woman who has been seized by tho “gold fever,” and ships at Boston for California.. A tragedy aboard the ship proves her womanhood. The sudden death of a mother leaves her children orphans, and Sandra adopts them. She meets Stanton Malliday, a young lawyer, who falls in love with her. Later Clelioltis, the proprietor of a gambling hell, also fails in lovo with her, and is jealous of Haliiday. Angered at tho cool rejection of Jiis love, Cloliollis acquires tho title to her house and property, and demands instant possession. Tliis causes a scuffle lid ween Ihe gambler and llalliday, and the latter is accidentally shot.. Thinking that ho loves someone else. Sandra prepares to leave, but Haliiday recovers in time to stop her.

PLAZA AMD GRAMS ‘ Daring Days,’ ivhich opened at the Plaza and Grand Theatres to-day, is a Western picture with a. (heme that is | somewhat out of ihe ordinary, .teste I Sedgwick is seen as Eva Churchill, who is employed iu the. advertising department of a newspaper in Phoenix, Arizona. Towards closing lime one day Eva sees an advertisement sent in by tho Town Committee of Eden, an imaginary town in the desert.. The, advertisement states that the town requires a lady mayor, and gives the requirements. Tired of city life, Eva loaves her position and presents herself before tho citizens of Eden. She, is elected, and starts to reorganise, the town. A pretty little love story, several touches ol comedy, and many Shrilling scenes go ,to make this picture a huge success. In addition is tho roi mantle melodrama entitled .‘Go Straight,’ which tells of a girl crook's fight to go straight. EVERYBODY’S Thomas Mcighan is the star in the new picture at Everybody’s Theatre. The story tells of Tom Donahue, a New York policeman, who wins a contest, the, first prize being a trip to Korop.-. On hoard tho ship ho is mistaken for Lord Fitzhugh, a young Irish aristocrat. He goes to Dublin, and on the racecourse is again mistaken for the nobleman. He is coaxed by a honkrnaker to put some money on a horse; he nods his head, and when the, race is finished he finds that he has won £S, IKK) in Lord Fitzhugh’s name. Tom then goes to his lordship’s apartment, ami is cordially welcomed, and spends the night there. He meets Lady Gwendoline who has come to take her brother to the death-bed of their uncle, M eanwhile Fitzhugh lias disappeared, and Lady Gwendoline takes Tom to tho dying carl, and together they thwart a hand of crooks. Fitzhugh lias beenkidnapjiedj and Tom rescues him, brings the conspirators to justice, and wins Lady Gwendoline. Also showing is the story of the Parisian underworld entitled ‘ Shadows of Paris.’ j