PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 19328, 14 August 1926, Page 10

PICTURE THEATRES

CCTAGOII Undoubtedly Colleen Moore’s greatest effort is ‘lrene,’ which commenced a, season at the Octagon Theatre last night. It is an adaptation of tho famous musical comedy of tho same name. Though tho bewitching story itself forms ample entertainment, one of the high lights of ‘ Irene’ is tho gorgeous coloycd fashion parade. Tho 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. The proprietor brings his models to the Marshall 1 home to participate in a charity fashion show, and Donald discovers that Irene I has been left to mind the shop, being considered quite impossible as a mannequin. Donald Ims her array herself in a newly-imported French creation, and takes her to tho affair, where she cro ates a sensation. Dubious as to her eligibility in her smi’s set, Donald’s mother sends to a genealogist for a report on her antecedents, but before this arrives Larry Hadley, whoso 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 ho gives it to Irene to peruse just as his mother swoops down on her and denounces her as an impostor. Proudly Irene reminds her that she stands in the presence of a descendant of the first King of Ireland, as the report indicates, and runs from the house. Donald, after convincing Mrs O’Darc of his deep affection for her daughter, starts with her to find front). They locate her in tears on the. lire escape at the O’Dare homo lamenting her separation from her beloved. The story ends in tho usual happy manner. bliss Moore is given ample support by a big cast. Charlio Murray and Kate Price, as Irene’s parents,- provide good comedy; and George Arthur, as Madame Lucy, is most amusing. Tho prologue preceding the picture is well staged, and features a number of dance items and the popular song, ‘Sweet Little Alice T3luc Gown.’ The Octagon Orchestra, under Mr L. D. Austin, provides tho musical xirogrammo EMPIRE Ramon Novavro has tho leading role In ‘ The Midshipman,’ which opened a season at tho Empire Theatre yesterday. It is a picture of adventure, love, and humor, and centres round tho ambitions of a mothei for her son to emulate the deeds of his father in the service of In’s country; tho efforts of tho boy to live up to her expectations; the many obstacles which he had to overcome; his love story,one whose course was not smooth, the picture sustains a high note of realism throughout. It was Dick’s misfortune, through no fault of his own, to make an enemy of “Tex,” a, hot-tempered fellow, whom Dick soundly thrashed after being forced into an unwelcome fight. At tho commencement of his second year of training for future service Dick formed a sincere friendship with Ted Lawrence, a young newcomer to the academy. Two years later, when Ted’s beautiful sister arrived at tbe academy to witness tho sports, it was not long before Dick had lost his heart to her. In return for several little kindnesses that Dick performed for her, her reception of him caused Dick to gain greater confidence. After a humorous experience in a deserted cemetery at tho hands of his follow-sailors Dick was banished in temporary disgrace. So great had been his wish to talk a little more with tho beautiful Patricia that ho had over-stepped tho bounds of good conduct in his eagerness, and Patricia had pretended to be vexed. Forced to arrest the brother of the girl ho loved, ho found ho had to choose between duty and happiness. His choice was in accordance with the traditions he had promised to uphold. Then comes an exciting climax. His sweetheart had been abducted on a yacht heading_ for tho open sea. Outside the three-mile limit the girl was to bo married by force; hut on tho horizon appeared four war boats Hying to tho rescue. As the strong-hearted sailor Ramon Novarro can ho relied upon to mete out to tho bad man of tho story his rightful punishment. Excellent supports are shown, and the Empire Select Orchestra, under Mr Charles Parnell, supplies good music. QUEEN'S AM KING EDWARD Set in California during tho gold rush days of ’49, ‘ The Splendid Road, which had its premiere showing at the Queen’s and King Edward ’theatres last night, is a mixture of beauty, romance, and action. Anna, Q. Nilsson, Lionel Barrymore, and Robert Frazer are prominent in the cast. ‘ The Splendid Road ’ is based on the early history of tho Worst, and illustrates tho fact that possibly more people came from tho East by ship around Cape Horn than by covered wagon. It shows the hardships that woro endured. A clipper ship of tho period servos as a background for the early action of the picture, and tho little town of Sacramento, with its numerous gambling halls and lawlessness, is tho setting for the balance of tho story. California in ’49 was a hob bed of crime and disorder, tho lust for gold and land being superior to conventions, system, or life itself. Tbe law was what men made it. Miss Nilsson gives her best screen .portrayal in the visualisation ot tho pioneer woman. Robert Frazer is ■seen as Stanton Halliday, budding lawyer and power in the new gold country, and Lionel Barrymore, as Dan Clohollis, gives an excellent portrayal. Tho supporting programme is of a varied and interesting nature. PLAZA AND GRAND ‘Daring Days’ is the headliner at tho Plaza and Grand Theatres. Tins picture has a Western sotting, but the theme is somewhat out ot the ordinary. Tho story deals with Eva Churchill (Josio Sedgewick), who is employed in a newspaper office in Phccmx, Arizona. One day she discovers an advertisement sent in by tho Town Committee of Eden, an imaginary town in the desert. The advertisement states that a lady mayor is required for the town, and gives tho requirements. Eva, who is tired of city life, decides to apply. She leaves her position, and presents herself before the citizens of Eden. She is elected, and at once sets about reorganising the town. Tho story is relieved by several touches of comedy, while a pretty little love story is interwoven. On tho same programme is ‘Go Straight,’ which tells of a girl crook’s light to keep on tho narrow path of honestj r . BOSLYH THEATRE To-night ‘ American Manners ’ will be the attraction at the Roslyn Theatre. Richard Talmadge is the featured player, and has the part of Roy Thomas, son of a shipping merchant, wdio saves his father from the unjust suspicion of smuggling, which threatens to involve the elder Thomas and his line of vessels in grave difficulties with the Federal authorities. Young Thomas, who has been educated abroad, returns heme after successfully competing in the Olympic Games in Pans, in time to unmask the plans of the smugglers, and incidentally to save tho daughter of his father’s friend, who has been kidnapped by the band. In support of Mr Talmadge is a cast including Helen Lynch, Mark Fenton, William Turner, Arthur Melette, L. C. Shumway, Rat Harmon, and-George Wardo.

• EVERYBODY'S The story of a New York policeman who was mistaken for an Irish nobleman is told in ‘ Irish Luck,’ at Everybody’s Theatre. Thomas Meighan is tho featured player, and is seen as Tom Donnahue, a policeman, who has won a contest, the prize of w-hich is a trip to Europe. While ho is aboard the ship ho is mistaken for Lord Fitzlmgh, a young Irishman. Later, on a racecourse in Dublin tho same mistake occnrrs and ho makes a bet on Fitzhugh's favorite horse. Alter the race lie finds that he has won £5,000 in the Irishman's name. Later ho is cordially received at Fitzhugh’s apartment, and spends tho night there, in the morning ho meets Lady Gwendoline, who has come to take her brother to the bedside of their dying relative, tho Earl of Killarney. Fitzliugh has disappeared, so Lady Gwendoline takes Tom to the earl’s bedside. Later they outwit a band of crooks who seek to steel the old man’s estate. Eitzhngh is held captive in a lonely cottage, but is rescued by Tom, who finds happiness with Lady Gwendoline. In addition is ‘ Shadows of Paris,’ a story _of the Apache dens of tho French capital.