PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 19387, 22 October 1926, Page 1

PICTURE THEATRES

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EMPIRE The mysterious Orient forms the main background for the action of * Infatuation, a Corinne Griffith picture, now at the Empire Theatre. The story tells how Sir Arthur Little, British Commissioner at Cairo, is so occupied with affairs of State that he has little time to give to his young wife. In consequence, Lady Little seeks the company of her husband’s handsome secretary, Ronald Parry. Although Sir Arthur is aware of the danger of an attachment forming between the pair, he is willing to risk it that his wife may Ire properly entertained. Gradually Lady Little begins to realise that her husband s neglect is chrmic, and she permits herself the luxury of falling in love with Parry. When her husband refuses to honor her plea to pardon an Egyptian' official held for an offence not punishable under the Egyptian code she reels that-they have come to the parting of the way's. The imminent catastrophe is sensed by Parry’s sister, who arranges to have Parry transferred to Paris. In a great final effort to nreserve her marriage Lady Tattle encourages the plan. But at the eleventh hour Parry is ordered to . remain in Cairo. Ever mindful of his duty, Sir Arthur disdains to dismiss a trained helper because of his own domestic difficulties. Indications are that Sir Arthur has for ever lost his wife. Then Lady Mary learns of a plot to assassinate her husband. Her instant impulse to save him brings vividly to her mind the fact that she still loves him. She is still more assured of this fact after she saves his life. The reconciliation that follows forecasts future happiness. As Lady Little. Corinne Griffith gives a beautiful performance—one of the best she has ever given. Percy Marmont supports her as Sir Arthur Little. Malcolm MacGregor is the “ other man.” The rest of the cast includes Warner Oland, Leola Lorraine, Martha Mattox, Claire Du Brey, and Clarissa Selwynne. In the supporting programme will he the official ,'film of the funeral of Rudolph ValAtino. A pongst the item-, to bo played by the Empire Select Orcliestra will be th© overture ‘ Zanipa. ’ Herold); entr’acte, ‘The Turkish Patrol’ (Micbaelis); selection from ‘Cleopatra’ (Straus); suite, ‘A. Night in India’ (Cobb); Egyptian dance, ‘ Zulaikba ’ (Stoughton); Oriental episode, ‘A Street in Algiers’ (Ansel)); ‘ Treachery and Vengeance ’ (Percy Fletcher); and ‘The Garden of Allah 1 (.Reiser). EVERYBODY’S The story of a. millionaire who masqueraded as a. waiter so that he would be near the woman be loved is told in ‘The Grand Duchess and the Waiter.’ Adolphe Menjou is the featured player, and he is supported by Florence Vidor, Lawrence Grant, and Dot Farley. Albert Durant falls in love with the Grand Duchess Zenia, and decides to obtain an introduction.. Ho fails, but later obtains the position of waiter to the duchess. He is so clumsy that, she appoints him to her personal retinue, and gives him all the menial work. Eventually he proclaims his identity, and marries (ho duchess. The supporting picture is entitled ‘Only dR.’ and deals with a widow of thirty-eight, who, alter the death of her husband, a. Puritanical minister, decides that romance is not entirely lost to her, and consequently dons her light, clothes in place of the prim Rack dresses sho has been accustomed to wearing as a, minister’s wife. This brings about an enormous change, and she begins to “step out” to dances, thus bringing upon herself tlie criticism of her children. .•ra-jD. !rv

QUEEN'S 'The Happy Ending,’ appearing at the Queen’s Theatre this week, is from the story by lan Hay, and tells of the eternal struggle between the mother in | her endeavors to keep her children’s illusions about, fbeir father and the father’s subtle scheming to remarry his wife for a comfortable home. The mother almost succumbs to her husband’s pleading, only to find that meanwhile her son, through his influence, has been drinking in loose company. Fate works in wondrous ways, and nno evening, when the scoundrel had taken his daughter out on the river, she told him tho legend of her father’s heroic death. He sent her hack to give her mother the message that he was going away; but fa to ruled that ho should see Mildred herself, and in cryptic fashion tell her of his admiration. As ho turned away there came a cry from the river—a. child had fallen in. Ho answered Mildred’s appeal to save the child, hut the effort cost him his life. Fay Compton plays tho part of the mother, and Jack Buchanan impersonates the father. KING EDWARD A lavish, colorful drama of Royal loves and the batterings for kingdoms is enclosed in ‘Beverly of Graustark ’ at the King Edward Theatre. The picture was taken from the novel by George Barr M'Cutchoon, and Marion Davies is the featured player. She has a dun] role, and is seen 'first of all as an American schoolgirl, then later masquerading as a Crown Prince. She plays tho role with hair cut short like a man’s, and so thoroughly and humorously' duplicated male mannerisms. PLAZA AND GRAND

The new feature picture at the Plaza and Grand Theatres is entitled ‘The Set Up,’ and has Art Acord in the feature role. Supporting the star are his equally popular pets—Raven, the horse, and Rex, the dog. The story deals with some boys who plan a “set up” to hang the guilt of a murder on the shoulders of a young deputy-sheriff. In their plans, however, thev did not allow for the sheriff’s intelligent horse,

nor his dog. In addition is ' The Prairie Wife/ which enjoyed a wide popularity in book form, and deals with the straggles of a young couple to face the tragic drama that fate thrusts upon them. This is an absorbing story of persistence, courage, adventure, and ultimate triumph.