PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 19388, 23 October 1926, Page 9

PICTURE THEATRES

OCTAGON Lillian and Dorothy Gish arc costarred in the picture version of George Eliot’s classic, ‘ Romola.’ The sisters appear in many gorgeous laid in Florence. ‘Romola,’ which is at the Otagon Theatre, deals with Tito Melema, a Greek, who goes to Florence after escaping from pirates, leaving his foster father, Baldassnrre, _in their hands. Baldassere had given him jewels to sell for the purpose of ransom, but he uses them to buy his way into society. By accident he becomes a hero to Romola and her blind father, Bardo Bardi, a scholar. Under the guidance of Adolf Spini, Tito becomes interested in political intrigue, after the Medici family had been expelled from Florence, Tito meets Tessa, a pretty peasant, whom he tricks into a mock marriage. Later he asks for the hand of Romola, winning her in spite of Carlo, a, painter, who loves her. Coming from the church after the ceremony Tito is terrified to see Baldassarre on the steps, clad in rags. Carlo, who is passing, speaks to the old man, and extracts from him the story of his betrayal and his subsequent escape. Spini makes Tito bead of the Council of Eight, and virtually the ruler of Florence, in order to allow him to make the way clear for Spini to ascend the vacant throne of the Medici. Tito reveals his real nature to Romola when ho sells her father’s treasured manuscripts, and she leaves him, but is persuaded to return by Savonarola. On. her return to the city, Romola meets Tessa at a wayside shrine and accompanies her. As they reach the city their attention is attracted to a crowd of citizens surrounding Savonarola. The mob, inflamed against the monk by Spini’s followers, attacks Savonarola. Romola tries to shield the monk, but is trampled on and injured by the mob. Tessa takes Romola- to the house provided by Tito for her baby and herself. Brought to trial, Savonarola is sentenced to death. At the execution Tito defies Spini and makes a hid for supreme power, hut is forced to flee before the inflamed people. As the inch hammers at his door Tito and Tessa jump from the window into a river and are drowned. Romola returns home with Tessa’s baby, and later marries Carlo. The screening of the picture is preceded by a prologue, an extract from ‘II Trovatore.’ The artists are Mr W. and Miss S. Mitchell. EMPIRE Concerning the flirtations of a young wife of a middle-aged- diplomatist stationed at Cairo, ‘ Infatuation ’ is now at the Empire Theatre. Feeling that her hushond is neglecting her for his official duties, the wife engages in an “affair du co'eur ” with Iris secretary. As the wife, Corinne Griffith gives a splendid performance. Percy Marmont supports her, taking the part of’ the husband. Malcolm M‘Grcgor is the secretary. A number of other wellknown names appear in the supporting cast. Sir Arthur Little,- British Commissioner at Cairo, is so occupied with the affairs of State that ho neglects his ' 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 attaclinient forming between the pair, he is willing to risk it that his wife may be 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 feels that they have come to the parting of the ways. The imminent catastrophe is sensed by Parry’s sister, who arranges te have Parry transferred to Pans. In a great final effort to oreserve her marriage Lady Little 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. Another picture that found favor with the audience was the official film of the funeral of Rudolph Valentino. See,nes from the life ;of this star, America’s tribute to his memory, and the thousands who gathered to pay their last respects are shown. The orchestra clays the following numbers :—Overture. ‘ Zampa (Herold); entr’acte, 1 The Turkish’ Patrol ’ (Michaelis): selection from 1 Cleopatra ’ (Strauss); suite, ‘ A Night in India ’ (Cobb); Egyptian dance, ‘Znlaikha’ (Stoughton); Oriental episode, ‘ A Street in Algiers ’ (Ansoll); ‘ Treachery and Vengeance ’ (Percy Fletcher); and ‘The Garden of Allah' (Reiser), QUEEN'S ‘ The Happy Ending ’ is the current attraction at the Quen’s Theatre. The story was taken from the famous novel by lan Hay, and has the well-known English players Fay Compton and Jack Buchanan in the leading roles. The story tells of Mrs Craddock, who has brought up her children to bolivo that their father died a hero’s death while saving a child from drowning. One day, the father, who is a liar, a cheat, and a coward, appears and asks to be taken back. Mrs Craddock, dreading the effect of this exposure on the children’s characters, introduces him as Captain Conway, and provides him with a house and money. The captain then begins to corrupt the children. The youngest daughter arrives from school, and Conway takes her to the river, where she tells him the story of her father’s death. Ho is so touched, that ho decides to go away. As ho is punting back to the house, he sees a, child fall into’ the river, he dives in and rescues her,, but is caught in an’undercurrent and drowned, thus making Mrs Caddock’s story come true. EVERYBODY'S At Everybody’s Theatre, ‘The Grand Duchess and the Waiter ’ is the. headliner, and has Adolph Meujou in the loading roll. He has the part of Albert Durant, a. wealthy clubman, who falls in love with the Grand Duchess. Zen ia. He cannot obtain an introduction, so he changes places with the waiter. He is so clumsy that the Duchess appoints him to her personal staff, and gives him all the menial tasks to do. Finally ho confesses his love and is accepted. In addition is ‘Only 3S,’ featuring Lois Wilson. Miss Wilson is seen as Mrs Stanley, a widow of thirty-eight, who, after the death of her husband, a Puritanical minister, decides tlint romance is not entirely dead for her. So she discards the prim black hress that she has worn as the minister’s wife, and assumes the dress of a young woman. She then proceeds to “step out ” to dances at the local colle'ge, and thus comes in for criticism from her children, played by May M'Avoy and Robert Agnew. PLAZA AND GRAND Art Acord is the featured player in ‘ The Set-up at the Plaza and Grand Theatres. It is a fine picture of the great Out West, and keeps its audience in a - state of excitement from beginning to end. The star is supported by his famous pots, Raven, the horse, and Rex, the dog. On the same bill is ‘The Prario Wife,’ with Herbert Rawlinson and Dorothy Devore in the leading roles.

KING EDWARD The screen version of George Barr M'Cutcheon’s novel, ‘ Beverly of Graustark ’ is the attraction at the King Edward Theatre. Marion Davies is the featured player, and has the dual role first of all ns an American school girl, and later masquerading as a ( Crown Prince. She plays the part with hair cut short like a man’s, and so thoroughly and humorously duplicated male mannerisms. It is a colorful drama of Royal loves, and the batterings for kingdoms is enclosed in this picture. RBSLYN THEATRE To-night a picturesque story of the West, entitled ‘ The Code of the Wilderness,” will be shown at the Boslyn Theatre. The story tells of Ruth Harkt ness inheriting a ranch, so she gofifi [ out to take possession of it, and is to- ! companied by her aunt ana uncle and fiancee. The latter, Willard Hasten, resents the attention that Rex Anderson;. the ranch boss, gives to Ruth, and hires a man to shoot him. Fortunately the plan miscarries. Hasten becomes involved with Hagar, the daughter of a neighboring rancher, and then tries to lay tho blame on Rex. Finally all is cleared up, and Ruth and Rex are engaged.