PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 19406, 15 November 1926, Page 3

PICTURE THEATRES

OCTAGON Although dramatic situations are features of ‘ Bright Lights, 1 now at the Octagoii Theatre, humor predominates throughout. The cast js Beaded by . Charles Kay and Paulino Starke. Kay is seen in the type of role that won him screen fame—a self-conscious country boy, lovable and bashful. _ Pauline Starke essays a role in striking contrast to those in which she has been recently cast. The story deals with the romance of a young farmer and a disillusioned chorus girl from a New York night club. The girl, Patsy Delaney, is staying with her mother in the country, when she meets Tom Corbin, the bashful young farmer. She finds in him a real man. Later Patsy’s city friends visit her, and their costly clothes and fine- manners ' make Tom painfully aware of his 1 own shortcomings. Seeing Patsy and one of the party in an attitude that suggests that they are in love. Tom decides to go to the city. He leaves a note for Patsyin which he says he realises that ho is not her sort, but that some day he may learn the grand way she desires. Brokenhearted Patsy returns to the night nlub, thinking that for ever she has lost Tom, but he visits her at her home. He is dressed in a lend check suit, and his speech is that of the night lounger. Disappointed and resentful, Patsy tells him that she does not care for him, and he loaves the house bewildered. Ho had thought that the change he had made would reinstate him in Patsy’s eyes. But Gwendolyn. Patsy’s room mate, runs after him and tells him that Patsy loved him as the country boy, and minus the affection of the townsman. Ho returns, and is' again his natural self, and tho two are reconciled. : A splendid supporting list is shown, while the programme is enhanced by the playing of the orchestra under Mr L. D. Austin EMPIRE The return of Kelly and Ginsberg, the famous partners of ‘ The Rag Man,’ which was shown hero some time ago, is being met with approval at the Empire Theatre this week, where ‘ Old Clothes ’ is the main feature. Jackie Coogan is again Tim Kelly, the junior partner, and Ginsberg is taken by Max Davidson. Where ‘The Rag Man ’ finished the new picture begins. The Vista Stock, in which the pair ventured in the former picture, proves disastrous, and they are once more trading in old junk. While Ginsberg is out with the junk wagon a stranger comes to Tim and introduces herself ns Mary Riley. She is in search of a room, and Tim decides that she shall stay with them. _ When Max arrives homo ho is surprised to find the girl helping Tim to cook the dinner. It is not long before the girl wins the affection of Ginsberg, too, and tho pair then unofficially adopt her. Mary meets Nathan Burke, a young stockbroker, and in time they decide to marry. But all does not run smoothly, for Nathan’s mother refuses to give her consent to the marriage. She visits the girl, and asks her not to spoil her son’s future. Then Max comes in, and Mrs Burke recognises in him a former sweetheart, Nathan tells Mary that she _ will bo marrying a poor man, as he is gradually going to the wall through not being able to get control of Vista stock. Tim suddenly remembers their stock, and the partners are rich again. Tho final scene depicts a wedding, with the possiblity of a further one, which will unite two old lovers. Both the stars are seen in parts that afford many opportunities, of which they avail themselves. Supporting them are Joan Crawford, Allan Forrest, and James Mason. A variety of other pictures is also screened, i

QUEEN'S AND SING EDWARD Tho current attraction at the Queen’s and King Edward Theatres is entitled ‘ The Arizona Sweepstakes,’ and has the favorite Hoot Gibson in the leading role. Tho story deals with the adyeutures of “Coot” Caddigan, who visits a large city and becomes entangled in the gang life of the metropolis. He is falsely accused of murder, and is hidden by a friend. While the police are searching for him he manages to escape and return to tho ranch, in order to keep tho promise made to tho father of the girl he loves to ride his horse in the biggest race of the year. Upon the outcome of this race depends tho girl’s future, as her father has staked everything he has on it, and the most dangerous competitor is threatening to foreclose on the ranch. Coot arrives in time to start in the race, and has to overcome numerous obstacles placed in his way by his rival. _ This race scene is one of the most thrilling in the whole picture, and trees, ditches, and fences are hurdled in a startling manner till one can almost hear the thumping of tho pounding hoofs. EVERYBODY'S Tom Moore, Bessie Love, and Harrison Ford are tho featured players in ‘The Song and Dance Man’ at Everybody’s Theatre. This is a sincere and well-acted picture of stage life, in which “Happy” Farrell, a broken vaudeville artist, is reduced to robbery in order to keep himself alive. He is captured, and is told that if his tale rings true ho will bo freed. He tells Ids story, but is arrested, as his captor realises that this is the'only way to keep him from killing himself. Finally Farrell is sent West, to make good. He succeeds, but the call of tho footlights is too strong, and he gives up his business and returns to tho stage. On the same bill is ‘Rouged Lips,’ featuring Tom Moore and Viola Dana. This is also a drama of the stage, in which Norah MacPhorson, a young dentist’s attendant, finds her vocation in the chorus. Her former employer, tho dentist, falls in love with her; but later leaves her. Finally ho learns that lie has been mistaken, and returns to marry her. PLAZA AND GRAND Three fine feature pictures, headed by ‘Tho Far Cry,’ are included in the current programme at tho Plaza and Grand Theatres. Tho story tells of Claire Marsh, an American girl living in Paris with her mother, who has drifted away from tho conventional moral code of her country. As a schoolgirl she runs away and marries a worthless French fop, but divorces him on discovering that the marriage interferes with her freedom. Her next adorer is Dick Clayton, a young American who is studying art. His mother hears that his work is suffering in consequence, and hastens to Paris to break up this state of affairs. Dick resents tho interference, and begs Claire to marry him and fly to Italy; hut she will not consent to tho marriage. They meet Count Sturani, who makes unsuccessful love to Claire, causing Dick to fly into a jealous rage. Claire returns to Paris, leaving an invitation to the count to follow her. When he arrives she discovers that she does not lovo him, and finally she returns .to Dick and marries him. On the same hill “are ‘ Another Scandal ’ and ‘Motor Trouble.’