PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 19431, 14 December 1926, Page 2

PICTURE THEATRES

OCTAGON The story by Ibanez, ‘Torrent,’ is the main picture at the Octagon Theatre. Ibanez is alone to-day in the field of emotional fiction, and his presentation and treatment of emotion are fundamentally different from those of other novelists. He lias discarded the time-wifir creed that woman is the personification of fidelity and patience, and with something that savors of personal disillusion, ho rails against woman with a wit and sparkle that srd always brilliant, always entertaining. But in the ‘ Torrent ’ he has rescinded his former contentions. For once, his feminine character is great and noble, and everything that one has become accustomed to regard a woman as—in fiction at all events—and the consequences of this character is a story of such powerful appeal, such burning drama, and such gripping romance that in every phaseand aspect of its development it merits the eloquent title of ‘ Torrent.’ Procrastination is the thief of Jove, and one character in this story for ever procrastinated. Of all the famous artists participating in the picture Greta Garbo, the celebrated Swedish star, is the one who, by her beauty, personality, and talent, demands the greatest admiration. She reveals a typically European grasp of the drama, and presents a sympathetic and accurate portrayal of Leonora, the peasant girl prima donna. Ricardo Cortez, in the chief male role, gives one of the most_ interesting portrayals of his brilliant career. Other artists in the cast arc Edward Connelly, Arthur Edmund Carew, and Gertrude Oimstcad. ‘THE WANDERER.’ The story of the prodigal son is told in ‘ The ’Wanderer,’ to have initial screening at the Octagon Theatre on Friday next. ‘ The Wanderer ’ deals with Jether, son of Jesse, patriarch of Hebron. He is weary of the monotony of his pastoral life and of the augry chiding of his harsh and elder brother, Gaal. A passing caravan gives him a glimpse of the beautiful Tisha, and an ambition to see the great city beyond the hills. Despite tjie entreaties of his mother and the maiden, Naomi, he demands his portion, and, accompanied by the dissipated spendthrift Tola, leaves for the city, where ho learns to drink and dice, and falls into the snare of the siren. Tisha. His portion squandered in idle and luxurious life, he finally risks dll that remains to him at the dicing table—and loses. Tisha, vexed that he is unable to buy her a necklace she craves, transfers her affections to Pharis, a giant sea captain. Jether declares his love for her. Tisha demands a proof of his love—he must renounce the God of Israel and sacrifice to Ishtar. Jether at first revolts, appears at the heathen feast, and finally refuses to worship. The prophet breaks in upon the revellers and tells them of the approaching curse of God, They are awestricken when the Idol of Ishtar falls, but in anger turn he and Jether into the streets. Hardly have they turned to the revel when, with fire and earthquake, the vengeance of the Lord descends upon the evil city. Midst thunder, lightning, and a rain of coals, statues crash to the ground, the pillars of the banquet hall totter, and the roof thunders in on the throng. Alter many tribulations the prodigal sou returns to his home—changed, ill, in rags. Tidings of Jether’s apostacy are brought to Jese, and ho is unable to forgive his son till the miraculous intervention of the Lord brings about a reconciliation, and the least is spread to celebrate file wanderer’s return and his Bethrothal to Naomi. The featured cast in 1 The Wanderer’ includes Ernest Torrence, William Collier, jun., Wallace Beery, Tyrone Power, Greta Nissen, Kathlyn Williams, Kathryn Hill, George Rigas, and Holmes Herbert. EMPIRE From the Metro-Gold wyn-Maycr .studio there have come many entertaining films, but the latest, ‘The Auction Block,’ an adaptation of the book by Rex Beach, ,is perhaps the best this company has produced. Charles Ray and Eleanor Boardman play the leading roles of ‘ The Auction Block,’ which is the feature on tho bill nt the Empire Theatre. Bay has the part of an indolent, but likeable son of a millionaire, and Miss Boardman is a country girl with whom ho falls in love. Miss < Boardman acts with convincing sincerity the part of the girlish winner of a beauty contest who is curried away by the charms of the city youth. Her talented interpretation of an exacting part—one which demands the highest humorous and dramatic ability—is an exceptionally lino effort . Sally O'Neill, the new screen discovery of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, who was starred with sensational success in this company’s recent production ,‘Mike,’ is featured in an important role. She is cast as a foolishly romantic girl, who believed that all was fair in love, and acted accordingly. Other members of the cast are David Torrence, Ned Sparks, and Ernest Gillen. Chief among the supports is the official film of the “Miss New Zealand” beauty contest, in which the finalists appear. QUEEN'S ‘The Volga Boatman,’ which is being screened at the Queen’s Theatre, was taken from the original story by Konrad Bercovici. The Princess Vera hears Feodor, the Volga boatman, singing at his work, and falls in love with him. Ho cannot comprehend, and he spurns her. Then the revolution occurs. In an attack upon the castle of the princess’s father one of the revolutionists is killed, and it is decided that the princess should die to atone for the rebel’s death. Feodor agrees to kill her, but when he is alone with herho is powerless to do the deed. Ho pretends to kill her, and carries her to an inn. While at the inn a portion of the White Army arrives, and the two are found. The boatman is ordered to be shot. The princess takes her place at his side, and determines to die with him. But before the firing squad can ace the Red Army rescues him. Feodor is commanded to fix the punishment of the aristocratic captives, and he orders them to be harnessed like the Volga' boatmen and drag the boats. Later Feodor and the princess are tried by tlie tribunal and _ are acquitted. They find happiness with each other.

EVERYBODY'S Richard Dix is the featured player in ‘Say It Again,’ the present attraction at Everybody’s Theatre. The theme centres around a wounded American soldier who falls in love with his nurse, and after the armistice sets out to trace her. He finally arrives in a remote. Balkan kingdom in the bodyguard of the prince. In the confusion that arises from a revolution lie is married to tho princess, but all is set to rights when he discovers that the princess nursed him when he was wounded. Tho second picture is entitled ‘ The Business of Love,’ and deals with a young lawyer who does not like his profession. He falls in love, however, and is spurred to great achievements. PLAZA AND GRAND ‘ Recoil ’ is the name of the current headliner at tho Plaza and Grand Theatres. The story deals with an American who marries a penniless girl. Possessed of a cold naiuro, 1m cannot give his wife the gentle attentions she desires, so she seeks them from another man. and finally elopes with him. Her husband is broken-hearted, and cuts tho girl off from himself. Finally he becomes convinced that she still loves him, so he takes her back, and they find happiness together. Also showing is ‘The Bells,’ adapted from the play by Sir Henry Irving, ’

KING EDWARD The “Miss New Zealand” beauty film and ‘ The Auction Block ’ aie the two attractions on tho current programme at the King Edward .theatre. Nearly everyone has lead the story of ‘The Auction Block’ in hook form. On the screen it becomes_ an oven more interesting and dramatic story. It is ideally directed, and presented willi a careful regard to detail, oallv O’Neill plays an important role, and Eleanor Boardman, Charles Ray, and David Torrence also figure prominently in the cast.