PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 19519, 29 March 1927, Page 2

PICTURE THEATRES

—,——-— OCTAGON A faithful transcript of the daily life of an American family in moderate circumstances is told in ‘ The Family Upstairs,’ which is being shown at the Octagon Theatre. Virginia Valli has the role of a.clerk in a small office. Allan Simpson is seen as a bank teller who falls in love with her. Lillian Elliott, as the mother, is constantly quarrelling with tile father, played by J. Farml MacDonald, regarding the future of their daughter. Finally, unable to stand their clumsy but well-meant interference, the girl* leaves home, but is followed by the boy. After a number of humorous situations the facts are explained and the story brought to a satisfactory conclusion. The Octagon Orchestra, under the baton of Mr L. D. Austin, renders,incidental music. ■: EMPIRE A drama of love and regeneration, with one of the most alluring stories of the South Seas yet seen on the screen, is ‘ Aloma of the South the picture now showing at the Empire Theatre. Gikla Gray ’is the featured player, and in the cast are such well-known players as Percy Marmont, Warmer Baxter, Wiliiam Powell, Harry Money, and Julanno Johnstone. The picture is a romance of tho tropics, in which Gilda Gray, as a native dancing girl, vies with a woman o£ fashion for tho love of a derelict white man. Boh Holden, an Englishman, who is reported dead, returns from the World War to find that his pal, Van Templeton, has married his wife Sylvia. Bob goes to the South Sens with Sylvia’s > uncle. There he stirs up trouble, and Iris uncle sends him to a hut in the jungle. Aloma, a beautiful native_ girl dancer who falls in love with him. goes as housekeeper. The marriage is just to take place, when Sylvia visits tho island and finds her real husband alive. Tho picture, made in Porto Bico and_ at the Paramount Long Island studio, was adapted to the screen by James Ashmore Creelman from tho stage play of tho same name by Jabon B. Hymer and Le Bio Clemens. Excellent supports are shown. QUEEN'S The chief picture at the Queen’s Theatre this week is the screen version of Don Marpiis’s popular stage play, ‘The Old Soak,’ which contains all the elements of popular appeal. Two love stories run through the picture--that of the “old soak” and his wife and that of their son and a chorus girl. Habitual imbibing causes some of the difficulty between the drunkard and his wife, and a weakness for fine things causes the son to steal to give presents to his fiancee. Jean Horsholt has the star role, and George Lewis plays the juvenile lead, while Irene Marlowe plays opposite him. The programme has some good supports. EVERYBODY’S AND KING EDWARD The screen version of the novd by Francis Perry Elliott entitled ‘ Pals First; ’ is the attraction at Everybody’s and tho King Edward Theatres. Lloyd Hughes and Dolores Do! Rio have tho lending roles, and they are supported by a strong east. The story centres upon Harry Chilton,') who, when In’s nousin (Dick Castle man) is reported to have died at sea, prepares to usurp fortune and sweetheart. Some time later three crooks—Danny Rowland, Dominie, amU“ The Squirrel arrive at the Gastlemnn home, and because of his remarkable likeness to Dick Cnstlenmn Dannv is hailed as tho owner of the house ‘ Chilton, however, suspects the trio, and calls in the sheriff to unmask them. It is then discovered that ho i$ tho read Dick Castlcman, who had masqueraded in order to show Ins cousin’s dishonesty. Or the same'programme is ‘The Age of Innocence, which shows how a mother sacrificed her daughter to her social ambitions. PLAZA AND GRAND ‘ Thru the Flames,’ at the Plaza and Grand Theatres, shows how Dan Mcri rill was discharged from his department, branded a coward before the eyes of his mother and sweetheart, and, alhough prevented by duty from clearing the charges against him, runs down he gang of* thieves and uncovers tho u-son plot, winning fame and promodon. The second attraction is ‘Paris,’ x vivid darma of the Paris underworld, ; featuring Joan Crawford and Charles I Roy.