PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 19522, 1 April 1927, Page 3

PICTURE THEATRES

OCTAGON ‘ Sparrows/ the attraction at tho Octagon Theatre, features Mary Pickford in the title role, with nine of the most • remarkable child actors, who were chosen from almost 500 children that responded to a call from Miss Pickford before the picture was started. They were chosen because of their wistful, sad faces, for all are supposed to be orphans or abandoned children on a baby farm. As other more fortunate little girls hug their dollies to their breasts and mother them, Mollie looked upon the eight other little children as her own. They were prisoners at the Grimes farm, and where they all came from nobody knew hut Grimes, and he would never toll. Ho and his wife could not have chosen a better place for sinister secrecy; here on the edge of tho swamp with only one road out barred by a big gate. The bog was dank, dark, and bottomless—a trap of death to every living thing that dared to tempt its coming horrors. With the beatings and hard work and cold, tho children lived days of misery and nights of terror. Their only hope was Mollie. She never gave up. In an old tattered book of Bible stories she had gleaned that God looks alter the lowliest, counting even the fall of each sparrow. In the -uncertain light of the old loft, she read the stories to them, and they tried hard to believe that there was some relief from tho cruelties of old Grimes. None of life’s experiences can entirely quell the spirit of fun in a child’s' heart, and so the dramatic episodes at the baby farm arc relieved by moments of richest comedy, with Mary Pickford as the leading spirit in the fun making. The rest of tb programme consists of excellent supports, while the Octagon Orchestra, under the direction of Mr L. I), Austen, renders some fine musical items. QUEEN’S AND KING EDWARD The association of Blister Keaton and Sally O’Neill in ‘Battling Butler,’ a screen version of the lamous musical comedy, has resulted in a unique and hilarious picture of sparkling, entertaining qualities. Buster Keaton has appeared in many comedies, but ‘ Battling Butler ’ is undoubtedly bis best effort, as will be seen at the Queen’s and King Edward Theatre, when that picture is shown there to-night. From beginning to e.nd the film provokes one continuous roar of laughter. To maintain this lively interest throughout a feature picture is no easy task, hut this Buster does apparently with tho greatest of ease. Some men are horn lazy, others acquire laziness, and many have indolence thrust upon them by wealthy parents. Alfred Butler (Buster Keaton) is placed in the latter category. Becoming tired of wealth, Alfred decided to go to tho great open spaces with his servant, Martin. The life is dull, but at last the monotony is broken bv a eh an cc meeting with a beautiful girl (Sally O’Neill). Alfred proposes marriage, but the girl’s father and brother say “ No.” Any new relation of theirs must be a fighting man. The well-meaning valet, Martin, tells the girl and her father that his master is Battling Butler, who is to fight for tho world’s championship. Alfred is welcomed at once as a prospective son-in-law. There is really a Battling Butler to fight that night. Alfred is farewelled ns he leaves town to fight, as jvcTyone thinks. He is treated as a real" hero on his return, for Battling Butler has won tho championship. Afraid to reveal the deceit. Alfred weds Sally, and then discovers that, as Battling Butler, he is billed to fight the Alabatna Murderer, and with sinking heart leaves for the training camp. Complications arise when tho real fighter arrives, but he decides tp have a joke at Alfred’s expense. _ He tells everybody that he himself is an imposter and that Alfred is the real Battling Butler. On the night of the light Alfred locks his wife in a room to keep her from witnessing his disgrace. Arriving at tho gymnasium, Alfred discovers that Battling Butler had fought the Murderer and won.. He is about to thank him for his services, when the Battler proceeds to wallop him. Then the worm turns, and in one of the funniest fights evorb screened Alfred knocks out the champion. He then promises his adoring bride that he will retire from tho ring for ever. Both theatres will show the usual budget of supports.

EMPIRE “ Rich in action, thrills, and suspense, with am under-current of humor, staged nwainst typical racetrack backgrounds. That describes ‘ The Rainmaker.’ Furthermore, tho picture has the advantage of a sterling cast, headed by such players as Ernest Torrence, William Collier, jun., Georgia Hale, "Brandon Hurst, Joseph Dowling, and Tom Wilson. ‘The Rainmaker,’ which is sure to prove a draw at the Empire Theatre, where it commences a season to-night, discloses an interesting story._ Bobby Robertson, a popular jockey, is familiarly known on tho racetracks as dhe Rainmaker,” because of Jiis seeming ability to call forth rain merely by praying for it. Among the thousands of spectators on the day ot tho big race is Nell Wendell, ex-dance girl, now a novice, nurse in a local hospital. Bobby rides the favorite. The horse weakens and falls 20yds from the wire, and tho jockey is crushed under the hoofs of the galloping hoises. Rushed to the hospital, he is nursed hy Nell. The doctor’s verdjet is that he will never ride again. Bobby falls in love with Nell, and confides to her that the raintnaking “ gag” was not on the level. His arm, wounded m the war, .always pains him before rain, and this has led him to play on the superstition of the racetrack gamblers. One ot Nell’s old-time friends, Mike, the bartender, pays her a visit, lie has a new place, and wants her to give up nursing and return to tho bright lights. Sho rejects his offer, but later, when tho head nurse discharges her. sho goes back to tho old life. When Bobby finally leaves the hospital his one thought is to find Nell. He wanders into a border town ono day, and in the saloon owned by Mike ho discovers Nell. She has turned down Mike’s proposal oi marriage, because she realises she loves Bobby, but she hesitates to marry the ex-jockey because of her past life. Then, exciting events follow, and it is not until the end of the picture that fortune enters the lives of Bobby and Nell and the two are married. Besides the usual supports tho musical programme is of unusual excellence. Some of the items will bo: —Overture, ‘ll Trovatore’ (Verdi); entr’acte, ‘Because ’ (Guy d’Hardolot); cornet solo, Mr B. 'Wills; excerpts from Beethoven’s stli Symphony; excerpts from ‘ The Pathetique Symphony ’ (Tschaikowsky); ‘La Foret Perfute’ (Gabriel Marie); and ‘ Rosemary for Remembrance ’ (Lady Alice Hill).

EVERYBODY'S ‘The Savage,’ one of the attractions at Everybody’s Theatre this week, is a thrilling romance of a jungle island. Ben Lyon and May M'Avoy are featured in the leading roles, while the other players are well chosen. Most of the story is laid in the South Seas, and there are some unusually fine jungle scenesi in which Ben Lyons dashes about garbed in only a goatskin. He even rides on. the back of a prehistoric brontosaurus. To tell the plot always spoils a story, so wb will only say that Ben is sent to the South Seas to play the part of a white savage and be discovered by a party of scientists, so that they may* be exposed and made a laughing stock of. Fred Newrneyer is to complimented for some excellent direction.

Douglas Maclean in his latest Paramount comedy, 1 Hold that Lion,’ is also being screened. The ' story i? a

thrilling, hilarious fnrce-pomedy-ro-1 mance, in which the hero is forced o I become a member of a big game hunt I in order to prove his prowess in catching lions and to win the girl ho In the supporting cast is Walter Heirs as Doug.’s fat friend, a coward, and not afraid to admit it; while the loveliness of Constance Howard is seen to great advantage. PLAZA AND GRAND Two special features have been chosen for presentation at the Plaza an | Grand Theatres this week. Diversity ( is the keynote of ‘The 'tough Guy, a, sparkling comedy with Fred Thomson | and his horse Silver King playing | prominent parts. Thomson s comedy of the open spaces is never cut to pattern, and in his latest film he has some-1 thing original to offer. As the tough guy ” it is necessary for him to be just a little tougher than the men working on his ranch. He is given able support by a strong cast, which includes Lola Todd, Robert M‘Kim, and Billy Butts. ■ . ■ , , Many people will welcome Ait Acord’s newest picture, ‘ The Scraping Kid,’ which is shown in support of The Tough Guy.’ Acord proves himself a capable actor, and provides thrills with his trick riding and fighting episodes. The picture, in addition to its fights and thrills, has many touches of human interest and comedy. Little .Jimmy Howdwin, as a member of the orphaned family taken in by a big-hearted Art, proves himself a remarkably gifted child actor, and plays many deliciously tunny comedy scenes. Velma Connor, who plays the feminine lend opposite Acord makes a beautiful and appealing heroine, and also demonstrates that she is not far behind the male western actors in her ability to ride. ST. HILDA Frank Keenan, one of the greatest actors who ever faced a camera, has an important role in the film version of Mrs Henry Wood’s novel, ‘ East Lynne.’ The veteran actor will be seen to-morrow night at the St. Kilda Pictures as Chief Justice Hare, whose radical views on the subject of justice drive his own son from the door. The part shows to the fullest extent the capabilities of the versatile impersonator. The picture boasts an unusually good supporting cast. It includes Alma Rubens, Edmund Lowe, Lou Tellegen, Marjorie Da we, Leslie Fenton, Belle Bennett, Paul Panzer, Martha Muftbx, Lydia Knott, and Richard Headrick,