PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 19617, 25 July 1927, Page 2

PICTURE THEATRES

OCTAGON The main reason for the tremendous pleasure winch Douglas Fairininks’s pictures have given in the past.is that Die star appeals strongly to vliat part of a man's mind tliat never grows up. In oaeli of his stories he has neon just what every small hoy dreams of being, and these dreams .never quilo facie away as the small boys reach manhood. His latest pictui’e, ‘The Black Pirate,’ which is being shown at the Octagon Theatre, catches this spirit to a degree never readied by bun before. He is, as usual, a romantic adventurer achieving no end of thrills through nis hazardous and sometimes amusing stunts. There is much ‘hat is beautiful, much that is brave and thrilling and .spectacular in ‘ T|ie Black Pirate.’ The picture is entirely in natural colors, and the scenes showing the moon rippling over the water, the pirates thronging the decks, clambering up into the rigging, or burying their treasure in the golden sands of the tropical island are among the most beautiful ever screened As for bravery and thrills, the very thought of a man eonlending single-handed against 200 cutthroats suggests them, Billie Dove is the heroine, and is the only woman in the picture except Tempo Pigott, who plays, a minor role. Miss Dove seems well worth battling for in a spectacular adventure. Numbers of bloodthirsty pirates appear during the action, and the leaders are supported by such actorr. as Donald Crisp, Sam De Grasse, Anders Randolf, Charles Stevens, E. J. Hateliffe, Charles Belcher, Roy Coulsou, and John Wallace. ‘The Black Pirate’ was directed by Albert Parker, who has served in a similar capacity with several other Fairbanks pictures. Dwight Frankliiij the noted artist, whose specialty is thc / depicting of pirate life, acted as consultant during the filming of the production. The overture ‘Jolly .Robbers’ is rendered by the Octagon Orchestra, under the direction of Mr L. D. Austin. EMPIRE A note of pleasant reminiscence npus through the British-produced picture, ‘ Mademoiselle from Armonrieros,’ which is being screened at the Empire Theatre this week. ’There is pathos in tire stor.V and grim tragedy in the war scenes, but there is also h nnor, and the dividing line between them is almost negligible. As Mademoiselle, Kstolls Brody-is vivacious ami sparkling, while John Stuart heads the supporting cast, and enacts Ids soldiery role with admirable skill. Apart trom the peisonal drama and tumultuous emotion of this picture, all the primitive thrills of war are a vital part of tho story. It is not? however, a war film in the accepted sense of the words, but Mademoiselle's story is so indissolubly bound up in the history of tho conflict that scenes of intensely realistic fighting are necessarily introduced. And these sequences arc wonderfully accurate and effective. There is no travesty, no stagecraft war or kid-glove lighting, but Hio genuine article, a little terrifying even from the safety point of a theatre seat. But it lends a vivid suggestion of atmosphere to the film, which, coupled to the very human story it tells, makes engrossing entertainment. Opening in Bouden, Hie scene soon changes to the western front, where tho hero, John, is in love with the pretty , niece ol the proprietor of an esiaminet. '.lno girl agrees to encourage the friendship ot one Monsieur Branz in order to report his mode of living to tho duisional headquarters. She finds t hat Branz is an enemy spv. John does not know of •.he girl’s role-, and believes her to bo false when lie sees her visiting Branz alone in his house. John's company is ordered to advance, and ho will not see the girl before he goes. Tumble to rest till she iias explained the reason of hor conduct, Mademoiselle finds her way to tne lines. Zero hour has passed, and John’s section has .captured a farmhouse, but is without supports with which to hold it, and it is later i©captured. John is -.aten prisoner, and Branz is praised for Ins good work. Tho <drl is then brought in, and is about o to be shot as a spy when a shell wrecks the dug-out. When Hie smoke clears away the pair find themselves alone with tho dead body of Branz. A party of poilus rescues them, and tho picture is brought to u successful conelusion. „ , , , The Empire Select Orchestra. under the baton of Mr C. Parnell renders an appropriate musical programme. At the afternoon and evening S'teenines on Thursday next a farewell will be given to the dominion finalists or the Mis<; New Zealand, 1927, screen star contest. QHEEH'B AMD RING EDWARSf • The White Black Sheep,j. the attraction at the Queen’s and King Edward Theatres this week, submits a different Barthelmoss, unquestionably a surpnsintr one, supported by a lavish production, under Sydney Olcott s excellent direction, and a cast cl rare periection. It tells the story ot Robert Kmcairn, who shoulders the blame for a theft'by bis financcc. and is ordered from his ancestral home by Ins military father. He goes to Northern 1 alestinc, under the British protectorate, ;.nd joins the British service. There he falls in love with Zelio, a fascinating Greek dancing girl, who rescues him from an Arab mob, and nurses him back to health on the edge of tho desert, rlis adventures in this colorful, land, the intrigues of the Arab, chieftains, and thrilling escapades, give the story an absorbing interest. Patsy Ruth Miller jjs splendid as the desert dancer.

PLAZA AND GRAND Mario Prevost romps gaily through it madly merry photoplay in kcyen Sinners,’ the master picture now at the Plaza and Grand Theatres. The seven sinners of the title are seven crooks who get themselves imprisoned by a burglar alarm system in a Long Island mansion. And Miss Prevost is at her best as one of the amusing gang of criminals. The others mchme _ Clive Brook, John Patrick, Matlnldo Brnndage Claude Gillingwater, and Heune Conklin. ‘The Terror,’ starring Art Accord, is the second feature. I Ins rapid moving drama of the nest, with its cowpunchor hero, is one which gives Accord an opportunity to display Ins horsemanship, roping ability, fighting prowess, and ‘ fictin o- skill to Uio be Mi advantage. A noted includes Velma Connor (former Zi eg tela Follies girl), Dudley C. Hendricks, C. K. Anderson, Edmund Cobb, Jess Deftcbach, and Hank Bell. Patrons of these theatres are promised a treat next week, when Tom Mix in one of his famous Western pictures, ‘The Canyon of Light, will be starred. EVERYBODY’S The construction of a huge dam and its subsequent wrecking was one of the imposing engineering tasks that marked the production of ‘The Temptress, the Metro-Goldwyu-Mayer production, now nt Everybody’s Theatre, with Greta Garbo, Antonio Moreno, and a notable cast. It is a, vivid story of _ Scute America, directed at the studios by Fred Niblo. The cast includes Lionel Barrymore, Boy D’Arcy, Virginia Brown Faire, and others of note. Adolphe Menjon, who is one of the stars in the supporting picture, ‘ Blonde or Brunette,’ will be remembered tor Ins success in ‘The Ace of. Cads.’ Greta Nissen, who was a recent Ziegteld beauty, appears _ opposite the star. Arlette Marchal is also featured.