PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 19651, 2 September 1927, Page 4

PICTURE THEATRES

EMPIRE One of the. most brilliant casts assembled for many a day was chosen to interpret tho theme of ‘ Sorrows of Satan,’ a screen version of_ Marie Corelli’s novel. Adolphe Alenjou has the role of Satan, and makes an excellent incarnation of the evil one, despite his dress clothes. Carol Dempster appears as Alavis Claire, and tho part of the novelist’s hero, Geoffrey Tempest, is in the capable hands of Ricardo Cortez. Those who saw Lya do Patti in ‘Variety’ will realise how well-fitted her peculiar typo of beauty is to represent tho personiiication of feminine evil. She has earned a great reputation as a sensational actress, and should prove a worthy companion for Adolphe Alenjou as Satan. The subject of the film, which received its first screening to-day at tile Empire Theatre, provides plenty of appeal. The. devil is not on unfamiliar figure on our stage. Hundreds of years ago, in the almost forgotten Aliracle Play, Satan becomes “comedy relief.” Elizabethan drama calls on him quite often. Shakespeare refers to him in ‘Hamlet,’ Goethe presents Satan ns Mephistophelcs in 1 Faust.’ And then, of course, there is the familiar modern musical comedy conception, with its rod cloak, pointed horns, tail, and inevitable pitchfork. In addition to those, plays too numerous to mention have been written around this interesting character. The iovo of a woman, loyal and persistent, that burns through the lures ynd enticements that beset man in this world, eventually drawing him back to the real values of life., that is the romantic story told in ‘Sorrows of Satan.’ The lavish and colorful hackgrounds of the story include great English baronial castles, London’s famous Bohemia (the Soho district), (ho fashionable restaurants of Piccadilly, 1 lie garrets of artists, and the revelry resorts of the rich. There are also a number of minor pictures included on tho programme. Tho following are tho musical items to be played at the night session by the Empire Orchestra : —Overture, selection from ‘Lucia di Lnmmermoor ’ (Donizetti): entr’acte. ‘ Rustle of Spring ’ (Binding); excerpt from ‘Unfinished Symphony ’ (Schubert) ; j Adieu ’ (Friml), ‘A Dream Picture ’ (Kotclby), ‘ Konicnnoi-Ostrow ’ (Rabcnstcin), and ‘Largo’ (Handel). OGTAGOH There arc not many screen actresses who have enjoyed such popularity as Corinno Griffith, and it is not surprising that her latest picture, ‘ Tho Lady in Ermine,’ has been sneb an attraction in northern cities. Willi a reputation such as it has tho film should prove a big draw at tho Octagon Theatre, where it will be shown for the first time tonight. ‘The Lady in Ermine ’ is a lavishlyproduced and exciting story, well photographed in settings that lack nothing either in conception or detail. Tho picture is based on and adapted from a charming operetta of the tame title, and a east of unusual strength has been chosen to support the chief player. First there is popular Francis X. Bushman, an actor with a long and distinguished career in tho motion picture world, and with him is one of the recent importations from .Europe—Elinar Hanson. She is a talented stage and screen star, whose greatest triumph to date was in the screen production of ‘ Into Her Kingdom.’ The climax of ‘The Lady in Ermine’ shows a woman confronted with the terrible problem of being empowered to save her husband froiii 5 being shot, at the price of her honor. Gorinnc Griffith takes the part of the Countess Afanana Alnrlllo, and it is considered by those who have watched her work that .she gives the. greatest ('motional characterisation of her career. Tho scenes are laid in Italy during the Austrian invasion of 1810, and there is a strict regard for historical accuracy, flavored with all Bic intrigue and mariial pomp of the Continent. An excellent programme of supports is in attendance, while the incidental music by (lie Octagon Orchestra promises to he no to its usual fine standard. OUEIH’S ASiD KIHG EDWARD Only the favored low of scrocnlaml reach that coveted inner circle ol “stardom.” Many seek the honor in vain, and those upon whom it is conferred are fortniiido indeed. J'ne. latest member to he admitted to _ (his r,erecn aristocracy is William Haines, iUid it is safe to say that no more popular choice lias ever been made. Though only a tomparalivo newcomer to motion pictures, Air Haines has been consistently brilliant in bis perlormances, and with each appearance Ims added thousands to his legion of admirers. ‘Alike,’ ‘Sally, Irene, and Alary, ‘A Slave of Fashion,’ all showed him to bo am actor ol distinction, but it was not until tho coming of ‘Broun of Harvard’ that ho was revealed at last, as his inimitable sell. It was (his portrayal that won him .stardom. His newest and most striking role is in ‘Slide, Kelly. Slide,’ an exhilarating romance of Iho baseball field, winch opened to-day at the. Queen’s mud King Edward Theatres, It is only comparable to ‘Brown of Harvard’ in its hilarious moments, genuine binding flavor, and epic thrills. Breezy lilies, a cast of clever comedians, and u story that lacks nothing that excellent entertainment demands. Sally O’Neil, who won so many admirers with her portrayals in ‘ Alike,’ ‘Don’t,’ ‘Sally, Irene, and Alary,’ and ‘ Battling Butler,’ is the leading feminine player ol this picture, which is unique in the history of pictures and of baseball. Ninny of its scenes were filmed at the world series, and actual crucial plays of the big contest form much of tiie important details of the picture. Famous hall platers appear in person. Tho film celebrities in the picture include Harry Carey, king of Western heroes; Karl Dane, of ‘ The Big Parade ’; Eilccm Sedgwick, of ‘ Tin Hats’; Junior Coghlan, Dorothy Sebastian, Warner Richmond, of ‘The Fire Brigade,’ and others of equal note.

EVERYBODY'S With the splendor ol the Rockies lor a background, ‘The Hanger of the Big Bines,’ a Vitagraph production, opened at Everybody’s Theatre to-day. _ Kenneth Harlan, who is featured in the loading role of Ross Cavanagh, gives an excellent performance as the handsome ranger wiiose pride and conventional training almost overbalance Ids love for Virginia Weatherford, “the lovely flower of a corrupt stock.’’ Helene Costello lends to the role of Virginia sweetness and beauty. Eulalio Jensen’s interpretation of Lizo Weatherford, hardened woman of the West, was a perfect bit of acting. The vest of an excellent cast included Will Walling, Lew Harvey, Robert J. Graves, Eugene _ Paulette, Harvey Clark, and Joan Standing, The crossing of a river provides one of the greatest thrills in ‘ The Lady of the liarem,’ which also opened today. The story is laid in the Persian city of Khorasan, and the people are ground by the taxes and harshness of the Caliph. When the sweetheart of one of their leaders is taken into the palace as tribute for unpaid taxes they rise in open rebellion, and the people of the city swarm across the river which separates the town from too many acres of land in which the palace of the Caliph is built. Three thousamd extras were required by Director Walsh when ho was making tins great scene for the Paramount picture,

PLAZA AND GRAND Amid scenes, of rare beauty among tho fantastic formations of tho canvous of the Mojave Fox Films feature ‘ Desert Valley,’ starring Buck Jones, which had its first showing at tho Plaza and Grand Theatres to-day. Comedy, thrills, amd suspense abound in this fine picture, whose story deals with the fond of cattlemen over water rights. Buck plays tho part of an irrepressible cowboy, who has a knack for getting into trouble over other people’s troubles. Virginia Brown Fairo is the girl in tho ease, and Aialcolm Waite the ruthless owner of the water rights. Hard riding, spectacular fighting, and comedy make this one of the best Westerns scon locally for some time. ‘ The Fighting Peacemaker,’ starring Jack Hoxic, which is tiiu second picture, tells a story that will be familiar to okl-trmo Western ranch men. It is that of tho gieat struggle that was fought out between cattle men and sheep men for possession of tho grazing lands. It is a thrilling picture, and presents Hqxß in a great role. Tho supporting list of players contains tho names of Lola Todd, Ted Oliver, Wii--lin in A. Steele, Robert APKenzie, Cinrko Comstock, Bert Do Alare, Tom Grimes, and Floyd Criswell. Tho picture was directed by Cliff Smith*