PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 19713, 14 November 1927, Page 2

PICTURE THEATRES

OCTAGON A story with the spico of thrilling humor in it is unfolded in. 1 Rough House Rosie,’ which is attracting large audiences to the Octagon TheatreClara Bow is the featured player, and the production offers her plenty of opportunity to display her histrionic talents. Tho theme centres about the doings of Rosie O’Reilly, whoso fiance, Joe Hennessey, is training for a championship boxing match. A fortune teller predicts fame for Rosie as a dancer, and in order to realise this ambition she obtains a position in the ballet at a cabaret. While there she meets Arthur Russell, and he so .impresses her with his riches and evident admiration that she forgets Joe. The latter’s trainer advises him to use “ cave man ” methods in order to win back the girl. Rosie refuses to bo won by such means, however, and causes Joe to bo knocked senseless when he trips against the corner of a table. When he regains consciousness he decides to forget girls, and apply himself to strict training for the approaching championship bout. One night Rosie goes to a party at Russell’s house, and becomes so disgusted with the so-called society life that she loaves and goes to tho stadium where Joe is boxing. Her presence gives the boy new strength, and he is enabled to win the bout, and tho two find happiness together. In addition to tho supports, the Octagon Orchestra renders an excellent programme of music under the baton of Mr L. D. Austin. EMPIRE In ‘ Mr Wu/’ which is being screened at the Empire Theatre, the star, Lon Chaney, not only disguises his face, but changes his whole bearing till lie assumes tho very mannerisms of a Chinese mandarin. The. story deals with an Englishman, Basil Gregory, who falls in love with Nang Ping, the daughter of tho powerful European-educated mandarin, Mr Wu. Tho girl is wronged by Gregory, and Wu decides to take a terrible revenge against the English family. Ho captures tho boy, and then, invites his mother and sister_ to his home. Nang Ping has been killed by her father in accordance with his ancient laws, and ho then prepares to execute Basil. Wu tells Mrs Gregory that ho is exacting a just and fitting vengeance, and she becomes distracted at her son’s danger. Finally, after hours of heart-breaking torture, she stabs tho mandarin just as he is about to give tho sign that is to bring death to the boy. Basil is freed, and with his mother and sister returns to his own country. Chancy takes tho part of Mr Wu, while tho role of Basil is portrayed by Ralph Forbes. Appropriate music is' placed by the Empire Select Orchestra, under the baton of Mr Chas. Parnell. QUEEN’S Plenty of excitement is provided in Johnny Hines’s latest comedy now showing at the Queen’s Theatre. ‘ All Aboard ’ is the title of his latest production, and, witli Hines in the leading role, there is no wonder that it causes a riot of fun. How all get “aboard,” and some “come to port,” is delightfully told by those filling the cast. Edna Murphy has been selected to play tho leading female role, which she does to something approaching perfection. * All Aboard 1 is, of course, broad comedy, and in it Johnny, originally a clerk with a bad memory, obtains a position as guide to a party of tourists travelling to the Far East Ho falls in love with his employer’s daughter. A sheik, who is in an approaching matrimonial entanglement, appears on tho scene, and solicits Johnny’s assistance_ in escaping from tho entanglement in a rather subtle way, and Johnny finds to his dis_may that lie has to marry a fat and rather unattractive young woman. After a desperate struggle ho escapes, and all ends well. EVERYBODY'S _ A well-rounded drama, with delicious touches of comedy here and there to set off tho seriousness of the story, is ‘Love’s Greatest Mistake,’ now being screened at the Everybody’s Theatre. Briefly it concerns the adventures of a young girl, who, bored witli tier small home town, conics to New York to seek excitement. She achieves _ a mental stability and a true valuation of life only, alter a series of harrowing episodes that nearly result in her losing the man she really loves. Evelyn Brent, William Powell, James Hall, and Josephine Dunn are the featured members of the cast. 1 The Substitute Wife,’ starring Jane Novak, makes an excellent supporting picture. Niles Welch, Colt Albertson, Louise Carter, Gordon Standing, and Mario Majeroni are tho principal players. PLAZA AND GRAND 1 The Happy Warrior,’ which heads the bill at the Plaza and Grand Theatres this week, is the latest novel by A. S. M. Hutchinson to reach the screen. Readers of the novel will recall that the story fairly bristles with vivid, melodramatic situations; the sort of situations that are most effective on the screen. The production was made by J. Stuart Blackton, with a cast that includes Malcolm M'Gregor, Alice Calhoun, Mary Alden, Wilfred North, Anders Randolph, Otto Matiesen, and Olive Borden. A skilful blending of Western drama and hilarious comedy is achieved in ‘ A Hero on Horseback,’ the second feature. Hoot Gibson, tho popular cowboy star, is seen in a new role, with Hoot playing tho part of a cowpuncher with gambling proclivities, from which he is weaned away through the alchemy of love. The girl in the case is beautiful Ethlyno Clair. ‘The Riddle Rider,’ starring William Desmond, is on the same bill. KING EDWARD One of the funniest comedians on the screen to-day is Johnny Hines, and he is now appearing in the leading role in 1 All Aboard ’ at the King Edward Theatre. The story deals with the adventures that befal a guide who is conducting a tour, in Egypt, and who meets with excitement and romance. The second picture is ‘ Tho Substitute Wife,’ featuring Jane Novak. The story deals with the wife of a blind man who, in order to indulge n an illicit love affair with her husband’s doctor, persuades another girl to take her place in the home of the blind map. The story works up, to a powerful climax, and contains some good acting.