PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 19760, 10 January 1928, Page 11

PICTURE THEATRES

OCTAGON There is no more stirring page in the annals of the Great War, nor in England’s history, than the famous retreat of Britain’s “contemptible little Army” from Mons at the very start of the mighty conflict. Looking back, one wonders how it was that the First and Second Army Corps escaped destruction at the Lands of the well-equipped Germany Army. A splendid description of the historic retreat is given in the stirring film, ‘ Mons,’ which is now being screened at the Octagon. Britain has turned out the greatest war picture ever produced in any country. The puny English force is shown indomitably striving against overwhelming odds, using their rifles with a precision and rapidity which led the German generals to believe that the British had machine-guns, and showing their splendid discipline in the galling but well-conducted retreat. The British troops fought with such desperate valor that it is not surprising that the legend arose that angels from heaven came down and assisted theni. This story of how 70,000 of the British Regular Army fought against a German host throughout a hot August day, and then rose and marched, not knowing why, and then fought and marched again, till they were well nigh dead _ with fatigue is an epic which will shine in history for all time. One of the things that makes ‘ Mons ’ a remarkable picture is that even in the battle scenes British humor breaks through. The film abounds with soldier wit, comedy and humanity that go straight to the heart of the beholder. The British soldiers laugh in the very face of death, and it was their inherited sense of humor that carried them through the mouth of hell. A splendid atmosphere for the picture is' created by Bombardier A. G. Jenkins, R.H.A., the man who fired the first shell in the Great War, who, in thrilling terms, recounts the story of the immortal retreat. A special musical programme, including the popular ‘ Light Cavalry ’ Overture, lias been prepared for the orchestra by Mr L. D. Austin. - i EMPIRE The screen version of ‘ The Blue Lagoon,’ now being shown at the Empire Theatre, retains ail the beauty and charm of the famous romance. Filmed by an all-British company, headed by Mollie Adair and Arthur Pusey, the production marks an important step in the progress of the English film industry. A lovely tropical island off the east coast of Africa is the setting for one of the sweetest and most natural love stories ever told. 1 The Blue Lagoon is written with all the freshness and youthful charm of the author at his best, a delicate theme which demands only the most careful and sympathetic treatment from director and cast; an unconventional, elemental plot, with a naive semblance in it _ to the Garden of Eden. It is a tale of wild and glorious adventure, of the tearing, tyrannical drama t-f tropic life, and with the death of old Paddy Button, the sailor who had held the lost pair spellbound in childhood with his talk of strange fairioa and little people, comes, as is the custom the whole world over, little Dan Cupid. With half a dozen others on the island, this would have been merely romantic; with only Emmeline and Dick it is dramatic, primitive. The story is not all emotional. and the pathos, the humor, the material loveliness that characterise the tale tends to lighten the of ton-taut situations. The Paddy Button of Richard Criuckshanks is undoubtedly the oustanding performance of the piece, while Mollie Adair and Arthur Pusey are most effective in their respective roles. The songs of Mr Ernest MTvmlay contribute materially towards the enjoyment of the evening. His numbers include 1 Waiata Poi,’ A Brown Bird Singing,’ and ‘La Donna E. Mobile.’ 31 r MTCinlay was accorded an enthusiastic reception by a packed house last evening. The seventh production ,of the popular ‘Collegians’ sporting series is included in a sterling picture programme. QUEEN’S The headliner at the Queen’s Theatre, entitled ‘ The Sunset Derby,’ is a colorful story of the race track, and one which makes an unusual departure from the usual films of tins type, in that it is an intimate story of the real characters behind the track rather than the story which has served for so long. The racing scenes were taken at a track at Tiajuana, where some of the leading jockeys and the fastest mounts in America created a realistic atmosphere. On the same programme is ‘ The Extra Girl,’ a Mabel Normand picture, which tells of the adventures of a country girl who set out for New York in order to make a name for hci;self on the stage. ’ " EVERYBODY’S AND KING EDWARD ‘ Captain Salvation,’ now being screened at Everybody’s and King Edward Theatres is a romance of the old days, when men braved the seas in square-rigged ships. Adapted from the novel by Frederick William Wallace and directed by John S. Robertson, it is played largely on a ship on the high seas; an actual sea voyage was made in an old-time clipper ship for these scenes, which are so intensely genuine that the actors themselves found it an adventure of their lives, and on the screen the audience senses this tang of genuine peril in the remarkable play. Lars Hanson, the famous Swedish autor, who came to this country to score in ‘ The Scarlet Letter ’ and ‘ Flesh and the Devil,’ docs an intensely interesting piece of work as the hero, a divinity student forsaking the pulpit for the sea, and Pauline Starke is a vivid creature as Bess Morgan, the charmer who lured but finally saved him. Marceline Day is a charming sweetheart. The supporting production is 1 Why Girls Go Back Home,’ in -which Patsy Ruth Miller and Clive Brook have the featured roles. Miss Miller plays the girl who goes'back home in this particular case. She is a brilliant dramatic actress, a delightful comedienne, and, what is more, can do the Charleston as skilfully as any dancing star. Her performance in this production proves her truly versatile and beautiful, PLAZA AND GRAND A 1 Wilson, the screen’s greatest stunt and trick aviator, is in his element in ‘Sky High Saunders,’ the big air thriller now showing at the Grand and Plaza Theatres. The story tells of two twin aces, one a member of a band of outlaw sky smugglers and the other an army flyer sworn to bring justice to the criminals who made an outlaw of his brother. It is replete with fiy--lag smugglers the conquest of supermodern criminals and their arsenal of tanks, guns, and ’planes, hair-raising air stunts, and big heart interest all the way through. Elsie Tarron plays the feminine lead opposite A 1 Wilson, while Frank Rice, Bud Osborne, Frank Tojnick, and others have prominent supporting roles. Buck Jones's latest starring vehicle, ‘ The War Horse,’ is the supporting production. This story was written by Buck Jones, and is based on his own experiences while serving overseas.