PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 19764, 14 January 1928, Page 5

PICTURE THEATRES

EMPIRE In ‘Fireman, Save My Child,’ the current attraction at the Empire Theatre, two of the funniest artists on the silvei sheet will be featured. These are the inimitable stars, Wallace Beery and Raymond Hatton, of ‘ Behind the Front ’ and ‘ We’re in the Navy Now fame. The two latter pictures landed the popular comedians m the net of popular approval, but it is said that thev art even more preposterous in their latest farce. To make the reunion complete, the entire production line-up which scored so heavily in the two earliet pictures was behind the camera foi Firemen, Save My Child.’ Edward Sutherland, who directed the two previous Boery-Hatton triumphs, again weilderi the mega phone. Monty Brice, who was comedy constructor on those two pictures, and has since been elevated to the post of director, laid down his megaphone for this production and served as he did before, creating comedy situations. Since ‘ We’re in the Navv Now ’ Beery has made two comedies, one being 1 Casey at the Bat.’ which proved a decided success when shown here. In ‘Firemen, Save My Child the two stars are supported hy Josephine Dunn, Tom Kennedy, Joseph Gerard, and a number of policemen, firemen, and civilians. Mr Ernest M'Kinley’s songs evoked prolonged applause from a packed house last evening. His numbers this week include ‘Hail, Caledonia.’ ‘My Little Banjo,' and ‘Take a Pair of Sparkling Eyes.’ Included in a fine picture programme is the eighth _ production of the popular ‘Collegians’ sporting series The Empire Orchestra. undei Mr Chas. Parnell .is in excellent form and a very pleasing musical programme adds to the enjoyment of the evening.

OGTAGCH ‘Painting; the Town,’ which had its premier showing at the Octagon Theatre lasi night, was declared by the laige audience present to be one of the funniest pictures seen here for l some time it was ideal film entertainment, built around the adventures of one Hector Whitmore, a country town genius who goes to York to astonish the t wn with his inventions. ( principal amo*g them being a front wheel brake automobile that will stop in two car lengths at any speed. He also wants to renew a chance acquaintance with Patsy De Veau, a Follies beauty. How he is “framed” by Patsy’s former sweetheart in his quick-stop demonstration 'for the Fire Commissioner and how ho finally gets the best of those conspiring against him to win a big contract for bis “wonder car” and also the heart of the Follies girl is depicted in fast action, abounding in laughs. Hector’s ready supply of tricks and his remarks help to make the picture an hilarious farce-comedy. His humor is j contagious and Glean Tyron I has _ injected a pleasing personality into the role. The Universal Pictures Corporation, which sponsors this picture, is said to have signed the young comedian for five years as Soon as the completed picture was shown to the company officials. . Patsy Ruth Miller is the girl, and, as ; usual, is easy to look upon and coin--1 ipetent in her-acting. The others_ in : the cast are well chosen, including George Fawcett, Charles Gerard, Sidney Bracy, and Max Aschcr The picture, which was made by Universal, is the screen adaptation of a story _ by Harry 0. Hoyt, directed b.v William J. Craft. George Fawcett never had a richer opportunity to be bis lovable, comical self. The fine musical programme rendered by the Octagon Orchestra adds further enjoyment to a first-class entertainment.

QUEEN'S The screen version of James Oliver Curvrood’s great', novel of Broadway and the North-West, ‘ The Country Beyond,’ is the premier attraction at the Queen’s Theatre. Olive Borden, Virginian beauty and star in Fox Films productions, is seen in the stellar role. Miss Borden, who is a versatile actress appears in an exotic and colorful role. In the early sequences she wears nondescript garments—a fiery, yet pathetic figure of a girl, born in the Canadian Rockies and taken care of, after a fashion, by her guardians who are shiftless FrenchGanadians. She attracts the attention of a New York theatrical producer on a tour of the primitive forests of the Northland. He takes her to Broadway, and in the course of time she becomes the vogue as a musical comedy dancer. The host of readers who have followed this fascinating tale of love and romance will be delighted with the beauty of the country brought home to them through the lifelike medium of the camera The cast embraces a list of notable names—Gertrude Astor, J. Farrell MacDonald, Fred. Kohler, Evelyn Selbie, Lawford Davidson, Ralph Graves, and Alfred Fisher.

“ Lefty ” Flynn is a deservedly popular star, and Ids. latest vehicle, 1 Mulhall’s Great Catch,’ the second feature on the programme, adds to his laurels. Gerald Beaumont, the noted writer and author of the story, has cleverly brought out the humorous as well as the dramatic elements of the subject, and the picture is an entertaining mixture of entertaining comedy and thrilling realism. EVERYBODY'S AND KING EDWARD * In ‘Skinner’s Dross Suit,’ which is now being shown at Everybody’s and King Edward Theatres, Reginald Denny and Laura La Plante are cast in an ideal setting. These two stars constitute one of the most popular teams in filmdom, and their latest effort is undoubtedly the best to date. This is the internationally famous story of a poor young clerk who bought a dress suit and had to “live up to it.” Jb was a perfect fit everywhere except in his bank account.

The supporting production is ‘ The Gilded Highway,’ with Dorothy Devore and Johnny Harron in the feature roles, it is the drama of a middle-class family who inherit millions and are plunged into the glitter, the sparkle, the gaiety of wealth, but who somehow fail to “fit” in the golden circle. Hero is a modern pilgrim family’s progress in the realms of the worldly wise, a romance of fluctuating fortunes, and a deeply human story of hearts and dollars. PLAZA AND GRAND Dainty and delightful Norma Shearer has played many roles in her screen career, but none has afforded a better setting for her beauty than that of the little cigarette girl in ‘After Midnight,’ one of the attractions at the Plaza and Grand Theatres this week. It is safe to say that if ever cafe and restaurant boasted a cigarette selling young female with the appeal and grace of Norma Shearer, the consumption of the fragrant weed, already heavy, would increase tenfold. In ‘"After Midnight,’ director Monta Bell has lifted the veil of mystery that formerly hung over the lives of girls who earn their living between dusk and dawn. He skilfully depicts the different outlooks on life possessed by two sisters—both of them workers “after midnight”—the drama, the comedy, and the unexpected thrills of their existence. ‘ The Prince of Headwaiters,’ with Lewis Stone, Priscilla Bonner, Lilyan Tashman, Ann Rork, Robert Agnew, and E. J. Ratcliffe as the featured players, is the second attraction. It ts one of the really exceptional pic-

tures of the year, with Mr Stone in his most dramatic role of the. season*

ROSLYH ‘Footloose Widows,’ the picture to be shown at the Roslyn Theatre tonight, boasts of romance, thrills, and comedy, against situations that could have proved seilous were it not for the timely intervention of Lady Luck. Louise Fazenla, who is in the lending role, has been seen in many varying characterisations during the past few years. A year ago, the comedienne enacted a number of exotic roles -which called' for so sumptuous a wardrobe that she created a veritable sensation. Her latest offering deals with two mannequins, who set out in borrowed frocks_and with empty pockets to land a millionaire in Sunny Southland. Tli« mix-ups bring about funny situations and a startling climax.