PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 19786, 9 February 1928, Page 5

PICTURE THEATRES

EMPIRE AND OCTAGON The magnificent plot, brilliant characterisation, and beautiful love story are among the outstanding reasons why ‘Bon Hur ’ has gripped the imagination of the world for fifty years. In the motion picture now attracting record crowds to the Empire and Octagon Theatres the splendid portrayals ot Beu Hur by Ramon Novarro, Esther by May M’Avoy, mother of Hur by Claire M’Dowell, and Tirzah by Kathleen Key, add to the effect and enhance the romance. These players live the romantic side of the story, which is just as engrossing as the sea battle or even the chariot race-. Miss M'Avny, who previously was best remembered by her role of Grizel in ‘ Sentimental Tommy,’ is a charming Esther, daughter of the merchant of Antioch, who scarcely has saved the Hur fortune for the young heir, and Ramon Novarro in the Ben Tlur role is handsome, valiant, and his portrayal is marked by sincerity, depth of feelmg. I’.erhaps the deepest note is struck after Beu Hur sets out to find his lost kin, who have been condemned to a living death in a forgotten Roman dungeon, and (unknown to him) finally released as outcasts. The mother and Tirzah find the youthful Ben Hur asleep on a bench outside the disused palace of Hur. The sister kisses his shoe, but the mother does not dare touch him. Silently they go away bo save him from the ruin which is theirs. There are few dry eyes during tire enactment of this scene, but the sorrow is turned to joy after Esther discovers the outcasts in the Vale of Hiunoin, takes them to the Divine Healer, whose benediction cures them, and the happy four are reunited. Claire M'Dowell’s mother of Hur is a masterpiece that should be seen by all lovers of fine acting. A fine prologue introduces the story proper, Mr Les. Dailey at the Empire, and Mr Reg. Richards at the Octagon, singing the ‘ Star of Bethlehem,’ and during the march to Calvary, when the Man of Sorrows performs His last miracles a hidden choir sings ‘ Abide With Me.’ ‘Ben Hur’ will be screened at all sessions until further notice.

QUEEN’S Lon Chaney plays the role of the armless side-show wonder with uncanny skill and great dramatic power in ‘ The Unknown,’ his latest cinema triumph, which is proving a popular attraction to the Queen’s Theatre. It is a stirring tale of circus life, with Norman Kerry and Joan Crawford in prominent supporting roles. Chaney performs a, scries of tricks with his educated feet that aro astounding; he throws knives, fires a ride, eats, drinks, and even shaves himself with them. ‘The City,’ the supporting feature, is the story of one man’s frantic attempt to achieve fame and fortune against overwhelming odds. Two excellent features aro billed for presentation to-morrow, They are ‘ The Valley of Hell,’ starring Frances M'Donald and Edna Murphy, and ‘Silence,’ featuring Raymond Hatton and Vera Raymond.

EVERYBODY'S Pictures of the battle of the -North Sea, in which the combined British and American Fleets defeated the Germans are shown in ‘ Convoy,’ Bobert Kane’s great war picture, now .showing at the Everybody’s Theatre. The film, which was made with the co-operation of the United States navy, was based on John Taintor Foot’s famous short story, ‘ The Song of the Dragon,’ and tells of the dramatic sacrifice made by a girl in protecting the safe sailing of the Convoy, on which her brother and sweetheart have been ordered to France’. Dorothy MacKaili, Lawrence Gray, and Buster Collier are members of an impressive cast. A worthy supporting feature is ‘ The Lawful Cheater,’ in which Clara Bow, the queen of vamps, is seen in her most fascinating mood. With regard to the programme commencing to-morrow, there is good news to tell. Corinuc Griffiths, featured in ‘lnto Her Kingdom,’ is coming, and, in addition, ‘ Bobbed Hair,’ with Marie P.revost and Kenneth Harlan in the leading roles, will be screened. PLAZA AND GRAND Hoot Gibson will be seen finally at the Plaza and Grand Theatres to-night in ‘Painted Ponies,’ which tells of Bucky Simms, champion cowboy of the north, who goes into Toptown to compote for the southern trophy at a rodeo. Bel ore he knows it he finds himself competing for the heart of a pretty girl against a man who strikes from behind. The other picture, ‘Sunshine of Paradise Alley,’ features Barbara Bedford. The new programme to to presented to-morrow includes ‘ Back to God’s Country, featuring Renee Adoree, and ‘ Slaves of Beauty.’ KING EDWARD ‘ Damaged Goods,’ adapted from Eugene Bricnx’s famous novel, will have its final showing at the King Edward Theatre to-night. It is a picture which has attracted a great deal of _ attention throughout the world, and is distinctly noteworthy tot the message it conveys. The New Zealand film censor has decreed that mixed audiences shall be prohibited, and lor this reason it has been decided that ladies only shall occupy the stalls and that men only bo admitted to the circle. The censor has also ordered that nobody under the age of sixteen years is to bo admitted. Another attraction is provided by the screening of ‘The Lawful Cheat,’ with Clara Bow as the chief entertainer.