PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 19795, 20 February 1928, Page 1

PICTURE THEATRES

OCTAGON

! The programme at the Octagon Theatre is of special interest in that both the pictures deal with British subjects. The first is entitled ‘H.R.H..’ and is the pictorial story of the lile of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales. The second picture is ‘The Flag Lieutenant,’ a gripping story, with the might of the British Navy as a background. This picture was produced by Astra National with the whole-hearted support of the Admiralty, and is one of the most pretentious of recent screen offerings. The tale centres about Dick Lascellcs, flag lieutenant in the Navy, who is in love with Sybil Wynne, the daughter of bis admiral. His friend, Major Thesiger, of the Royal Marines, is enamored of a Mrs Cameron, a wealthy widow, but is too shy to declare his affection. Both men are detailed to the assistance of a military outpost which has been -suddenly attacked. The fort is finally saved through the heroism of Lascellcs, who, unknown to anyone, carries out a scheme of Thesiger’s, the latter being wounded in the attempt, and losing his memory. Lascellcs is missed, and Thesiger is hailed as the real hero, Dick refusing to disclose his part in the affair, swearing to secrecy the naval doctor, who was the only other man aware of it. Even when disgrace threatens he refuses to tell, but through Mrs Cameron, now Thesiger’s wife, the truth is disclosed to all except Thesiger. The rolo of Dick Lascellcs is played by Henry Edwards, while Fred Raynliam plays Major Thesiger. Lilian Oldland makes a charming Sybil Wynn, while Mrs Cameron is aptly portrayed by Dorothy Sencoinhe. The lighter parts are in the able hands of Huraberstonc Wright as “ SvifFy ” Steels and For-' roster Harvey as ‘•Dusty” Miller. The Octagon Orchestra, under the direction of Sion. Do Rose, renders an excellent programme of appropriate music, while Misses Bahs Saul and Iris Gordon give a. sailors’ hornpipe.

EMPIRE

Colleen Moore is featured in ‘ Naughty But, Nice,’ which is this week’s picture at the Empire Theatre. In this picture the popular star lias the role of Bernice Summers, a shy young girl who is sent from the comparative isolation of a Texas ranch to a finishing school. At the school she blossoms from an unnoticed wallflower into the school’s most popular girl, and arouses the interest of Paul Carroll, a handsome young bachelor. One day the principal of the school surprises Bernice and a friend in the lobby of an hotel, where they have gone to meet Paul, and they say that they are there to meet their parents. In order to keep up the pretence they are forced to enter a. room which is occupied by ll.alph Ames. Just as they are about to leave, however, the parents of Bernice’s friend arrive, and on the spur of the moment the Texas girl introduces Ames as her husband. Through a series of coincidences they again meet that night at a party, at which Carroll is also present. He is stunned when Ames is introduced as Bernice’s husband. Every effort is made to induce'the bride and groom to enter the-hrdal suite. Finally, however, the tangle is cleared up and Bernice finds happiness with Carroll. In addition to Miss Moore, the cast includes Claude Gillingwater, llallam Cooley, Kathryn ■ M’Guirc, Edythc Chapman, and Clarissa Solwymie. An added attraction is the new series i of “ Stercoscopiks.” To tlie ordinary | picture there is length and breadth, hut the figures have m> actual perspective or depth ith the stercoscopiks however, the figures stand out Irom the screen and walk right into the audience Stercoscopiks are a screen miracle. Every person—except l lie blind—will see stercoscopiks, for they are actually a new invention. Special colored glasses must he used to gain tho real sensation of stercoscopiks. They will bo distributed in patrons as they enter the theatre. The musical portion of (lie prngraimne is in the hands of the orchestra, under flic baton of Mr Chas. Parnell

QUEEN'S AND KING EDWARD

Uin-tin-tin, starring in ‘Hills oi Kentucky,’ now showing at the Queen’s j and King Kclwjml Theatres, is a Gorman shepherd dog which was found and adopted by Lieutenant Gee Duncan in France. The dog when round was but three days old and in the advance war zone. It was Duncan who trained him and later put him in the movies. liin-tin-tin’s first starring vehicle, ‘ Where the North Begins,’ was I'ollowed by a series of successes that include ‘ Tilt Lighthouse by the Sea.’ ‘The Hero of j the Big Snows,’ ‘ Kind Your Man,' . ‘Tracked in the Snow Country.’ 1 The j Night Cry,’ ‘ The Clash of the Wolves,’ | ‘While London Sleeps.’ ‘Below the j fane.’ and the present story of a dog's devotion and sacrifice, ‘Hills of Kentucky.’ ‘Three Miles Im,’ the second feature, is one of AI Wilson's starring airplane vehicles, and is well stocked i with thrills. The star, who is featured ! in some darina stunts in the sky. i- ; assisted by Ethlyue Claire, William j Malan, Frank Hire. William Clifford, j Billy “Bed” Jones. Joe Bennett, and; Archie Kicks.

PLAZA AND GRAND |

‘ Wluit Happened to Jones.’ now he- j ing screened at the Plaza and Grand Theatres, is an excellent comedy, and is nightly attracting large audiences. That popular favorite, Reginald Denny, portrays the title role, and a more suitable role could not he found for the genial star. His adventures as Jones provide plenty of Inn, and should win for the star a new host of admirers. He is supported in the cast hy such players as Marion Nixon, Melbourne MacDowel I, Francis Raymond, and Otis Harlan. Fox Films feature ‘Hills of P.eril ’ is on the same hill. This is a typical Western jammed with action and packed with fun. Buck Jones and his horse (Silver Buck) are at their best in this picture. Georgia Hale has the leading feminine role. Scenery of unusual beauty taken among the California hills is a feature.

EVERYBODY’S

‘ Braveheart,’ now being screened at Everybody’s Theatre, is a, photo-play with a panoramic background ol entrancing picturesquencss—a vital, human story of the downtrodden red man, teeming with incidents of universal appeal—a wonder spectacle of the Indian tepee and of the. white man’s seats of justice and learning—an enduring classic of the screen. Rod La Rocque and Lillian Rich portray the title roles

‘ The Demi-Bridc ’ is a breezy French farce with Lew Cody playing opposite Miss Shearer in the lending roles. The cast has been well chosen, and includes Dorothy Sebastian, Carmel Myers, Tenon Holtz, Lionel Relmore, and other favorites. ;

The wonderful production, ‘The Ten Commandments,’ is billed for presentation on Friday.