PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 19840, 13 April 1928, Page 2

PICTURE THEATRES

EMPIRE ‘His Lady,’ which opened at the Empire Theatre this afternoon, is a handsome production. All the splendor opulence of the Court of Louis XVJ. and the spirit of the times have been transferred to the silver sheet without losing any’of its picturesqueness in the transition. The tracking is gorgeous, the acting is admirable, while the story itself is among the gems of literature, drama, and art. John Barrymore and Dolores Costello play the leading roles with an excellent appreciation of their finer points, while Warner Gland and Sam De Grasse, as two very despicable characters, supply the necessary element of villainy. The story of Manon Loseaut and Des Grieux, interrupted by incursions on to the romantic scene by wealthier lovers to oust the poor Chevalier, and Manon’s disagreeable brother, is one of the many famous love stories that have been handed down from the France of the Louis—love stories that number among their characters those notorious women. Du Barry, De Montespan, Pompadour, and Louise dc la Valliere. Into this glamorous array enters Manon, first seen in her stage coach being taken off to a convent, convenient institutions in Imperial Franco tor fractious or homely daughters. Also on the route is Fabien des Grieux, serious, contained, absorbed with thoughts of piety and celibacy, a seminary student. Manon, and habien, through the medium of exchanged glances, forget all thoughts of the inner life; Paris, with her fabulous offerings of gaiety and pleasure, beckons, where for a brief space the famous pair live royally on the earnings of Des Grieux at cards. The old. old story then becomes still older with the advent of old and wealthy suitors for the favors of the matchless Manon. The court is even visible, but the “frail lady,” as someone called her successor, Camille, could not see through the mists of profligacv. the evil shadow of the convict ship heading for the infamous Devil’s island; nor could she see revolution running loose in the streets nor the mob thirsting for her spendthrift blood. But still “his” lady through it all, though estrangements occur and beauty and leisure disappear, this deathless pair of lovers brave the flood, issuing while as snow. A romantic drama of classic leanings with fine tragedy and finer romance shining through its fabric.

In addition to the usual supports another budget of the ‘ Empire Weekly News ’ is screened, which includes scenes of the Portobello regatta, the Merivajc v, Alhambra Rugby match, and tlie Technical College Easter tournament.

The musical programme includes a selection from ‘Talcs of Hoffman* (Offenbach), ‘Are Maria’ (Gounod), ‘Serenade’ (Rubinstein), selection from ‘High Jinks’ (Grind), ‘Wedgwood Blue’ (Ketelby), played by the Empire Select Orchestra, under the baton of Mr Chas. Parnell.

OCTAGON ‘The Gay Retreat,’ Fox Films’ rollicking comedy of the war, is a. delightful change of fare for the jaded picturegoer. This picture, which opens at the Octagon Theatre to-night, is full ot action, romance, and thrills, while in addition it has the host comedy team seen on the screen for some time in Ted M'Namara and Sammy Cohen, who achieved such success in ‘ What Price Glory.’ In ‘The Gay Retreat’ they, however, surpass their former success as laugh producers, because the story of this production was written especially for them by William Conselman, well-known cartoonist, and Edward Marshall, famed as a scenarist of comedies. This combination, together with the direction of Ben Stoloff and the support of a well-chosen cast, has produced a picture that keeps the audience amused throughout the showing. The story deals with a sleep-walking doughboy and his two friends, who Join the army to keep him from walking into Ho Man’s Land in his sleep. Rut the fun starts long before they leave for Franco, and continues right through the picture until the _ final fade-out at home after the armistice. There are not only laughs by the score in ‘The Gay Retreat,’ but a love story that has some unusual angles and more thrills than in a Wild Western. In addition to M'Namara and Cohen, the cast includes Gene Cameron the romantic male role and Judy King in the part of his French sweetheart. Charles Gorman is the hard-hearted sergeant, and Betty Francisco, Holmes Herbert, and Jerry the Giant are some of the other members of the cast who help to make. 1 The Gay Retreat ’ a picture as delightful as its name. Under the baton of Monsieur J)e Rose, tbo Octagon Orchestra will play an appropriate musical programme, while a selection from ‘lolanthc’ (Sullivan) will be presented as an overture.

PLAZA AND GRAND Featuring the story by Stewart Edward White and sonic of tho most striking scenic backgrounds ever used in making westerns, Fred Thomson's latest release, ‘The Two-gun Man.’ had its premiere showing at the Grand and Plaza Theatres this afternoon. This is probably the first time that the work of .stick a noted writer as Mr White has been utilised as western material, ami the distinctly different treatment accorded the production makes it by lar tho best that Thomson has yet done. The entire company spent .several weeks in a remote part of the Sierras in making the film, and the superb mountain scenery furnishes one of the most