PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 19843, 17 April 1928, Page 4

PICTURE THEATRES

EUPIBE The screen version of the romance written by the Abbe Prevosi, entitled ‘ Manon Lescaut,’ which was dramatised under the name of ‘His Lady,’ is the major attraction at the Empire Theatre this week. John Barrymore plays a great part as the Chevalier Fabian Des Grienx. The “ frail lady ” (Manon) is represented by Dolores Costello. She makes a groat impression upon the Chevalier, and this detail may be regarded as the foundation upon which the romance is built. ‘ His Lady ’ is one of the many famous love stories that have been passed down from the Franco of the Louis, and which number among their characters such women as Du Barry, Do Montespan, Pompadour, and Louise de la Yalliere. Also on the programme is a further instalment of the ‘ Empire Weekly News,’ including scenes from the Portobdlo regatta, Mcrivale v._ Alhambra Rugby match, and the Technical College tourney. Special musical selections are played by the Empire Select Orchestra, under the baton of Mr Chas. Parnell. OCTAGON ‘The Gay Retreat,’ one of the cleverest and funniest war comedies of the year, is at present drawing largo crowds to the Octagon Theatre. The two irresistible funmakers, Ted M'Namara and Sammy Cohen, are again together, and keep the audience happy and shouting with laughter with their funny antics. This delightful entertainment is not only a happy, rollicking “take-off” on the war, but contains in addition thrills in plentiful measure, a double romance, and a story that is logical to the smallest details. The storv deals with a sleep-walking son of a millionaire who enlists in the ambulance corps and his two self-appointed bodyguards, who enlist with him. The boy leaves his sweetheart, a Red Cross nurse in his father’s care, and goes to France with his guardians in the wrong division. They are marked A.W.0.L., and that is the beginning of their troubles. What happens to them when they get overseas and the French girls with whom they fall in love furnish the materials for one of the best and most hilarious stories ever filmed. Betty Francisco as the nurse, Judy Kins ns the French girk Gene Cameron as the boy, Holmes Herbert as the father, Jerry the Giant as I little refugee, and Charles Gorman as the bard sergeant give splendid performances. There is the usual programme of supports. while the entertainment is nicely rounded off by the playing of the orchestra, under the direction gf Monsieur De Rose.

GRAND AND PLAZA Screening at the Grand and Plaza Theatres this week are two exceptionally fine pictures. The first one is entitled ‘The Two-guu Man,’ and features Fred Thomson, the popular cowboy. The magnificent country ol the high Sierras, almost impenetrable to motion picture companies, has boon ravaged of some of its great shots for this picture, and the glory of the rugged backgrounds forms a splendid canvas on which to transpose the red-blooded story written by Stewart Edward White. t The. second one is 1 The Night Patrol, introducing Richard Talmadge in the role of a “ swagger ” young policeman. The story by Frank Howard Clark gives the star many of his most thrilling stunts to do;, in fact, Talmadge discloses several new and most amazing antics, several of which are shown in the mad race to the rescue of the brother of his sweetheart as the boy faces death in the electric chair. QUEEN’S The main feature of the programme at the Queen’s Theatre at present is ‘ Adam ami Evil.’ ft offers a. wonderful opportunity for the irresistible Lew Cody in a dual role, and has plenty of light humour for Ihe talents of Aiiecn Pringle. It tells of the adventures of Adam ami his twin brother Al., from Brazil. How Adam’s beautiful young wife becomes hopelessly bewildered and cannot distinguish her husband from his brother, and how Al.’s sweetheart insists that Adam is Al. makes ‘ Adam and Evil ’ a positive whirlwind of mirth. ‘ A Million Bid,’ starring Dolores Costello, is the title of the minor attarction. EVERYBODY'S The screen of Everybody’s Theatre is at present occupied by a good programme. A light, exhilarating story of young married lifo is ‘ Silk Stockings,’ the first feature, which is admirably suited to the comedy talents of Laura La Plante. John Harron plays opposite the beautiful, blonde star, while the supporting cast includes Otis Harlan, William Austin, and Heinie Conklin. The second feature,, which is the story of “tin can tourists” and the auto camps, features Bessie Love and Harrison Ford, and was filmed against a romantic background. ‘ Rubber Tyres ’ is perhaps the first picture to be made in its entirety away from a film studio. KING EDWARD Lew Cody and Aileen P.ringle are the stars introduced in ‘ Adam and Evil,’ the headliner which is to be shown at the King Edward Theatre to-night. The other picture is ‘ Rubber Tyres,’ and is said to be the first picture to be “shot” in its entirety away from a film studio.