PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 19856, 3 May 1928, Page 4

PICTURE THEATRES

EMPIRE The screen version of Victor Hugo’s powerful (work, ‘ Les Miserables,’ will b© seen for'the last time at the Empire Theatre to-night. This picture is a Uni-versal-Film de Franco production, and the role of the immortal Jean Valjean is portrayed by Gabriel Gabrio. The filming of the first part of this great story of romance and glory and of the French Revolution took place in the South of France, in the region between Grasse and Nice. “ Sets ” were avoided as much as possible, although these had to be built for the incidents which occur in Paris itself. The sensational scenes at the barricades when the soldiers of the Empire storm the stronghold of the Communists are said to bo exciting_ in the extreme, and full of pulsating drama. Throughout the entire length of the production one is held in the grip of interest, sympathy, and heightened suspense. It is a pageant of human interest that bewilders the eye and subdues the mind with its wealth of incident and grandeur. On the same bill is another interest--ing budget of local news, a gazette, and a two-reel comedy, while the orchestra plays an enjoyable programme of music.

OCTAGON ‘The Missing Link,’ which has been a big attraction to the Octagon Theatre during the past week, will have its final screening to-night. The leading role is capably taken by Syd. Chaplin, of ‘Charley’s Aunt’ fame. In his latest production Chaplin has brought into plav all the effective comedy turns ho has employed in the past, and has mixed them well with topical burlesque, as applied to exploring scientists. He has thus produced ‘ T!ie Missing Link,’ a oright and airy story concerning a jonrnoy into Darkest Africa, and all the amazing chiefs, tribes, and wild animals that pursued, tho hero. Thor© is nothing so very hilarious in the spectacle of a man of learning being pursued all over the jungle by a savage, but Syd. Chaplin, being tho learned one, makes.it seem the acmp of humour. Tho picture is fundamentally a clever satire on a particular species of scientist. The material is in tho hands of a true humorist, and Chaplin has produced a very entertaining study. All the scenes arc well presented, and the clement of drama helps to give tho comedy the finishing touch that makes a complete success with any audience. The supporting cast is composed of well-known screen players. M. De Rose and his orchestra add to the enjoyment of the programme.

QUEEN'S ‘ Spoilers of the West,’ a _ Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer picture, in which Tim M’Coy has the loading role, will conclude its run at the Queen’s Theatre to-night. It is a story of the settlers in the Far West in the early days who were ordered to leave tho reservations of the Indians within thirty days, and a young cavalryman and his troop who were given the task of seeing them ejected before war was let loose. The supporting cast includes Marjorie Daw, William Fairbanks, and Charles Thurston. A lively story of American family life is ‘The Honeymoon Express,’ the second feature, in which William Louis and Irene Rich are introduced. ‘MARRIED LOVE.’ For the next week the bill at the Queen’s Theatre will be headed by ‘ Married Love,’ a picture for all thinking men and women to whorn truth is purity and purity is truth. This picture commences at the matinee to-morrow. The story begins with the struggles of a Mrs Burrows, the coerced, unresisting mother, hurrying into an early gra’. in a vain attempt to bring up an ever-increasing family; the brutalities of her degenerate, loud-mouthed husband, are terrifying in their grim reality. ' The rebellion of her high-spiri-ted daughter, Maisie, against the seeming inevitability of her destiny as an unwilling bearer of a brood of children destined to similar misery, her desertion of the parental roof, and her downward journey into the gay underworld, where she finds still greater slavery, arc so truthfully portrayed as to bring a cry of indignation and protest from the thousands of unsuspecting people who little know of the perils and pitfalls that beset the weak and unprotected in even our best regulated cities. Her subsequent salvation by those who represent all that is best and truest comes like a ray of brilliant sunshine in tlie gloom of winter, with the glad assurance that all can yet be well if the light and knowledge and understanding of life’s sacred functions can bo equally shared by all. The duty of the cinema is to entertain, but in ‘ Married Love ’ will bo found a quick succession of heart-quickening thrills and situations that grip completely from tho start. ‘Fangs of Destiny,’ in which Dynamite, the wonder dog, has the chief role, will be the minor attraction. GRAND AND PLAZA The final screening of ‘ Publicity Madness’ will take place to-night.. It tells the story of the adventures of a young soap salesman whose egotism is surpassed only by_ his daring advertising schemes and his ability to extricate himself from the most hazardous situations. It is a really humorous story, and one that will entertain all who see it. ‘ Bonnie Prince Charlie,’ the other picture, is a story of the days when that royal adventurer was battling for the throne of England. ‘IN OLD KENTUCKY.’ ! In Old Kentucky,’ featuring James Murray, Helene Costello, and Wesley Barry, will be screened for tho first time at these theatres to-morrow. The story concerns the old Southern family of Brierly, “Major” and “ Skippy,” and Nancy. Their fortunes are bound,

up with a racehorse, “ Queen Bess,” said to have been killed in Flanders.

Briefly, watching some condemned Government horses being auctioned, is stunned to see Queen Bess among them, and buys the horse for double her price, paying with a worthless cheque. Although Nancy loves “Major,”his love has coarsened, and one night when he is subjecting her to abuse, “Skipj>,v” rescues her, and tho two men fight. “ Skippy ” is beaten. In a drunken condition “ Major ” goes home, quarrels with his father, and as a result leaves his family to live his own life. It is a wild existence, with much gambling in it. Usually he is in funds. The second pictorial attraction will he ‘ For the Love of Mike.’ EVERYBODY'S The programme which has occupied tho screen at Everybody’s Theatre for the last week .will be screened for the last time to-night. ‘ The Country Doctor,’ the first feature, is a story of heroism, laughter, pathos, love, and devotion, set amongst the rugged hills of the West. Tiie other attraction is ‘ Without Mercy,’ in which Vera Reynolds and Dorothy Phillips are cast in tho chief parts. ' This film depicts an English aristocrat named Craven, who is in financial difficulties, from which he is relieved hy the help of a young woman named Margaret Garth. There is a rival to Carvan for Margaret’s affections, and it is the old story of the course of true lovo and its failure to nm smoothly. Craven, it is found, is a schemer, and it is the rival who finally meets with success. To-morrow, Harold Lloyd, the favourite comedian, will be cast in one of his best films, ‘College Days.’ ‘ Pyjamas,’ introducing Olivo Borden, will be the second picture. Tho story, revolving around the determination of a poor but energetic youth to make a little rich girl behave, furnishes basic situations for innumerable laughs in this down-to-the-minuto comedy drama. The locale is ideal, centering about a palatial Long Island home and switching rapidly to the majestic ranges of the' Canadian Rockies. Miss Borden, wearing pyjamas during much of the action, is given some sparkling moments with Lawrence Gray. KING EDWARD 1 The Country Doctor ’ and ‘ Tho Honeymoon Express ’ will bo finally presented at the King Edward Theatre to-night.