PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 19891, 13 June 1928, Page 12

PICTURE THEATRES

OCTAGON

lii ‘ Buttons,’ now being screened at the Octagon Theatre, the world-famous child actor, Jackie Coogan, gives his innumerable admirers a new thrill as a page on a trans-Atlantic steamer. He is featured in a sensational shipwreck, when a modern palatial deep-sea liner plunges headlong to a watery grave, and hundreds of passengers struggling in tho dark waters are rescued by searchlight on life rafts. It is a spectacular ending to a fascinating. well-presented story. Among tho supporting players is Lars Hanson, who gave a trenchant performance in ' Captain Salvation.’ Ho is the ship’s master again in ‘ Buttons,’ showing that lie is a powerful actor with his impressive portrayal of a big role. Pretty Gertrude Olmsted is in the feminine lead, and challenges admiration. Polly Moran, who scored in that mystery drama, ‘The Thirteenth Hour,’ provides many laughable moments, while Roy D’Arcy, master of suave villainy, also appears. Many good supports aro shown, while the delightful music by Monsieur Do Rose’s orchestra_ greatly enhances on excellent entertainment.

THE REGENT

The current programme at tho Regent Theatre contains two very fascinating romances—* Hula,’ with Clara Bow as the star, being billed as the chief feature, while ‘Honeymoon Hate,’ starring Florence Vidor, is tho second feature. ‘ Hula ’ is a delightful story dealing with a cross section of life in the islands, and it affords many opportunities for tho vivacious Clara to show her ability as a care-free, happy personage. Clive Brook has tho leading male role opposite Miss Bow, while other prominent members of the cast aro Arlette Marchal. Arnold Kent, Albert Gran, and Agostina Borgato ‘ Honeymoon Hate ’ is tho amusing tale of a woman’s journey half round tho world to find the man she loves. He turns out to bo an Italian prince who is also a shopkeeper and a professional guido. ' Honeymoon Hate ’ develops through tho unfortunate motto of tho Prince’s house: “We shall bo obeyed.” Florence’s father is a mnnu facturer of steel, tamous for its resistance, and she the trade mark as her slogan. Set in lovely Venice, the picture glides along the canals in picturesque gondolas. Florence Vidor is tho chief star. The Regent Operatic Orchestra plays a delightful programme.

EMPIRE

The comedy moments in ‘ The Lite of Riley,’ now showing at tho Empire Theatre, aro funny in tho extreme. Much of tho laughter is caused by Charlie Murray (flic master of Irish impersonation), who does not miss one opportunity to create a laugh. _ George Sidney ably supports him ju providing the mirth. Tho principals combine their public duty of police aud tiro chiefs with much courtship of a wealthy widow. There is deadly rivalry between the two, and this is responsible for some very laughable situations. ‘ Gigolo ’ is on the same bill, and is Rod La Roque’s new picture dealing with lilo in Parisian cates in tho period alter the war. The opening scones aro laid in America, and show Gideon Gory and Mary Hubhel as sweethearts. Subsequently Gideon returns to Europe, ami joins the Lafayette Fscadrilio on tho outbreak of tho Great War. during which he is badly wounded. The story after that is a combination of romance and pathos, with many thrilling adventures in the course of tho unfolding ol the plot. The theme is an attractive one, and is nicely worked out to a happy ending. The local features cover the .second and third days’ racing at tho Dunedin jockey Club’s winter meeting, and the South African war veterans’ memorial parade. Tho orchestral music is an added attraction.

GRAND AND PLAZA

The current attraction at tho Grand and Plaza Theatres is ‘ The V bite Sister. The theme of the picture is that the Marchossa di Mola and Angela, daughters of Prince Chiaroinonte, are living- at Chiaromonte Palace when tho prince is killed at the hunt. Tho marchessa, jealous of Angela, who has won the love of Captain Giovanni Sevcri, destroys the will, and turns Angelia out of the palace. Angelia is taken by a friend, and it is thou that Giovanni tolls_ her that he has been ordered to Africa. Tho expedition is reported, massacred, but Giovanni escapes death, and is taken captive by tribesmen. Angela, hearing of tho tragedy and believing Giovanni dead, renounces the world, and becomes a White Sister at tho hospital of Santa Giovanni. Giovanni escapes, and finds Angela at tho hospital. Ho tries to persuade her to ask for release, but she convinces him that her vows cannot bo broken. Giovanni then notices that Vesuvius is iu eruption. He rides madly down tho mountain, and saves the villagers, but loses bis own life. Angela then dedicates her life to his memory. ‘The Thirteenth Juror,’ the second feature, deals with tho efforts_ of a famous criminal attorney to avoid tno consequences of his own crime by defending an innocent man.

QUEEN’S AND KING EDWARD

Now showing at tho Queen’s and the King Edward Theatres are ‘ Down to the Soa in Ships ’ and ‘ Tho Eagle. Tho principal roles in the former picture are assumed by William Walcott, Marguerite .Courtot, Leigh 11. Smith, vnd Elizabeth Foley. One of the outstanding features of this production is tho tact that it has tho sea for its locale, and the principal unconscious actor is a ninety-ton whale. The audience experiences a tense moment when in the hunting of this leviathan it turns on its pursuers, swoons along one side of the boat, leaving but the stumps of broken oars in the hands ot the fear-stricken crew. Tho harpoon, which was fired, is still embedded deeply in the back of the whale, and in one last effort to rid itself ol tho destroying weapon it swims away some distance, then turns and charges the boat with incredible speed, and the mow is upset in the shark-infested water. Back of all this action there there is also an appealing love story. Tho second film, a Rudolph Valentino picture, is tlio main feature in tho piof'raniino now being shown at the Queen’s Theatre. Tho romantic star is seen first as a Russian Cossack lieutenant in garb more picturesque than anv ho has previously worn, then as a bandit, who becomes known as the “ Easle ” because of his swift, mysterious exploits.

EVERYBODY'S

Heading the programme no* being presented at Everybody’s Theatre is 'Meet the Prince.’ The story centres around a prince and his sister, who are impoverished by the revolution, ami emigrate to America, where the prince obtains a ' position as butler to a millionaire. The princess, his sister, meets and falls in love with an American whom she eventually marries, and the prince goes one better by wedding the daughter of an American revolutionist. After going through many experiences, and learning many lessons, the induce found that a noble without a castle is similar to the average American —a dependable and resourceful, fellow. In ‘Como to Mv House,’ the other feature. Olive Borden portrays the role of Joan Century, a girl who has beauty, intelligence, and every luxury money can buy, hot who cannot master her own heart. She is con-

tinuallv torn between the man to whom she is engaged and another, flayed by Antonio Moreno, who has flashed across her life like a meteor.

HOSLYH

Now looked upon as the screen’s creatost outdoor star, Tim M‘Coy, will bo seen at the Roslyu Theatre tonight in an historical romance of the plains, ‘ Spoilers of the West.’ The story is set in the State of AVyoming, in the year 18(58, when the invasion of Indian lands and hunting grounds bv white despoilers had stirred the Red men to unrest. Chief Big Iree, a, fuhhloodcd Indian chief, _ is cast m an important role, and is supported by hundreds of his tribe. A special comedy bv Hal Roach entitled Lao Old Wallop,’ as well as a news film and scenic, accompany this feature.