PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 19919, 16 July 1928, Page 5

PICTURE THEATRES

REGENT - For sheer entertainment the current programme at the Regent Theatre would indeed be hard to beat. The amusement is of a varied nature, with clean and convulsive comedy prevailing. ‘ Now We’re in the Air ’ is the chief attraction, and in this Wallace Beery and Raymond Hatton have done the impossible, and topped all their previous successes, ‘ Behind the Front,’ ‘ We’re in the Navy Now,’ and ‘Fireman, Save My Child.’ Beery and Hatton become aviators when their clothes are blown off when they get in front of a battery of airplane propellers on the testing blocks at a flying field. They fall in love with twin sisters, one of whom has been raised a German, the other a French girl. Many of the difficulties arise over their inability to tell their sweethearts apart, which is not surprising when it is considered that the same Louise Brooks plays both parts capably and charmingly. The gags are new and frequent throughout the picture, and will raise Beery and Hatton to a still higher plane as laugh purveyors. They have splendid support in the cast, which includes Malcolm Waite as the German spy, Duke Martin ns the top sergeant, hard-boiled as usual, Fniilo Chautard, and Russell Simpson. ‘ The Gay Defender,’ the. second feature, is a melodrama of the ranchos. The villainy of gold-greedy adventurers turns a languid, aristocratic youth into a terrorising, nightriding ohin _ Hood. His singlehanded bravery stamps out oppression and wins him back both hacienda and his sweetheart. The popular Richard Dix has the leading role, while Thelma Todd is the ideal typo for tho oldfashioned girl of another century. Miss Edytho Handman is a further attraction, and sings her fascinating numbers in her own delightful style. There are some excellent supporting films, and tho incidental music by tho orchestra enhances a really goad programme. OCTAGON Every cmoJun is called up in ‘La Bohemc,’ which is now being screened at tho Octagon Theatre. Opening with simple attractiveness, the story runs through pathos, comedy, and romance, and reaches a heart-rending climax in deep tragedy. Gay Bohemia, iu the Latin Quarter of Paris, is the setting for this appealing photo-play, which is not' an adaptation of tho opera of tho same name, but of the original novel by Hcnru Merger, of which the opera is but one episode. Jn portraying the romance of Rodolplio, the ambitions playwright, and M.imi, the charming little embroidress, tho producers of this film have obviously been careful iu their selection of a cast, it is doutbful whether they could have found anyone more suitable to piny Mimi than Lilian Gish. This talented artist characterises tho fascinating seamstress with a simpleness that must appeal to theatregoer; while John Gilbert gives a wonderful performance as tho gay, highly-strung Rodolphc, who, doubting Ids sweetheart, sends her from him, and then is doomed to misery in his success when ho loses her. John Gilbert’s Rodolpho is just as enjoyable a character as bis Prince Danilo of 1 The Merry Widow,’ his Bardclys of ‘ Bardelys tho Magnificent.’ Miss Gish and lie have a supporting cast which few productions have been able to boast, for the featured players include Roy D'Avcy, Karl Dane, Renee Adorco, and Edward Everett Horton. Accompanying ‘La Bohemc ’ is a well-varied programme, and throughout the tenrtainment the Octagon Orchestra, under the capable couductorship of Monsieur Do Rose, plays enjoyable incidental music and selections from ‘La Boheme.’ EVERYBODY’S Everybody’s Theatre was again packed to tho doors on Saturday evening, -when Dale Austen made her second appearance. She was first of all seen in her picture ‘Miss New Zealand in Movieland,’ an interesting film which gives one a good idea of what Hollywood is like; and then she gave a delightful lecturetto on her recent trip to the homo of tho movies. Swift action, coupled with dean comedy and adventure in strange places' ollercd Albert flay endless opportunities for good characterisations in ‘Woman Wise,’ an additional attraction. The story, built around the adventures in Persia of an American Consul, brings to Urn screen in the masculine roles two of the most popular leading, men iu the film industry. Walter Pidgoon is cast as the Consul. William Russell plays tho role of the h’er-do-well. Two more finished performers one could scarcely hope to find in a long journey. Miss Collyer, pitched into the midst of bandits, tarantulas, and scheming harem girls, nho resent her entry because of her beauty, lias one thrill alter another. Russell, always fighting with a smiU on bis lips, falls madly in love with her. Pidgoon, at first a womanbater, does tin; same. What happens in tho meantime constitutes one of the most wholesome and original screen stories ever produced, in the opinion of seasoned critics and Jiabir.ua! theatregoers. Tho climax, coating alter a riot of fun and thrills, is surprising in tho extreme. Also showing is ‘Alias the Lone Wolf,’ featuring Bert Lytcll and Lois Wilson. In this mystery story, which was adapted from tho novel of tho same name by Louis Joseph Vance, Lytcll plays a’,secret service man combating a'mysterious organisation of thieves and smugglers in a series of thrilling adventures. . GRAND AND PLAZA The current programme at the Grand and Plar.a Theatres is headed by ‘ Won in tho Clouds.’ in which tho hero, AI Blake, is sent to Africa in connection with 'John James's, diamond mines in order to find out where all the diamonds are coming from. Ho hears that Di James, a brother of the original owner of tho mine, and his daughter Grace have been made prisoners by Portuguese '.Jack and his gang of desperadoes, and at once lakes steps to_ procure their liberation. Ho succeeds in doing this, but father and daughter are recaptured by Portuguese Jack and his party. Again Blako effects a rescue, and'incidentally lias a terrific fight in mid-air. Of course, there is a lovo episode between Blake and Grace. The supporting pictures are ‘ Mademoiselle from Annontieres ’ and ‘ Blake of Scotland Yard.’ KING EDWARD The pictures on tho programme at tho King Edward Theatre are ‘ Blind Alleys’ and ‘lt Must Be Love.’ In tho former Thomas Meigban is starred, and Colleen Moore appears in the chief role in the latter. STRAND * ‘ Sevenili Heaven,’ which local pic-ture-lovers have been acclaiming as one of the finest lovo stories screened in Dunedin for a long time, is nearing the end of its run at the Strand Theatre, where it will have a final showing on Thursday evening. The hero of this colourful romance of action and love is one Chico, a sewer cleaner of P.aris. In the opening scenes he rescues a waif named Diane from the streets, where she has been cast by a brutal_ elder sister, and’ he cares for her in his own modest lodging, thereby winning her love, which he learns to reciprocate. The two are forced apart by the exigencies of the Great War, when tho Germans advance on Paris, and Chico goes to fight for bis country. He wins great distinction for himself, but after a great

battle is reported as_ killed. Diane mourns her loss, and is soon beset by the attentions of a dashing young officer, who is about to wed her when Chico turns up, and naturally the girl immediately transfers her love whs re it belonged.