PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 19923, 20 July 1928, Page 6

PICTURE THEATRES

OCTAGON ‘The Chinese Parrot,’ which opens as the chief attraction at the Octagon Theatre to-night, is said to be one of those rare pictures, so strange, so weird, so gripping that it baffles description. It is based on the’unfathomable theft of a string of world-renowned pearls, the key to the mystery being held by a Chinese parrot. It was adapted .from Earl Derr Biggers’s famous ‘ Saturday Evening Post ’ story, the theme of which runs as follows; Sally Randall, daughter of a rich Hawaiian planter, marries Philmorc, the man of her father’s choice, thereby jilting P. J. Madden, to whom she had sworn her love. Tearing from her throat the priceless pearls that are Sally’s wedding gift from her father, Madden declares that he will one day buy her at the same price. Twenty years later Mrs Sally Philmore, now a widow in financial straits, returns to San Francisco to offer for sale through her jeweller, Philip Eden, the last of her possessions, the pearls. Accompanied by her daughter Sally, she goes from the ship to meet the prospective purchaser of the gems, who turns out to be Madden. Mrs Philmore is astonished and humiliated in his presence, and Madden is struck by the beauty and charm of Sally’s daughter Sally. Since Mrs Philmore has entrusted the gems to a Chinese detective named Chan, who is arriving on another ship, she is unable to deliver the pearls at once. Madden tells her to bring them in person to his desert hacienda and to bring Sally with her. Madden waits in his desert home for the pearls, and particularly for Sally, but ho ,is struck from behind by. Ins secretary, who has found a crook who bears a striking resemblance to Maddeif. Madden is held prisoner in his own house while the crook impersonates him, and meets Sally upon her arrival. A Chinese parrot, overhearing Madden’s cry of “Murder!” repeats the cry at an unexpected moment, and the story takes a new turn from tin's moment to the groat climax. ‘ The Chinese Parrot ’ is supported by a good programme of short films, and Monsieur de Rose has selected another excellent programme of music for his orchestra, which will play the Oriental fantasy, ' In a Chinese Temple Garden ’ (Ketelby), with Chas. A. Martin at tlio organ. The music theme to ‘ The Chinese Parrot,’ ‘ Within the Walls of China,’ by Katherine Allan Lively, will also be played, while other numbers will include prelude to Act V. ‘King Manfred’ (Rciueckc), ‘Chinese Suite’ (Irenee Bcrge), fantasia ‘Adrienne Lccouvreur ’ (Cilea), overture ‘La Princcsso Jaune ’ (Saint-Sacns). andante from ‘ Leonore Symphony ’ (Raff), ‘Consolation’ (Liszt). REGENT The new programme which opened at the Regent Theatre to-day is easily the best bill shown in this luxurious theatre to date. ‘ Barbed Wire ’ is the major attraction, and it dispels any doubt as to Pola Negri’s right to the title of Empress of Emotions. This scathing indictment on war from the pen of Sir Hall Came will stand out as one of the most memorable pictures in 1928. Produced by Erich Poramcr, with a cast of international importance and calibre, ‘ Barbed Wire ’ is the monarch of melodramas. All the action—all the drama—the thrills; the humour, pathos, and heartaches of the four years of the war are jammed into this mighty picture. Yet it is not a war picture in the sensb that there are battles and bloodshed, it is a plea for eternal peace, a drama enacted far from the bitter hostile lines of the opposing armies, enacted in a prison camp far away from the thunder ul the guns ‘ Barbed Wire ' is a story of the back eddies of the war. a tale of the German concentration camps. Mona is a daughter of a French farmer, who has an internee camp near the farm. She falls in love with Oscar, and is lulled by the French for it. However, with the .signing of the armistice, everything is cleared for a happy ending, Pola. Negri, in the title role, has made a great characterisation, and Clive Brook, the noted English actor, has the leading male role. Others aro Claude Gillingwater, Einnr Hanson, Clyde Conk, and Gustav Von Scyfl’crtilz.

1 Servioo For Ladle V the second attraction, is a romantic comedy of Paris Uo! c:i life, and winter sports in the Swiss Alps. Adolphe Menjou is slurred at his best in a new and sympathetic role. It is a role in which the suave, polished Adolphe of former charaeteriS(it in,-, is very much the hero, even though cast by Fate in the unhenmrole 'of a head waiter.

At the evening presentations the two famous Continental dancers, Meazzo and Adrienne, will appear, and the orchestra will ho heard in an excellent musical programme. STRANG Powerful in theme, .spectacular in action, with one of the few all-star casts ever assembled for a motion picture, ‘ Sorrell and Sou ’ opened at the Strand Theatre this afternoon. Based on the novel of the same name by Warwick Deeping, the celebrated English author, the story of a father’s love and sacrifice for his eon, and Iho son’s devotion to his father, is told with an utter absence of sentimentality, hut with a pathos that is very close to tears throughout. The return from the war of Captain Stephen Sorrell, only to find that his wife has deserted him. and his bitter fight with life to provide his son with a gentleman’s education, provide a main theme of deep tragedy, while the later scones showing the romance of the adult Kit Sorrell provide a well-balanced relief. In addition to the main plot there are many niider-cnrrenbs of love, hate, and passion, 'all of which are handled in a masterly manner. The rustic beauty of the English countryside makes a picturesque and beautiful background, while the photography maintains a very high artistic standard throughout. H. B. Warner plays the part of Captain Stephen Sorrell with great restraint, giving a sympathetic performance lull of pathos. As the central figure of the tragedy he dominates the action, as intended by the author. Nils Asther, who is a new player to the screen, ably fills the role of the younger Sorrel as a man, while Mickey M‘Ban, a very promising juvenile, portrays Christopher at school. In contrast to tin strength of the main characters arc the shallow and sophisticated wife, a part filled by Anna Q. Nilsson, the heartless mistress of the Anchor Inn, Carmel Myers, and the bullying head porter,'Louis Wolhcim. A brilliant prologue precedes the screening of the film, while a special musical score is rendered by the Strand Symphony Orchestra. EVERYBODY'S The new programme, which cbmmenced at Everybody’s Theatre this afternoon, is headed by a now Fox production entitled ‘The Triumph of the Rat,’ and features one ( of Britain’s foremost actors, Ivor Novello. This film tells of Pierre Boucheron, who was once known as “The Rat,” and is now the idol of Parisian society and of the beautiful Zclie De Chaumet. Pierre meets the Countess Madeleine de I’Orme and immediately falls in love with her. Zelie taunts him, so he wagers_ that within a month Madeleine will be in Ins arms. “The Rat” wins the wager, and Zelie sees that her foolish taunt has driven Pierre away from her. Zelie then determines to use her influence to send “The Rat” back to the gutter. She sees Madeleine, and tells her the story of the wager. Madeleine is her rifted, and will not listen to Pierre s explanations. So Pierre’s progress on the downward path commences. At last he becomes potman at the White Coffin, where once he reigned as king. But

Zelie is not content. She engineer* » plot by which “The Rat” seems to have betrayed bis own comrades, and we see him friendless and alone. Then came the war. “The Rat’ enlisted, and after serving in the trenches ho wus wounded. Son! to th<s no is nursed back to life by Madeleine, with whom he finds his happiness. Tho additional attraction is ■The Climbers,’ with Irene Rich in the leading role. This picture was adapted from Clyde Fitch’s memorable society drama of‘the “right people.” Dale Austen’s picture. ‘ Miss New Zealand in Movicland ’ is being shonn for an extended season, GRAND AND PLAZA An outdoor romance that is really natural is ‘ Tho Law of the Range, Tim M’Coy’s latest starring vehicle, which is now showing at the Grand and Plaza Theatres. Jim and Billy Lockhart are travelling with their parents when Indians kill the parents apd capture Billy, who in later years becomes an outlaw. Jim escapes from the Indians when he secs his parents killed, and' in manhood becomes a famed and fearless Texan Ranger. By a trick of Fate he is given the task of hunting his own brother who _is known as “tho Solitaie Kid.” The brothers meet through Betty Dallas, an intending settler, with whom they both fall in love. Betty, however, mistakes Jim for the outlaw who stuck her up, and shields Billy, the true culprit. Later, Jim lays a trap for Billy, and pursues him. A thrilling battle, brother against brother, is terminated by Jim’s discovery that “The Solitarc Kid ” is his long-lost brother. A raging bush tire adds to their drama, and although Jim protects Billy’s life from the fire, the latter dies through wounds. Jim and Betty then find mutual happiness in each other. This is tho story told in the picture. Besides the fifth episode of ‘ Blake of Scotland Yard ’ are scenic films and comedies. KING EDWARD Ken .Maynard in ‘ The Land Beyond tho Law,’ a new Western picture, will ho tho chief attraction at tho King Edward Theatre to-night.- It is a tale of the days of cattle barons in the great South-west and the first invasion of,the law Ken Maynard appears as the United States marshal who has been assigned to bring law and order to the territory where the man who is quickest “ on the draw ” is the ruling factor. ‘ It,’ starring Clara Bow, will he the other picture, which teds of Betty Lou (Clara Bow), a shopgirl, who fascinates her employer, Cyrus Waltham. I,Both are possessed of “it.” In an effort to protect a friend, she claims the latter’s baby, and an estrangement takes place between Cyrus and Betty. She persuades Cyrus’s friend to take her with him on a yachting trip with Cyrus. The latter is surprised, and determines that she must go bark. How she makes him change his mind finishes the picture in the usual way. BQSLVII To-night, to-morrow afternoon, and to-morrow night patrons of the Roslyn Theatre are to bo afforded an opportunity of witnessing that stupendous production, ‘ Ben Hur,’ which had a remarkable run in the city some months ago. In the original novel. Lew Wallace- succeeded admirably in his ambitious task,’tho task of weavI ing a ficrv and passionate romance I about a story which happened at the 1 time when the greatest theme of alt originated—the birth, life, and death of Jesus Christ. The pictunsation of the life of the time is intensely interesting and true and superbly colourful. The cast of players selected is ot the highest calibre, and every characterisation is portrayed with an effort which reaches tho heights of brilliancy.