PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 19942, 11 August 1928, Page 5

PICTURE THEATRES

OCTAGON With weird rappings, rushing figures, screams and all the other characteristics of the conventional thriller and the added draw of many extremely funny situations, ‘Tho Gorilla,’ which opened at the Octagon Theatre last evening, is certainly a picture with a “kick. ’ There is scarcely a dull moment in it, and the final denouement is the most thrilling of all. The story concerns tho activities of a mysterious personage who, from tho mark ho leaves on his victims, is thought to bo a gorilla. A number of killings have taken place, and the police are baffled. _ Matters came to a head when a business man, Cvrus Townsend, is mysteriously slain in his home. His secretary, Arthur Marsden, is suspected of the crime, which is similar in circumstance to the gorilla killings. Whilst Marsden and other members of the household are discussing the situation, a note is received warning them to leave the house before midnight. They decide to remain, but their defiance receives a rather severe shock, when az ten minutes to 12 they hear a loud knocking at the door. Instead of the “ Gorilla,” however, it turns out to be bright specimens of' tho detective variety. Mulligan and Garrity, who announce that they have been sent to solve the mystery. It is in their search for tho killer, whom they are sure is one of the persons present, that tho film producer has introduced the various and hair-raising “ stunts ” apparently inseparable from the film mystery. Tho plot deepens, and thrills be. come even more frequent when it is discovered that there is a real gorilla on the premises. The climax comes when the gorilla carries Garrity through a window on to a ledge. His going into space marks the final stage of the drama, for he is flung right into the solution of the mystery, which puts a very effective finish to a most exciting drama Fred Kelsey and Charlie Murray, as Milligan and Garrity, prove a very fine team. As the conventional American sleuths, with a reputation for hearing all, seeing all, and yet knowing nothing, they contrive to make the most of the various situations which arise during the course of the story. Alice Day, as the petite Alice Townsend, makes the most of her opportunities. With Claude Gillingwater the provides the love interest in the picture. In a good programme of supports was she ‘ Greater Collegians,’ and the musi:al programme, which included the (election ‘The Gondoliers.’ was delightfully and artistically played hv Ttho Jctagon Orchestra. REGENT For bright entertainment, the current programme at the "Regent theatre, has a good deal to commend t. Besides two comedy features, there a a vaudeville turn by the Alton Sisers worthy of tho highest praise these two performers have just competed sensational seasons in South Afsca, and their first appearance in Dunedin last evening was received rhh marked enthusiasm. Their disilay on tho silver wire might-have *en more liberally applauded, for heir dazzling performance of dancing aid daring was something out of the ordinary, and possible only by peroimers of such calibre. This class of icvelt-y in conjunction with picture logrammes is proving most popular, aid the present act should arouse unisual interest during ns season here. t Although one of the feature attract kms, ‘ Running Wild,’ was not profited, owing to a delay in transport, here was a splendid array of shorteel films in support of the chief atraction, ‘ Feel My Pulse,’ starring a o less vivacious personality than lebo Daniels. In this production tho tory concerns the exploits of a ■ealthy young American woman who ns been brought up to believe that, be is a complete invalid to whom anybing in the way of excitement must rove fatal. She goes to a sanatorium » build herself up, but while there le realises that her constitution is not ( frail as she has been led to beEve. The extraordinary circumstan-. is under which sho makes this belted discovery, and tho experiences hich accompany her education on iis point, provide the substance of a lory that is sure to interest and muse.

The second feature, which went stray, has the strangely humorous f. C. Fields in the leading role. It i ‘ Running Wild,’ a comedy produebn that is' full of the curiously at-' active humour for which this playci so well known. It tells how a timid. Uterine: creature is transformed into man of unquestionable courage and iring by a wonderful hypnotic spell, he effects of the trance into which ie hero of the piece goes do not take I any significance until after he has one out of the unnatural world in nich he has been living. Thenhe bejns _to realise the enormity of some ' his misdemeanours while under the tfluence of the spell. The best part I the production concerns the artersth. While he was hypnotised he tercised his strange powers to make rerything and everyone bend to his 111. When back in the world of the atter-of-fact there is a totally differ{b side to his nature that causes und complications. Another feature of the bill last eveng was the bright aud most approbate music played by the Regent jeratic Orchestra, under the direc»n of Mr Arthur G. Frost. The overEe played _ was a novelty piece ened ‘Sliding Jim.’ in which the Mnbone work of Mr J. R. Marshall is outstanding. KING EDWARD There was a large audience at the Bg Edward Theatre this afternoon, ten the second presentation of the n, 1 Bournville,’ was given. ‘ Kid «ts ’ was also shown. The pronrame for to-night will be ‘ Kid lots’ and ‘Easy Pickings.’

GRAND AND PLAZA Tbe screen creation of ‘ Ben Hur ’ opened its second Dunedin season at the Grand and Plaza Theatres yesterday. Fred Niblo was the masterly director of ‘ Ben Hur,’ and under his genius the picture moves_ with a majestic sweep on to the thrilling climax. The picture has been produced on such a magnificent scale, and the costumes and settings are so beautiful that mere words seem futile in their description. Ramon Novarro plays the part of ‘ Ben Hur,’ and contributes the most brilliant portrayal ever seen on'the screen. The transition from irresponsible young boyhood into grim manhood seeking revenge for the wrongs showered on his family and himself-, is a remarkable piece of realism. Franxis X. Bushman plays the part of Messala, the arrogant centurion, and the highest tribute to pay to this sterling artis' is to say that ho is Messala. Betty Bronson in the early episodes of the picture plays the Madonna—an exquisite cameo of inspired beauty. The cast is composed of well-known players, among which may be mentioned May M’Avoy, Claire M'Dowell, Kathleen Key, Carmel Myers, Mitchell Lewis, and Frank Currier. The great chariot race in the Circus Maximus is the most thrilling thing ever seen on the screen, and marks the principal highlight of the picture.

A 1 Wilson, a celebrated stunt flyer, is the star in the second picture on the bill. ‘ The Phantom Flyer ’ is tho title of the production, which was adapted from tiie story by Bruce Mitchell. Lillian Gilmore plays opposite Wilson, and included in the supporting cast arc several well-known actors.

s EVERYBODY'S j Hobart Bosworth, the star who plays t tho part of James Newman in ‘The j Blood Ship,’ tho feature this week on : the screen at Everybody’s Theatre, will i bo remembered for his characterisations k in ‘ The Sea Wolf ’ and Behind the , Door,’ and in this film he is seen at ’ his best. ‘ The Blood Ship ’ was adapted from Norman Springer’s novel of I the same name. Mr Bosworth thought , bo much of tho story and tho screen possibilities that he bought the motion | picture rights. These he turned over 1 to Columbia Pictures, which produced the screen version on a.i elaborate scale, and at a cost reputed to be over a quarter of a million dollars. Vivid scenes in the picture were taken on board an old clipper ship, the Bohemia, rechristened the Golden Bough- in the picture. An interesting commentary is that Norman Springer, the author, visualised Hobart Bosworth in the leading role after he had seen the actor in ‘The Sea Wolf.' Bosworth drew on actual experience when he appeared in this film, for ho wont to sea in old merchant ships from the time he was twelve to the time he was fifteen years old finishing with a whaling trip to tho Arctic. Tho.title of the second attraction is 1 Square Crooks,’ which deals with the reformation of two young crooks, who, after many close shaves, decide that the shady path be abandoned for the straight and narrow one. Notwithstanding their efforts to go straight, the boys lose job after job on account of a head quarters’ man, who takes a fiendish delight in seeing them suffer. Tho boys are enmeshed in a diamond necklace robbery, and after some clever i detective work on their own part apprehend tho real culprit and receive a substantial reward for their cleverness. Robert Armstrong and Johnny Mack Brown enact the two crooks, while the man from headquarters is portrayed bv Clarence Burton. Dorothy Divan, and Dorothy Appleby are seen opposite the boys. STRAND 1 Sorrell and Son,’ the United Artists’ screen version of Warwick Doeping’s story of fathor-and-son love, is its fourth and final week at the Strand theatre. H. B. Warner heads a powerful cast as Captain Stephen Sorrell, tho war hero who returns home to find that his wife lias deserted him and the burden of rearing his young son has | fallen on his shoulders alone. Good i supports are also shown, and appropriate music is supplied by tho orchestra. ROSLYH The star attraction at tho Roslyn Theatre to-night will bo ‘ Irish Hearts,’ 1 with May M‘Avoy in the leading role. The charm of May M‘Avoy’s personality suffuses ‘ Irish Hearts ’ with a glowing loveliness. It is the second Warner Bros.’ production to bo mado under her new long-term contract, and her starring role is distinctly a “ personality part,” and fits the diminutive star like a glove. The vivacious, funloving Patsy from Erin offers a character that brings out all of Mass M'Avoy’s radiant self. Tho magnetic -force of her individuality has never! been so strongly felt as' in ‘ Irish' Hearts.’ I