PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 20020, 10 November 1928, Page 3

PICTURE THEATRES

REGENT Merriment reigned supremo during tho presentation of tho current programme at the Regent ’l’heatre last evening. Besides two pictorial attractions, the Regent Stage Band was featured in a spectacular and bright production entitled 4 Dancing Days,’ which I was as delightful as it was novel. I With the band forming a pleasing and attractive background, many clever I dancers were introduced to the audience in dances which were novel in the extreme, while some were executed in whilwiud fashion. Under the baton, of Mr Lester Sinclair, who has been specially engaged for tho occasion, tho stage band, complete with every modern jazz instrument, syncopated its way through a bright selection of jazz successes. The Regent Corps do Ballet of seven set the ball rolling in a rag doll danco, in which precision was a feature of tho performers’ dancing. In 4 Ramona,’ featured with the baud and the ballet in a tango dance, a saxophone solo gave a true and spirited rendering. After opening with a vocal offering of 4 Hello, Cutic,’ Alildred Nicol was seen to advantage in some clever and graceful dancing. 4 Side By Side ’ introduced Zetta and the ballet in one of the most satisfying turns of tho bill. Sam Porter and Lucille Came mot with an outstanding -success in a skilfully executed dance to the tune of 4 Crazy Words, Crazy Tune,’ while 1 Down Kentucky Way ’ introduced acrobatic dances which brought the act to a brilliant finale.

On tho picture bill 4 Tell it to Sweeney ’ is tho chief attraction. It is a story of the railroad, starring the comedians Chester Conklin and George Bancroft. The sub-titles of the film are undoubtedly witty, being prescribed by the genius George Alarion, jun., whoso sense of humour is tho foremost reason for the success of many big coined ie,s. Tho plot turns on a b.tter enmity that has sprung up between the driver of an express engine (played by George Bancroft) and Ins half-witted old fireman (played by Chester Conklin). It is difficult to decide which of these two figures is the more unsym •pathetic—the’ driver brutal and uncouth in every way, or tho fireman, whose brain seems to have a native incapacity lor absorbing even the simplest idea. For long they merely annoy each other, ami then, having fallen together from tho moving engine, they have to co-operate in stoking up .another engine, the locomotion of which is doubtful, and pursuing tho express which they are supposed to be driving. There is lio need to forecast the climax of this pursuit, for it naturally finishes with everyone happy. In ‘ The Magnificent Flirt,’ which is Florence Vidor’s latest effort, several love romances predominate, with the whimsical humour of Ted Sparks in the role of an American in Paris, where most of the picture is set, to break tho monotony. As _ a flighty lady of society Florence Vidor fills the role well, while Loretta Young, a new screen personage, is charming in the role of the daughter who falls in love with the young nephew of a count (played by Alatty Kemp). Marietta Alillner and Albert Conti aro other members of the cast.

A Krazy Knt cartoon and a Regent weekly news film make excellent supporting pictures, while tho orchestra, under the direction of Air Neville Ravel, adds materially to the enjoyment of the pictures. _ Air Ravel made his first appearance in charge of the orchestra last evening, |nd the manner in which ho led his players through tho music promises well for the future. 1 Breakfast at Sunrise ’ is tho additional feature, and is a good comedy

EMPIRE The latest offering at the New Empire Theatre is ‘The Adorable Outcast,’ an Australian production, which is rich in spectacle, and picturesque in tho sense that it reveals the kind of beauty and scenic display all the more agreeable because it does not hinder the smooth and gripping development of the story. It contains many big episodes possessed of crisp and imposing appeal, including the burning of Fursey’s stronghold on an island. Another scene reveals hundreds of native outriggers gliding along tho ocean with full sail wooing tho refreshing wind. Tho weird interior of tho heathen temple is depicted with a realism that establishes a superstitious influence immediately. The great native feast, and tho dance of tho warriors to celebrate the victory; the turtle fishers bringing in their big catch; the long hunt for Stephen Conn, whoso mysterious source of wealth arouses the curious and greedy envy of. the Fursey gang; tho exciting brawl in the saloon on tho waterfront when Conn horsewhips Fursey and the crowd wreck tho entire bar in a general “ all-in stoush ” ; all these incidents arc graphically depicted in a picture which is thoroughly satisfying in human interest, and possessed of great audience appeal. This film compares admirably with any American South Se<a film, and the featured players give fine portrayals of Fiji natives. As a prologue to this picture, a beautiful stage setting is arranged with Molly Andrews, Reg Richards, and ballet featured in singing and dancing.

of life in gay Pans, and the central theme concerns a: loveless marriage that finally develops into a permanent ‘wedlock. The accompaniments to the pictures are most capably rendered by the Empire Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Air Chas. Aves. OCTAGON Patricia had every girlish attraction except personality, but when she did acquire that the man she sought succumbed. How this surrender is brought about provides the story of 1 The Patsy,’ the comedy-drama starred on the programme at the Octagon Theatre. Tho story is cleverly worked up, and the chronicled adventures of Patsy provide one of the best film entertainments seen for a, long time. One of the groat attractions of the story is that it lies all tho time within tho bounds of possibility, and there is a unity of action seen none too frequently on the screen. The comedy and drama aro pleasingly blended, and there is an absence of strain in all the acting. Tho characters in ‘The Patsy ’ are all members of one family, with the exception of a pair _of swains for the daughters. Airs Harrington, the mother, rules tho house, and her elder daughter is tho favourite. Father and Patsy, tho less assertive pair, are thus thrown together for mutual ;protection. But their fight is a losing one all the way. Patsy is the Cinderclla_so far as the young men callers are concerned, and the mother sees that she is kept well in the background to enable the elder girl to get along without opposition. Yet poor Pat. has a passion for Tony, who, through force of domestic circumstances in the Harrington homo, is driven .toward tho elder girl. Time goes on, and Patsy decides finally that something must bo done in leap year. She consults Tony about the man-catching business, and ho tells her that personality is her lack. Patsy studies tho books lent to her by Tony with such assiduity that the family imagines sho has become unhinged. Bright sayings flow from her, and each utterance is accompanied by eloquent gestures betokening personality. Her mother, imagining this to bo a symptom of mental disorder, flings the elder girl from her coddling throne and endeavours to make life easier for her poor broken child. Patsy makes the most of her advantage, and then begins to turn her attention to Tony himself. It is not long before ho grows to know that he is the object of Patsy’s predatory intentions, and, being a thorough gentleman, he capitulates without demur. There is excellent humour in the film, but much of this would have gone wide had it not been for the brilliant comedy acting of Marion Davies, who gave a superb study of the mooning Patsy. Alarie Dressier was excellent as the dominating Mrs Harrington. Ala Harrington had infinite resources for getting her own way, but there came a time when these were of no avail. Lawrence Gray, who is also in the cast, does attractive work. STRAND ‘ Ramona ’ is the current feature at the Strand Theatre, where the tragic , Ramona is played by Dolores Del Rio, I and her Indian lover, Warner Baxter. 1 Tho story tells of an Indian maid, J adopted by a rich and cruel Spanish | heiress, who has possession of a quail- i tity of jewels, which are to bo given ■ to Ramona if she marries her step- j mother's choice. But Ramona has already fallen in love with an Indian I sheeny shearer, who is employed on the i senora’s ranch. With the aid of Filipc, | he." step-brother, who has a secret love { for her, Ramona leaves home and | marries Alessandro, the Indian. For, yoar> they live happily, and a child is j born to them; tbeir stock and corn I fields .yield prosperous returns, but then their home is ruined, their child dies, and their land is taken from thorn by white men. lu the light Alessandro is killed, and after weeks of aimless wandering Ramona is found by Filipc, and taken to her home. A comedy, Fox News, and an educational film entitled ‘Tho Stream’ aro the supports. Tho Strand Symphony Orchestra, under Mr L. D. Austin, plays an appropriate musical score.

EVERYBODY’S Au entertaining programme is always assured patrons of Everybody’s Theatre, and the new programme is no exception. Something entirely new in ccn.edy-drama is seen in ‘ Don’t Marry,’ which opened yesterday, is a story built on a theme of romance, with Lois Moran and Neil Hamilton making an ideal team, under the direction of James Tinling. Primarily it is a story of a modern girl who wants to throw off the shackles of her mid-Victorian-mindcd aunt, but who, in doing so, falls in Jovo with a puritanical young man, who almost changes her entire viewpoint on life. Mis- Moran, cast as P.riscilla Bowen, performs in tho dual role of a flapper who turns old-fashioned to win her man, and who then has to revert to typo to hold him. Cast as Henry Willoughby, the young man who thinks he wants to marry au old-fashioned girl but who decidedly changes his mind, Neil Hamilton gives a performance that establishes him as a Hue comedian. ‘ Brass Knuckles,’ tho other film, is the story of the adventures of a lad uf tho teflements and the v/aif lie protects. It was written by Harvey Gates, who also did the scenario. The cast includes Mon to Blue and Betty Bronson.

GRAND AND PLAZA A photoplay as gripping as its title and as soul-scaring as life is ‘ The Grip of the Yukon,’ now at the Grand and Plaza Theatres. Francis X. Bushmin is in the leading dramatic vole, in the tragic role of a Yukon miner, who is tho only survivor of an icy catastrophe which carries away the only people he loves, Bushman gives .. powerful and deep delineation. _ Neil Hamilton and June Marlowe inject a powerful romantic theme into the picture. Both play their roles splendidly. The story itself is unusual and spectacular, It can bo safely said to bo tho first time such a radical idea lias been put on the screen. Ernst Laemmle, tiio director, has done his difficult subject with justice to himself, cast, and the story. Burr M'lntosli as tho money-mad gold miner is outstanding, while other members of the cast who deserve special mention arc Theodore Lorch, Otis Harlan, ami James Farley. As usual, a good supporting programme is also shown, the "snorts” being a comedy, news, and the serial. KING EDWARD ‘ Moon of Israel ’ is a Paramount picture which is being screened at the Kir.f, Edward Theatre. Some of the story was filmed in the Valley ff the Kings at Luxor, and all tho titles were specially written by Sir Rider Ha whose story the picture was adapted j from. The leading roles are filled by j Adelqui Millar, well remembered for his work in 1 1’ Pagliacci,’ and Maria Corda as a beautiful Jewess, whilst Arletto Marchal also has a prominent part in the story. ‘ Subway Sadie ’ is the title of tho minor attraction, which stars Dorothy Mackaill.

80SLYN ‘ Out All Night,’ a Reginald Denny comedy, has been booked as the feature attraction by the Roslyn Theatre for to-night. Denny portrays the role of a wealthy, young man who meets, woos. and marries the girl of. his heart all in one night. The comedy situations that are caused when an attempt is made to keep the marriage a secret during an ocean voyage should provide one of the most hilarious hours of entertainment imaginable. The supporting films include the third senes of ‘Tho Collegians.’