PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 20023, 14 November 1928, Page 2

PICTURE THEATRES

REGENT Two more nights remain for the publie" to cuoy the Regent's novel stage band entertainment..entitled ‘’Dancing Days,’ which is one of the most striking and enjoyable acts cvn- presented to°picture theatre: hpdioncos in Dunedin. Dancers of ntoro than the average ability 'am-introduced to the audience before a colourful and spectacular background formed by the Regent Jazz Band, which is complete with practically every modern instrument of syncopation. Whirlwind dancers «aml a fascinating chorus arc, seen in many ol the latest “hits,”' ai;»l altogether a wholly satisfying' entertainment is offered. tn the chief pictorial attraction Chester Conklin and George Bancroft make their debut as a P.aramount comedy team. The film, in which they are starred is entitled ‘Tell it to Sweeney,’ a lively railway story. Doris Hill has the leading feminine role, while Jack Laden, who is one of Paramount’s new Western stars, is the juvenile. Doris and Jack carry the roMuntic thorny. while: Couklin and Bancroft supply the comedy, of which there is no end. On the same bill is a comedy-drama entitled ‘The Magnificent Flirt,’ with the beautiful Florence Vidor in the leading role. Mr Neville Ravel, the Regent’s new musical director, leads the orchestra through a bright programme. Commencing next Inday, another good bill is assured patrons of tne Regent Theatre. The stage band, whnh has met with-the decided approval ol patrons during the week, is to be featured in another bright offering entitled ‘ Cairo Nights.’ NEW BILL ON FRIDAY.' The picture programme, which com sists of * City Gono AViJd unci Aho Vanishing Pioneer,’ is billed as an exceptionally powerful one. Iho first feature is a piercing story of the httm unknown mysteries of a great city, with Thomas Meighan and Louise Brooks m the starring role- - 1 The Vanishing Pioneer ’ is a Zanc Grey romance starring Jack Holt and William Powell. This production is billed as a flashing picture of intrepid pioneers breaking trails into the unknown West. EMPIRE ‘The Adorable Outcast,’ the excellent programme at the Empire Theatre, is undoubtedly one’of the most beautiful pictures shown here tor some time, besides being crammed with many interesting and exciting moments. Sceuically, dramatically, and m the picturesque and the spectacular the main characters move through a wealth of ever-changing scone and action. Never once is it apparent that J. reducer Norman Dawn has temporarily suspended the human briefest phase ol tho story in order to introduce a. touch of the spectacular or reveal a, flash or trick photography. The emotional element is strongly in evidence right throughout the picture. The scene where Luya claims Diedro s baby as her own at the expense of losing her own lover has been handled with tho delicacy and restraint demanded of the situation, and later when Dieclre s gruff father forgives Ins daughcr her sin and tho little child brings the first suggestion ’ of tenderness to his heart there is pathos grades above the usual sob stuff to which movie audiences are accustomed. None ft him if.nils of tho big scenes are dragged out ueyond their time, consequently the story unfolds itself with a smooth and gripping interest. ‘ The Adorable Outcast differs largely from tropical pictures, and is the something that hasn’t been done in South Sea stories. A most delightful prologue to the picture is provided in tho stage sotting in which Mollie Andrews, Reg- Richards, and the Hawaiian ballet are teatU ‘Breakfast at Sunrise,’ which shows Constance Talmadge as bright as over, is the second film attraction. inis provides .a film feast of farcical feuds and family fights taken from a famous French farce. _____ OCTAGON A picture effervescing with the spirit of youth is ‘The Patsy,’ which is onioymg a successful run at the Octagon Theatre, la this film Marion Davies exhibits ability as a comedienne which assures her of a firm place in the hearts of all laughter-loving people. She is an beautiful as she is humourloving, which is saying a, lot, and doesn’t mind when, as sometimes happens, tho joke is turned on herself. Iho story of ‘ The Patsy ’ is adapted from the stage play, and has deviated only slightly in the film version. Suffice it to say that it is a tale of a true-to-lifo American family—father, mother, and two daughters—and their adventures in the field of matrimony and elsewhere. As the embarrassed flapper who seeks to win her sister’s beaux by developing her personality via ,the correspondence course route, Miss Davies is ideally cast. Jane Wintqn functions successfully as tho elder sister, while Mario Dressier, as tho socially-ambi-tious mother, is equally good. Orville Caldwell is a handsome and capable leading man, while Lawrence Gray docs well in his, role as the other suitor. A full programme of supports is also shown, and the Octagon Orchestra supplies an excellent musical programme. STRAND A specially-arranged pictorial programme has been selected for screening at the Strand Theatre to-night. The chief attraction will be ‘ Ramona,’ starring Dolores Del Rio, who will be remembered for a number of her previous outstanding characterisations. It is a story of old California with all the rich romance which was its atmosphere several generations ago. The film tells of an Indian girl who is adopted by a rich and cruel Spanish heiress. The latter possesses a great quantity of jewels, which are to bo given to Ramona if she marries as her foster parent desires. Blind fate steps in, however, and the girl falls in love with a young Indian chieftain, Alessandro, who works on the ranch. He wins Ramona, and the pair fly to a mountain homo. Finally her lover is killed, and Ramona loses her memory and wanders aimlessly in the San Jacinto Mountains until she is found by Felipe, a young Spaniard, who has always loved her. He takes her home, but cannot awaken her to life again, for she remains dreamy and abstracted. He takes her all over the country she has loved in her youth, and it is only after she has been placed on the patio of her old home, with the strains of the guitar ringing in her ears, that she rises and dances with her old passionate abandon. The additional pictures will include all manner of subjects. Tho orchestra will again render a good musical programme, under the baton of Mr L. D. Austin. EVERYBODY'S AND KING EDWARD .Heading the list, of pictures at Everybody’s and_ the King Edward Theatre this week is ‘Don’t Marry,’ in which Lois Moran plays cho leading part. As Priscilla Bowen she plans a ruse to win the man she loves. This calls for Miss Moran to don the costume and mien of her grandmother's day. It is an interesting characterisation for this capable actress to go from the ultra-sophisti-cate to the blushing girl of days gone. Neil Hamilton plays the featured role opposite Miss Moran. Besides the stars the cast includes Henry Kolksr, Claire M'Dowell, and Lydia Dickson. The chief support is entitled ‘ Brass Knuckles,’ with Monto Blue and Betty Bronson as the leads. It has to do with a “crook” who cares for a motherless waif, fights for her, and finally, with the aid of time, finds her grown to womanhood, and more than willing to be the wife of her husky protector. Others in the cast are William Russell, Georgie Stone, Paul Panzer, and Jack Curtis. Other good pictures are also .shown..

GRAND AND PIAZA The current feature picture at the Grand and Plaza Theatres is entitled ‘The Grip of the Yukon.’ The leading players .include Neil Hamilton and Francis X. Bushman, together with June Marlow and Otis Harlan. ‘Grip of the Yukon’ is a gripping drama of tho North, practically the entire action of tho picture being laid in and around tho frozen wastes of Alaska Harlan’s work in the nreat Alaskan epic is that of a wizcnccTold doctor who is always looking lor a. patient, whether he be injured irt a.free-for-all' fight or a regular dld-timo gnu duel. ‘The Trail of tho Tigor,’ a comedy, and other short films complete the programme.