PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 20054, 20 December 1928, Page 3

PICTURE THEATRES

OCTAGON For the last time the public will have the opportunity of witnessing (ho Octagon programme to-night. The Lower East Side of New York, America’s greatest foreign settlement, is the locale of most of tho action of Universal’s drama, ‘ Heart of a Nation.’ This unusual production deals with tho lives of these people and is tho feature of the hill. Many of the colourful scenes in ‘ Heart of a Nation ’ wore filmed in New York, while many others wore registered at Universal City, where a complete Lower East Side street was constructed for use in the picture. Here are the butcher shop of Schmidt, and flic fruit store of Albertini, where tho drama is enacted. Tho story deals with _ the modern generation of America’s foreign born, who have become real Americans to the amazement of their elders, who belatedly try to overtake their children. Tho supports arc good, and, under the conductorship of M. De Rose, the Octagon Concert Orchestra renders a fine musical programme. REGENT The delightful programme presented at the Regent Theatre this week has attracted a great deal of attention. The linai screenings of two outstanding Paramount productions will take place this evening. Vivacious Rohe Daniels has the starring role in ‘Hot News,’ a breezy news reel romance which gives an insight into the stories behind the filming of movie gazettes. _ This lastmoving comedy is as exciting as it is entertaining, .which is saying a great deal. Neil Hamilton has the leading role opposite Beho Daniels. The second main pictorial feature is ‘ The Showdown,’ a powerful drama of the oil fields of the Equator. George Bancroft lias the finest role of his career in this production, and is ably supported by Evelyn Brent, Fred Kohler, and Neil Hamilton. The final presentation of the ‘Regent Revels ’ will also bo given tonight, when another whirlwind dancing interlude will be staged. EMPIRE The fine dramatic picture ‘The Leopard Lady,’ will have a final showing at the Empire Theatre this evening., Jacqueline Logan lias the leading role, and is supported by Alan Hale. He has the role of Cicsar, a Cossack rider in a circus in Austria, and he owns a trained apo which he employs in tho commission of numerous murders. He disguises the animal as an old woman and sends it forth on its fatal mission, that of annihilating his enemies. But ho fails to'reckon with the ingenuity and skill of Paula, an animal trainer, played by Miss Logan, and is finally unmasked and brought to justice. Man Crazy,’ tho second picture, is a comedy featuring Dorothy Mackaill and Jack Mulhall. Manuel Hyman will give his last performance to-night. Tho Empire Symphonic Orchestra, under Mr _ Charles Aves, supplies appropriate music.

EVERYBODY'S AND KING EDWARD Dolores Del Bio’s latest triumph, ‘No Other Woman,’ will conclude its season at Everybody’s and the King Edward Theatres to-night. It is a story of primitive passions in the fashionable set summering at Biarritz, France—is one of the best productions screened at these theatres this season. It has romance, comedy, suspense,' and adventure—qualifications for excellent screen entertainment. ‘lf I Were Single’ is' the other picture on this programme. BILL FOR TO-MOBROW. Ireland, the most romantic locality for screen and fiction, .is used to the best advantage by John Ford, .who directed ‘Hangman’s House’ for Fox Films, with Juno Collyer, Larry Kent, and Earle Foxe in leading romantic roles. Hobart Bosworth is cast as “Jimmy the Hangman.” Victor M‘Laglen has a significant and unforgettable role as “ Citizen Hogan,” the avenger. The picture is to be shown at Everybody’s and the King Edward Theatres, commencing _ to-morrow. ‘Heart of Maryland,’ with Dolores Costello, will also bo screened.

GRAND AND PLAZA In ‘ Riders of tho Dark,’ M‘Coy’s starring picture to bo finally shown at the Grand and Plaza Theatres tonight, a noteworthy assemblage of players again assures a well-portrayed story. 'Dorothy Dwan, a young player whose talent is well known to lovers of this typo of picture, appears opposite M'Coy. Bert Roach is rapidly becoming one of tho screen’s popular comedians, and ho appears in ‘ Riders of tho Dark’ as the sheriff. Hoy D’Arcy has the role of Eagan, the leader of tho gang, and ho carries off this “ menace ’’ with characteristic perfection. Frank Currier, grand old man of tho screen, Rex Lease is seen as an ally, brother of tho girl with whom M'Coy is in love, and Dick Sutherland completes this formidable array of talent. ‘ Tho Nervous Wreck,’ with Harrison Ford, which has second place on the bill, is a bright comedy. TO-MORROW’S PROGRAMME. ‘More Pay, Less Work,’ Gappy Rick’s newest starring vehicle, will bo the main attraction at tho Grand and Plaza Theatres to-morrow. Tho second feature will be ‘lame Hand Saunders,’ with Fred Thomson and Silver King. STRAND ‘Sadie Thompson,’ the picture of tho much-discussed novel by Somerset Maughan, will ho shown for tho last time at the Strand Theatre to-night. Gloria Swanson has the title role. H is tho narrative of an intolerant/ individual’s insistent projection of Ins dominant personality into tho pitifully weak and feminine existence of an outcast girl who is trying to “ live and let live.” Maugham’s classic is a drama of tolerance, a colourful, romantic, throbbing story of human souls in conflict. Tho incidental musical programme is played by the Strand Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Mr L. D. Austin.