PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 20128, 19 March 1929, Page 7

PICTURE THEATRES

EMPIRE * The Man Who Laughs ’ is now enjoying a _ highly successful season at the Empire Theatre, where enthusiastic audiences have endorsed it as one of the outstanding pictures of the year. The story is essentially dramatic, and the romance is touching and Aery human. There are a number of wellknown players -taking part, but the ■ greatest of these is Conrad Veidt, versed in all the subtle arts of the European actor, a master of make-up in the difficult part of GAV-ynplnirie, the man who Avas sold by the King to the Comprachicos as a child, and by them mutilated for ever with a horrible grin stretching across his face. As a result of a quarrel with his father, tho King had taken that vengeance on the child. And in later years, when Queen Anne wished to be vindictive towards her father’s natural daughter, Josiann, she ordered her to marry Gw.ynplaine, now invested Avith his old titles and dignity, and a member of tho House of Lords. The story opens on a rocky part of the English storm-swept coast, Avhere the Comprachicos, buyers and mutilators of children, have done their foul Avork on GwynpJainc, and are escaping. Elements of mystery, an atmosphere ol the horrific, dishonesty, and conspiracy all tend to make this picture one of poAverfnl fascination. And never are those heady emotions alloAved to pall; there is ahvays the gentle Dea in tho background, waiting under the shadoAV of the circus wagons, protected by her hound, Availing for the return of Gwynplaine. REGENT The screen version of ‘Rose Mario,’ the successful stage play staged here about a year ago, is the chief current attraction at the Regent Theatre. Joan Crawford has tho lead, and there is a strong supporting cast of wcliknmvu players, Filmed in Canada and in the Yosemite Valley, this film is most unusual and thrilling screen entertainment. Again Hose Marie is seen lightly regarding all offers of love, until a boat filled with ontlaAvs comes Avith the spring along with 250 other trappers, and she accepts the assurance of one of them that he is an honest man. Again and again she hides him Relentlessly the police hunt him. And so the thrilling and dramatic story ol their beautiful romance is told—against the most magnificent backgrounds ever seen on the screen. The Regent is' noted for its vandeA'ille presentations, and this Aveek Gautier’s world-famous dogs are appearing in ‘ The Bricklayers ’ act. There are twelve dogs in the act, which has delighted hundreds of Dunedin people. COMING FRIDAY. The programme for .Friday will include ‘The Enemy,’ starring Lillian Gish, Avhich depicts the effects of Avar; ‘The Main Event,’ Vera Reynolds's latest film, a story of sporting hie; and a special vocal programme by Alec Regan. OCTAGON The management of the Octagon Theatre lias been fortunate in securing Ihe British dominions’ naval epic, ‘The Battles of Coronel and Falkland Islands,’ for keen interest lias been manifested in the production, ami large crowds have attended the theatre nightly. Rear-Admiral W. R. Napier, C.G.M.G., D. 5.0., First Member of the Naval Board, wrote of it as follows; Tn my opinion the film ‘ Tho Battles of Coronel and Falkland Islands ’ is one of the finest naval pictures 1 have seen. In producing two naval battles, a subject of almost unequalled difficulty has been attempted, but with the co-operation of the Admiralty a most inspiring and realistic result has been achieved. In addition to its absorbing interest, the film will be of very great educational value in bringing home to us all the work of the Navy, whcreon\the Avenlth, strength, and safety of the kingdom chiefly depend.” The Admiralty helped in the making of the film, lending for the purpose thirty-five ships, -10,QUO men, ami eighty tons of explosives. Without this _ corporation, such a mighty and realistic reproduction of a great defeat and a glorious victory could not have been attempted. STRAND Sammy Cohen and .lack I’ennick, urho constitute one of the most popular comedy'teams in the “movie” world, are wnfeatured in ‘ Rlnstered In Paris,’ a “riotous comedy now showing at the Strand Theatre. The picture revolves around the journey of two delegates to the American Legion Paris Convention during Avhich they are mistaken for French Foreign Legion “ rookies,” and are induced into the service and subsequent campaign against Riff brigands. The French general’s daughter and her little sonbrette friend are captured by the Riffs, and the comics craftily ease their Avar into the desert chieltain’s stronghold, and not only rescue their fair fpends, but liberate the sheik’s entire harem. Other players in the strong supporting cast include Ivan Linow, gigantic Jlussian-American character actor, who is an overnight sensation in Raoul Walsh's ‘ 'Tho Red Dance ’ ; Lola. Salvi, diminutive Italian beauty contest avinner; Hugh Allen, Marion Byron, Michael Visarolf, and Albert Conti. Benjamin Stoloff directed the picture, Avhich Avas adapted from a story byHarry Brand and Andy Rice. GRAND AND PLAZA Proving itself a distinctly Avorth-Avhiie photoplay, ‘Three Faces East,’ a Rupert Julian production, featuring Jetta Coudal, Robert Ames, Henry Walthall, and Clive Brook, is scoring an outstanding success at the Grand and Plaza Theatres. For sustained interest, swift moving action, and thrills, this picture stands in a class alone. In the past, picturegoers have scon Lon Chaney in a large mini her of Metro-Coldwyn-Mayor productions, including : He Who Gets Slapped",’ ‘ The Unholy Three,’ ‘ Tho Road to Mandalay,’ ‘ '.fell I t To tho Marines,’ and ‘ Mr \Vn.’ in these pictures he appeared respectively as a, circus clown, a. ventriloquist, an inn keeper, a. murine sergeant, and a Chinese, mandarin. Now he appears in something still different—a typical Russian peasant. This new picture is ‘ Mockery,’ a story based on Hie days of the Red Terror in Russia. His peasant role is portrayed Avith striking realism and many vicissitudes overtake him when he aids a young countess, Avhom he learns to love, before a dramatic termination is reached. EVERYBODY'S Love of a press room employee for his gigantic singing, Avhirling multiple press; his love for his son and his family; his devotion to duty, and the love of his daughter for a young reporter, form some of tho human elements that enter into ‘The Last Edition,’ a driv-' ing melodrama of the neAvspaper profession, now at everybody’s Theatre. *But beyond these human elements, the picture is redolent , of the. spirit of * • uewspaperdom, anti catches with rare

insight the fascinating atmosphere ol that engaging business. The other film is entitled ‘ California nr Bust.’ with George O’Hara, which is a. tale of motor racing. KING EDWARD AVilliam Boyd and Louis AVolhcim are co- lea,tured in ‘Two Arabian Knights, a breezy comedy, iioav showing at the King Edward Theatre. The adventures of two American soldiers in prison camps and ine wilds of Arabia form the basis of this entertaining picture. The supporting feature is ‘ The Hawk’s Nest,’ a dramatic story of the underworld, Avith Milton Sills and Doris Kenyon in the leading roles.