VISION AND VOICE

Evening Star, Issue 20148, 12 April 1929, Page 7

VISION AND VOICE

OCTAGON SCORES AGAIN Commencing at a special children’s matinee to-morrow morning, the second programme of “talkies” will open at the Octagon Theatre, and it is sure to receive an enthusiastic reception. The programme is said to he. suitable for children, and is reported to be finer than the first bill, which has had a very successful season here. The opening subject is a Fox movietone newsreel containing all the happenings of the day presented in sight and sound. Notable hits are those depicting an important American turf event—on© hears the starter’s wutionary remarks to the jockeys waiting for th© barrier, the click of the barrier release, and the roar of the giant crowd as th© horses bound away to a perfect start. Thrilling in the extreme are the sounds of the thudding hoofs and the tremendous cheering as the horses finish. The voice of Mrs Coolidge is also heard as she christens a newly-completed airship. In addition there are to be a number of other “talkie” pictures too numerous to mention. The second item is by Beatrice Lillie, the celebrated American vaudeville comedienne, who contributes comedy vocal numbers, in addition to laugliable pantomiming. Ben Bernis’s Band, a Continental jazz band, has scored a hit wherever the film has been shown in the repertoire of jazz, vocal items, and some original compositions. The place of honour, in reviewers’ opinions, on the supporting programme is held by the hilarious Fox all-talking comedy, ‘ The Bath Between.’ This subject, with a clever cast supplying witty and sparkling dialogue. is one calculated to convulse any audience with laughter, it is stated. 'The principal attraction in the hill is Fox’s spectacular aviation picture, ‘ The Air Circus,’ which, in addition to containing some thrilling sound sequences, is accompanied by the Roxy Theatre Orchestra. David Rollins, Sue Carol, Arthur Lake, and Louise Dresser head an exceedingly capable cast of players. ‘ The Air Circus ’ is stated to he packed with spectacular aviation thrills, charming romance, and many laughs, and constitutes an ideal solution to the problem of the “bines.”

The theme of the story concerns two young men who leave their home in the country town to take up flying on the Pacific coast. One, David Rollins, whose brother gave his life overseas to save the owner of the aviation school, where the hoys go to study, from death by an enemy plane, logically should develop into a competent flyer, for his interest centres in flying. However, he develops into a “dud,” so to speak, sjiowing an ever-growing fear of the air. The other lad, a daredevil, whose interest centres in sky travel rather than learning the mechanics of flying on the ground work, flies rings around Rollins, though they both hnvg the same teacher—Sue Carol.

AI. De Rose and his Octagon Orchestra, will commence playing at 7 o’clock and continue until the pictures start, and will also render items while spools are being changed.