PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 20167, 6 May 1929, Page 7

PICTURE THEATRES

REGENT ‘Four Walls,’ John Gilbert’s latest picture, is now heading the bill at the Regent Theatre. In this film Gilbert gives his finest characterisation—that of a gang leader, and Joan Crawford makes a brilliant leading lady. The story opens in an underground cafe, where Benny Horowitz. (John Gilbert) and a member of his gang, corner three rivals; Bonny shoots the leader, and h is imprisoned for four years, during which period he endeavours to forget liis past unworthy life. Bertha (Carmel Myers), who Is in love with him, and his mother (Vera Gordon) welcome him home when ho has served his term, and he gets back his old 30b as a garage manager. He goes straight” for a time, but Frieda (Joan Crawford), who had been his girl friend before he went to prison, tempts him strongly to go back to his old habits. Monk (Louis Nathoaux), now loader of Benny’s gang, gives a party, to which Benny is invited. He goes, and I'reida taunts him by announcing her engagement to Monk. The rival gang raids tho pnrty and tvhou the lights arc put out Benny and Frieda go up to the roof. Monk follows, and in a fight he accidentally falls from tho roof and is killed. Bonny is suspected, but the detective, alter an interview with him, listens at the keyhole to a discussion between Benny and Freida, and thus discovers their innocence, leaving them to their happiTIGSS. ‘My Friend From India,’ starring Franklin Pangborn, is the other picture. It tells of a young globetrotter (Tommy), who meets a beautiful American lady (Bernice), and forgets to ask her name. In trying to find her ho accidentally comes m contact with her brother (Charlie), who takes him home. Charlie’s aunt has a desire to enter society, and would very much like to be introduced to a Hindoo prince. Tommy has the part of the prince to play since the aunt has taken him to be - a Hindoo, and tho picture develops into a screamingly funny comedy. But tho brightest momenta come when ho is brought face to face wi'h Bernice, and is asked to toll her fortune. .Elinor Fair, Ben Hedricks, jun., and Ethel Wales head the supporting cast.

EMPIRE Tile fact that Clara Bow is appearing in a film production is a promise ot a sparkling b and wholesome entertainment, Such is the caste in ( Three Week kinds, 1 at the Empire Theatre, where a crowded house was attracted on Saturday evening. To dwell at length on Mins Bow’s s;’ tractions seems almost superfluous at this stage of her phenomenal career, and when it is stated that in Elinor Glyn’s story, ‘Three Week-Ends,’ the lively young lady is completely _ herself, those who contemplate visiting the Empire Theatre must already sense some of the enjoyment that is coming their way. T ’or ‘ Three Week-Ends ’is a delightful photoplay from every aspect. Containing a worth-while infusion of sound human psychology in addition to its whimsical love interest and plenteous action, it is further assisted to its high pinnacle of merit by the excellent work of a cast which most decidedly is able to co-operate successfully with the popular lady lead. ‘ Eve’s Leaves ’ is an appealing entertainment, not the least significant element in its attraction being its colourful Oriental and sea-faring atmosphere. The visit of an American barque to a Chinese port coincides with a raid of bandits, and into the life of the skipper s tomboyish daughter, who happens to he on board, come adventures which quickly involve a young American business man. _ Absorbing and picturesque are the incidents that bring the film to a satisfactory ending. The supporting films are all highly enjoyable, while the orchestra, under the direction of Mr Chas. Aves, plays a specially selected musical programme. OCTAGON Another crowded house was the order at the Octagon Theatre, where the current “talkie” programme is now m its second week. Amongst the more popular spoken matter in_ the programme is a speech by King George previous to his recent illness that has so much disturbed the public mind. The occasion upon which His Majesty speaks is tho opening of a new bridge at Newcastle-on-Tyne. General Godley also talks flora the screen. An incident in the life of Stephen Foster, who composed the old American plantation melody, ‘My Old Kentucky Home/ to say nothing of many other simple, quaint but tuneful melodies, forms tho basis of ‘ In a Music Shoppe,' a small light musical play. # Beautiful Dolores Del lira is tho chief player in ‘The Red Dance,’ which is the feature of tho _ entertainment. The music connected with this plays a most important part in the undoubted success ’b achieves. Charles Darrell takes tho leading male part, and the Russian Revolution is the source of the plot. Tasia (Miss Del Rio) is left alone in the world, and vows vengeance against the persecutors of her father and mother. There is a Grand Duke introduced into the picture, whose sympathies are with the people. Then conies a romance between Tasia anti the duke. The singing of the Rosy Male Choir adds to the effectiveness of tho picture.

EVERYBODY’S • The Crimson City,’ a melodrama of ‘The House of a Thousand Dangers, with Myna Loy in the featured role of Nan Toy. Chinese siavegirl, is the chief picture at Everybody’s Theatre. The action of the play takes place in a dive on the Chinese coast, and the story is built on the adventures of Gregory Kent, who, wrongfully accused of embezzlement, has nod from England, leaving Nadine Howel s, who with hef father is also m the teeming Oriental town. Kent, 111 aII attempt to protect Nap r loy from her tormentor, Dagger Too, is thrown from the place. Late ho attempts to end his life, but Nan Toy rescues him and nurses him until apprehended by her master. How Nan Toy fights to keep Kent, even after his honesty lias been proved and the white girl claims him, and how sho finally renounces. him, are but incidents in a most exciting melodrama ■ , , A drama of the open spaces, featuring a new Western player, Ilex Bell. Is ‘ Wild West Romance,’ which is also showing

‘THE TE KOOTI TRAIL.’ Rudall Hayward, the New Zealand pioneer film producer, has made the picture, ‘ The Te Kooti Trail,’ adapted from the Serial story published in the ‘ Otago Witness ’ and the ‘ Otago Daily Times ’ A east of New Zealand players were chosen for the picture, while many Maori artists were needed to play in a nurabr of scenes depicting life in New Zealand at the time of the landing of the white men. ‘The To Kooti Trail ’ will be .screened at Everybody’s Theatre on Friday,.

GftAND AND PIAZA A smashing sea story, entitled ‘The Luck of the Navy,’ is now showing at the Grand and Plaza Theatres. 1 nncess Mary’s favourite melodrama—that, in brief, is an accurate description of ‘ The Luck of tho Navy,’ a British production, the screen version of ‘The Luck of the Navv’ is likely to prove oven more popular than its stage original, it is graced with the charming poisonality of England’s premier ami most beautiful actress, Miss Evelyn Layo, who gives a performance of unsurpassed brilliance. Handsome Henry Victor makes an admirable co-star in tho part of Lieutenant Clive Stanton, a breezy, -devil-may-care, romantic figure. Terrific hand-to-hand fights, a dazzling ballroom scene ; tho mobilisation of the Fleet, thrills, romance, spectacular effects, and humour —all are included ia this mighty production. The story of ‘Johnny, Get Your Hair Cut,’ starring that mysteriously gifted child, Jackie Coogan, is that of an orphan who tries to obtain a position as an apprentice jockey. With all the ingenuity of a determined adolescent, Jackie works his way into the confidence of ‘‘Mother Slapp.” a kindly woman who keeps a boardinghouse for jockeys. He meets a derelict of the race track who owns a horse, and tho two enter into a pact. The events which lead up to tho big races are full of mischief and fun, with Jackie ever present on the screen.

STRAND Under Henry King’s direction screen players lose their real life identities during the filming of a picture, and become, in his eyes and mind, the actual characters they portray. Therefore, during the filming of ‘The Woman Disputed,’ now at the Strand Theatre, tho Meet Norma Talrnadge vehicle for United Artists, the star and members of the supporting cast were always addressed by their character names. Miss Talrnadge was ‘‘Mary Ann,” an Austrian street girl; Gilbert Roland, leading man, was “Paul,” one of her swethearts; Arnold Kent was “Nika,” the third member of tho triangle, and so on for the rest of tho cast. Miss -• Talrnadge is seeai in a great pictorial character. Mary meets with two army officers, and the acquaintance changes the tenor of her whole life. Both Paul and Nika (Austrian and Russian respectively) full in love with Max-y. Then war breaks out, and Nika gets his first blow in by telling the girl he loves her. Unhappily for him he discovers that the Austrian has got in ahead of him, and that Mary loves the Austrian. Naturally tho Russian is furious when ho finds he has been beaten in a matter of affection. Ho, unfortunately, obtains his opportunity when Mary is brought in amongst a number of other prisoners. A terrible torture is devised, but to save the other prisoners the girl sacrifices herself . Eventually the lovers are united, and everything is explained. XING EDWARD One of the best programmes in months is now being screened at the King Edward Theatre. The principal feature is ‘The Street of Sin,’ in which- the world’s greatest character actor (Emil Jannings) has the featured part, supported by a brilliant army of talent. ‘The Street of Sin’ provides throbbing drama, which is most realistic in its conception. ‘The Crimson City’ is also a splendid production, and is overflowing with thrills and mystery—the kind that one would expect in a story of the China coast. The stars who portray tho leading parts are ideally cast.