PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 20194, 6 June 1929, Page 6

PICTURE THEATRES

OCTAGON l Featuring an all-talking prologue and epilogue, together with a most enjoyable musical programme played by ,; a leading American orchestra, ‘ Ihe Hit o! the Show,’ a fascinating drama ot life in New York’s theatrelnnd, is now being presented at the Octagon Then- ' tee. Through the medium ot the pro- 1 logue one hears and sees vaudeville artists discussing their show behind the ■ stage, and as a result there is much dialogue and by-play which is highly amusing. Then comes the story proper, told by one of the actors to his colleagues. The drama unfolded is not without a tinge of pathos, but since the hero of the piece is Joe Brown, a comedian whose beautifully ugly lace is his fortune, the picture contains a wealth of humour in many varying degrees. The gaiety of which Broadway fights are truly symbolical is ever present until the final scene; even so the denouement could hardly be called depressing. Somehow or other it seems as though there could have been no other solution of the social complication created by the circumstances which surrounded the friendship that sprang up between a comedian and a society girl. With his extraordinary expressive face Joe Brown attracts concentrated attention while playing the role of “Twisty” Beaumont, an old trouper whose ambition it is to make -a name | for himself, on Broadway. The more fragmentary section ol the programme, comprising talking and . singing numbers, is well above the | average of merit, the outstanding success being the “all dialogue” comedy ‘ Furnace Trouble,’ a hilarious affair which will give houle-loving husbands 1 a few tips regarding the art of getting rid of unwelcome guests. REGENT But one more chance is_ ottered the picture-going public of seeing the present programme at the Regent Theatre, for to-night will see the final presentation of the bill. The movies sometimes witness peculiar reunions. The latest is to be found in ‘ Excess Bagc/uge,’ which heads the progrnmc, for William Haines and Ricardo Cortez come together alter a period of many years. It is difficult to sum up all the good points in the picture, as the story, actors ami actresses, and general settings are beyond the usual standard. A brief outline of the story may be ' given. Eddie Kane, appearing on the stage of a small-time vaudeville theatre, is anxious to better his position. Before long he marries Elsa M’Coy. who is also a vaudeville artist, and in a short space of time the two are engaged by a first-class vaudeville company. But a screen actor offers Elsa a ; contract to act on the silent stage at a tempting salary. This she accepts, but when she leaves her husband to enter the world of the movies the _ former loses confidence and his act dies. In the succeeding scenes Eddie is seen try,ing to persuade his wife to give up

the films, and in the end, of course, is successful, when the two came together again before the footlights, the old act is an instant success. Phyllis Haver, Victor Varconi, and Joseph Schildkrant are the 'main players in the second item on the bill, ‘Tenth Avenue.’ All three arc wellknown artists who have built for themselves a high reputation, and the fact that the three appear together shouhl lie sufficient proof of the picture’s worth. The story is certainly an old one, but it is retold with added charm, and is therefore most entertaining. Supporting films are also on the programme, which is satisfactorily rounded off by the playing of the Regent Orchestra, under Mr Maurice Gutteridge. EMPIRE The final presentation of the. programme that has been pire Theatre patrons during Show Week will take place this evening. ‘ Red Lips,’ the main feature of the pictorial bill, is a college story, starring Marian Nixon and Charles Rogers. It presents the contrast of a vouth of unusually high ideals who tails in love with a, girl whose philosophy of life is of the most extremely modern tvpe. They are both of college age, tlie susceptible period, and the girl's love of pleasure exerts a, marked influence on her companion. Cynthia and Ruddy are saved from themselves when the hoy’s room-mate takes a hand'. The director has set the glamorous side of college and university life lie fore screen audiences with sincere j understanding. ‘ Man Bait,’ another light type _of 1 story, is tiio other attraction, which j lias. Marie Provost in the lead. The supports are good, the principal one being the Empire Local Gazette, showing scenes of the first day’s races at Wingatui. Leslie Harvey, at the console of the Christie■ Unit Organ is as popular as ween he first came to Dunedin, and his feature items cn trie current programme arc ‘Prelude in C Sharp Minor.’ ‘Humoresque,’ and the lox trot ‘ Chloe.’

31. He J’.'Sc and his Km pi re Com-err. Orchestra provide ex^c ll - nt accompaniments t.i the pictures, and their specialty item is Heroic!’s well-known ovnrt :■ to ' Zampa.’ ’I !:>• organ nlivs with the orchestra in this selection.

STRAND ‘The Spy’ will conclude hs season at the Strand Theatre to-night. Tin’s picture, which was produced on the Continent, is a thrilling drama of the international espionage. A band of spies, headed by a well-known banker, ITaghi, has been demoralising the political life of Europe for a long time, ami finally the secret service gives its ablest man tnc task of eradicating the menace. Pitted against him is the wit of Sonia, a beautiful woman spy. How Tlaghi’s plans go awry through the girl falling in love with tiie agent makes an interesting story. EVERYBODY’S Sammy Cohen’s latest comedy, ‘ Homesick.’ in which ho is eo-featiired with Marjoree Beebe, will he finally screened at Everybody’s Theatre tonight. It is a delightful farce, and is a story of unusual interest, dealing with a bicycle race across America. The supporting attraction is a good story entitled ‘The Ring.’ TO-3IORROW’S BILL. ‘ Blindfold,’ Charles Francis Coe’s dramatic ‘Saturday Evening Post’ story of the criminal underworld, with George O’Brien and Lois Moran in leading roles, will commence screening at Everybody’s Theatre to-morrow. It is a thrilling talc of a lone policeman’s light against a gang of jewel thrives who have murdered the brother of the girl with whom he is in love. A British comedy drama entitled ‘ Not Quito a Lady,’ featuring-Mable Boulton, will also be shown. GRAND AND PLAZA Take this last opportunity of seeing this brilliant programme, is the advice tendered patrons of the Grand ami Plaza Theatres by the management. winch is presenting 1 The Constant Nymph ’ and ‘ The Better Man ’ for the last time to-night. ■ On the new bill to be submitted for the delectation of patrons for the first time to-morrow, there will be featured the screen version of Peter B. Kyue’s finest story, ‘Jim the Conqueror.’ •One of the Best,’ the popular Bland Holt piece, will also be shown, and this is described as a peace-time military melodrama.

KING EDWARD ‘Heart to Heart’ and’ ‘Homesick ’ are the "titles of two entertaining comedies now forming an excellent bill at the King Edward Theatre. Flic Former tells ot a heautilul foreign princess who has poor I Heads in America and when she visits them she is taken for a sewing woman. The “ man of the house ” recognises her, and between them they straighten the situation out very well. Mary As tor and Linden Littlefield are starred. Sammy Cohen is the comedian in ‘ Homesick,' which is built up round a transcontinental bicycle race, in which the hero takes part.