PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 20863, 5 August 1931, Page 5

PICTURE THEATRES

EMPIRE

The introduction of the reproduction of sound into the motion picture industry • has seen the hold of exploitation considerably widened, and many new types of pictures have come to the screen. Of these the high-class .musical pictures are probably tho most in favour, and in - ‘ Viennese Nights,’ which heads the current bill at the Empire Theatre, a picture of which the producers may.well be proud, has been made. The cast has been, very carefully selected, and it is headed by Vivienne Segal, who has probably the finest souprano voice yet heard on tho screen. To her and to Alexander Gray most of tho credit for tho success of the production must go, though it has to bo admitted that others of the cast make their presence felt by reason of the excellence of their acting. These include Jean Hersholt, tho noted character actor, Alice Day, and Walter Pidgoon. The picture is not without its lighter moments, and the comedy work has been entrusted to Bert Beach and Louise Fazenda, both of whom are capable players of such roles. The , supporting programme which is being offered is an exceptionally good one, and Mr Leslie Harvey’s organ music is as enjoyable as ever. The box plans are at the theatre and The Bristol.

REGENT

Tom Walls and Ralph Lynn had had just ’ about tho same vast amount of stage experience when they “ teamed ” up. in London with plans drafted for the production of farce comedies at the now world-renowned Aldwych Theatre, and .the fame of the two men spread equally-, as they appeared together in such productions as ‘ Rookery Nook,’ ‘ Cuckoo in.the Nest,’ and * Plunder.’ Whimsical Walls jumped out in front of his partner in mirth with his magnificent, performance at the Aldwych in Ben.Travers’s ‘ Thark,’ but Ralph retaliated by hitting the bull’s eye in the London presentation of ‘ Tons of Money.’ The comedy pair both went off the same mark when British Dominions signed them up to make a screen version of ‘ Rookery Nook.’ Both were acclaimed tho world over, and, although Walls has appeared on his own in the Frederick Lonsdale pictures, ‘ On ‘Approval ’ and ‘ Canaries Sometimes Sing,’ Lyii'n adds some popularity laurels to his crown as Aubrey Ailington in ‘Tons of Money.’ the current attraction at the Regent Theatre. Lynn during the course of the picture does three impersonations, each succeeding cne being seemingly more brilliant and inimitable than ’ts predecessor. Tho cast includes Mary Brough, Robertson Hare, and Yvonne Arnaud.

OCTAGON

Since that early day whoa Cain slew Abel, many famous brothers have played prominent parts in the world’s history. Nearly two generations ago the James Brothers, notorious outlaws, terrorised the whole of America. More recently the famous Wright Brothers built the aeroplane which has revolutionised transportation and annihilated distance. And who docs not know the familiar features of the Smith Brothers of cough drop fame? And now there is the motion picture ‘ Brothers,’, adapted from the stage success of the ■same name. With Bert Lyttell enacting the-duaL roles of two brothers, this screen play at the Octagon Theatre should inevitably take its place among those other famous brothers of history Joe Cook, the famous American.

“ one-man show,” termed by many noted .critics, “ The funniest man in the world.” makes his motion picture debut in 4 Rain or Shine/ also at the Octagon. Joe Cook is a new and decidedly distinctive acquisition to the cinema, and his own original typo of humour is delightful. The story is about circus life. The producers secured a complete circus organisationanimals, performers, equipment, and all, and Frank Capra directed the stellar cast, which includes such famous film names as Joan Peers, Louise Fazenda, William Collier, jun., Alan Roscoe, and Adolph Milar.

STRAND

As, a film, ‘Kismet/ at the Strand Theatre, is as different from the usual run of talkies as the original play was different from its stage contemporaries when it. was first presented about twenty years ago. Its language is not the language of the present age of machinery and hustle; it is the language of the Old Testament and the poems of Omar Khayyam, full of the mellifluous metaphor and flowery hyperbole of the East. It is this colourful manner of speech that gives ‘ Kismet ’ such very great charm, coupled with its lavish settings and the magnificent acting of its cast, headed by Otis Skinner, the dean of the American stage. Skinner it was who created the play on the stage, so that tho film lacks nothing in that direction, while all the possibilities of the talking screen invest the picture with something that tho stage cannot hope to attain. All the supporting items are of exceptional merit, and are worthy of inrlusion on any programme. Reserve at The Bristol or at the theatre.

PRINCESS

An entertaining story and witty dialogue are contained in tho leading film at the Princess Thea tre. ‘ The Uachelor Father’ is a veritable triumph for Marion Davies, whose vivacious manner and pleasing ways have already established her high in the estimation of motion picture theatre patrons. This is her fourth dialogue film, and she has made it her best to date. She is ideally east as the pseudo-daughter of a rich British bachelor who is alleged to have three children in various parts of the world. One of them turns up, and Miss Davies carries through the deception wifvh that amount of quaint humour which has mado her one of the leading comediennes of the silver sheet. Tho supporting 'programme is interesting and diversified.

KING EDWARD

A double-feature programme will ho presented at ilie King Edward Theatre inr the now change, ol programme lonip;lit. The first picture is onfifled ‘ Scotland Yard,’ the stqry dealing with the developments which occur when a criminal whoso face has been mutilated beyond recognition has his features recast by a plastic surgeon, who uses as his model the photograph of a prominent'English society man. flow the criminal meets the wife of tho man after whom his faec has been ?c-

modelled and bow the love which is born out of that meeting proves to be the regenerating power in his life make an engrossing and dramatic entertainment. The other picture. ‘ The Widow From Chicago,’ tells of the underworld life in a largo American eitv, and abounds in fast action, while the love store running through it provides a balancing interest.