PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 20981, 21 December 1931, Page 7

PICTURE THEATRES

REGENT Douglas Fairbanks lias given the public something new in ‘ Reaching for the Moon,’ his new picture for United Artists, directed by Edmund Goulding, who is called the most versatile man in Hollywood. This modern comedydrama is now showing at the Regent. Fairbanks is supported by a cast of noted stage and screen personalities, several of them stars in their own rights. Fairbanks has put aside his sword and doublet for a collar and fountain lien. He portrays a sensationally successful young stockbroker, _ who creates a sensation both in the financial and love markets. As the leading feminine interest in his life there is Bebe Daniels, a fit screen mate for the dynamic Douglas, having beauty, courage, and a splendid sense of drama. Jack Mulhall, a young star with the experience of a veteran, is prominently cast as the star’s best friend and confidant. Edward Everett Horton, who has enjoyed starring honours on both stage and screen for years, has an outstanding comedy part as Fairbanks’s valet. Others of the “ million dollar cast ” include June Mac Cloy and Claude Allister. The story of ‘ Reaching for the Moon ’ was tailored to Fairbanks’s measure, and is composed*of the newest of the new in smartness and sophistication. EMPIRE Register another triumph for Richard Barthlemess! Coming close on the heels of such superlative productions as ‘ Son of the Gods,’ and ‘ The Dawn Patrol,’ llis newest feature, 1 The Lash,’ at the Empire Theatre, has again established his as one of the finest actors on the screen—which he has been for many years. ‘ The Lash ’ has everything. There is adventure and romance, drama and comedy, history and ficton, and all that any group of individuals might select at the requisites of an all around good picture. Those who missed romance in ‘ The Dawn Patrol ’ will have their wishes more than repaid in ‘ The Lash.’ Some of the most beautiful love scenes seen for some time have been incorporated in this version of the Bartlett novel of early California. Barthlemess has an excellent supporting cast including such players as Mary Astor, Marian Nixon, James Rennie, Robert Edeson, Fred Kohler, Arthur Stone, Erville Alderson, Barbara Bedford, Leon Pedro, Tony Merlo, and others. ‘ Frank Lloyd has again submitted a superb directorial effort. His handling of the thrilling cattle stampede is one of the finest things ever seen. ST. JAMES Few brighter, smarter, and more sparkling comedies than ‘ Virtuous Husband ’ have been shown, and it must be placed among the outstanding pictures screened at the St. James during the past twelve months. ‘ Virtuous Husband ’ is a side-split-ting comedy. Occasionally the dialogue is rich, too, rich for the child, but it is so diverting that any bashfulness is dissolved by laughter. The ultrasophisticatedl type of play is in vogue. while_ smart in action and dialogue, this picture has polish. The story is not only amusing, but exciting, almost as as a “ thriller.” And by sustaining the interest to the end of a most difficult picture to handle, the producers are to be complimented. _ ‘ Virtuous Husband ’ is not a squib. The explosion takes place at the end. _ Such pictures make the world a brighter place. Although one feels inclined to shake Curtis into action, one has to admit that Elliott Nugent is remarkable in his portrayal of the part. He is a clever actor, and the restraint he exercises in his delineation of the sincere, yet unsophisticated lover, is , admirable. Nugent’s , characterisation is all the more remarkable in that he plays opposite his father,' J. C. Nugent, who takes the part of the vacuous and hen-pecked father-in-law. The elder Nugent keeps the audience laughing, but his son is so able that he does not once smile. Jean Arthur is delightful as Barbara. The erstwhile Paramount favourite, Betty Compson, is back on the screen as the frank and knowing widow, who expresses her opinions of Curtis in no uncertain terms. Probably the best piece of acting is by Allison Skipworth, who is not at all unlike Marie Dressier in her style. Her performance is outstanding, OCTAGON No picture of recent date has so faithfully captured the scenic splendour of Nature and so ably utilised it in the enfoldment of romance and drama as ‘Eyes of the World,’ at the Octagon Theatre. There are moments of rare pastoral beauty in the picture, especially in the love scenes, which are set against a background of gorgeous trees and eyefilling vistas. There are powerful dramatic scenes and ‘ thrilling, breathtaking rides, and at the end a touch of sublimity. The story of ‘ Eyes of the World ’ was adapted from the novel by Harold Bell Wright, and recounts the simple saga of a young, unsophisticated mountain girl who experiences the joys and pains of love for the first time. Through the machinations of a lovestarved woman the mountain _ girl is awakened to the jarring realities of life, and her romance is momentarily interrupted until she awakens to a new sense of values. Starring Richard Arlen, ‘ Gun Smoke,’ a tale of a gang of city “ crooks ” that finds its match with cowboys, is also showing. STRAND As the worldly Salvation Army girl who forsakes her tambourine for the arms of her travelling salesman lover, but finally returns to find happiness, Joan Crawford scales new dramatic heights in ‘ Laughing Sinners,’ now at the Strand Theatre. If anything, the new vehicle is an even more dramatic one than ‘ Within the Law,’ and in it Joan negotiates a difficult characterisation, endowing it with a wealth of rich delineation. Her performance is the finest she has offered, and eclipses all previous efforts. It is noted that Harry Beaumont, who brought Joan to stardom in ‘ Our Dancing Daughters,’ was responsible for the direction of her new picture. A wonderful combination this, as star and director, hound by mutual admiration and sympathy, each content to glory in accomplishment of individual functions. The pictorial value of the piece has not been overlooked, although most of the action takes place in the dingy confines of a small-town hotel, besieged by a rainstorm and festive travelling salesmen. Sharing leading man honours in the screen version of the striking Kenyon Nicholson play are Neil Hamilton and Clark Gable. " Hamilton plays the part of the old love who comes hack into the repentant girl’s life. Gable is the simple Salvation Army boy, worshipping hex; with an honest faith and

devotion. Both are excellently castj and turn in splendid performances. The supporting cast is a particularly] fine one, including Marjorie Rambeau, Guy Kibbe, Clift Edwards, RoscoQ Karns, Gertrude Short, George Cooper. George F. Marion, and Bert .Wood-) ruff. KING EBWARI ‘ Parlour, Bedroom,, and Bath,’ with Buster Keaton in the leading role, is at present being shown, at the King Edward Theatre. It was directed by Edward Sedgwick, Keaton’s director in. ‘ Spite Marriage,’ ‘ Free and Easy,’, and ‘ Forward March.’’ Charlottcj Greenwood is seen in the role of Polly,, and Reginald Denny, hero of *A] Lady’s Morals,’ plays the romantic male lead. Cliff Edwards, Dorothy, Christy, Joan Peers, Sally Eilers, Na« talie Moorhead, Edward Brophy, Walter Merrill, and Sidney Bracy are inf the cast.