PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 21284, 13 December 1932, Page 7

PICTURE THEATRES

EMPIRE That a motion picture can he true and yet be as thrilling and romantic as fiction is proved in the sensational film ‘ Around the World in Eighty Minutes With Douglas Fairbanks,’ which is now at the Empire Theatre. With three companions “Doug.” actually travelled out to strange lands in search_ of new thrills, and that ho found them is amply verified by the record of his camera. To see the picture is actually to accompany “ Doug.” and share the fascinating adventures ho found. Only the celebrity of a Douglas Fairbanks could have given him entry to the places he penetrates, only the whimsical wit of a Fairbanks could have given his adventure such an ‘ Arabian Nights ’ colour, only the humour of a bom entertainer could have made it so uproariously witty. Through China, •Japan, India, Siam, and Indo-China went Doug, and his confreres in adventure, shooting wild beasts, meeting kings, queens, and celebrities, visiting sacred and historic spots, mingling with the surging tides of Oriental humanity —looking always for the unusual, the extraordinary—and always finding it. It would be difficult to say whether the film is more humorously exciting or more excitingly humorous, for with the magic of “ Doug.’s ” sense of humour thrills give way to laughs at the least provocation. ‘ Around the World in Eighty Minutes With Douglas Fairbanks ’ could well be called a comedy; one of the best of this or ahy other year, were it not for the richness .of strange and interesting facts about faraway countries with which the record is crammed. Preceding this feature is a special array of featurettes, and Mr Paul Cullen presides at the organ,, REGENT A drama with a strong emotional api peal, ‘ Unashamed,’ is captivating Regent Theatre patrons! Helen Twelvetrees is the principal star, and plays the part of a daughter of a wealthy family who defies her father’s wish to give up her affection for a jnan who is “no good,” a role in which she is allowed full scope for her versatile screen abilities. She gives an outstanding characterisation, first as the carefree, thoughtless flapper, and then as the woman who has tasted the bitter dregs of life, rising to considerable emotional heights. The story is a powerful one, gripping the audience from first to last, and it has a human appeal which makes it one of the best dramas seen here for some time. The acting of Helen Twlevetrees is a feature of the production, but i Robert Young, as the brother, is most convincing. Monroe Owsley plays the part of the fortune-hunting lover, and that sterling character actor, Lewis Stone, is cast as the lawyer who appears in defence of the girl’s brother. One of the most amazing character studies that has been brought to the screen lately is that of Jean Hersholt as the old German grocer, and John Miljan also acts finely in the role of the prosecuting attorney. Robert Warwick and Gertrude Michael complete a uniformly excellent cast. In lighter vein is ‘ The County Hospital,’ in which those inimitable comedians, Laurel and Hardy, score an overwhelming success. Tliis comedy is brimful of intensely funny moments. ST. JAMES Speed, excitement, suspense, . and humour are the four prime characteristics of ' The House of Unrest,’ a new P.D.C. all-dialogue film, which is delighting large audiences at the St. James Theatre. Malcolm Keen has the featured role in ‘ The House of Unrest ’ as Heame, who has plenty of personal pecadillos. Dorothy Boyd, who plays the feminine lead opposite Keen, is a girl whose gorgeous brunette beauty is augmented with real dramatic ability. She is said to be excellent, both as to voice and acting. Others whose characterisations are being enjoyed are Leslie Perrins, Tom Helmore, Agnes Mayfren, and Hubert Carter. 1 The House of Unrest ’ was directed by Leslie Howard Gordon, who also shares the credit for the excellent dialogue. OCTAGON In these days when drama has been exploited in almost every possible manner by motion picture producers people welcome novelty, and this something new, which always is relished, is supplied at the Octagon Theatre, where the latest feature is ‘ Tom Brown of Culver.’ Culver Military Academy, situated near the town of that name in Indiana (U.S.A.), is the venue of the story that is told about Tom Brown, the war waif son of Dr Brown, whose only legacy to his boy was a Congressional Medal of Honour awarded posthumously for a heroic deed. Until a very fortunate circumstance threw him in the way of influential people, Tom endeavoured to scratch a living as a boxer. Then as a memorial to his father’s heroism, the American Legion had him sent to Culver to be educated. For a long time he took unkindly to the discipline, and he hated militarism. How the lad eventually overcame an unnatural surliness towards his schoolfellows and rose to a place of honour in the college is told with a wealth of very interesting authentic detail about the academy and the life of the boys there in a way that makes the production a fascinating and outstanding one. There are very dramatic moments when Tom Brown’s father turns up to confess that, racked by shock and norror. he had deserted during the war. Comedy of a high order balances the play. STRAND In * Fireman, Save My Child,’ at the Strand, Joe E. Brown has a part that gives mil scope for his own peculiar grimaces and antics, and followers of this inimitable comedian agree that it is his best effort to date. The story features Joe as the assistant chief of a country town fire brigade and also as a baseball hero. Many ludicrous situations ensue as a result of his effort to perfect his patent extinguisher bomb, which is marketed only after ho nearly succeeds in burning down a fire extinguisher company. This incident is just one of the many that convulse the audience. Joe Brown has a good cast to help him along -with the comedy. There are Evalyn Knapp, Lillian Bond, and Guy Kibbe, for instance, who can bo relied upon to be acquisitions to any picture. The supporting programme is more than usually entertaining. Two short comedies are exceptionally well done, and because of their utter stupidity the audience cannot help but give itself up to helpless laughter. Two further pictures, including an Australian News, ore also shown. KING EDWARD Grouch, grouch, grouch from morn till night, punctuated with a witty sarcasm, yet beneath the disgruntled exterior a heart of gold that is Grumpy, the character portrayed by Cyril Maude, veteran English stage star, in ‘ Grumpy,’ at the King Edward. Outwardly, Grumpy is of a sour disposition, but beneath this cloak there lurks a, kindly, His grand-

daughter knows his true nature, while even the servants, who never seem to be able to do anything right, observe a deep respect for the master, who engages himself in the solving of the theft of a diamond. Frances Dade,! Phillips Holmes, and Paul Cavanagh. support Maude. The other picture is a new episode of the fascinating Fu' Manchu series. ‘ Daughter of the Dragon.’