PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 21286, 15 December 1932, Page 9

PICTURE THEATRES

V BUSTER KEATON BACK AT EMPIRE As a timely offering to audiences craving comedy on the screen as never ■before, the hilarious farce, ‘ Speak' Easily,’ featuring Buster Keaton and ■Jimmy (“ Schnozzle ” > .Durante, opened at the Empire Theatre to-day. These two capable funsters, who started their antics together in ‘The Passionate Plumber,’ have become the outstanding mad-eap comedy team in pictures. The situations between them never lag and the action is kept moving at hectic speed. Their new Metro vehicle concerns the adventures of an absent-minded college professor, played by Keaton, who inherits a million dollars and goes out to see life. On his way to New York he picks up a broken-down musical show with Jimmy, a piano player, portrayed by Durante. Their theatrical adventures in the big city provide many side-splitting incidents. The choruses in the back-stage sequences are especially effective. The supporting cast is headed by Buth Selwyn. She is a sparkling light comedienne, and handles her role of Pansy Peeks, the chorus girl, in a lively humour. Thelma Todd, vivacious blonde, is particularly entertaining ns the alluring vamp who causes plenty of heart palpitations for Buster and “ Schnozzle.” Others in the cast who perform their comedy roles in the hilarious spirit of this offering include Hedda Hopper, as the jealous mother of Pansy Peets; Lawrence Grant, who is very convincing as Dr Bolton, the college dean; Sidney Toler, as the excitable stage manager; Henry Arvnetta as Tony, the Italian, acrobat; William Pawley,-and Edward Bropby. Edward Sedgwick has again demonstrated his real ability at blending the elements of screen comedy into strong farce presentation. He worked with Keaton on ‘ The Passionate Plumber.’ but tops all of his previous efforts in this new comedy-

RECENT Heading the bill at the Regent is a drama, entitled ‘ Unashamed,’ in which Helen Twelvetrees is starred. In addition, those “ priceless idots,” Laurel and Hardy, appear in ‘ The County Hospital.’ The story of ‘ Unashamed ’ deals with a woman who sacrifices honour for love, then, when the brother kills the man who has disgrased her, must choose between disgrace and her brother’s life, as only. her story can save him. ‘ The County Hospital ’ is chief among a fine budget of featurettes. ST. JAMES .Only six characters appear in the mystery thriller, ‘ The House of Unrest,’ at the St. James. Many strange happenings are -wound into the story, which is feasible enough, and ‘by in--genious methods the secret is blanketed in suspense until the last few feet of film. The players speak pleasing English, and act in a most convincing manner. This picture is in keeping with British producers’ fine tradition, and it has been very popular during the past week. The supports are excellent. OCTAGON Mitch qf ‘ Tom Brown of Culver ’ , was' filmed at the Culver Military Academy, the largest institution of its kind, so that this story of boys’ life as cadets ■is authentically told. The story deals with a certain Tom Brown, who is popular, until his father under pressure confesses his desertion from the army. Things go hard with the cadet, but everything ends happily. H. B. Warner contributes' the best performance as the erring father. STRAND Joe E. Brown is responsible for much unrestrained humour in 1 Fireman, Save My Child,’ at the Strand. He is seen as a baseball player with a great love for the firefighters. His ball playing gains him a place in a St. Louis team, but he violates all rules by chasing fire engines. During intervals he endeavours to perfect a fire extinguisher and finds time for a little romance—all to make up plenty of fun. KING EDWARD Zane Grey’s fine Western story, ‘ The Rainbow Trail,’ is the King Edward attraction. George O’Brien, as the hero, acts well and displays expert horsemanship. Scenes of, ' some of America’s most beautiful country are used as backgrounds for this refreshing tale, in which O’Brien is supported by Cecilia Parker and lloscoe Ates (the stuttering comedian).