CIVIC PICTURES.

Southland Times, Issue 20534, 10 July 1928, Page 5

CIVIC PICTURES.

To-night: “Shanghai Bound” (Richard Dix) “The Wild West Show” (Hoot Gibson) and “Blake of Scotland Yard.” Wednesday: “Bonnie Prince Charlie” (Ivor Novello and Gladys Cooper) “Red Raiders” (Ken Maynard). Saturday: “The Cohens and Kellys In Paris” (J. Farrell Macdonald and George Sidney) “The Wizard” (Edmund Lowe). Have you ever read about the hair-raising exploits of Captain Kidd, Long r John Silver and all the other pirates and buccaneers in story books? Piracy as colourful is flourishing to-day, just as it did in the days of the Spanish Main. . It furnishes the basic theme of Richard Dix’s new Paramount starring picture, “Shanghai Bound,” now at the Civic.

Chinese river pirates are attacking ships as they have- for centuries. The only difference is that they have improved their methods. Organized bands of marine marauders operate up and down the Yangtse River from Shanghai, stripping luckless vessels they capture. They even attack ocean-going steamers. Authority for these statements is Edward S. (Tex) O’Reilly, former member of the International Police Force at Shanghai, and later drill-master for the Chinese Imperial Army. Observations along the Yangtse River over a period of three years were set down recently by O’Reilly, and offered to Paramount. His story, “Shanghai Bound,” was snapped up at once as a Richard Dix starring vehicle. It has proved ideal -material, according to critics.

Dix plays a captain of a Yangtse River steamer in the picture, and his efforts to take a cargo of American refugees down the river to Shanghai and safety form the skeleton of the plot. River pirates, spurred on by hunger, greed, and revenge, are the obstacles in his path, and he overcomes them only after hard fighting all the way down. Mary Brian is the American girl Dix saves. Jocelyn Lee, Charles Byer, George Irving, Arthur Hoylt, Tom Maguire, Frank Chew and Tetsu Komai appear in other important roles.

Circus folk and circus ways are prominently featured in Hoot Gibson’s latest. “The Wild West Show” which is featured at the Civic to-night. Hoot falls in love with a circus performer and to be near her he takes on a job in the circus too. The elephant, trick horses, menagerie, the freaks and the performers—athletes, acrobats, clowns, bareback riders, aerial artists etc—are also shown performing. In fact the whole show is here as a fitting back ground for the romance that develops. There is much fun interspersed with the thrills and the whole is woven into a picture that is exceptionally good • entertainment—and a distinct score for Hoot.

“Bonnie Prince Charlie,” one of the most romantic and outstanding characters in Scottish history is immortalized in the English picture bearing that title which pomes to the Civic to-morrow. Filmed by an English company headed by Ivor Novello and Gladys Cooper amid picturesque Scottish surroundings, “Bonnie Prince Charlie” will be welcomed and appreciated by al! who like something “different” in their film fare. The pictured story is based on historical fad and the legendary love surrounding the picturesque figures of Prince Charlie and Flora MacDonald. Their romance is of necessity prominent throughout.

Ken Maynard has ascended to the top among heroes of western thrillers since his discovery by Mr. Rodgers, and the popularity gained by his starring vehicles through First National release. Distinct among western stars, Maynard possesses every requisite imperative to stardom, and is endowed with talents which make him particularly sensational among the stars in his category. He is an incomparable horseman and all-round athlete, is dark and handsome, tall and sinewy, and radiates the well-known “It,” demanded of movie

stars by feminine fans. Aided by his almost human horse Tarzan, Maynard climbed with lightning-like rapidity into the hearts of lovers of the pulsating type of western dramas. He trained his wonder Palomino steed himself, and taught him scores of amazing circus and rodeo tricks. Maynard started in life as an engineer, but his Texas training directed him elsewhere, and he wound up in a circus while still a youth. From the smaller Wild West shows of his native Texas he graduated to the star riding berth of Ringing Brothers, and finally heard the “movie call.” His latest is “Red Raiders” which conies to the Civic tomorrow 7. * “The Cohens and Kellys in Paris,” which comes to the Civic next Saturday promises to be one of the biggest laugh raisers of the season. The popular comedian, J. Farrell MacDonald makes a perfect “Kelly” and George Sydney as everyone knows is the ideal “Cohen.” When these two with their respective Spouses, (Kate Price and Vera f Gordon) get on the rampage in Gay Paris one can realize without effort a lot of the fun that arises. There are many uproarious scenes at the Cafe “Dibble” (Diable) wherein they find themselves pitchforked with moments of thrill that cause much hilarity. “The Cohens and Kellys” are of the “not to be missed”, pictures.

Fox Films absorbing mystery production, “The Wizard,” featuring Edmund Lowe and an excellent supporting cast, will be seen at the Civic next Saturday.

Richard Rosson, who has always been regarded as a master director of this sort of screen entertainment, is said to have made a heart-interest drama that will live for a long time as the best film of this type. Leila Hyams has the feminine lead opposite Lowe. The story, based upon the play “Balaoo” by Gaston Leroux, W’as prepared for the screen by Harry 0. Hoyt. The strong cast includes Gustav vop Seyffertitz, Norman Trevor, E. H. Calvert, Barry Norton, Perle Marshall, Oscar Smith, Richard Frazer, Maude Turner Gordon and George Kotsonaros. The story has to do with the sudden disappearance of persons who have been recipients of mysterious threats. Rosson has filled this picture with heart interest and the scenario writer has threaded it with a well-defined love story.

Picturegoers will see Lon Chaney, “the man of a thousand faces” again in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s latest picture for him, “London After Midnight,” which the Majestic Theatre will screen on Saturday next. “London After Midnight” is a modern detective story in which hypnotism is scientifically applied to the detection of murder — committed for the possession a girl and her legacy. Marceline Day, Conrad Nagel, Henry B. Walthall and Polly Moran are included in the very strong cast of supporting players opposite Lon Chaney in this thrilling and fascinating picture..