PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 19663, 16 September 1927, Page 5

PICTURE THEATRES

OCTAGON

The screen version of one of A. S. M. Hutchinson’s novels opens at the Octagon Theatre to-night, and practically every exterior scene was taken in the original district pictured jn the story. Most of the country exteriors were taken in and round Denham, one of tho oldest villages in Wiltshire, England, noted throughout the country’ for its Old World atmosphere. It is a quaint, unobtrusive little hamlet of black and white thatched villages, none of which have ever been in any American motion picture. ‘One Increasing Purpose ’ is one of the most popular of Hutchinson’s novels. It was adapted for motion picture presentation by Bradley King, who went to England with the company in order to confer with the author on the treatment of the story. This screen version of tho book is said to exceed in dramatic values and presentation the Fox production of ‘ If Winter Comes,’ Mr Hutchinson’s other novel, which proved such a sensation a few years ago. Edmund Lowe is cast as the leading man, Sim Paris, around whom the story revolves, Ho is supported by a particularly well chosen cast of all-star performers, which includes Lila Lee, May Allison, Holmes Herbert, Huntley Gordon, Lawford Davidson, Jane Novak, Emily Fitzroy, ‘George Irving, Josef Swikard. Nicolas Sousanni, and Tom Maguire. The story has to do with Sim Paris, a visionary young man who returns from Franco to find his family in a constant state of quarrelling and unrest. He cannot fathom why it is that ho has been saved from death while in action, for ho has been in tho thick of the light, and the more he thinks the moro he wonders over the “ purpose ” behind it all. His search lor tho reason for tho present scheme of things and tho final solution of his; problem forms a soul-stirring drama that has been transferred beautifully to the screen. Harry Beaumont, director of ‘ Sandy,’ has caught the spirit of the book, and in bringing the characters to tho screen seems but to make them walk out of the pages the silver sheet. The photographic clfccts are said to be wonderful. The Octagon Orhestra, under Mr L. D. Austin, will play the overture ‘Martha’ (Flotow). EHPIRE Comedy is one of tho chief ingredients in * It,’ which opened at the Empire Theatre this afternoon. A chosen cast enacts tho story, which deals with Betty Lou and her friends at tho Waltham department store. They are discussing Elinor Glynn’s ‘ Cosmopolitan Magazine ’ story ‘ It,’ when Cyrus Waltham and his chum, Monty, walk through. The salesgirl congress immediately decides that their ne.v manager has It. That evening Betty pusses Waltham and Monty on tho street, and drops her bag. Monty is smitten, and when Cyrus departs catches up to Betty and asks her to dinner. Bho accepts, but specifies tho Rita as their destination. Betty is caring for a sick friend and her child. Molly (the sick friend) tells of a welfare home wheh wants to take the infant, but Betty determines to take care of them till Molly regains her health. Monty tries to steer her _to a secluded table, but Betty will sit in no seat but tho one adjoining Cyrus. She sets cut to fascinate, and accomplishes her purpose. Several days later two settlement workers attempt to take Molly’s baby away. In desperation Betty claims the child as hers, and proves that she can support it. Monty hears this, and finds it hard to believe. Babbling of women’s deccitfulncss, ho tells Waltham everything. In addition to this a newspaper story appears. In the story Betty learns that she is a winner in the monthly’ sales competition. Going to Waltham’s office for_ her bonus, she is crushed by his_ attitude. Upset by her supposed,infidelity, Cyrus plans a trip on his yacht. Monty comes to Betty’ with a peace olfeiing. She furiously tells him that ho will have to help her teach his friend a lesson. Elio will compel him to propose, and then reject the offer. Tho yacht party has an unexpected guest, who soon wins everyone with her charm. Only one woman takes dislike to Betty—Adda Van Norman, Cyrus’s society fiancee. Then Cyrus proposes to Betty, and she laughs in his lace. But on turning a corner she bursts into tears. Longing for solitude, Waltham takes tho wheel Monty finds him there, and describes Betty’s condition. Ho thrusts the wheel in Monty’s hand and dashes after her. Knowing nothing about navigation the ship, under Monty’s guidance, hits another. Adela is thrown overboard, and Betty goes after her. Cyrus and Monty attempt to pull tho two girls in, but Betty starts swimming toward home. Walham catches her, and the picture fades out as they cling to the ship’s anchor, making up their dificrcnces with a kiss. _ The entertainment is rounded oil by an excellent musical programme by the orchestra, under the direction of Mr Chas. Parnell. QUEEN’S AHD KING EDWARD Filming a typhoon, most terrible of tropic storms, was the Inigo achievement carried out in tho screen’s latest spectacle, ‘Toll it to tho Marines,’ now playing at tho Queen’s and King ltdward Theatres. _ . , . A terrific tropical storm, wiln wind approaching tornado proportions and rain in cloudbursts, was filmed in the midst of a tropical jungle, in which with clogged determination the Marino Corps pitches its camp in ono of the most vivid scenes ever photographed. Regular marines pitched the cam]), with Lon Chancy, William Haines, Eddie Gribbon, and Maurice Kains, film actors, working shoulder to shoulder with tlio American Government men. The picture was filmed with the sanction and co-operation of the Government, tho actors accompanying tho marines on battleships in fleet manoeuvres, in action on tho field, and in a gigantic sham battle, staged partly for the picture and partly as a practice manoeuvre, _in which the marines capture a Chinese village from bandits and rescue a mission. Lon Chancy plays a veteran sergeant in the new picture, with Milliam Haines in tho leading romantic undo role as a recruit in the service and Eleanor Boardinau as the heroine. Ihe cast includes Carmel Myers, T , „ Gribbon, Frank Currier, Mitchell Lewis, Maurice Kains, and other wellknown players. While tho background is the Marine Corps in sendee, and tho Government aided in the production, tho picture is not a propaganda picture, but a vivid romance designed for entertainment only. Like the ‘ Big Parade,’ it seeks to show the intimate life of a branch of th*' Government service in terms of enteitaimncnt, bringing out the romance and adventure of “tho soldiers of tho sea.” EVERYBODY'S It is generally admitted that Adolphe Monjou plays sophisticated Parisian roles bettor than any other actor on the screen, and in ‘Evening Clothes,’ which opened at Everybody’s Theatre to-day, he is again east as a Parisian, but ho is not the gay boulovardier all the way through the picture. He is first seen in an absolutely different characterisation, as a French country gentleman, who, although of aristocratic background and tremendous wealth, has enough, of the homely manners of the soil to repel the dainty Paris bride with whose parents he arranges a. match. Virginia. Valli plays the leading feminine role, with Noah Beery and Louise Brooks in support. ‘ An Affair o’f the Follies,’ the supporting picture} combines an intensely interesting screen story with splendid acting and an unusual array of beautiful

girls. Lewis Stone, Billie Dove, and Lloyd Hughes are featured in the nicture, while Arthur Stone, Arthur Hoyt, and Bertram Marburgh contribute excellent supporting roles. Miss Dove appears ns a dancer who marries a clerk and tries to _ make ends meet for two on half the income she was accustomed to earning. Lloyd Hughes is the husband, Lewis _ Stone the intruding but, human and likeable, millionaire who admires her. With those and supporting roles, the plot weaves real drama, suspense, and a number of unusual situations. PLAZA AND GRAND One of the season’s most thyilling photoplays, entitled ‘ The Overland Limited,’ is at present at the Plaza and Grand Theatres. The locale of the story of ‘ The Overland Limited ’ ranges from the campus of an Eastern college to the roaring rivers of the Rocky Mountains. Actual construction of a gigantic, dam and a steel bridge over a bio- river are shown in detail, and the 'crashing climax to the picture comes when the giant locomotive breaks through the steel girders and plunges 100 ft into the river below, This is said to bo the most thrilling and realistic climax made for a photoplay. Delightful touches of romance and comedy are interpolated throughout. ‘The Overland Limited ’ is the very best type .of photoplay at its best. In addition is the ‘ Hidin’ Rascal,’ ‘with Art Acord in the leading role. The story deals with Larrabie Keller, who is found under suspicious circumstances in the vicinity of a branding fire, and his fiancee thinks that he is a cattle rustler. Larrabie, however, proves his innocence, and is reconciled with the girl.