PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 19665, 19 September 1927, Page 3

PICTURE THEATRES

OCTAGON The second of A. S. M. Hutchinson’s novels to bo transposed to the screen is ‘ One Increasing Purpose,’ which is being shown at the Octagon Theatre this week. The story deals with Sim Paris, who, during the war, had so many miraculous escapes that ho came to think that his life had been spared lor some purpose. The story is logically developed by a cast which includes such screen favorites as Lila Leo, Holmes Herbert, May Allison, Huntley Gordon, Emily Fitzroy, Jano Novak, Josef Swikard, Lawlord Davidson, and others equally well known for their splendid work, practically all outdoor sequences were filmed in England, and scenes of English village life as well as many historic spots, such as Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, House of Parliament, and other notable buildings and places, play a prominent part in the picture. ‘ One Increasing Purpose’ is a fine entertainment that is sure to please every type of audience. Harry Beaumont, director of ‘ Sandy,’ has caught the spirit of the book, and in bringing the characters to the screen scorns but to make them walk out _of the pages across the silver sheet, 'the [photographic effects are wonderlnl. In addition to the excellent work by the actors, some wonderlnl photographic results have been effected. The usual supporting pictures are shown, and the orchestra renders an appropriate musical programme. EMPIRE The screen version of ‘ It,* the popular novel by Elinor Glynn, is the current attraction at the .Empire Theatre. The novel was adapted expressly lor Clara Bow, who takes leading part, that of Betty Lon Spence, a shop girl who possesses ' that magnetic something which defies definition, hut attracts with compelling force. With a limited education, no family prestige, and nothing but her fundamental sweetness of character, she exerts the inexplicable “it” m order to win the lovo of her employer. First of all,. she meets Monty, the besom friend of her employer, Cyrus Waltham, and uses him as a stopping stone to an introduction to the latter, whom she fascinates, in order to save some welfare workers Irom taking her sick friend’s baby to a home, she says the baby is her own, and the appears in the papers, which Cyrus r-mls. Upset by her supuosed infidelity, he plans a yachting crip. Betty, however, makes Monty invito her as his guest, and soon wins everyone, with the exception of Adela Van Norman, Cyrus’s fiancee, with her charm. Finally Gyrus proposes to Betty, but she laughs in his face. Later Monty is at the wheel, and, knowing nothing ol steering, rams another boat. Betty and Adela arc thrown overboard by the impact, and Cyrus dives alter her while Monty follows in a boat. At last they manage to clamber up on the yacht’s anchor and make up their dilfcronccs with a kiss.

The Empire Select Orchestra, under the baton of Mr Chas. Parnell, renders an excellent musical programme.

QUEEN’S AND KING EDWARD Without a truce of the grotesque “ make up ” that the public usually associates with his mime, Lon Chancy gives an intensely powerful portrayal in ‘Tell It to the Marines,’ his latest picture now showing at the Queen’s and King Edward Theatres. The cripple ol ‘ The Hunchback,’ the spectral horror of ‘The Phantom,’ the oneeyed renegade of ‘’l he Hoad Mandalay,’ are replaced by the real Chaney —a splendid physical type, of man, active, athletic, and masterful. His role in this new picture is that of a grizzled veteran of the Marino Corps. ‘ Tell It to the Marines ’ holds a great amount of topical interest, apart from the thrills with which it teems. Much of its action is laid in troubled China, depicting the turmoil caused by bandits and military governors, and the hatred of foreigners that prevails. Briefly, the story tells how a stern marine sergeant makes a man Jrom a young ne’er-do-well, and sees him salely through a riot of adventure to the welcoming anus of a pretty naval nurse. It is a strongly dramatic talc, niiloldcd to the thunder of big guns, and the sweep of tremendous lighting machines through foreign waters." William Haines, Eleanor Boardman, Eddie Gribbon, and Carmel Myers are in the supporting cast. ■> EVERYBODY’S Virginia Valli, who is one ol iiic best known of stars, and who occasionally graces a picture as the leading lady, appears in ‘Evening Clothes,’ one ol tho attractions at the Everybody’s Theatre, with all her beauty and charm. Noah Beery, well remembered ior Ins excellent role of Lcjamio in ‘Beau Gcstc,’ plays a slightly comedy role in the picture. Adolphe Menjou, the star in ‘Sorrows of Satan,’ is in the loading role, and plays the sauve, sophisticate of Paris in the picture. Jn ‘ Tho Affair of tho Follies,’ Lewis Stone, Billy Dove, and Lloyd Hughes are the featured players. This picture is a colorful tale of modern New York city life, with eye-filling glimpses of the Hollwood Music Box Revue, and other interesting backgrounds for a strong dramatic plot. PLAZA AND GRAND One of tlio screen’s , most thrilling photo-plays is now being shown at the Plaza and Grand Theatres in ‘ Tho Overland Limited.’ The story of this railroad romance is an original from tho pen of Jus. J. Tynan, scenarist,of ‘Tho Great Divide,’ and other hits, and contains romance, drama, comedy, and thrills in equal measure. Malcolm APGregor has the principal male role of David Barton, a young railroad engineer, who, despito severe obstacles, designs and erects a railroad _ bridge which saves the company millions of dollars. Olive Borden, a new screen discovery, plays tho part of David’s sweetheart, Ruth Dent., ‘ The Riding Rascal,’ starring Art Acord, is also showing.