PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 19787, 10 February 1928, Page 7

PICTURE THEATRES

EMPIRE AND OCTAGON

The impregnable might that was Rome’s 2,000 years ago; the legion of proud warriors; the pomp and magnificence and vanity of the queen city ol the world; the multitudinous creeds and colors and races that made the mighty Empire; the pleasure hi art crowds; the sublime faith of the persecuted Christian and the bitter persecution of tyrannical Romans—all these live'once again, with the reality ot flesh and blood to-day in ‘Ben Hur, which began its second week’s screening at the Empire and Octagon Theatres to-day. With amazing beauty and immensity the immortal story ol ‘ Ben Hur is ■ presented on the screen, A ivid indeed is the brief but romance-charged meeting of Ben Hur ami Esther, the daughter of Simonides, bond slave of the Roval Hur family. Then comes the •tragedy of Ben Mur’s wrongful arrest at the hands of Messala, the Roman, ami his former friend, his sentence to spend liis lifetime at the oars ot a Roman galley, and the imprisonment of his mother and sister. Awc-inspiringly presented is the sea battle in which Ben Hur saves the life of Arms, his commander, who shows his gratitude by making the young man his foster sou. Risen to power and fame, Ben Hur searches ceaselessly for his lost ones, and again meets Esther, whose father has become rich by carefully guarding the riches of the House ol Hur. At last Ben Hur meets Messala, his enemy, face to face in the Circus Maximus" at Antioch, and contemptuously challenges him to a contest to the death in the chariot races in which both have entered. In the most marvellous scenes ever caught by the camera twelve four-horse chariots career madly around the huge arena. Nearing the end of a desperate struggle Ben Hur locks his chariot wheel with that of Messala, and hurls him into the dust amid a welter of splintered wreckage and lashing steeds. Then news is brought to Ben Hur that One has come who will save his people from the Roman invader. Pledging his wealth —now restored to him by Simonides—his sword, and his life to the cause, Ben Hur hurries forth to raise an army, after pouring out his love to Esther. A force stronger than he sheathes his sword, however, and disbands his followers; hut his mother and sister are miraculously restored to freedom, health, and to him. Throwing his arms around them and around Esther, who risked her life to find them, he exclaims: “Oh blessed day that has given me back mother, sister, and thee.” The title role is played by Ramon Novarro, while May M'Evay interprets the role of Esther. Other stars are Francis X. Bushman as Messala, Carmel Myers as Iras, Nigel Do Brnlier as Simonides, Kathleen Key as Tirzah, Claire M'Dowell as the mother of Rem Hur, and Betty Bronson as the Madonna. A fine prologue introduces the story proper, Mr Les Dailey at the Empire and Mr Reg. Richards at the Octagon singing the 1 Ptar of Bethlehem,’ and during the march to Cavalry, when theAlan of Sorrows performs His last miracles, a hidden choir .sings ‘ Abide With Me.’ ‘Ben Hur’ will, he screened at nil sessions until further notice.

OUEtK'S

A dashing new star in Francis M'Donald, who appears in his second starring vehicle for Mctro-Golclwyn-Mayer, ‘The Valley of Hell,’ easily earns this title. As “Lightning” George, Thomas, lie enjoys a. role which permits him to display his talents to advantage. This advent,ore epic, which opened at the Queen's Thenl.ro to-day, indeed offers something new and decidedly different in stories of the great out-of-doors. The story (ells of Ihe adventures of a young man who is called from college to check the depredations of a gang of outlaws near some ranch property he lias inherited. The resulting conflict keeps the spectator in a perfect fever of thrilled anticipation. .Edna, M'lrpliy plays !# ■ leading feminine role opposite M'Donald, and her blonde beauty makes a perfect foil for his dark handsomeness. The supporting cast of players includes William Steel, Anita Garvin, and Joe Bennett. Raymond Hatton, humorous character of wide reputation and experience, plays a featured role m ‘Silence,’ the second feature which is a crook melodrama. Hatton needs no introduction to the film-going public. He comes to ‘Silence’ from his triumph in ‘Firemen, Save My Child,’ in which he shared comedy honors with Wallace Beery, H. B. Warner. Vera Reynolds. Jack Mnlhall, BocklifTe Fellowes. and Virginia Pearson are also featured.

KING EDWARD

“Something new in outdoor stories ” is the slogan of Francis M'Donakl. wlm is to apnear in ‘ Tlio Valley of Hell’ at the King Edward Theatre to-night. He is supported hy Edna Murphy in the leading feminine role, together with a cast of talented players. A romantically adventurous tale "of a girl who did not know which of two men she loved, so she ran away with a third. An exciting and dramatic story of revenue agents and smugglers, of masquerade* halls, and legacies, is part of the theme of 1 Robbed Hair,’ the supporting feature.’

PLAZA AND GRAND

A picture as impressive as the vast nuchartered snow regions of the North is holding forth at the Plaza and Grand Theatres. It is ‘ Back to God’s Country,’ a dynamic talc of the North, from James Oliver Curwood’s ever-popnlar novel of the same name, and lias been made into a really spectacular production by Irvin Willat, who directed for Universal. The story might be likened to the snow country, full of surprises to the explorer travelling its smooth, sparkling surface He ploughs through snow drifts, rises on knolls from where be can overlook the placid sea of snow, then to the top of a mountain range whence he sees (ho boundless panorama of Nature’s mighty creation. This is the way ‘ Back to God’s Country ’ impressed the reviewer. The rise and the drifts representing minor crises and the mountain representing the exalting climax of a tale told as smoothly as the newly fallen snow. Renee Adoree is effervescent in her role, which is both dramatic and gaily youthful. This characterisation will win for her many more fans. Robert Frazer is handsome and manly in the male lead, and demonstrates his ability as an actor. ‘Slaves of Beauty,’ one of the most effervescent of the year’s comedy-drama

offerings of Fox' Films, is the second attraction. It is a J. G. Blystnne production, based upon a story of human hearts in the grip of circumstances. Holmes Herbert and Olive Tell have tho leading roles. Others in the cast are Richard Walling, Sue Carrol, Mary Foy, and Mickey Bennett. New York is the loealc, and many of the city’s night clubs are used as backgrounds for the dramatic situations in a story of suspense, laughter, and pathos.

EVERYBODY'S

Seldom, if over, have the extremes to which motion picture producers must go in an effort to get certain necessary effects been brought so forcibly to mind as in the. filming of Corinnc Griffith’s latest First National Picture, ‘ into Her Kingdom,’ which begins an engagement at Everybody’s Theatre to-day. In this production, although the set is used for brief flashes of other action, an exact duplication of the Imperial Russian throne room, 165 ft by 74ft, with its beautiful plush-canopied throne, its elaborate gold trimmings, and vaulted ceilings, was built and used as a background for a number of scenes, in which Corinne Griffiths as the youthful Grand Duchess Tatiana, and Claude Gillingwntor ns Ivan, her tutor, are the only participants. Their action, however, has an important bearing on the climax of the play, and the extremely largo sotting is a necessity. Horace Jackson, who built the massive exteriors for ‘Ron Hur’ in Rome, was the designer and construction supervisor for the big Russian throne room sot, reproduced from accurate photographs of the famous hall in which all affairs of state were hold during the reign of tho Romanoffs, and in which, following the death of tho Tsar, the Bolshevists held sway, stripping the room of its expensive fixtures and adornments. ‘lnto Her Kingdom’ is regarded not only as Miss Griffith’s most pretentious effort, but as her biggest dramatic vehicle. Einar Hanson, former Swedish screen star, Clando Giilingwatcr, Charles Crockett, and Evelyn Selbie arc in support of Miss Griffith.

Romance, adventure, drama, and thrills are promised in ‘Bobbed Hair,’ the second feature, which has Marie Provost, Kenneth Harlan, and Louise FazondA in the leading roles.