PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 19790, 14 February 1928, Page 3

PICTURE THEATRES

EMPIRE AND OCTAGON Perhaps there has never been such a thrilling tale of Biblical days and the days when Rome clashed with tne Jews in Palestine, as the enthralling novel ‘ Ben-Hur,’ from the pen of General Lew Wallace, and certainly there has not been a film seen here of equal magnificence or so brimful of human interest and enthralling incident, as that now showing at the Emp and Octagon Theatres for the second week. The book ‘ Ben Hur has been produced on the screen with an extraordiary regard to detail and exactness, and its splendor of plot and unabounding thrill has been reproduced with great realism. In short, it is the film gem of the year; it is gripping) it is pathetic, it is inspiring, it has been treated with rare restraint and charm, which adds, if anything, to the natural lustre of a classic story. Not one thing has been spared, in the production that the accusation could be made that the picture is tawdry, as is so often the case when an American film producer gets to work on what was originally a line tale. This film is almost the perfect specimen of a book perfectly reproduced. All the many phases of the story in which tho noble house of Judah, with Ben Hur as the hero, fights against the Roman yoke, has been brought out in brilliant fashion. Nor can it be said that this film is but another of the “ spectacle ’ type as has been the case with similar pictures of its kind. It is much omer than that. The human element is ably brought to the loro and silhouetted against a background of magnificence which makes it all the more pleasing. Tho spiritual side of the story is a glowing example of this, for it has been treated with exquisite taste, especially in the prologue portion of the photoplay. Ramon Novarro as Ben Hur gives a very fine portrayal of the part. May M'Avoy is most appealing in the role of heroine. Francis X. Bushman is superb as Messala, the haughty and villainous Roman. A feature of the programme is the musical prologue, which includes the singing of ‘The Star of Bethlehem ’ by Mr Los Dailey at Empire Theatre and Mr R. mchards at the Octagon. QUEEN'S Lovely girls in crinolines, dance-hall girls, stage coaches, heartless villains, a romantic picturesque hero, and a thrilling plot—those are some of the many interesting ingredients in ‘The Valley of Hell,’ a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production now showing at tho Queen’s Theatre, starring Francis M'Donald, a new interpreter of romantic roWs. M'Donald is supported by Edna Murphy in the leading feminine role, together with' a cast of wellknown players. ‘ Silence,’ a new underworld photo-play, which is the second feature, lias for the of its early scenes the toughest section of New York’s East Side. It is a picturisation of a brilliant stage success, and features Vera. Reynolds, H. B. Warner, and other notable screen players. The story is said to be unusually dramatic and thrilling. EVERYBODY'S One of the biggest “sets” ever seen in Hollywood was used by Corinne Griffith in tho filming of her latest First National picture, ‘ Into Her Kingdom,’ now being screened at the Queen’s Theatre. Tne story is built around the tragic life of Grand Duchess Tatiana, and the scene represents tho Imperial Palace of the late Tsar Nicholas in all its splendor. ‘ Bobbed Hair,’ an entertaining and exciting p' i-play produced by Warner Bras., is the second feature. This picturisa- j tion of tho popular novel by twenty ; authors was prepared by Lewis Mile-' stone and directed by Alan Crosland. Tho brilliant cast is headed by Marie Prevost, Kenneth Harlan, and Louise Fazenda, and includes John Ilocho, Emily Fitzroy, Francis J. M'Donald, >■ Pat Hartigan, Tom Ricketts, . Walter Long, Reed Howes, Otto Hoffman, Kate Toncray, and “Pal,” the dog. Tho story is a rollicking tale of adventure and romance, with Westchester County and Long Island ns its locale. PLAZA AND GRAND The fascinating Renee Adorce is tho star in ‘God’s Own Country,’ the chief attraction to the Plaza and Grand Theatres. She again proves that she is one of filmdom’s leading stars. She is a remarkable actress, and possesses a pert and fascinating French personality which fits in well with her Frencli-Canaclian role in this Universal production. Supporting her are Robert Frazer, Walter Long, Mitchell Lewis, Adolph Millar, and James Mason. Sparkling youth, the bright lights of Broadway, love among the beauty shops, and the steadfast determination of a woman to find love are the chief ingredients of 1 Slaves of Beauty,’ the supporting feature. Holmes Herbert and Olivo Tell have tho leading roles. KING EDWARD ‘lnto Her Kingdom,’ tho current headliner at tho King Edward Theatre, is a gripping story of Russia before the days of the Bolshevist regime, and shows Corinne Griffith in tho role of the Grand Duchess Tatiana, and it is said that this promising young actress has never had such a dramatic starring vehicle, nor one which demanded so much real talent. Assisting Miss Griffith is a east of popular players. Tin second picture is ‘Silence,’ featuring Vera Reynolds and Raymond Hatton.