PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 19791, 15 February 1928, Page 5

PICTURE THEATRES

EMPIRE AND OCTAGON

Glowing tradition clusters around the name of ‘Ben-finr.’ As a book it lias been translated "nto ten different languages, and was the first novel to be translated into Arabic. As a stage play it set a new mark of magnificence and dramatic perfection, and is one of the immortals of theatrical history.

As produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, the greater ‘ Ben-Hur,’ now being shown at the Empire and Octagon Theatres, exceeds the stage play beyond all comparison, just as the new art of the motion picture, that has the whole world for its canvas, exceeds the older one of the stage. Now the story of ‘ Ben-Hur,’ with all its love, its hate, and its spectacular magnificence, is presented with amazing reality and inspiring fidelity. _ The novel could give but a vague description of scenes and surroundings. The stage could but feebly imitate them. The screen presents them —perfect to the merest detail.

Twelve teams of four horses each race seven laps around a real arena of vast proportions in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s presentation of the greater * Ben-Hur.’ A fleet of 100 triremes, which could have transported the warriors of ancient Rome, goes into battle with pirates on the Tyrrhenian Sea.

In this manner, and into every incident, the picture imparts warmth and human feeling, and kindles into life a majestic drama which is without a parallel.

Involving an expenditure of two million pounds sterling and three years of incessant endeavor, ‘ Ben-Hur ’ stands ns the consummation of everything that motion picture makers have been striving for since the beginning of the industry.

QUEEN'S

‘ The Valley of Hell,’ a Metro GoldwynMayer production now showing at the Queen’s Theatre, starring Francis M'Donald, a new interpreter of romantic roles. M'Donald is supported by Edna Murphy in tho leading feminine role, together with ~a cast of wellknown players. 1 Silence,’ a new underworld photo-play, which is the second feature, has for tho background > of its early scenes tho toughest section of New York’s East Side. It is a picturisation of a brilliant stngo success, and features Vera Reynolds, H. B. Warner, and other notable screen players. The story is said to bo unusually dramatic and thrilling. The new bill to be presented on Friday promises to be a good one. The chief attraction is ‘ Hills of Kentucky,’ a romance of tho log cabin schoolhonse, which features R.in-Tin-Tin in the starring role. ‘Three Miles Up,’ the second attraction, features A 1 Wilson in some thrilling air stunts.

EVERYBODY’S

The story of ‘lnto Her Kingdom,’ starring Coniine (I ri fifth, at tho Everybody's Theatre, is built around the tragic life of Grand Duchess Tatiana, and tho 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. The brilliant cast is beaded by Mario Prevost, Kenneth Harlan, and Louise Fazenda. The story is a rollicking tale of adventure and romance, with Westchester County and Long Island as its locale. ‘ Braveheart,’ with .Bod La Rocquc and Lillian Rich, and ‘ The Demi-Bride,’ featuring Norma Shearer, are tho features to be shown on Friday. Tho first feature is an epical romance of the American Indian—a vital human story of the North-west; while tho second is a farcical French romance.

PLAZA AND GRAND

‘God's Own Country,’ the chief feaure at tho Plaza and Grand Theatres, stars tho beautiful Renee Adoree in the tile role. She proves that she is one of fihndom’s leading stars. She is a remarkable actress, and possesses a pert and fascinating French personality which fits in well with her French-Canadian role in this Universal production. Supporting her are Pchert Frazer, Welter Long, Mitchell Lewis, Adolph Millar, and James Mason. Sparkling youth, the bright lights of Broadway, love among tho beauty shops, and the steadfast determination of a woman to find love are the chief ingredients of ‘ Slaves of Beauty,’ the supporting feature. Holmes Herbert and Olive Tell have the leading roles. Patrons arc assured of an unusually bright programme on Friday. Reginald Denny will he featured in ‘ What Happened to Jones,’ which is said to provide screamingly funny entertainment: and Buck Jones is featured on the same bill in ‘Hills of Peril.’

KING EDWARD

A tale of court life in Russia before the days of the Revolution is unfolded in ‘lnto Her Kingdom,’ which is being screened at the King Edward Theatre. Corinne Griffith, known as one of the screen’s most emotional actresses, is in the stellar role, and ib is said that this is her best picture. The second feature is ‘Silence,’ a remarkable mystery drama, with Vera Reynolds and Raymond Hatton in the leading roles.

ROSLYN

‘Knock-out Reilly,’ Richard Dix’s latest starring vehicle, which will he screened at the Roslyn Theatre tonight, is the highly exciting cinema record of the fistic adventures of a young steel piiddler,’ who almost avernight finds himself on the verge of pugilistic fame, and whose career is as suddenly blasted by a combination of circumstances that send him to prison, convicted of a crime of which he is innocent.