PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 19799, 24 February 1928, Page 4

PICTURE THEATRES

EMPIRE

Reginald Denny, the star of ‘Out All Night,’ which will be screened at the Empire Theatre to-night, k said to have accomplished one of the greatest comedy characterisations of his career in this picture. This is another of the hilarious farces that have made the inimitable star so popular with moving picture audiences. Denny, as the man about town, who marries a dainty little ballet dancer, is delightful always, and the story injects him into all manner of strange and embarrassing situations. The complications that involve Denny provide more side-splitting mirth than has been screened for some time. Masquerading as a ship’s physician, ho embarks with his newly-wed wife, who is a show trouper, and their trip to London is a series of embarrassing manoeuvres so that he may see her. Ijhe wedding must be kept a secret, because of a clause in Molly O’Day’s contract which calls for a forfeit of £20,000 if she should marry. It all ends in a mad farce in mid-ocean, chock full of laughs and entertainment. Marian Nixon plays the leading feminine role opposite the favorite Denny, and Ben Hendricks, juu., Wheeler Oakman, Dorothy Earle, and Dan Mason come in for their share of the fine acting displayed in this picture. The Empire Orchestra, under Mr O. Parnell, will be heard in an excellent programme.

OCTAGON

Automobiles, aeroplanes, _ motor boats, and even bicycles have furnished tho background for motion picture drama, but until Richard Dix began 'Man Power’ tor Paramount the lumbering caterpillar tractor had never been “glorified” in films. Only an imaginative scenario writer who _ had been througn the war could see possibilities in them. The results will he on view at the Octagon Theatre tonight. . ' Man Power is not a war picture, although there is flash of the battlefront to indicate that Richard Dix had been an officer before reaching the lowly state of a wanderer hopefully looking for work. Glimpses of Mary Brian, beautiful daughter of the president of the Stoddard Manufacturing Company, starts him on a career as a mechanic. _ What he does with a tractor after that is startling. To save the inhabitants of a valley from the menace of a broken dam, Dix pulls supplies through a rain storm, over a, slippery road, over ditches, up mountain sides, across a plateau, and into a gulch. Ordinarily cameramen are not excited, but Ed Cronjager and the others engaged on ‘ Man Power ’ admit they would rather photograph jungle animals than a tractor on the rampage. A lion, for instance, can be shot when he gets out of control, but a tractor will shed bullets as well as rain, and anything that gets m its way is doomed.

Clarence Badger directed the production.

Another special orchestral presentation is announced, and for the overture, ‘ Zampa ’ (Harold), with organ accompaniment,, will be played. Mons De Pose is the musical director. Chas. A. Martin the organist, and Miss Lily Stevens the assisting artist.

QUEEN’S AHO KING EDWARD

‘ Red Dice,’ tho premier attraction at tho Queen’s and King Edward Theatres, is an intriguing drama of the underworld, with Pod La Pocrpie and Marguerite De La. Motlc in the fc;v tnred roles. The story centres about

Alan Bockwith, who is anxious to settle a debt, futilely attempts to pawn his Croix de Qucrre. Andrew North, a “ bootleg ” chief, has ordered his gunmen to “got” Johnny Vano ar ' Conroy, who have “ hi-jacked ” a cargo of his whisky, and tho latter is shot after being ordered from the Vanes’s apartment by Beverly, Johnny’s sister ? after she has discovered the source of their ill-gotten gains.. In the meantime 1 1. i visits tho “chief,” and for 300 dollars proposes to insure his life for 10,000 dollars in the “bootlegger’s” favor, and then commit suicide. North gives Alan a year to live, and orders him to marry a woman of his choosing to divert suspicion. In the meantime Beverly calls on North and successfully pleads for her brother’s life. In return she consents to marry Alan. ’’’he second attraction is ‘ Dance Magic,’ a whirlwind of thrills and laughter. Ben Lyon and Paulino Starke are cast in ideal settings in this entertaining production.

EVERYBODY’S

‘The Ten Commandments ’ is the new feature which opened at the Everybody’s Theatre to-day. This is not the first time that this wonderful film has been shown in Dunedin, for it will be remembered that it attracted record crowds when it was shown in 1921 and also in 1925. All those who have seen this mighty feature declare it to be the next best to 1 Ben Hur,’ which ha.s recently completed a. most phenomenal run.

‘ Dancing Mad ’ is on the same bill, and stars Maria Corda and Harry Liedtkc. Maria Corda. famed star of C European stage and screen, first attracted the attention of American producers by her work in this feature. This is a Fox Film production, made in their new Berlin studios, and was directed by Alexandra Cordra, husband of the star. It is a joyous comedydrama of modern manners, and while not a problem play, it carries a forceful and interest-compelling lesson. The outstanding critics of Europe have pronounced it the most piquant, hilarious, and mirth-provoking film of many seasons.

GRAND AND PLAZA

Jackie Coogan has appeared before his countless admirers i.n many guises, but never in a military role, as he does in his newest starring vehicle, ‘The Bugle Call,’ now being screened at the Grand and Plaza Theatres. In this gripping outdoor drama, the juvenile genius plays the part of a huglo boy stationed under his father’s command at a cavalry post on the frontier in the days of the early West,. At that period it was common for very small hoys to be used as buglers, and they often accompanied their regiments into action. Consequently, the present generation is accorded a, wonderful, fascinating opportunity of studying one of these juvenile heroes as portrayed with astonishing sincerity and realism by Jackie Coogan. Claire Windsor heads a. particularly strong muster of supporting players, including Herbert Rawliuson, who takes the part of Jackie’s father, and Tom O’Brien, who is responsible for much of the comedy, as Sergeant. Doolan. College life and all it implies, interestingly told, with a, aremendous amount of suspense, is embodied in ‘ College. Days,’ the second attraction. Tho picture, which was splendidly directed by Richard Thorpe, under the personal supervision of the author, includes such well-known playem as Marcelinc Day, Charles Delaney, James Harrison, Duane Thompson, Brooks Benedict. Kathleen Key, Edna Murphy, Robert Homans, Cranford Kent, Gibson Gmvland, Lawfc-d Davidson, Pat Harmon.