PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 19800, 25 February 1928, Page 11

PICTURE THEATRES

EMPIRE ‘ Out All Night,’ in which Universal is starring Reginald Denny, is a picture that is sure to satisfy the most ardent admirer of good, clean, smooth-running farce-comedy. This latest production of one of the greatest comedy stars on the screen, is now at the Empire Theatre, and was greatly enjoyed last night. It 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 lias been screened for sOmo time. Masquerading as a ship’s physician, he embarks with his newly-wed wife, who is a show trouper, and their trip to London is a series of embarrassing manoeuvres so that ho may see her. The 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 shhuld 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, jtin., Wheeler Oakmau, Dorothy Earle, and Dan Mason come in for their share of the fine acting displayed in this picture. The Empire Orchestra, under Mr C. Parnell, will be heard in an excellent programme. OCTAGON Richard Dix has gone in for a new type of adventure—mountain climbing in a caterpillar tractor. He says that ho had enough experience driving one of the big machines after only two weeks to make him feel confident ho could operate the tractor up the precipitous slopes of the Malone Dam, northeast of Sonora, territory where pack mules usually furnish the only means of transport. The scenes made form the remarkable climax of ‘ Man Power,’ Dix’s latest production, now being screened at the Octagon Theatre. In it Dix drives his tractor up the mountain, hauling five trailers behind him, and loaded with supplies for a crew of men who are desperately trying to save the dam and prevent the destruction of a village in the valley below. ‘Man Power ’ takes place in a small town. It deals with the adventures of a former tank corps officer down on his luck, who gets a job into which he puts his heart, because the daughter of the president of the company is the girl he loves. Throughout there is a strong vein of comedy. Mary Brian appears as Richard’s sweetheart in Man Power.’ Philip Strange is the crooked plant manager. Clarence Badger’s direction ensures the picture’s success. The Octagon Orchestra, under the direction of M. De Rose, will play the overture ‘ Zampa,’ with an organ accompaniment by Mr C. A. Martin. EVERYBODY'S ‘The Ten Commandments’ provides a notable attraction at Everybody’s Theatre. This is not the first time that this wonderful film lias been shown in Dunedin, for it will be remembered that it attracted record crowds when it was shown in 1924 and also in 1925. All those who have seen this mighty feature declare it to be the next best "to ‘ Ben Hur,’ which has recently completed a most phenomenal ’■un. ‘ Dancing Mad ’ is on the same bill, and stars Maria Corda and Harry Liedtke. Maria Corda. famed star of the 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 comcdy- ■ drama 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. PLAZA AND GRAND Jackie Coogan, Metro-Goldwyu-Mayer’s famous juvenile star hashad many roles in cosmopolitan settings, but in his latest attraction, ‘ The Bugle Call,’ the attraction at the Grand and Plaza Theatres, he takes to the wide open spaces—as a bugle lioy at a Frontier Cavalry Post in the early days of the West. Colonel Bryam, who actually fought Indians on the locale depicted in the story in days gone by, acted as military technician in the production, thus securing a magnificently realistic background for the genius of the juvenile star. Pretty Claire Windsor heads a strong cast of favorite supporting players, including Herbert Kawlinson, who plays the part of Jackie’s father, also commandant of Fort Rumford, and Tom O’Brien, who appears as Sergeant Doolan, a typical old soldier. College life and all it implies, interestingly told, with a tremendous 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 Iho author, in•ludes such well-known players as Marreline Day, Charles Delaney, James Harrison, Duane Thompson, Brooks Benedict, Kathleen Key, Edna Murphy. Robert Homans, Craufurd Kent, Gibon Gowland, Lawford Davidson, Pat Harmon. QUEEN S AND KING EDWARD With a story of the underworld for i background, ‘ Red Dice,’ the new atraetion to tho Queen’s and King Edward Theatres, should prove most popular. Another attraction should bo the appearance of Rod La Rocque and Marguerite La Motto in the leading ■riles. Tho story centres about Alan Bocwith, who, , anxious to settle i debt, futilely attempts to pawn his Croiy lo Qnerre. Andrew North, a ‘ bootleg ” chief, has ordered Lis gunuen to “ get ” Johnny Vane 1 1 Oon•nv, who have “ hi-jacked ” a cargo of whisky, and the latter is shot after e’ng ordered from tho Vanes’s apartment hv Beverly, Johnny’s sister, after he has discovered'the source of their il-gotten gains. In the meantime . ! ■isits the “chief.” and for 300 dollars ■■reposes to insure his life for 10,000 lollars in the “ bootlegger’s ” favor, -ad then commit suicide. North gives Man a year to live, and orders him to ■narry a woman of his choosing to di-‘-..rt suspicion. In the meantime Bev>rly calls on North and successfully nle'ads for her brother’s life. In return she consents to marry Alan. The second attraction, is ‘ Dance Magic,’ a whirlwind of thrills and 'aughter. Ben Lyon and Pauline ■Mark© are cast in ideal settings in this entertaining production. * ROSLYH For genuine, wholesome screen entertainment ‘ The Golden Highway,’ which is the feature to be shown at the Roslyn Theatre to-night, would be difficult to surpass. There is an unusually brilliant cast in this picture, headed by Dorothy Devore and. John Harron. The production also, marks the return of Florence Turner, the first star of the movie world.