PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 20048, 13 December 1928, Page 10

PICTURE THEATRES

OCTAGON Tho current Octagon programme will Im shown for the last time to-night. ‘ Hot Heels,’ tho chief picture, merits classification as either a sparkling, effervescent comedy of youth, or as a thrilling, stirring drama of backstage and tho race track. Under either classification it is outstanding; under both classifications it is a rare achievement in the art of entertainment. The audience laughs until it is weak at the delicious comedy and thrills at the terrific suspense and the amazing steeplechase which, for sheer splendour of treatment, gives other directors a mark at which to aim. To William Craft goes the credit for tho story and the direction; while Glenn Tryon makes a more decided bid for the comedy crown than ever And there is no better foil for his comedy than Patsy Ruth Miller, who plays opposite him for tho third successive time. She is exceptionally pretty in this, and demonstrates her talent at every opportunity. Another ot those gay comedies of youth is ‘ .Bachelor Prides,’ starring Rod La Roequc, which is being screened on the same bill. M. Ho Hose and his Octagon Conceit Orchestra render a selected musical programme.

STRAND ‘Sadie Thompson,’ a story of life at American Samoa, from the novel, ■ Rain,’ by Somerset Alaiigham, will be shown again at tho Strand Theatre tonight. The story of Satlie Thompson’s domination by a tyrannical South Seas reformer, Alfred Atkinson, who forces her to confess that she is an exile from the underworld of San Francisco, and then determines to break her dcliant spirit and gain her repentance, ii one of the most vital themes in modern literature. ‘ Sadie Thompson ’ is tho sort of screen narrative that is of interest to men and women everywhere, because its characters are everyday people, and their personalities are believable. The situation which develops from the reformer Atkinson’s struggle to choose between his devotion to duty and the call of worldly desires form a climax of dramatic power. Lionel Barrymore plays the role of Atkinson. Tho “shorts” are good, and a special musical programme is supplied by the Strand Symphony Orchestra, directed by Mr L. D. Austin.

BEGEMT ‘ Ritzy,’ .Betty Bronson’s latest starring vehicle, will bo screened for the last, time at the Regent Theatre tonight. .Betty Bronson appears in the rolo of Rosly’i Brown, the pampered daughter of an American steel magnate. She is the hostess of a young English nobleman travelling in America as “Air Smith,” and at a party in his honour she is heard to tell him that her great wish is to attain a higher social position than that which she at present occupies, A 2society paper holds Pet up t.) the ridicule of the town, with the result that Roslyn determines to go to England and marry into the nobility at all costs. The English peer, who lemains incognito, effectively cures the young lady of her snobbishness. The second attraction is 1 Wanning Up,’ starring Richard Dix. This is an exceedingly bright comedy of life in tlio baseball world. Shistl’s extraordinary Marionettes, which have scored a remarkable success at every performance, is an added al l ruction. The Regent Operatic Orchestra, under Air Neville Ravel, provides an appropriate musical programme. EMPIRE The final presentation of Die Empire Theatre programme for the past week will be given to-night. 'The Hawk’s Nest,’ the main pictorial attraction, is a story of unusual power and scope, dealing with the underworld leaders in the Chinatown of New York. Milton Sills plays the rolo of one of the leaders, and Montagu Love of his rival. Doris Kenyon has the feminine lead, while the supporting cast includes George Kotsonaros, _ Sojin, Frances Hamilton, Y’ola d’Avrii, and others. A Parisian story entitled ‘ French Dressing,’ is the other picture. A full list of supports is also screened, and appropriate music is rendered by the Empire Symphonic Orchestra, under the conductorship of Afr Charles Aves. Athol and Brendon will give their final performance to-night.

EVERYBODY'S 1 Lost in the Arctic,’ the authentic picture of the Sidney Snow Expedition, will bo screened for the last time to-nigbt. With no love story, but with an amazing succession of startling shots of birds and animal and sea life and magnificent scenic backgrounds, this productiqli is something out of the ordinary in film production. 'The popular dog, Bin Tin Tin, is starred in ‘ A Race for Life,’ the. second attraction on the programme. This is t he fourteenth Warner picture in which the famous dog lias been starred, and is said to bo the most thrilling of all. Commencing to-morrow, full measure in pictorial entertainment is assured theatregoers at Everybody’s, where two pictures, one an enjoyable comedy and the other a drama, comprise the current programme. The dramatic picture has the beautiful actress, Dolores Del Rio, in the leading role. In this production the beautiful Dolores lias a strikingly different characterisation to perform than she bad in her previous successes. She plays the part of a sophisticated woman of the world with splendid success. The story in which she appears is of unusual interest, holding the audience’s attention throughout the screening. It deals with a fortune hunting society gambler, played by Ben Bard, who marries a wealthy South American girl, Miss Del Rio, for her money, while the true lover hesitates to propose because of her wealth. ‘lf 1 Were Single,’ a delightful comedy of domestic tragedies, with May M'Avoy and Conrad Nagel in tho leading roles, will also he screened.

GRAND AND PLAZA The final screenings of •'Diamond Handcuffs,’ a thrilling mystery drama, which stars Eleanor Boardman, and Richard Talmadgc’s spectacular production, ‘The Merry Cavalier,’ will take place this evening at the Grand and Plaza Theatres. Tho popular Western star, Tim M'Coy, will be seen in an exciting outdoor picture, ‘Riders of the Dark,’ in the fine programme to ho released to-morrow. The supporting production is ‘ The Nervous Wreck,’ an exceptionally bright comedy. KING EDWARD A story of the Russian revolution, featuring' the famous star, John Barrymore, is ‘ Tempest,’ which will conclude' its screening at the King Edward Theatre to-night.