PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 20049, 14 December 1928, Page 9

PICTURE THEATRES

REGENT Georgo Bancroft, who recently swept triumphantly to stardom through his work in the sensational drama ‘ Underworld,’ has achieved an equally powerful characterisation in ‘ The Showdovn,’ Jus first starring vehicle for Paramount, which arrived at . the Regent Theatre this afternoon. Realising that Bancroft had created a definite niche for himself in ..the hearts of theatre audiences, Paramount sot out to find a new story for the player which would give scope for tho tremendous vitality ho exhibited in ‘Underworld,’ ‘The Pony Express,’ ‘ Old Ironsides,’ and ‘ Tho Rough Riders.’ In the new picture, ‘The Showdown,’ they found a character exactly suited to tho star. As a wandering oil driller seeking fortune in the oil fields of Tampico, Bancroft has given a convincing portrayal which surpasses in strength and realism even that of ‘ Bull Weed ’ in ‘ Underworld.’

‘The Showdown ’ is the story of a man whose footsteps have been dogged byspies from wealthy oil companies and who has seen success snatched from his grasp _ time after time by these scheming interests. When, at length, bo has outwitted them, and is about to reap the reward of his toil, there conies a test of courage and honour such as have never confronted him before. His method of answering this test makes a fine dramatic story. Neil Hamilton and Evelyn Brent appear in the supporting cast of George Bancroft in ‘ Tho Showdown.’ Since Hamilton’s performance in ‘Beau Geste,’ roles of importance have been assigned to this player, who bids fair to assume stellar proportions in the near future. Ho has played opposite many Paramount stars, and does excellent work playing opposite Miss Brent in this picture. Miss Brent is well known to screen fans, having,many successful portraits to her credit, one of tho most outstanding being in ‘ The Last Command,’ opposite Emil Jannings,’ acknowledged tho greatest dramatic actor living to-day. She also appeared in ‘ Underworld.’ Tho second picture is ‘ Hot News,’ which tells of a newsreel girl whose quest for tho latest in sensational nows events leads her into many difficult situations. Aonthev big Regent stage show .is the Regent Revels, which will be presented throughout the week. Comedy, bright singing, attractive dancing, and snappy music by artists who are wellknown in tho theatrical world, are features of'this novel entertainment. Tho Regent Operatic Orchestra, under Mr Neville Ravel, again provides a full programme of appropriate music. EMPIRE The announcement of the management that ‘ Tho Leopard Lady ’ is a great mystery picture of circus life, was amply proved on its first showing at the Empire Theatre this afternoon. It is a tremendous photoplay in every way, and tho principal characterisations in tho capable hands of Jacqueline Logan, Alan Hale, and Robert Armstrong, contributed vastly to tho flattering success the production achieved. Tho story deals witli a circus in Austria which carries in its wake a scries of mysterious murders. Paula, known as ‘ The Leopard Lady,’ is commissioned to run down tho assassin. Her adventures while engaged in this task ,aro sufficiently thrilling to quicken tho blood of the most blase picture fan. To reveal the climax, on which much of the interest of spectators depends, would be manifestly unfair, but it is enough to say that it is as > amazing as it is dramatic and awe-inspiring. Directed by Rupert Julian, a master craftsman, ‘ Tho Leopard Lady ’ is a wo_rk of art. It is convincing, impressive. and highly entertaining. Tho work of the principal players was thoroughly artistic, and tho supporting cast, which includes among others Hedwig Reicher, Sylvia Ashton, James Bradbury, sen., Dick Alexander, and William Burt was wholly adequate. - One of tho most popular “ teams ” in motion pictures appears in .the other picture, ‘ Man Crazy,’ the ‘ Saturday Evening Post ’ story entitled ‘ Clarissa and the Post Road.’ Jack Mulhall and Dorothy Mackaill make an ideal combination on the screen. They have never appeared to better advantage than in this happy romance of New England. Miss Mackaiil’s characterisation of the daughter of aristocracy who falls in love with a truck driver on the old Boston Post road is a gem, and one that testifies to her ability as a screen actress. Muihall, as always, gives a sincere performance, and makes tho most of his opportunities in tho roie of Jeff, the truck pilot who takes the same pride in his speedy wagon that a horseman takes in his blooded racer. The popular director of the Dunedin Exhibition cabaret, Manuel Hyman, appears on tho stage playing “jazz selections ” on the violin. Mr Charles Aves and the Empire Symphonic Orchestra render a pleasing musical score. OCTAGON ‘Heart of a Nation,’ the great human drama with a cast of famous stars, will be initially screened at tho Octagon Theatre to-night. This picture deals entirely with the immigration problem, told with, an understanding heart from tho viewpoint of tho immigrant. It is a remarkable'insight into tho life past Ellis Island, The pictures of fathers retaining the habits and customs of the old world and the children thoroughly Americanised is touching and pathetic, especially in the case of the German family when America, the land of adoption, declared war on the Fatherland. A Russian, a German, and an Italian family who have come to America to settle in New York’s Lower East Side, do not understand the rapid assimilation of new customs on the part of their children. Levine drives his daughter, Beth, from home. Then war is declared on Germany. Pete Albortini and Phil Levine enlist. So does Hugh Bradleigb, Beth’s aristocratic sweetheart. Phil is killed saving Hugh, and Pete loses a leg. After the war Pete returns to Sarah Schmidt and Hugh goes to Beth’s East Side home. His parents follow, disapproving of the match, but when Hugh explains that Beth’s brother gave his life to save him, the aristocratic Bradleighs rapidly consent to the marriage, as do the Levines,

George Sidney is splendid as tho Russian immigrant, who is just a trousor-presser after . fifteen years in tho States. Albert Gran and Daisy Belmore, as the German parents, give appealing portrayals, white Michael Visaroff and Rosita Marstini are well cast as Italians. The younger generation is capably portrayed by Patsy Ruth Miller, John Boles, George Lewis! Eddie Phillips, Josephine Dnnn, and Flora Bramtey. Others deserving of praise are Beryl Mercer, Kathlyn Williams, Edward Martindel, and Andy De Vine. To Edward Sloman goes credit for the direction.-_ During the evening the musical programme by M. De Rose and /he Octagon Concert Orchestra will include; —‘Allegra Vivace’ from Symphony 4/ Itajian (Mendelssohn), ‘Meditation’ (Tschaikowsky), ‘Seigfried Para-: phrase,’ from 1 Siegfried ’ (Wagner), ‘Chant d’Apiour ’ ■ from ‘La Valkrie (Wagner), ‘As Once in Happier Days,’ for ’cello. with orchestra (Popper), ,‘A Dream,’ ‘Repose of, the Forest,’ -‘With a . Violet’ (Greig), ‘The Asra’ (Rubinstein), Fantasia from the opera ‘ Resurrection ’ (Alfa no).

EVERYBODY'S An excellent programme will be screened at Everybody’s Theatre tonight. ‘No Other Wohiau ’ is Lou lellegn’s first dirctorial venture under tho Fox Films banner. Dolores Del Rio plays the.starring role, surrounded by an excellent cast, including Don Alvarado, Ben Bard,- Paulette Duval, and Rosita Marstini. .It is a photoplay with an unusual amount or continental atniosphere, gorgeous Settings, and splendid direction. , Practically all of the scenes are laid in Biarritz, France, the famous watering place that was the favourite haunt of tho Empress Josephine. Dolores Del Rio is seen as a wealthy South American belle, Carmelite T>o'Sa.no, sojourning in Biarritz, with her reserved and difinified aunt, delineated'.by Rosita Marstini. She is loved by Maurice (Don Alvarado), who fears to tell his Jove Jest the girl thinks it her wealth that attracts him. His friend, Albert, impersonated by Ben Bard, has no such scruples, however. Her money would be a great asset to him in his gambling activities. With this in mind be proceeds to undermine Maurice. It is a powerful story of drama in fashionable society,/ Romance, comedy, and intrigue —-that is ‘ No Other Woman.' _ A harmless little cigarette lighter ignites the Hares of jealousy in ‘ If I Were Single,’ tho second attraction, which stars May M'Avoy and Conrad Nagel. Tho flame grows to a gigantic blaze when tho wife discovers that husband has not only given her gift to him, the costly cigarette jighter, to her best girl friend, but that ho is carrying on a bold flirtation with the charmer, portrayed by Myrna Ley. Misunderstanding and circumstantial evidence, which occupy ring-side seats at almost every martial argument, smile and applaud with glee as the complications pile up. May M'Avoy is _ charming as the wile who thinks she is being ‘‘ two-timed,” and Conrad Nagel has never had a better opportunity to exorcise his finished comedy talents. GRAND AND ELIZA Rich iu comedy, with a melodramatic flavour, and a capital story, A 1 Christie’s latest comedy production, ‘The Nervous Wreck,’ featuring Harrison Ford, Phyllis Haver, Chester Conklin, Mack Swain, and Hobart Bosworth, and admirably dircetcu by Scott Sidney, is sure to score a most emphatic success at the Pinza and Grand Theatres. One cannot follow the fortunes of the two nervous wrecks in’ this picture—wrecks in spirit perhaps, hut not in their physical capacity to do big things in the way of eating and causing excitement—without enjoying due’s self. Mi Ford was a droll'figure as the loading wreck who has gone to Arizona, presumably to die, but whose escapades nearly cause him to be lynched by the sheriff, his jealous rival in love for the rancher’s daughter, played by Miss Haver. ‘Riders of the Dark,’ another fresh out-door romance, with Tim M‘Coy, is the minor feature of this prorgaromo. ‘Eiders of the Dark’ is a thrilling and fast-moving talo of a small frontier town in the days when gangs of bandits terrorised the population for miles around. Drama arises from tho death of the owner and editor of the Hangtown ‘ Bugle,’ whoso straight talk about the gang arouses their wrath—and through his pretty daughter, Molly, for whose love the gang leader and Lieutenant Crane, a courageous cavalryman, light a desperate battle, tho odds being greatly against the gallant Crane. The supporting cast is worth special mention, as no less than six well-known players appear in it, giving the picture \ unique appeal, namely: Dorothy Dwati, Bert Roach, Rex. Lease, Roy D’Arcy, Frank Currier, and Dick SutherlandSTRAND s ‘ Sadie Thompson,’ Gloria Swanson’s second independent picture for United Artists,, will be screened for a further week at the Strand Theatre. This powerful drama has scored a remarkable success, and crowded houses have been unanimous in voting it one ol the best dramatic productions of the year. It is a tale of simple desires and selfish; ambitions, breath-taking in its ' emotional intensity, and startling in its climax. Its characters are flesh-and-blood personalities, whose joys and sorrows and weaknesses and ideals come within the understanding of everyday folk everywhere. Miss Swanson plays Sadie Thompson, and the pathetic outcast who is plunged to the depths of misery through the influence of the despotic reformer “ Alfred Atkinson.” During tho production of ‘ Sadie Thompson ’ the producer-star repeatedly remarked that she had never played a character which held her interest so closely, nor one the spirit andfeeling ” of which she could enter into with such complete abandon. The supporting programme is exceptionally strong. A special musical score is played by the Strand Symphony orchestra, under Mr L. D. Austin. KING EDWARD ‘ Dancing Mothers ’ is the title of the principal attraction to be shown at the King Edward Theatre to-night. Clara Bow, Conway Tearle, and Alice Joyce form the mainstays of a splendid cast. ‘Dancing Mothers’ is the talo of a pretty woman who was almost cheated out of life by a heartless husband and a thoughless daughter. As tho mother who started out in order to save her child from throwing herself at a notorious bachelor, and ended by falling iu love with him herself, Alice Joyce gives one of the finest performances of her career. ‘Smile, Brother, Smile’ will have second place on this bill. It is an original story based on the adventures of a travelling salesman.