PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 20053, 19 December 1928, Page 10

PICTURE THEATRES

REGENT Another of those popular .Regent programmes of pictures, vaudeville, and music is being presented this week, and each evening largo audiences arc being delighted with the entertainment. The main feature of tho picture bill is ‘Hot News,’ au essentially modern film starring Bebo Daniels, the popular actress Who has been seen in a number of good productions for Paramount. ‘ Hot News ’ tells tho story of the filming of scenes in the movie gazettes which are a regular feature of every motion picture theatre programme. From the life and colour of the capi-tally-staged Regent Revels, the vaudeville section of the programme, it is an easy transition to the life, laughter, and racy, invigorating moments of this Bobo Daniel film. ‘ The Showdown,’ the supporting feature, has as its hero a man who is continually being dragged and thwarted by spies clustering about his oil wells. He is a bitter, cynical fellow, and it is not thought by Ids associates that he has aiiy grain of fineness in him. Yet, when tho time ol real stress came to him in the tropic heat, he overcame a great temptation, showing not only restraint, but also a certain nobility of mind. There is excellent drama in the picture, and the principal parts are played by George Bancroft and Evelyn Brent. The programme of incidental music played by Llio orchestra under Mr Neville Ravel is gratifying as usual. OCTAGON 1 Heart of a Nation,’ an intensely human drama of' cosmopolitan New York, has aroused the keen interest of thoughtful audiences at the Octagon Theatre this week. The picture deals entirely with the immigration problem, and is told with understanding and sympathy. George Sydney, tho noted character actor, has tho finest role of his career in this picture. Sydney is too great au actor to stay always in tho comedies which have brought him so much fame. Ho portrays his roto in ‘Heart of a Nation’ with rare discrimination; he never over-acts, and proves himself capable of rare emotional depth. But a little about tho story: Three families emigrate to New York, from Russia, Germany, and Italy. Tho parents retain all they loved of the old country, making no effort to become Americanised, while tho children grow up to he typical young Americans, incapable of understanding their parents, who, in turn, arc incapable of understanding their children. But the war comes along for a brief moment and their children enlist. To go further would spoil your enjoyment of this masterpiece, but yon can soo tho possibilities. The ending is of rare beauty and happiness, raising tho picture to the heights of art, Tho Octagon Orchestra, under AL De Rose, is in excellent form, and plays appropriate incidental music. EMPIRE The name of Cecil B. Do Afillo is synonymous with line achievement in the motion picture industry. All the De Afillo productions arc distinctly above the average, and no better exemplification of this fact could bo provided than in ‘ The Leopard Lady,’ which is now being screened at tho Empire Theatre. This picture is a powerful drama, in which the elements of mystery and romance arc skilfully blended, and has for its setting a Continctal circus. Jacqueline Logan, Robert Armstrong, and Alan Hale arc tho featured players.

Dorothy Macknill and Jack Alnlball, one of tho most popular comedy teams in tho film firmament, provide pleasing variety with their latest laugh specialty, ‘ Alan Crazy,’ a fast-moving romance that is vastly entertaining. Alamiel Hyman, violinist extraordinary, scored another remarkable success last evening. His musical interlude constitutes a delightful novelty, and his skilful playing and neat dancing afford the greatest, pleasure. STRAND 1 Sadie Thompson,’ which will be finally screened at the Strand Theatre, to-morrow, was adapted from W. Somerset Alnugham’s much-discussed story, ‘ Rain,’ and directed by Raoul Walsh. It is essentially a picture of strong characterisations. Its settings, while reflecting perfectly the "mood” of the story, are not obstrusivo. Nor is anything else permitted to detract from the dramatic relations between tho various characters. The story is simply told. It unfolds naturally and with complete logic, without at any time losing its grasp upon the attention. Tho direction, as might be expected in view of Walsh’s recent ascendency among the outstanding directors of the screen, is in all practical aspects flawless. And Walsh’s portrayal of tho marine demonstrates conclusively that he has not forgotten the business of acting during the several years since his last screen appearance. EVERYBODY’S AND KING EDWARD Dolores Del Rio, the beautiful Charmaine of ‘ What Price Glory: 1 ’ stars in tho feminine role of Lou Tellegcn’s production, ‘No Other Woman ’ for Fox Films, which is screening at Everybody’s and King Edward Theatres. She appears in the role of a very wealthy South American girl living in France. In the unfolding of tho story, which is a continental drama of primitive passions in ultra-modern society, Miss Del Rio is given ample opportunity to wear some striking costumes. The story was adapted for the screen by Jessio Brown and Bernard Vorhaus from tho original screen story by Rolan Banks, ft is a photoplay with an unusual amount of continental atmosphere, gorgeous settings, and splendid direction. The photography, too, is a valued asset in providing vividness to tho production. Practically all of tho scenes arc laid in Biarritz, France, the famous watering place that was tho favourite liaunk of tho Empress Josephine. A Frci !i race track also figures prominently in a pivotal sequence in which many well-known film characters appear in the grand stand. ‘lf I Were Single’ is the second attraction.

COMMENCING FRIDAY. Victor ADLaglen’s second starring vehicle for Fox Filins, entitled 1 Hangman’s House,’ will open at Everybody’s and tho King Edward Theatres on Friday. ‘ The Heart of Maryland,’ another of Dolores Costello’s pictures, will also bo shown. GRAND AND PLAZA ‘ Tho Nervous Wreck,’ now showing at tire Grand and Plaza Theatres, is a fine comedy romance starring Harrison Ford and Phyllis Haver. The scones of tho comedy arc laid in Arizona, and the story tells of the mirthprovoking adventures of a nervous wreck who goes to tho ivest to die, but who is extremely active for a supposed dying man. He starts trouble by holding up an automobile party with a monkey wrench and stealing gas for his “ flivver.” Then—but see the picture. Another fresh outdoor romance, ‘Riders of the Dark,’ with Tim M'Coy, forms tho minor feature. This film features no less than six famous screen players beside the star, and the story is replete with adventure, drama, comedy, and romance. Short supports aro also shown. COMING PROGRAMME. Gappy Ricks, whoso adventures aro always a popular feature of any programme, will be seen in Peter B Kyno's story, ‘Alore Pay. Less Work,’ at tho Grand and Plaza Theatres, commencing on Friday. In tho ca*t are Harry Brian and Buddy Rogers. The supporting attraction will be ‘ Lone Hand Saunders,’ a western story, with Fred. Thomson,in tho leading role. -‘ .