PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 20059, 27 December 1928, Page 14

PICTURE THEATRES

EEGENT Tlio current program mo of jovial entertainment at the .Regent Theatre is to bo brought to a dose this evening. ‘Tho Big Killing’ is tlio duel' Jilin attraction, and is as funny ■ as anything that has borne tho celluloid likeness of Wallace Beery and Raymond Hatton. This lime they appear as two cheating circus sharpshooters who were-taken at their lace value, and called on to settle a Kentucky feud. Laughter is tho keynote throughout, hut a clever director has woven an interesting love story in tho background. The well-known and popular pantomime ‘.Dick Whittington and liis Cat,’ which has been specially condensed and produced by Ed. Warrington (who lakes the part of tho dame), should lind special favour with children. Tlio whole show is elaborately staged, and the principal characters perform their parts, judiciously and with decided verve. Comedy, song, dancing, and music arc mingled in appealing fashion in this successful little play. Good supports arc also included on the bill, while the orchestra plays a big part in oil ncing tho enjoyment of tho evening with a good selection of music. STRAND Mary Bickford, whoso visits arc now rare and, therefore, all tho more welcome, has never had a bettor role than Maggie in ‘My Best Gii‘l,’ which is now being screened at the Strand Theatre. Years have passed since she first began to enchant her vast public, and although many other stars have waxed and waned, she still remains a steadfast light. In ‘My Best Girl’ Mary is just as fragrant as over. She has tho same subtle technicpie, and tho same fresh and lovable mannerisms. There is a beautiful human quality in her work, and this makes her appear much more unaffected than any other him actress. ‘My Best Girl’ is tho story of a shop girl, Maggio J .hnson, who, through all the hard knocks she receives, still retains a belief in better things. She is an enigma to her own family, who .cannot understand the idealism with which she paints out tho shadows in their lives. At the store she meets a new employee, Joe Grant, with whom she falls in love. She has no idea that he is the son of her employer. It is a marvellous romance of two youngsters walking headlong and blindfolded into the trap that Fate has set for them. OGTAGOH ‘The Big City,’ with Lon Chaney, Roily Compson, Marcelinc Day, and James Murray, will conclude ii„s very successful season at the Octagon Theatre to-night. In this gripping drama Chaney plays tho part, of Chuck Collins, a Now York detective, who is told off to .stop the operations of a gang of cabaret thieves. ]n order to do this he assumes control of a Harlem dance hall, and is accepted as a gangster by tho rest of the underworld. ' A famous up-town cabaret is raided by “ Red ” Watson’s gang, the guests are robbed, but “ Chuck,” by a counter-move, secures the stolen jewellery himself by means of Curly and Helen, citizens of the underworld. Sunshine, who is employed in Helen’s “ blind ” shop, is captured and held by the police. After some days she comes to Helen’s rooms, where “ Chuck ” and “ Curly ” have boon forced to hide by -Watson’s gunmen. “ Chuck ” wins with a shrewd counter-stroke, captures the entire gang, gets “ Curly ” let off will) a light sentence so that ho can marry Sunshine, and gives Helen her liberty on condition that she reforms and leaves the city. EMPIRE Johnny Hines is at his funniest in tho title role of ‘ Chinatown Charlie,’ which heads tho list of attractions at the Empire Theftrc, to be presented for tho last time to-night. Ho appears as the “ barker ” and guide of a New York sight-seeing bits that takes the credulous to the mystic mazes of Chinatown and tho underworld. Tho action of this story evolves about a girl who is one of the sightseers, and who possesses a Chinese ring of mystic power. It seems everybody in Chinatown wants the ring—Johnny would rather have tho girl. And after a series of fastmoving sequences, in which laughter takes a crack at exciting melodrama, he wins her. , While ‘ Code of tho Scarlet ’ is a typical north-west police story, with all tho thrills and dramatic situations, tho plot has a new and novel treatment. It provides Ken. with plenty of opportunity to display his daring horseback riding, and for Tarzan, the wonder horse, to show some new tricks which Ken has taught him. Another film of unusual importance is tho« Charlie Chaplin comedy ‘ The Pawn Shop.’ On the same bill, Manuel Hyman serves up violin selections in a rare and delightful fashion. Ho makes his last appearance to-night, and patrons are advised to hear this singing and dancing violinist. EVERYBODY'S Splendid settings, excellent direction, fine photography, and good anting contribute to make ‘ Hangman’s House,’ the premier, attraction at.’Everybody’s Theatre, one of the most interesting pictures screened hero for a long time. This production is based on Bonn Bryne’s great novel of the same name. It is Irish from the beginning to tho end, and boasts of one of _ the finest casts ever assembled for picture pur-

poscs._ Juno Collyer has the loading feminine role opposite Lurry Kent, while Victor MVLaglan has the featured role of Citizen Hogan. Earle Foxe and Hobart Bosworth also have prominent parts. Tho second attraction is tho film version of David Belasco’s great Civil War drama, ‘ Tho Heart of Maryland,’ which stars Dolores Costello. GRAND AND PLAZA ‘Lone Hand Saunders,’ featuring Fred. Thomson and the wonder horse, Silver King, will be screened for the last time at tho Grand and Plaza Theatres to-night. This picture is considered to be the popular Western star's most thrilling production to date. In addition, ‘ More Pay, Loss Work,’ a bright Gappy Ricks’s story, will he shown. A programme of special interest will he released to-morrow. The outstanding production is ‘ The Big Show,’ a, spectacular circus romance. 'The second feature is ‘ Finnegan’s Ball,’ with Blanche Mchaffey, Cullen Landis, and Mae Swain in the loading roles. This hilarious Irish comedy should appeal to every class of picture-goer. KING EDWARD W. Somerset Maugham’s powerful drama of the tropics. ‘Sadie Thompson,’ is still attracting crowded houses to the King Edward Theatre. This picture is Gloria. Swanson’s, second independent production for United Artists, and the celebrated star rises to great heights in her portrayal of an exceptionally fine role.