PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 20060, 28 December 1928, Page 7

PICTURE THEATRES

REGENT Again this week the Regent Theatre offers its patrons a delightful' mixture of .vaudeville and pictures. On the screen Esther Ralston, who is the blonde star of Paramount pictures, appears in her new vehicle, ‘ The Sawdust Paadisc,’ as .a street carnival “ ballyhoo ” girl. As a dyed-in-the-wool “ ballyhoo ” girl, with a cheap travelling street carnival, Miss Ralston plays a part that ranges between the light and broad comedy, which has featured her previous sinning roles, and real drama. Hallie (Esther Ralston) is the chorus girl in the carnival. Slip is in love with Butch (Heed Howes), sideshowman and three-shell artist. In a small town the carnival pitches its tents across the street from the tent of Isaiah (Hobart Bosworth), a travelling revivalist. One night a rainstorm drives patrons of the carnival into Isaiah’s tent. The carnival folks go too. There Hallie is arrested, charged with crookedness and gambling at the carnival. The next day in court she pretends to reform, and Isaiah intercedes for her, and the judges parole her for ninety days in Isaiah’s care. The carnival is ordered out ol town. Hallie. however, realises that Isaiah is a fine, sincere old iellow, and she decides to help him. Using carnival tactics. and speaking from the platform herself, she makes' his revival meetings hugely successful. Butch lias gone away and bought a carnival for himself and Hallie. It opens in another town on the night Isaiah’s revival also opens. The original carnival owner, angry because Butch has set up in opiposition, has liis shows thcic Butt'll, hitter because the tabernacle is mining Ids business, goes to put R put of business and rescue Hallie. J hat night her orations fail loi the "Pip time, as she is sell-conscious with Butch in the audience. He, unable to sec her fail, sends his gang down the aisles to work ior her, with the ciowd following. From here on the story travels quickly until a satisfactory ending is reached. . , ~ 'The vaudeville fare is comprised of a second edition of the'appealing and popular paiitoinine, ‘Dick Whittington and His Cat.’ In this presentation the cast of clever entertainers will contribute entirely new offerings in mirth, song, and dance. EMPIRE The most spectacular and powerful drama in many months, ‘The foreign LeMon,’ will be screened at the Empire Theatre to-night. The featured players in this Universal special are Norman Kerry, Lewis Stone, Mary Nolan, and June Marlowe. This production is considerd by competent critics to be one ol the finest pictures of the year, and should rank high when the selection of tlic vear’s greatest pictures is made. It is" sheer drama of romance and revolt relieved with comedy masterfully placed at just at the right spots. It cannot hurt one’s enjoyment to lie told that the story revolves around the powerful situation of a son and his father opposed to each other, ncithei knowing who the other is. The action takes place in the colourful locale of Algiers, and is featured by sensational photographic beauty. On the dramatic side high lights are the troops and the mutiny in the desert led by Kerrv unknowingly nrr a inst his father, the commanding officer. They also arc pitted for the smiles of Mary Nolan. Another telling sequence rs where the lather is presidin'’' judge at his son’s trial. Stone and Kerry give powerful characterisations. Mary Nolan is equally strong in her role, and photographs bcniitilully. Ihc comedy is largely supplied by W’alter Perry, who does well; while the romantic interest is furnished with sympathy bj June Marlowe. Cranford Kent is splendid in an unsympathetic role. OCTAGON The wistful charm of the worldfamous love song and a red and terrible page of history have been combined as the theme of 1 Annie Laurie,’ which opens at the Octagon Theatre to-night. ‘ Annie Laurie ’ is a beautiful story told in a masterly manner, with the first lady of the screen. Lilian Gish, appearing as the lady ol Maxwellton. Never was a historical romance more ideally planned for the public than this one. ‘ Not a trace of the pedantic nor the history hook is left in the picture; it is romance and a certain vigorous drama that finds expression in the tragedy of lovers’ misunderstandings—the tragedy of the massacre of Glencoe, the tragedy of the Macdonalds’humiliation at the" hands of the stronger Campbells —a brave and enticing tale. The actual story of Annie Laurie, of the clan Campbell, and inn Macdonald, of the j clan Macdonald, is well known to everyone, whether of Scottish birth or not, who loves a story that rings with the clash of steel and the melody in lovers’ sighs—and such is ‘ Annie Laurie.’ In the title role Miss Lillian Gish is said to give a perfectly delightful performance. Apart from looking extremely attractive in the graceful gown of that period she is, in very truth, the spirited and patriotic Scotswoman,' deeply imbued with that dun spirit. _ But all critics are unanimous in giving tho palm to her leading man, Norman Kerry- As the man torn between tribal fidelity and his love for Annie of Maxwellton he completely dominates the picture. Creighton Hale, as a treacherous Campbell, is another outstanding actor; while Hobart Bosworth and David Torrence are a rugged pair in their roles. ‘ Annie Laurie ’ is a picture made on an extravagant scale. There is great faithfulness to national customs, some entrancing glimpses of Highland scenery, and such “star turns ” as the gathering of the clans to the piping of many pipes help to make the film one of conspicuous and memorable merit. In order to further enhance the beauty of the presentation of this film, the services of the popular baritone Mr Arthur Lungley have been secured, and he will be heard singing the ballad from the stage. The Octnr'nii Orchestra can also be depended upon for a splendid musical programme, which will include overture, ‘Orpheus’ (Offenbach), with cadenza specially written for Miss E. M. Wallace by M. De Rose (by request) . STRAND 1 My Best Girl 1 eoihmenced its second week of screening at the Strand Theatre to-day. Mary Bickford has reappeared at last and in a simple little story about everyday people who live in plain, homely surroundings. It is the simplicity of the story and the charm of the star that makes the picture the wonderful photoplay it is. ‘ My Best Girl ’ is a story of the 5 and 10-cent stores, with the star ip one of her famous “ gingham roles ” as a little stock girl. It is said to be the funniest picture she has ever produced, and critics are acclaiming it generally' as the best film of her career. Miss B.ickford’s new story braves precedent. Basically, “menaces” are used to provide suspense in photodrama, but ‘My Best Girl ’ is said to attain suspense by an entirely new method—that of a logical situation, in which the audience cannot decide which courses tho several characters will pursue. And as these characters are all true-to-life people the spectators’ uncertainty depends on the situation alone, thus eliminating any

element of fear or coercion as an expedient for keying up interest. -Kathleen Norris, the author of the original storv, which appeared recently in * Collier’s Weekly,’ used all the human interest and realism of her facile pen in the writing of it, and this has been transferred, intact to the screen story. The cast includes Hobart Bosworth, Lucien Littlefield, Sunshine Hart, Eve-K-u Hall, Mack Swain, Avonne Taylor, Carmclita Geraghty, and John Junior. EVERYBODY'S Tom Mix is undoubtedly one of the most popular of all Western stars, and his exciting pictures arc always acceptable. His latest effort is ‘ Hello, Cheyenne I* which opened at Everybody’s Theatre this afternoon. Mix runs into trouble when he wins his weekly race between his horse-driven stage and the motor stage. .Einally wrecking his stage, Mix is fired. When he is offered a position with the Cody construction gang ho gladly accepts. Cody is building the first telephone line between Cheyenne and Rawhide. As foreman of the Cody crew Mix enables Cody to creep ahead of schedule, and the outlook is exceedingly bright. Buck Over land, owner of the rival company in the race, blocks Cody’s crew at every opportunity, of going so far as to steal the last shipment of wire fur Cody. Mix, however, conies to the rescue in his usual manner, and succeeds in defeating Overland in a thrilling nettle. A clever girl of mystery, who brings two society thieves to justice, is tho. tale told by ‘ Lady Raffles,’ the second picture. The cast is headed by Estelle Taylor, with such players as Roland Drew, Lilyan Tashman, Ernest Hilliard, and Winifred Landis in support. The plot revolves around a diamond necklace and the daring attempts of a pap' of society crooks to secure it and place tho blame on Lady Raffles. The latter, more clever than the pair, is always three laps ahead of them, and in the end completely turns the tables. Estelle Taylor docs some exceptionally tine work in tho title role. She runs the gamut of emotions, moving her audience to laughter, tears, or sighs as she passes through the various situations which blend into this production. GRAND AND PLAZA The sawdust ring exercises a fascination for young and old, and circus productions are invariably extremely popular with all classes of picture-goers. ‘ The Big Show,’ which opened at tho Grand and Plaza Theatres this afternoon, is considered to be ono of the most elaborate productions of this nature screened hero for a long time. The hilarious Irish farce, ‘Finnegan’s Ball,’ is included in an exceptionally tine programme. The story concerns the fortunes, joys, and sorrows of tho Finnegans traced from their humble cottage in Ireland, brought to America by a big-hearted but noisily bluff friend of long standing, their erroneous exaltation to the position of vast riches, and the dramatic the lloor of fortune out from under them. It is a true story, even it it never happened. for it has the breath of reality in every sequence with never a false note. Blanche Mehalfey, as the beautiful colleen, Cullen Landis as her lover, lingo Slack Swain as the boisterous Flannigan. Charley Mough as little Finnegan, and Aggie Herring as Mrs Finnegan’ arc the principal players. KING EDWARD Wallace Beery and Ford Sterling are associated in ‘Casey at the Bat,’ the Paramount laugh special which will bo screened at the King Edward Theatre to-night. This production is an hilarious ‘comedy of baseball, and Beery is cast in a role which he exploits to great advantage. The supporting cast is excellent, and the picture sustains keen interest until the final scene. In addition ' Confetti,’ featuring Jack Buchanan, tho popular English star, will be shown.