THE PICTURES-NEW PROGRAMMES

Evening Star, Issue 20132, 23 March 1929, Page 10

THE PICTURES-NEW PROGRAMMES

‘THE EKEMYV. POWERFUL DRAMA OF WAR . 4 The Enemy ’ must bo ranked as one of tho finest achievements yet accomplished in the motion picture industry. It is a drama emphasising that hate is the real enemy of humanity; that wars are inspired by hate; that there is no real difference between peoples, and that if hatred and greed are banished from the earth there wil bo no war. The spirit of Chiinning Pollock’s drama has been transposed to the screen with rare fidelity. It is not the war play to which one is accustomed, for there are no vivid reproductions of the horrors of the battlefront. it tells of another aspect of war —the women and children who have to suffer starvation, grief, and moral disintegration while vast, universal ignorance and atavistic barbarism are fanned into fury. ‘ The Enemy ’ has tremendous emotional appeal, and everyone present in the Regent Theatre last evening must have been deeply impressed with its sincerity of purpose. Lillian Gish will undoubtedly go down in screen history as a great actress. 'Her haunting beauty and wist ful charm arc merely contributing factors to her success in ‘The Enemy,’ in which she gives a- .sterling characterisation. She plays the role of a young Austrian war bride, torn by the brutal call of war from the arms of her husband of a day, watching her family and friends divided in the heat of war hysteria and hatreds born of war propaganda. . Her baby is born while its father is in the trenches. Her father is dismissed from his post at a university for his pacifist teachings, and the family denounced as traitors to the country, are reduced to ahjeci poverty. The baby dies from starvation, and the young mother is stricken by the news "that her husband _ has been killed. With a pardonable revision of the script of the play, however, love triumphs and hatred is vanquished Miss Gish's performance is singularly convincing in every respect. She dominates the whole production with her restrained acting and artistry, llalnh Forbes ,is excellently cast as Carl, tho young husband, and gives a ntraightforwafll and thoroughly sound characterisation. Ralph Emerson plays tho part of Bruce, an English youth whose friendship with Carl is shattered by tho war. A powerful dramatic study is given by Frank Currier ns the old university professor. The production was directed by Fred Kiblo, who is deserving of the highest praise for the manner in which ho has handled a delicate subject. Pleasant variety was introduced with the presentation of ‘ The Main Event,’ an exciting of tho roped arena, in which Vera Reynolds and Charles Delaney have the featured roles. Thu action is brisk and thrilling, culminating in a stirring bout that keeps interest at fever pitch. As usual, the hero is “ framed ” hut, naturally enough, .trounces tho villain ivitli no little vim, and captures the affections of the charming heroine. Even though the theme is rather threadbare, ‘The Main Event ’ affords most delightful entertainment. Alee Regan received a welcome last evening that left no doubts as to nis popularity. That he is a firm favourite with Dunedin theatregoers was strikingly illustrated upon his initial appearance. Ho was in excellent form and delighted the audience with several of the very latest song hits, including ‘Just Like a Melody,' ‘ Fifty Million ■Frenchmen.’ and other well-known ditties. ‘Sonny Roy’ was warmly applauded, the monologue sketch being exceptionally well done. Mr Regan has a pleasant style and personality, and puts his songs over with remarkable effect. Mr L. F. James [hayed his accompaniments most artistically. Mr Maurice Ravel had his forces under excellent control. Appropriate music, remarkably well played, contributed in no small measure to the success of 1 The Enemy,’ and an attractive background was provided for each supporting film

QUANTITY AS2 QUALITY LAUGHTER AT THE STRAitD Quantity was certainly not lacking nt the Strand Theatre last night, when the change of programme was put on. Quality "’as there, too. The programme presented was enjoyable from the moment the lights were extinguished until the National Anthem was played, and those who attended the screenings left tho theatre in a satisfied frame of mind. The.picnrc that brought the crowd was a fluster Keaton comedy, ‘Steamboat Kill, Jun,’ At first the film did not show very much promise of being as laughable as had been said of it, but all doubt in the minds of patrons in this direction was soon scattered, for tho picture developed into one of the finest comedies of its kind seen in Dunedin for years. With an absolutely expressionless face Buster Keaton flashed on to tho screen at frequent intervals, bringing with him laughter in abundance. On a river somewhere in America Steamboat Bill had been running a ferry bout for years, but ho did not have it all his own way, for an opposition ferry made its appearance on .the river. Then tho war began. Bill •was determined to sail his_ paddle steamer just the same, oven if ho were the only ono on board. News came to him that his son, whom ho had not seen for years, was returning home from Boston, and immediately the old maai’s heart was filled with great hopes. But those hopes were suddenly dashed to the ground when ho saw his son on the railway station. And no wonder 1 The son (Buster Keaton) was a most remarkable object' to behold. However, his father put him to work oil the ferry steamer, with almost disastrous results, for he was about as much use on board as a tin of petrol is at a fire. The man who was in charge of the opposition ferry hud, as is generally the way in pictures, a daughter who fell in love with Bill’s son, urn? fe) the. end, of course, married him. It was a treat to see the respective fathers growing more wrathful as tho courtship progressed, and also to see the determination of Bill, junior, in winning the girl. Later m the picture the simple-minded and .simple-look-ing son developed into a hero, when almost a whole town was blown away in a storm. It was tlv?n that the fnn began in earnest and did not cease utitil°the picture ended. Buster Keaton was responsible for some very clever comedy work during the storm scenes, while 'Ernest Torrence, as Ins father, was a most amusing character. Marion Byron was the girl who loved and won, and her portrayal of the character was most convincing.

A different typo of picture on the same bill was ‘ The Sea Urchin,’ which blended drama and comedy in a subtle way. Tho opening scenes were in an orphanage whore the rod was not spared and tho child spoilt, and _it was in the institution that tho heroine was introduced. She was an inmate of tho orphanage, but not for long, for she was taken away to live in a respectable residence. She met tn young man next door, and the two found love at first sight. Complications set in, and it was not until tho voting man took the law into his own hands that the girl agreed o marry him. But further complications arose and it took some time to straighten tho tangled threads before the picture closed to the satisfaction of all concerned. Supports there wore in abundance. ’ cartoon was highly amusing, and \.as one of the host of that style of film shown. A gazette pictured doings in all parts of the world, while a Fox Varieties film took tho patrons in and around Washington. Tho Strand Orchestra, under the guidance of Mr L. D. Austin, supolied music appropriate throughout, and nicely rendered by the quartet of players. , , To-night will see a repetition of the programme.

SATISFYING EHTERTAIHMEKT EMPIRE’S LATEST PROGRAMME The large audience that attended the Empire Theatre last evening could not help but be satisfied with the entertainment provided. Two leatnre films form the major part of tho programme, and an educational film and this week's Ifin-I,ire News arc the concluding items. The local newsreel is, as usual, lull ot interesting “snaps,” the best ones beino' those showing the damage revealed in Milfcrciit parts of the city at daylight on Wednesday alter the Hood. Til is film also includes scenes of the Boy Scouts’ and Girl Guides’ rally at the Caledonian Ground last Saturday, the <|iiiek-stcp hy the Sr. Kilda Band, the Dunedin contingent of Buy Scouts for the Empire jamboree, and the presentation of the isidey Cup at the St. Clair goif Jinks. • Since the booking of the big British picture for local theatres there has been a new opinion ionueJ concerning those films. ’.I ho latest to be screened at the .Empire is entitled ‘Tommy Atkins,’ a British International film, featuring English players —Walter Butler (Tommy Atkins). Lilian Hall Davis (Ruth), and Henry Victor iVictor). The picture takes an unusual war aspect, lias been well produced, and will help to keep up tho prestige of British films. Ihe stow commences in the year .ISbTS when the Earl of Retherton loses his wife in an Arab attack, and shortly afterwards is shot at his post in the army in tho Sudan. However, his live-year-old son (Harold) and a servant survive, and the boy is' taken to England. Here his uncle, believing his brother and nephew to be dead, lias assumed the title ot Earl of Reincrton. To stop the truth from being told no bribes the servant with a large sum of money, and keeps Harold. In later rears the earl’s son, Victor, is an army officer, and Harold lias taken ip mimstw. Both men are in love wil.h Ruth (the earl’s ward), and she becomes engaged to Victor, who not long afterwards loses his lather, and learns that he is not the rightful heir to the earldom. Victor goes to the Kudtm with ids regiment to beat back the troublesome Arabs. Harold enlists in Victor’s regiment under the name ot Tommy Atkins, and at the post in cho desert tho two cousins again meet. Harold is arrested for deserting lus sentry j.ost, as it is believed, but \ ictor rights matters just prior to a, deadly onslaught by the enemy. Victor is fatally wounded, but tells Harold the truth about the earldom before his death, and the only man alive in the fort when reinforcements arrive is “ Tommy Atkins.’’ Harold returns home to lesnmo his title, and is married to Ruth.

Reginald Denny, the versatile comedian. featured with Alice Day, is seen in ’ Bed Hot Speed.’ It tel is of an elderly lawyer, who has a dread lor speedy motorists. His daughter is believed to be ‘‘ a homely, quiet little girl.” But ono day there appears in court this lady, whoso traffic crimes so infuriate her lawyer that he pleads that she. be gaoled like the rest. The judge, who has n wicked sense ol humour, dccreods that she bo placed under parole to the lawyer, to report to him twice daily, and generally bo under probation to him. The lawyer hates this, and the lady scarcely less so. But trouble is in store for the pair, what with a maid-servant of tho lawyer. and the young lady’s lather, who wants to have a look at the criminal in the lawyer's care, and quite a number of ether things. ‘ Bed Hot Speed ' her of other embarrassing things. ‘ Bed Hot Speed ’ is full of lively ami innocent fnn. Tim orchestra (under Air Charles Aves) .plays as the overture ‘ A Day at West Point.’ a descriptive military fantasia, and during the screening ot tho programme venders many enjoyable incidental selections.

GRAND AND PLAZA Owing to the Octagon Theatre being closed during the installation of tho “ talkies ” apparatus, the British specials bonked for that theatre are to ho screened at the Grand and Plaza Theatres. The main feature of the programme at these theatres this week is entitled “This Marriage Business,’ featuring. Estelle Brody, the captivating little star of ‘ Sailors Don’t Care.’ Owen Naves, who has tho leading masculine role, is a new screen player, hut after his success in this production he will probably bo seen in other big productions. The story is light and pleasing, and works out to a surprising and satisfying climax. In the story Annette is a member of tho modern feminist, clnh. Bobert is too much in love with her. to declare herself lord and master. They” are marncc], a'fc tho registry office, in accordance with tho feminist theories. In the following sequences Annette is invited to join a male acqaintance at a country party. Her husband protests, anji,. she decides to accept the invitation. Bobert, however, arrives in time to save his wife from the young man’s designs, but Annette denies Bint tho man had been in tho room with her. In tho evening Annette goes to the other man’s Hat, »-ud her husband follows and hntiers down the door. The lights arc turned off, and when they come on again the young man stands handcuffed between two detectives. It is at this stage that Bat, Scotland Yard’s astute detective, comes on the scene. Robert rushes home to find a penitent Annette, who has learned a bitter lesson, and is only too anxious to make a fresh start at ‘This Marriage Business.’ ‘ Flaming Waters,’ with Malcolm At ‘Gregor and Mary Carr, a tale of a great oil fire, is tho other attraction on this programme.

EVERYBODY’S Comedy is plentiful at Everybody's Theatre this week, the principal picture being ‘ The Fanner’s Daughter,’ Marjorie Beebo having tho leading role in this production, based on an original story notable for the rarity of a girl who is genuinely funny. if the screen ever presented a real comedienne Marjorie Beebo is that girl, ‘The Farmer’s Daughter ’ is u riot of inn, and is embellished with many highlights, including a well-staged county lair, which looks like the real thing, because it is. Tho theme of tho battle of wits between the city confidence man and the country girl, with the confidence man experiencing a bit of backfire to bis plans, prompts many hilarious situations. Betty Balfour, Hie star of ‘The Flag Lieutenant’ and ‘The Further Adventures of tho Flag Lieutenant,’ is now seen in her. latest and best picture, ‘Tho Sea Urchin,’ which has second [place on this programme. Opposite Miss Balfour is George Hackatliorne, who has been featured in a number ot notable films. lu this he has the icle of a rich man’s only son, who has his poor old dad nearly in his grave by tho scrapes lie and Ids aeroplane manage to get into, until ho meets a bountiful French orphan and falls m love with her. KiHG EDWARD Motion ]iic In res, themselves a product of modern inventive genius, have been tho .most consistent uscrs_ of modern wonders in stories. It remained for Bobo Daniels, however, lo combine all the wonders of modern tile into one picture, and ‘ .Hot News,’ her latest starring .picture for Rarnmount, now at tlie King Edward Theatre, E an epic of modern thrills. The telegraph, the airplane, fast navy destroyers, a dirigible, and many other modern inventions enter into this picture, and not the least of these features a modern baby show is included. It is a story ol a news reel camera girl. ‘ Tho Sea Urchin,’ starring Betty Balfour and George Hackatliorne, both English players, is also showing.