PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 20134, 26 March 1929, Page 7

PICTURE THEATRES

REGENT The progi’anuuo which is attracting large audiences to the Regent Theatre is 1 loaded by one ot the most powerful dramas ever brought to the screen. The picture is entitled ‘ The Enemy, and is based on Clmnning Pollock’s famous stage play, and is a vivid romance of Central Europe, laid during and after the world war. Lillian Gish plays the starring role of Paula, the tragic heroine whoso family was scattered and friends disrupted by the poison ot war propaganda. Ered Niblo directed and Ralph Forbes, Ralph Emerson, Frank Currier, and George Fawcett aro included in the cast, /Pleasant variety was introduced with the presentation of ‘ The Main Event,’ an exciting melodrama of the roped arena, in which Vera Reynolds and Charles Delaney have the featured roles. The action is brisk and thrilling, culminating in a stirring .bout that keeps interest at fever pitch. As usual, the boro is “framed” but, naturally enough, trounces the villain with 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. - Another popular attraction is the appearance of Alec Regan in a number of catchy songs which have been accorded tumultuous applause by audiences who have listened to this vocalist. The orchestral music is also an additional entertainment. EMPIRE Tommy Atkins,’ the British picture heading the hill of entertainment at tho Empire Theatre, has an unusual story. At the commencement of the story a small force of British soldiers in tho Sudan is cut to pieces by the natives, the only survivors being the six-year-old son of the C.U. and a ser- , vant, who takes tho boy back to England. The boy’s grandfather, the Earl of Petherton, dies, and tho title is assumed by a younger son m the belief that his brother and nephew have been killed. When bo learns the truth from the servant ho decides to suppress tho facts, and Harold, tho real heir, is brought up with his cousin Victor, and his uncle’s ward, Ruth. Victor becomes uu officer of a regiment, while Harold outers tho church. Both love Ruvh, but she becomes engaged to Victor. Harold resigns ms living and joins the army, and jusv after he has left Victor hears ot Ins father’s deception and that lie is not tho real heir to the title. Victor abroad with ins regiment, and tho two cousins meet again, in a frontier war Victor is mortally wounded, but just before he dies is able to tell Harold the truth, and tho latter eventually returns to England to resume his title mid liud consolation in tho love ot Ruth, A new Reginald Denny film entitled * Red Hot Speed ’ is the other picture. Excellent supports, including the latest Empire newsreel showing tine scenes of the flood and other interesting local incidents, arc shown, and tue prehestua renders appropriate music. STRAND ‘ Steamboat Bill, Jr., the Buster Keaton comedy, now showing at the Strand Theatre, is one of the most lavishly produced comedies ever shown in this popular place of entertainment. From the, first glimpse of the frozeufaced star, when he ambles on to the screen as a sappy youth whose own father doesn’t even give him credit for being able to do anything but play a ukulele, till tho uproarious climax, when Buster turns into the most extraordinary character that ever trod the deck of a stern-wheeler. Ho is tho awkward son of a river ship owner, whose position is being threatened by a rival shipper. The part of Buster’s father brings Ernest Torrence into the limelight, while Marion Byron, a slender little newcomer into tho United Artists’ forces, plays the girl opposite Buster’s awkward youth. Tom M'Guiro and Tom Lewis are other prominent members of the cast who share laugh honours. ‘The Sea Urchin,’ which is billed as a sparkling English comedy drama, starring Betty Balfour, forms the second attraction. EVERYBODY’S The delightful rural comedy, ‘ The Farmer’s Daughter,’ in which Marjorie Beebe makes her debut as a featured player, at Everybody’s Theatre, is nearing the end of its run. This is the picture the story of which was written especially to fit tho talents of Marjorie Beebe, a late Fox Filins find. The producers claim— and her work in this production seems to bear it out—that Miss Beebe is tho greatest comedy find in.years. Arthur Stone, Warren Burke, and a strong cast is in support. The additional film, a tale of a rich man’s only son, who falls in love with an orphan, is entitled ‘The Sea Urchin.’ GRAND AND PLAZA The fascinating and delightful English comedienne, Estelle Brody, has the starring role in ‘ Marriage 'Business,’ which claims pride of place on the programme now being presented at the Grand and Plaza Theatres. Here is a comedy-drama overflowing with the real wholesome British humour, which so many picturegocrs have been waiting for. This story will not fail to please even the most fastidious. Tho grim realism of life in the oilfields, and its perils, as well as its_ tremendous romance, aro the subjects around which E, Lloyd Sheldon and Fred. Myton wove their absorbing and startling melodrama. ‘ Flaming Waters,’ the supporting feature. Tho picture is a classic of oil—an orderly and brilliant arrangement of sensational and spectacular episodes with dramatic punch, and it has been filmed by a master manipulator of sentiment, whoso fine work made him nationally famous overnight, when he turned out ‘ Brasilia With a Million.’ Mr Weight has invested ‘Flaming Waters’ with just the right amount of bubbling, effervescent humour,’and with that sympathy for which he is noted. The oil fire, swept down dn a flaming river on the crest of the flood from the reservoir, is a great climax- for such a picture, and will he long remembered. KING EDWARD A programme of rollicking comedies is being billed for presentation at the King Edward Theatre to-night. ‘The Farmer’s Daughter ’ is the headliner, . and in this story of how a city shark found himself trimmed as a result of his adventures in the country, Marjorie Beehe plays the leading characterisation. She is a star who is new to , picturegocrs, but her effervescent acting ip this picture should help to bring, her into the front line of movie stars. ‘-The, Good-bye Kiss ’ is the ffther* attraction, and in this production,.Belle Bennett is entrusted with • the chief role, . . " •