PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 20139, 2 April 1929, Page 7

PICTURE THEATRES

OCTAGON “ Talkies ” aro hound to become a popular form of entertainment, and since they opened at the Octagon Theatre on Saturday packed houses have j been tho rule, and many have not been I able to gain admission. Those who j have been fortunate enough to see and hear tho programme wore delighted with tho speech made by Mr George Bernard Shaw, tho famous litterateur, who first is seen approaching the camera. Ho walks right up before commencing his talk, which is of a semihumorous nature. Ho refers to the fact that he is generally regarded as a somewhat gloomy man and proceeds to prove that such is not tho case. The appearance of this film in Dunedin is an unusual opportunity to see and hear so great a man as G.B.S. Lady Heath, the famous aviatrix, is also seen—and heard. She gives an address on the constructional details of her machine, all of which is quite clear, and then she climbs aboard and the engine is started, the roar being almost deafening in tho theatre. Marshal Joffro is also hoitrd, but, as he speaks in French, ids words are mostly lose on the audience. Gertrude Lawrence, a charming singer, is heard in ‘I Don’t Know.’ Miss Lawrence is an extremely versatile actress, and it is not surprising that she has won much fame in the theatrical world. In some .instances, however, the voice did not come through to tho best advantage, but this was possibly duo to tho speed at which portions of it had to be sung. The next personality to ho scon was “ Chic ” Sale, who was the principal actor in the comedy, ‘ Tho Star Witness.’ Among other things, the filin' is valuable for the way in which it shows the procedure of an American court. “Chic” is a railroad crossing signalman, and is tho chief witness against a motorist who is charged with driving recklessly across a level crossing when a train was approaching. It is an amusing comedy, causing roars of laughter in the audience. ‘ Street Angel ’ is the title of the feature picture. Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell are the principal actors, and. though there is no speaking, some excellent musical effects are given. The picture carries its own accompaniment, the Roxy Theatre (New York) Orchestra of 110 instruments being responsible for this part of the entertainment. Angela, tho street angel, joins a band of strolling players and meets the artist Gino, with whom she falls in love. There is much stirring and emotional action before a happy ending is reached. The them© song to tho him ‘ Angela Mia,’ is most appropriately introduced by voice and orchestra. During tho unavoidable time taken in changing spools, and for nearly an hour before tho programme commences, M. de Rose and Ins Octagon Concert Orchestra contribute specially-selected an delightful musical items. EMPIRE Vaudeville and pictures aro combined in most pleasing blend at the Umpire Theatre this week, the Rotted Musical Follies and two big film productions forming tho source of entertainment. Tho stage presentation provides a happy mixture of song, humour, and dancing, with a talented band of artists as the fun purveyors. Each item follows in. whirlwind fashion, furnishing areally bright show with plenty of pep and sparkle. _ ‘ Three Ring Marriage,’ one of the pictorial attractions, is the last word in circus atmosphere realism, and so it should be, for the film troop travelled with the Al. G. Barnes circus to make the picture, and most of tho supporting cast is composed of regular circus performers. Some of tho side-show freaks and other little exploited attaches of tho big show are exceedingly effective in tho picture. But, whether one likes circuses or not, ‘ Throe Ring Marriage ’ is sure to entertain. It contains two elements of appeal that are entirely apart from the atmosphere in which it is filmed. One is a plot of stirring intrigue that brings in a clever crook, detectives, and gunmen. The other is a love affair between Mary Astor and Lloyd Hughes that has rave charm and a distinctly modern development. Thrilling action and suspense ensue from tho time it is learned that the hero is followed into the circus by a rde-headed girl, who is determined to marry him, to the moment the villain just fails to marry her. Lawford Davidson, Alice White, and Yola d’Avril arc prominent in the supporting east. Pleasing comedy and a delightful love story arc the main features of ‘ Someone "to Love,’ the other picture, which stars Charles (Buddy) Rogers, witli Mary Brian, "William Austin, and James Kirkwood in support. It is a cleverly conceived production, with many uproarious snb-titlos and a cast of players who know their work. The Empire local news film is an additional attraction, while tho musical accompaniments leave nothing to bo desired. REGENT For excellence in acting it would bo difficult to name a better team than Leiv Cody and Aileen Pringle. "Whether playing some heavy rolo or else featuring in a bright comedy, the inimitable pair are equally at home, and their appearance on the screen is generally an assurance of good entertainment. ‘Beau Broadway,’ which heads the bill at the Regent Theatre this week, must be recorded as an addition to their list of screen successes. Tho picture is of the comedy-drama type, tho story being specially written for the star players. AVith a prize ring background, the film is. not lacking in action and drama, while an abundance of humour is provided by Cody and Miss Pringle. Few pictures produced in recent months contain as many thrill scones ns are embraced in the footage of Rod La Rocqne’s new Do Mille studio star production ‘Stand and Deliver,’ the second feature on the bill. Lupc Velez, a young Mexican player of rare promise and a’leading woman of exceptional charm, ami "Warner Gland, noted screen heavy, arc featured members of a highly brilliant supporting cast. The progress made in cinema photography' in New Zealand is proved in the local scenic ‘Winter Playgrounds.’ Mount Cook, with its ski-ing, snowballing. and tobogganing is the locale; so faithfully has the camera done its work that one can easily sense the thrill of the long, swift glissade down a slope of virgin snowx Comedy of a broad nature is supplied by Max Davidson and tho actors who are associated with him in ‘ Should Women Drive?’ Those who have seen Max before will know they are in for a period of hilarity. ‘Up West,’ the first of a novelty series depicting London .after dark, is very entertaining in an original way. STRAND ‘ Sunrise", ’ the exceptional Fox picture made by tho great Germah director, Di" F. W. Murmur, will be showm again this evening at the Strand Theatre. It has been tho aim of the director, in making this picture, to portray a story applicable to any two persons in any part of the world. To tliis end lie employs in the course of the film

what might bo termed an international city, built for this production in Hollywood. It is a splendid notion, though quite certain to set a number of geo-graphically-minded persons stewing over locations on the map. Tho three chief characters pro played with intelligence and an entire lack of thcatricalisin by George O’Brien, Janet Gaynor, and Margaret Livingston, with occasional portraits by other competent Fox artists. George O’Brien has hitherto been known as a handsome and athletic loading man, but hero ho makes the countryman a real figure:, while Miss Gaynor adds to the prevailing impression that an actress of real talent has joined the small group of the ilk in Hollywood. As the “city woman” Margaret Livingston is convincing without dragging out the old studio-vampire bag of tricks much overworked since tho days of Theda Bara. Tho supports aro good, and the orchestra renders appropriate music. GRAND AND PLAZA One of 'the most famous of modern British plays, ‘ His House in Order/ is now holding the screen at the Grand and Plaza Theatres. This drama, which was first produced at the St. James Theatre, with Sir George Alexander and Irene Vanbrugh in tho leading parts, ran for over lour hundred performances, and became so much the vogue that it has become a sort, of familiar popular saying. fn its film rendering it lias also attracted a lot of attention, partly on account of its story and partly because it marks the debut on the screen of the talented actress, Tallulah Bankhead. Coming to England absolutely unknown, the beautiful American girl rose to stardom' in almost record time. She is at present the most sought after actress in England, and has the theatre-going world of that country at her feet. Intense drama, relieved .by the refreshing comedy clement inserted .in the story is to be found in ‘ Whispering Wires,’ the other powerful attraction at this theatre. The picture is full of thrills, and tho interest of the audience is held to tho final fade-out in this fine production. Anita Stewart is the leading star in this baffling mystery story. EVERYBODY’S Patsy Ruth Miller and John Harron, who have generally been seen in the lighter kind of pictures, are now taking tho leading roles in a tense, dramatic production, entitled ‘ Once and For Ever.’ which is the chief attraction at Everybody’s Theatre. It is a human story telling of the love of a young girl and boy and the troubles that surround their lives. ‘The Sporting Age’ is the other film, which features Belie Bennett. In this picture there aro horse racing and yachting, automobile speeding and railroad wrecks, while there are also many thrilling sequences of airplane crashes. KING EDWARD A 'programme of high entertainment value is that which is now being screened at the King Edward Theatre. Buster Keaton in ‘ Steamboat Bill, Jun./ is the principal attraction, a comedy dealing with the rivalry of Mississippi ferry boat owners. Also showing is ‘ Dancing Vienna/ featuring Ben Lyon and Lyn Mara.