PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 20140, 3 April 1929, Page 7

PICTURE THEATRES

OCTAGON Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell are now at the Octagon Theatre in their new offering, ‘ Street Angel,’ a Fox Movietone sound picture, accompanied by tho Roxy Theatre Orchestra, with James Melton, the famous tenor, assisted by a chorus of forty voices, singing ‘ Angela Mia,’ the theme song. The film has proved to be a masterpiece of beauty, charmingly acted and perfectly directed by Frank Box-zage, who also made that other memorable Gay-nor-Farrell picture, ‘ Seventh Heaven.* Tho story is laid in Naples, and the beautiful soft-toned photographic treat'rnent of the many picturesque scenes is a conspicuous contribution to tbo art of the motion picture. Miss Gaynoi, as a little waif of the Neapolitan waterfront, and Farrell, as a vagabond artist, who meets and falls in love with her, handle their roles with superb skill. It recounts the story of Angelina’s desperate attempt to raise funds for her dying mother by taking to tho streets, for which she is arrested and sentenced to prison. She escapes from the police, and, finding her mother dead when she returns, joins a small travelling circus. Here she meets Gino, tho wandering painter, but their romance is shattered by the police, who track her down and take her away to prison. However, they are finally reunited and made happy again. Preceding this picture is a Fox Movietone news, in which appears Lady Heath, who says a few words regarding her aeroplane, followed by Marshal Joffre in a short address in French. Then comes Gertrude Lawrence, singing the song ‘I Don’t Know.’ This is followed by George Bernard Shaw, who gives tho audience a most cordial greeting in a witty speech that x’eflects admirably the whimsicality of the famous author and dramatist. The picture is a personal and interesting introduction to a personality in literature who has intrigued the Anglo-Saxon world for a quarter of a century or more. Then “Chic” Sale in ‘The Star Witness’ gives Dunedin its first narrative “talkie,’ a capital court room comedy, with the comedian as a railwayman, giving his evidence in a train and motor smash case. The dialogue is well reproduced, and hearty laughter follows each joke made by the star witness. Tho Octagon Orchestra, conducted by M. Do Rose, plays a specially-selected musical programme, starting at 7 and continuing until the pictorial programme commences. EMPIRE A fine romantic story of circus life is now being offered on the exceptionally line bill at the Empire Theatre. Mary Astor and Lloyd Hughes, ono of the most popular romantic combinations tho screen offers, appear as circus performers in ‘Three Ring Marriage,’ which offers something distinctly new and modern in circus plots and screen romances. The.story deals with the frank pursuit of a cowboy hero by a cowboy heroine right up to the time she ropes and ties him with a wedding ring. She follows him from her ranch to a circus, and travels with the circus as a performer in order to win him! The screejx story, however, begins with the circus and deals most exclusively with circus atmosphere throughout. Tho entire film troupe travelled with a big circus in order to take every phrase of tho colourful life they depict. Moreover, circus performers, side show freaks, and other regular attaches of the show have important 'parts in the picture.

Comedy of a delightfully farcical nature predominates the story of ‘ Someone to Love/ the other big picture on the bill. The story of this production has to do with the romantic adventures of three smart young men in a music store, where ono falls in love with the daughter of a wealthy family, whilo_ the other two, in their angling for rich marriages, involve the former, who is ultimately faced with many great difficulties. To prove his innocence he has to make a success of managing a school for girls. This- he does with a conspicuous success, and a happy story is brought to a pleasing end. Charles (Buddy) Rogers, Mary Brian, William Austin, and James Kirkwood arc the principal members of the cast. The Potted Musical Follies, presented as a stage attraction in conjunction with the line picture bill, provide everything that is needed for such an entertainment to succeed. There arc comedy, pleasing vocal offerings, and several attractive dance ensembles, with some clever solo dancing by the members of the company. REGENT Tn ‘ Beau Broadway/ the chief feature of the current programme at the Regent Theatre, a startling likeness to Gene Tunney, heavy-weight champion, is soon in Hugh Trevor, who plays the part of a cultured prize-fighter in the new Lew Cody-Ailccn Pringle costarring production. Trevor was cast for the important role because he was the “Tunney type,” although he had never been a boxer outside of college amateur events. ‘Beau .Broadway’ is a prize ring story. Aside from its human interest appeal in the manly art of self-defence, it has an appealing romance, and presents some new sidelights on the much-discussed younger generation. Cody is aeon as a prize fight promoter, and Miss .Pringle as a sophisticated woman of the world who gives him some uneasy moments before she makes up her mind where to centre her affections. Proving itself a. photo-play of rare entertainment quality, Rod La R Deque's new star picture, ‘Stand and Deliver/ featuring Lupo Velez and Warner Oland in his support, is the other attraction, it is an exceptionally dramatic and thrilling screen story of war and banditry in Greece, in which Mr La Rocque appears to line advantage as. an English cavalry officer, Miss Velez as a, sprightly Grecian maid, and Mr Oland as a bandit chief. There aro numerous engaging scenes and much wholesome comedy. A Max Davidson comedy and the first film of a series depicting ‘ London After Dark ’ aro the supports. The orchestra supplies a good musical score. STRAND ‘ Sunrise/ the first picture made in America by Dr F. W. Human, the great German director, is now showing at the Strand Theatre. Ono thing Strand patrons welcome narticularly is that it has brought hack to the city in a starring role Janet Gayrior, the magnetic young star who had the role of Diane in ‘ Seventh Heaven.’ The other star is George O’Brien, who has steadily risen in the esteem of theatre patrons throughout the country. The story of ‘ Sunrise ’ concerns a husband a ml* wife who aro happy in their humble •surroundings until a young woman from a. neighbouring city comes to the fishing village. Her cupidity is aroused by the modest property that the man has accumulated, and she deliberately sets about to ensnare him, planning to get him to sell Jus property! leave Ids

wife, and go back to the city with her. She has no regard for the wife, nor for the man himself. She intends to drop him as soon as she has obtained tho money. When she can think of no better way to get rid of the wife she asks tho husband to take her ont into tiro middle of the bay and_ have the boat seem accidentally to tip over so that the wife will he drowned. A full supporting programme is also shown, and the orchestra accompanies tho pictures with appropriate music. EVERYBODY’S A tense drama of the problems of today, woven round events with which one is familiar is the film * Once and .Forever/ starring Patsy Ruth Miller and John Harron, which is tho major attraction at Everybody’s Theatre. It is a human story telling of the lives of a young hoy and girl who find that life “is not "all sugar and honey.” The other picture entitled ‘ The Sporting Age/ featuring Bell Bennett, deals with all manner of to-day’s most popular sports. PLAZA AND GRAND One of tho romances of the British stage has been the lightning triumph of Miss Tallulah Bankhead. Miss Bankhead in less time than it takes most other actresses to obtain a minor part on the London boards, had raced to “ stardom ” and become the greatest draw on the London stage, and the idol of theatregoers. ‘ His House in Order/ Sir Arthur Pinero’s worldcelebrated play, is a story of concealed womanly unfaithfulness and a husband’s credulity. Miss Bankhead plays tho part of the husband’s lighthearted second wife—once the governess to his child—whom he belittles as inferior to his stained-glass saint of a first wife—until the inevitable exposure shatters his illusions at a stroke, and sets his house in orcier again. As tho slighted, ojipressed, and martyred second wife, Miss Bankhead has a part full of opportunities for that emotional power and those captivating lifelike touches which have endeared her to the theatre, and her performance will be greatly admired. ‘ Whispering Wires/ a baffling mystery story, is on the same bill. KING EDWARD The South Dunedin Theatre has at present a most enjoyable programme or pictures on offer. ‘ Steamboat Bill, Jun./ which heads the bill, has that droll comedian Buster Keaton in the chief role, while he is supported by Ernest Torrence. Ben Lyon and Lyn Mara are the featured players in ‘ Dancing Vienna/ a charming romance of tho old Austrian city. A special feature is billed for presentation at tho King Edward Theatre, commencing next Friday, when Rose and Kay (The*Ha! Ha! Boys) will appear in a merry mixture of songs, dances, and up-to-date humour.