Cinema and theatre serve to entertain people of city
LOOKING back through the old entertainment columns of the News Letter you can come across many fascinating stories which capture in a moment what the citizens of Belfast (and further afield) were paying to see at either the cinema or in Ulster theatres.
This week back in 1928 the News Letter's cinema and theatre correspondent hailed "the much-talked-of film" Ben Hur which was being shown at the Classic Cinema in Belfast. The 1925 film, which was directed by Fred Niblo and starred in the lead role Ramon Novarro, Francis X Bushman, May McAvoy and Betty Bronson, and which provided the newly merged movie giant Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) with one of their biggest blockbusters.
The News Letter's correspondent wrote of Ben Hur: "There is so much in the picture worthy of description that space limitations allow but a brief comment."
They continued: "The well-known story of Ben Hur: Prince of Judah, is followed fairly closely, and most of the dramatic episodes in the book have been translated to the screen.
"Naturally, the famous chariot race at Antioch is given pride of place. It has been made into a spectacular event, and the mad career of a dozen four-horsed chariots around the arena is something to be remembered.
"The atmosphere of tense excitement has been captured to a nicety. The great sea fight is another outstanding incident in the film, particularly that part which tells of the hand-to-hand encounter which took place when a pirate ship rammed a Roman galleon amidships.
"The scene depicting the sufferings of the galley slaves is one of the most poignant episodes in the picture."
The paper's correspondent continued: "In Ben Hur the dawn of Christianity and its impress on Roman life play a big part, and well-known incidents of the New Testament are reproduced.
"They are portrayed with delicate artistry and reverence, and many of them are shown in beautiful photo-colour.
"From the wonderful material available in the book a strong plot has been evolved, and continuity is obtained in such a way as to preserve one's interest right to the end of the picture. From the spectacular viewpoint the film has never been surpassed," concluded the News Letter's review of Ben Hur.
The correspondent noted that Ben Hur was to be shown four times daily during the week at 1.20, 3.45, 6.15 and 8.45pm with doors at the cinema opening at 12.30pm.
The principal film at the Mountpottinger Picturedrome in east Belfast this week in 1928 was 1926 Henry Edwards directed film The Island of Despair which featured Matheson Lang in the leading role.
In his summation of the plot to The Island of Despair the paper's correspondent remarked: "The story relates to the philosophy of Stephen Rhodes (Matheson Lang], who cuts himself off from the rest of the world because of a lapse on the part of his wife and his best friend.
"He takes to trading amongst the lonely isles of the south Pacific, but eventually his self-imposed exile from society is broken by his coming into contact with Christine Vereker (Marjorie Hume], who is staying in the South Seas.
"Don Filipo Trevares (Gordon Hopkirk], a Spaniard, visits the isle, and renews his acquaintance with Christine and her brother (Colin Vereker who was played by Jean Bradin], though they do not relish his friendship.
"During a spree Don Filipo shoots a man with whom he and Colin were gambling, and he arranges the scene in such a way that Colin is detected with a gun in his hand.
"Rhodes dramatically rescues Colin, who in his drunken state imagines that he has committed the crime. Rhodes is afterwards marooned on an island, and by a coincidence he there once more meets Christine. Explanations follow, and the story has, of course, a happy ending."
Other films showing this week in 1928 Mountpottinger Picturedrome included Eve's Review, Peter the Pup, Buster's Dark Mystery, and the Empire News Bulletin.
Meanwhile, at the Grand Opera House the usual six week run of the pantomime season had been reduced to a mere month in 1928, reported the paper's cinema and theatre.
They wrote: "Cinderella has been such a striking success that the season might well have been extended, but the plans made originally most, of course, be adhered to, and consequently the production will complete the run assigned to it at the end of this week."
They continued: "It has certainly 'caught on' with the public, and there is a consensus of opinion that in all respects it is one of the best pantomimes which have ever been seen in Belfast.
"On the comedy side Benet and Lyndon have caused roars of laughter by their merry pranks and jests, and the children have been particularly partial to them because of the skilful and kindly manner in which they have handled the performing horse and pony.
"In the fun-making these two clever comedians have been well supported by Mr Brett Ashton, Mr Tommy Francis, and Mr Y Floyd-Gwynne, who have all given of their best."
Miss Madeline Bees had impressed pantomime audiences with her depiction of Prince Charming and her "spirited acting and tuneful singing, as well as by her fascinating personality".
Miss Dodo Watts had "scored" with her sensitive and sympathetic portrayal of Cinderella, remarked the paper's reviewer, and Miss Tina Frank had been "a very vivacious" Dandini, and Helena Ross and Eric Victor had "provoked much merriment by their lively impersonation of the Ugly Sisters".
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Weather for Belfast
Wednesday 15 February 2012
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