Theatre & Cinema .sx REVIEW OF THIS WEEK'S SHOWS .sx " EAST LYNNE , " the dramatisation of the famous novel by Mrs. Henry Wood , which was one of the literary sensations of the mid-Victorian era , is being presented by Mr. Hamilton Deane at Nottingham Theatre Royal after an interval of some years , and was last night received with all the old enthusiasm by a large audience .sx The amazing vitality of the wonderful old play was once more demonstrated .sx The tale of a faithless wife and the sorrowful read she trod was told by the authoress , who contrived to invest the role with a pathos and a sentimentality which appeal with marvellous success to the sympathies of an audience .sx These qualities were given apt expression in the last night's representation .sx As usual , there were many tearful faces among the " customers .sx " The version being used by Mr. Hamilton Deane is the one that served Wilson Barrett so well .sx It is the only one in which the gloom is relieved by the introduction of a comic character .sx This is P.c. Bullock , the rural constable , and although he is a grotesque libel on the force , he is amusing , and , therefore , welcome in this very " weepy " drama .sx Mr. Hamilton Deane gives a carefully-studied and sincere impersonation of Archibald Carlyle , and Miss Dora Mary Patrick expresses with taste and refinement the poignant sorrows of the unfortunate Lady Isabel , cleverly marking the contrasting characteristics of the dual role when she became Madame Vine .sx Mr. Oliver Elliot is an effective Captain Levisou and Mr. Jack Howarth an amusing Bullock , while Miss Pauline Singleton conveys the pathos of the passing of Little Willie .sx With quality as the keynote and embracing all that is attractive in a variety programme , the Empire provides entertainment in the fullest sense of the word .sx Pride of place must , of course be yielded to Scott and Whaley .sx Few coloured comedians are so firmly established in the affections of the public as are these stars .sx The reason lies in the fact that they present a dancing and musical turn with an abundance of argumentative patter in their own inimitable style that affords such source of delight .sx Their turn this week is of the lightest and brightest , and one that is distinctively effective in " chasing the blues away .sx " Light comedy , in fact is the strong feature of the show and last night's audience found not a dull moment .sx Nat and Doreen Brennan are a breezy couple in song and patter , whilst some delightful dancing is exhibited by Sandy Daw , the Scottish comedian .sx Then Harry Guan's seaside silhouettes provide more sparkling humour , while the lightning sketches of Bert Hopping the singing cartoonist , the song and dance numbers of the Three Eddies ( of the original Blackbirds ) , and the acromedian turn of the Vedras all contribute to the pleasure of the evening .sx Talent of the highest order is revealed in the vocal and instrumental numbers presented by Fisher and Ariani , whose accomplished performance was such that audience were loth to hear the last of their selections .sx TALE OF THE WEST .sx Historic events in the chequered story of Western America come to the screen in " Billy the Kid , " at the Hippodrome , Billy was a youngster who won a reputation for lawlessness before he was out of his teens , and some of his deeds are pictured in this film , which is full of action in delightful settings .sx The scene is laid in the cattle country , and one of the biggest herds of cattle ever assembled for a picture is on view .sx The night fighting is graphically shown .sx Johnny Mack Brown gives a fine performance in the title role , and Wallace Beery is the Sherrif who loves him but is compelled to arrest him .sx Those amusing comedians , Bert Wheeler and Robert Woolsey , have never been more effective than in " Hook , Line , and Sinker , " at the Elite .sx Their roles are those of insurance agents .sx Nerve is at a premium with them , and selling force their chief endowment , so that theirs is no ordinary life .sx When they call on Mary Marsh , who has inherited an hotel from which no revenue ever comes , they impress her so much with their own idea of themselves that she engages them to manage the place .sx Then the fun speeds up .sx Dorothy Lee plays Mary .sx The second feature , " The Losing Game , " is a new crook drama , in which Lowell Sherman gives a splendid performance .sx A typical Rex Beach yarn is spun in " The Silver Horde " at the Scala .sx The story deals with a youngster who attempts to start an opposition salmon tinning plant in the teeth of the already strong established camp owned by the rival for the hand of his girl .sx In his enterprise he is aided by a girl , Cherry Malotte , who uses her share in a copper mine to finance him .sx The rivalry between the camps provides plenty of action , and one fight by the glare of torchlights is thrilling .sx The leading roles are sustained by Jool McCrea , Evelyn Brent , Louis Wohlheim , Jean Arthur , Blanche Sweet , Haymond Hatton , and Gavin Gordon .sx A picture with a strong drama and sincere acting to recommend it is " Cape Forlorn , " at the New Empress Cinema .sx " The story tells of a lighthouse keeper and the tragedy that befalls him when he brings his bride , a dance-hall instructress from the mainland .sx The confinement of the lighthouse and the solitary environment affect the weeker natures of the wife , the skipper's mate , and an uninvited guest who has been rescued in a raging storm , until conflict culminates in crime and tragedy .sx Fay Compton gives a brilliant performance as the woman .sx " Old Soldiers Never Die " is Leslie Fuller's latest and most amusing war-time comedy extravaganza .sx Alf Goddard , Molly Lamont , and Mamie Holland are in the cast .sx BEHIND THE SCENES .sx Murder , police , the underworld , and the glitter of theatrical life behind the scenes are among the melodramatic features set to music in " Bright Lights , " at the Regent Hall Pictues .sx Dorothy Mackaill plays the part of a hula dancer in a story that moves from Africa to somewhere up the Hudson , and then down again to New York .sx It has swift action , with brilliant backgrounds and varied locales .sx Frank Fay and Noah Beery are in the cast and there are big singing and dancing ensembles .sx In " Conflict " Alice White matches her wits with a gangster and beats him .sx There is a sensational action in the underworld .sx A young clerk who represents himself as a millionaire is the role sustained by Joe E. Brown in " Top Speed " at the Goldsmith Picture House , and in no part has he been more entertaining .sx Speedboat racing provides many thrills , and there are four good songs .sx " Looking for the Love Light in the Dark , " " If I Have You , " " Knock Knees " and " If I Was a Travelling Salesman .sx " Jack Whiting , Bernice Claire , and Laura Leo are in the cast .sx " The Truth About Youth " is told in the film of that title , with its story of the introduction of the world of a young man fresh from college .sx Loretta Young , David Manners , and Conway Tearle are the principals .sx " The Third Alarm , " at the Mechanics Picture Hall , is an attractive film in which romance and spectacle make an equal appeal .sx The story is always interesting , and frequently moving , and the fire brigade scenes are exceptionally well mounted , as also are the episodes at the orphanage , with its hundreds of children .sx James Hall and Anita Louise are the lovers , while pleasant humour is furnished by Paul Hurst , now a firmly-established talkie comedian .sx The supporting film , " Bracelets , " is a British comedy drama with Bert Coote and Joyce Kennedy .sx The beautiful scenery of the California High Sierras is the setting for many incidents in " The Border Legion , " at the Berridge Picture House .sx Men drawn together because they despise the law , terrors of the gold frontier , face a woman and meet defeat .sx The chief characters are sustained by Richard Arlen , Jack Holt and Fay Wray , Basil Gill , and Madeleine Carrol lead in the talkie version of Sheridan's classic story of a May and December marriage , " The School for Scandal .sx " A famous stage play , " The Dancers , " written by Sir Gerald du Maurier , served as the foundation for the engrossing film of the same title , which is being screened at the Palladium , Beeston .sx Lois Moran gives an expressive portrayal in the leading feminine role .sx A MOUNTAIN DRAMA .sx Quite a new experience is provided for cinema goers in " White Hell of Pitz Palu , " being shown at the Palace Theatre , Trent Bridge .sx It exploits some of the dangers and hardships of mountaineering , and is a marvellous piece of cinematography , for many perils had to be faced .sx It is said that Leni Riefenstahl , the leading lady , was the only girl possible for the role of the heroine , by reason of her mountaineering experience .sx Al Johnson , one of America's most famous entertainers , sustains the chief character in " Big Boy , " being shown at the Ilkeston-road Picture Palace , and gives a performance which is both humorous and sympathetic .sx " Rough Waters " introduces Rin Tin Tin in an exciting story .sx Wheeler and Whoolsey , the popular screen comedians , who are now visiting this country , are seen and heard to advantage in " Half Shot at Sunrise , " at the Victoria Picture House .sx Theatre & Cinema .sx REVIEW OF THIS WEEK'S SHOWS .sx A STRANGE theme is effectively presented by Peggy Webley , the authoress of " Reprive , " which was produced for the Nottingham Theatre Royal last night .sx It is founded upon the novel of the same title by Halbert J. Moss .sx Turmoil comes to the hitherto quiet rectory of St Ia , a coastwise village in Cornwall , by the arrival of a mysterious stranger who is drawn from the sea in a half-drowned state , and given shelter .sx With the rector resides his son Harry , maimed in war and a hopeless eripple , and Harry's wife Stella , who has , it is made plain , married him from motives of pity , with results which do not appear to be too promising .sx The advent of the stranger from the sea , appropriately called Maris , changes the course of existence for the whole household .sx He and Stella are mutually attracted , and his vague rhapsodizings about having returned to life and love enhance the impression already given , that there is something of the supernatural about him .sx An attempt on the part of Maris to strangle Harry is frustrated by mysterious voices which call to him from the sea , and the last scene is enacted on the cliffs of St. Ia , whither Stella is drawn with her weird lover , who answers the wailing voices by returning whence he came , to the bosom of the turbulent waters .sx There are some highly dramatic scenes , in the course of this singular story , and Mr. Hamilton Deane and his company make them tellingly effective .sx Mr. Deane gives a thoroughly artistic performance as Maris , cleverly indicating the suggestion of the supernatural , and Miss Dora Mary Patrick , with a difficult part to play as Stella , achieves complete success .sx Oliver Eliott presents a telling study as Harry Parmour , and Desmond Greene as the designing Captain Conway , is responsible for a capital performance .sx Both Mr. Deane and the authoress , Miss Peggy Webling , acknowledge the friendly reception accorded the play at teh fall of the curtain .sx During an entracte Mr. Charles Wyndham sings the favourite sond , " If Winter Comes , " composed by Mr. H. M. Tennant , head of Moss Empires Booking Committee ; and the well-known " In the Shade of the Palm , " form " Florodora .sx " Geoffrey Hope and Vivian Palmer bring to the Empire the " Fine and Dandy " revue which will be found quite a cheery and entertaining mixture of melody , comedy and dancing .sx Murray Leslie , an amusing Hebrew comedian , has the bulk of the laughter raising to do and perform his task very effectively with the aid of Joe Cohan .sx He is particularly amusing in a sketch " Madame X-cuse Me , " in which he plays the part of the judge in a court of justice .sx Peter Bernard with a striking personality and a pleasant stage presence , achieves as much success as anyone , and the Hawaiian Players are responsible for the melody in the show .sx