OCTAGON AND KING EDWARD THEATRES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17325, 27 May 1918, Page 3

OCTAGON AND KING EDWARD THEATRES.

Fascinating littlo Mao Marsh is the star of the Goldwyn production, "Polly of the ("ire us." which was screened for the first time at the Octagon and King Edward Theatres on Saturday. The attendances ut both theatres were phenomenally large, and the enthusiasm aroused at times intense. This is the second Goldwyn release, the first being " The Auction Block," which ran so successfully in the Octagon and King Edward Theatres the week before last. The picture may be classed as a tremendous spectacle with a beautiful story running through it, and it is probable that no other film can command such a wide raupe of appeal, since it is'so delightful to children 011 account of tho actual circus displays, which arc reproduced, and it is fascinating to adults by reason of the compelling heart-interest and thrilling episodes. Polly, left motherless, i 3 reared by an old clown named Toby as a circus girl.. During ono of her daring bare-backed stunts she has a fall, and is left behind in a small town. It chances that she is taken to the residence of the young minister, John Douglas. Scandal soon gets busy. Word comes to Polly of tho serious illness of her old friend Toby. Polly, riding her_ circus horse, sweeps into tho race at the fair at. the last moment, and wine tho purse with which to buy comforts for her old friend. This increases the enmity of Deacon Strong, whoso horse she has defeated. She believes that the minister will be taken away from his church if she Stays. Polly leaves without a word of explanation to Douglas. Tho latter believes that she has chosen to return to hor old life. When another spring brings the circus tents to the vacant lot behind tho church, fortune finds a way to bring these two together again, even though it takes a panic and a circus fire to do it. Tho part of Polly is taken by that wonderful little tragedienne discovered by D. W. Griffith, who was speedily hailed by the public as the finest emotional actress of the screen. Mae Marsh has more than fulfilled her early promise of "Tho Birth of a Nation" days. Goldwyn is now starring her, and " Polly of the Circus" is a pioture to see not once but many times. An entire circus enters into the "props" used in setting up the plot, which will give some idea of tho magnitude of the production.