AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17375, 24 July 1918, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

The star picture at the Octagon Theatre is entitled "The Jewel of Desire," or "The Naulahka," from the celebrated masterstory by Rudyard Kipling. The picture, which exhales the weird and mysterious atmosphere and languorous magnificence of India, features Antonio Mareno and Doraldina in her marvellous " Danse du Ventre."

Special interest attaches to the Triangle photo-drama " Real Folks," commencing at the matinee at the Queen's and King Edr ward Theatres to-day, because out of 14,000 entries for tho Triangle prize competition it was the winner. J. Barney Sherry as Pat Dugan is the central figure. Dugan, the farmer, suddenly becomes a millionaire by the discovery of oil on his property, and wants to live up to the part, but has very poor ideas of how to do it. Mrs Dugan is content to be her unpretentious but lovable old self. The son also has little patience with his father's ambitions, and it is the interplay of these characters that makes a fascinating and absorbing picture. It is instinct with all tho qualities of enduring greatness. "A further episode of the'"Double Cross" will also be screened. The American five-act drama "'Her Country's Call," featuring Mary Miles Minter, is a powerful attraction at the Plaza Pictures. The entrancing story of how a lovely girl prevents a raid by mountain outlaws and upholds the honour of her nation's flag is told in a manner that holds one spellbound to the close.

At King's Theatre tho double star programme of " Hea.rt and Soul" and "The Regeneration.'' continues to attract good audiences, who arc evidently pleased both with the pictures and Mr Percy James's two songs.

The great problem f play "The Marriage Market," featuring the beautiful Juno Elvidgc, will be screened at Everybody's Theatre for the first time to-day The picture comes to Dunedin with a great reputation on iiccouiit of the forceful way in which it puts before its spectators the folly of marriage under certain conditions. One of the outstanding features of the play shows a beautiful girl who sacrifices her happiness and all she holds dear in this world by entering into a marriage bond to save another from disgrace. The picture is handled in a delicate way, yet the monil convoyed is said to "strike home." "First Blood," the third chapter of the now popular chapter play " A Lass of tho Lumberlands,, will also bo submitted. Helen Holmes, tho daring ono, will make tho nerves tingle with further exhibitions of hairbreadth escapes and the heart throb with hor interpretation of sympathetic benevolence. A very funny Trinntjlo comc-dy nnd tho latest Topical Budget will complete the programme.