AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17576, 18 March 1919, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS.

A powerful drama, "By Right of Purchase," with Norma Talmadgo in the loading role, is tho chief attraction at tho Octagon and King Edward Theatres. Tho plot is well worked out, and provides some exciting situations. The supoorts are judiciously selected; At the Queen's Theatre a varied programme of pictures is presented. Charlie Ohnplin is seen in "Shanghaied," and Gloria fewanson in "Her Decision." A Jiumber of other subjects aro included. ' ' At the Plaza Theatre the management offers a two-star bill of decided merit. First is "Betrayed," featuring Miriam Cooror, and June Caprice appears in the- n/bsorbing production, "The Heart of Romance." There sire other films, which hold tho undivided attention of Large attendances. While there is reigning at Everybody's Theatre at the present time a "leading feature," as it is usually described, there'is plenty of matter outside "The Danger Game"—the title of the "leading feature" —to not only draw, but send away satisfied. In "Playing the Game," to be r.eleased at the Empire Theatre to-day, Charles Ray is tho hero of a pleasing , romance, which opens amid the gaieties and artificialities of New York's Broadway/ and finishes in the soberer atmosphere of a Western ranch, where life is simple and real. As tho inheritor of his father's millions, Larry Prentiss has nothing better to do than sow his .-wild' cats, which he is diligently doing, when in a scuffle with a crook he loaves his mrfn for dead and goes West, with ' his English valet, until the trouble blows over. The crook turns out io have:been merely stunned, but, having started ion- the road to reform, Larry determines .to make good his promises to his uncle. He plans to visit his ranch incognito, and seek work like an ordinary rouseabout. What happens after his decjsion is made makes an interesting conclusion to<-a well-conceived picture. There will be the usual strong supporting programme. adaptation of Rider Haggard's immortal story "Jess," which is being nresented at the Sony's Theatre under tho title of "Heart and Soul." is enjoying a deservedly largo, share of public patronage. • The _ other films, - which comprise' scenio and industrial subjects, contribute to a firstclass programme.