OCTAGON THEATRE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18198, 19 March 1921, Page 13

OCTAGON THEATRE

In “The Keeper of the Door,” now being shown as the feature film at the Octagon Theatre (whither it has been shifted from' the Grand and Plaza Theatres, where it bad a most successful three-night’ run). Miss Ethel M. Dell builds her romance upon a question of medical ethics: Is a physician justified in hastening the exit from this world of a patient who has become weary of life because of the agony of disease. The doctor ns tho “ keeper of the door,” is regarded as “the,keeper of tho door” of the next world, and the manner in which ho discharges his duty is unfolded ■* in a tale that i.s perhaps more effectively treated in the picture than in the book, and with the neurotic element less pronounced. The scenes carry one from England to the hits of India and tho _ native ruler’s domain, and then back again to England, and are of a typo admirably adapted for lavish display. The story turns on a young woman’s belief that it is right for medical knowledge to step in and save suffering, and she herself is responsible for this “ opening of the door” to a close friend threatened with madness. She suffers a severe breakdown herself, and, on recovery, is left with a lapse of memory obliterating for tho time being the dreadful perioo preceding. The plot turns upon her reawakening to a knowledge of -what has transpired, this being brought about through the base designs of one of tho men interested in her, but eventually turning nut for the best both for herself and her doctor lover. The film bus the advantage, also, of being an allJVvitisb production. The story, as told in the picture, is full of incident, and tho interest of the audience is maintained throughout. The act-ng of all the principals is on a high level, and the stage managership leaves nothing to be desired. The supports, as usual, are what their name implies, and likelv to add to the popularity of the programme, and tho Octagon Svmphonv Orchestra, under the con’ductorship of Mr R. C.uilton, provides' an excellent selection of musical items. In addition to the evening screening "to-day, there will be a matinee this afternoon.