AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19259, 25 August 1924, Page 9

AMUSEMENTS.

EMPIRE THEATRE, A powerful dramatic indictment of modern life, entitled “West of the Water Tower,” heads « splendid film programme at tho Empire Theatre. This picture impresses by ils very simplicity.. There is no exaggeration of ‘character or distortion of situations that depend for their success on the naturalness of their presentation. The aim has been to present an intensely human story in a natural and human way, and the producers have succeeded admirably in their task. Glen Hunter and May M’Avoy need tho talented cast that interprets a story that is at times quite daring in its treatment of the realities and perplexities of life. The leading characters are of th© type which cannot fail to win the sympathises of patrons, and from the moment that troubles first begin to gather fast around the heads of the young couple they have the goodwill of the onlookers and their earnest solicitude for their welfare during the turbulent passages which follow. Supporting this almost remarkable film are some well-chosen supports, and the Empire Orchestra, under the baton of Mr Chas. Parnell, provides a musical programme iu keeping with the high quality of the pictorial offering. OCTAGON THEATRE. “ Drifting,” a fine Jewel production, is now being screened at the Octagon Theatre with great success. This picture Was produced by Tod Browning, adapted from John, Colton’s stage success of the same name, produced in Broadway a season or so ago, with Alice Brady iu the leading role. Concerning “Drifting,” the reviewer of the New York Times has the following to say-.--“ Priscilla Dean and Wallace Beery are cunilal in their respective parts.” The reviewer of the New York Journal characterised the picture as dramatic, heartrending, and thrilling. The Now York Evening Mail, speaking of Miss Dean’s work, says: “Priscilla Dean nnikes the intrepid Cassil a vivid and volcanic figure, and Matt Moore is sauve and immaculate.” Similar praiso of Miss Dean’s work has been voiced by the New York Telegram. An artistic musical programme is presented by the Octagon Orchestra, under the able eonduatorship of Mr A. F. Neate : Overture, “Libella” (Reisseger); suite, “Stars of the Desert” (Arny Woodford-Findcn) (a) “Stars of the Desert,” (b) “You Are All That is Lovely,” (c) “Tho Rice Was Under Water” (d) “Fate”; “Intcnnedc Chinois” (Baron); Oriental Poem, “In the Steppes of Central Asia” (Borodine); “Spanish Dance No 1” (Moskowskv); Oriental picture, “The Snake Charmgr” (Shelley); “Marcia Turca” (Mozart). Tho same programme will be repeated this evening.

BAND OF HOFF ENTERTAINMENT. Trinity Schoolroom was crowded on Saturday evening, when an entertainment, arranged by Trinity Baud of Hope was given by Miss Noeline Barker’s pupils in aid of the equipment fund of the new Sunday school. The Bev. H. E. Bellhouse presided. The varied entertainment, proved a very successful one, encores being the order of the. evening. The follow’ing pupils took part in the programmellecitat ions—Misses .loan Williamson, G. Driver, Oracle Davidson, Eileen Cohen, Jean Pickard, Ilita Etheridge, Mavis Etheridge, Etta Kirkwood, Louie Wreathall, Noni Davidson, Vickie Haig, Ilona Hill, Masters Ivan Davidson and Vernic Hill: concerted song (“Japanese Proposal"), junior girls; playette (“King and Miller of Mousefield”), Misses Driver, Rmeaton, and Williamson; action song (“Puzzles”). Misses ,T. Pickard, Wreathall, and Davidson; dialogue (“Goblin and Fay”), Ilona and Vernie Hill; concerted action song (“Fairy Tales”), junior girls; song and picture (“Bubbles"), Jean Pickard and Joan Kirkham; concerted character song (“Jingle Johnny”), junior girls; duet (“Saucy Sailor Boy”), Jean Pickard and Noni Davidson; action song, Vera White; scena (“Sandman”), juniors (Sandman, Ivan Davidson). Miss F. Pickard was an efficient accompanist. At the close of the programme the chairman congratulated Miss Barker and her pupils on the excellence of the programme, and presented Miss Parker, on behalf of the Band of Hope and Sunday School, with a beautiful copy of Browning’s poems as a token of appreciation.