AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19276, 13 September 1924, Page 16

AMUSEMENTS.

PRINCESS THEATRE. Not for a long time has there been a programme of better quality at the Princess Theatre than the one which is being preesnted this week. The performers are all an unusually talented lot, and take every care to apply their best efforts to their work Fred M’Donald and Vera St. John provide the principal act of the evening—a comedy sketch of Australian country life, and other good turns are contributed by Bert Harrow, Togo, Knight and Brady, Ford and Aldous, Vaude and Verne, Hartley and Wright, and Don. G. Merle. OLIVALLI’S MINIATURE CIRCUS ON MONDAY. With the advent on Monday of Cliwalli’s Miniature Circus, patrons will Witness a sensationally clover animal act. The troupe consists of a mind-reading dog, “Sport,” two monkeys, a pair of diminutive ponies, and a number of pigeons. “Sport” is one of the major attractions. Mr Clivalli has had him for 13 years, and his feats savour of the miraculous. Standing on the stage, he will bark out all figures dotted down by members of the audience, without sign from his master, who, moreover, does not himself see the figures. The ponies, only nine hands high, are adept waltzers. and figure also in the finale, in which, ridden by the monkeys, they race over the hurdles. “Clare,” the educated baboon, is the humourist, and gives a flavour of hilarity to the whole proceedings. Without doubt. Fuller patrons, young and old, will find this a most diverting act.

EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. “Paddy, the Next Best Thing,’/ which was seen on the stage some little time ago. is now to bo witnessed in a picturised form at Everybody’s Theatre. “Paddy, the Next Best Thing,” has been cleverly handled by the producer, who has made the screen sotting pt the story very interesting, and attractive. The leading part of Paddy is extremely well filled by Mae Marsh, ' who plays with abandon, and is a typical example of an Irish girl as she is known in song and story. Miss Marsh invests the character with an abundance of fun and frolic. Paddy is one who ,is deeply interested and concerned, in the love affairs of others, and her own time comes. It is quite a romance in the case of Paddy, and is a very brisk affair. Miss Marsh is very strongly supported by a good company. Another picture, entitled “They Like ’Em Rough,” is possibly of equal merit, some might even prefer it, and tells of & wilful young lady who enters . rather impetuously into wedlock without understanding its serious responsibilities. It is somewhat a case of marrying in haste and repenting at leisure. The wilful one, not having a proper understanding, regards her marriage as a huge joke. Everything, however, comes out right. The leading part is taken by Viola Dana, well-known os a screen artist.

QUEEN’S THEATRE. At the Queen’s Theatre there was screened for the first time yesterday “Westbound Limited.” It is concerned with the experiences of those engaged on the railways in the more remote portions of America. It is extremely spectacular, and the spectator is confronted by train collisions, gigantic forest fires that sweep everything before them, and an exciting race between an automobile and an express train, xhere is, of course, a romance attached to “Westbound Limited” that is extremely interesting, and enhances the value of the picture. The phot- graphy is excellent, and better acting scarcely be looked for. The principal parts are filled by Ralph Lewis, Ella Hall, and Claire M‘Dowell, who have strong support accorded them. The producer is Emory Johnson, who is evidently well versed in the methods essential to kiccess in picture production.

OCTAGON AND EMPIRE THEATRES. The feature in the'now programme at the Octagon and Empire Theatres is “The Covered Wagon,” a story of pioneering. It can be readily understood that closely identified with pioneering is adventure of a most startling kind. The picture illustrates in vivid form the trek of ’49 across America to Oregon by a band of men, women, and children. There is an imposing procession of 500 wagons that contain the would-be. settlers’ belongings, and a large number of horses and cattle form part of the great trek. An elderly man named Wingate is the leader of the party, and the course is through desert, over mountain, and across swiftly-flowing rivers. The scenery is of infinite grandeur, and from a picturesque point of view alone the film is worth seeing. There is necessarily a love incident in “The Covered Wagon”— a moving picture would be incomplete without it; as well have “Hamlet” without the Prince of Denmark. Molly Wingate is the heroine, and has been promised in marriage by her parents to Sam Woodfull, but Bannion wins Molly’s love, and, of course, trouble arises between the two men, ’ There is a terrific fight, and in order to keep the two men apart Bannion is ordered to keep at a distance, and travel in a parallel course. A prairie fire breaks out when the main body has to cross a swollen river, and Indians attack, and overpower Wingate’s section of the expedition. Bannion plays the hero and saviour on every occasion, but the coveted prize (Molly) is lost to him, and marries Sam. “The Covered Wagon” is a remarkahlv fine picture.* Lois Wilson presents Molly very capably, Warren Kerrigan is Bannion, and Ernest Torrance is particularly succesful in the part of a scout named Jackson. MALE CHOIR CONCERT. The concert, to bo given by the Dunedin Male Choir in His Majesty’s Theatre this evening promises to ho a particularly enjoyable one, as a really excellent programme. varied to suit all tastes, has been arranged for the occasion. This popular choir can be relied on to adequately interpret the many choice items that they have rehearsed for this concert, bringing out the artistic beauties and harmonious rnelod'es for which male part songs are noted. The choir will ho assisted by Mrs F. H. Oarr, who will sing “Counais tn le pays” (from “Mignon”) and Elgar’s “Like to the Damask Rose.” Mr 11. M'Allum will sing Allitson’s “Prince Ivan’s Song,” and Mr J. M. Oliver will sing Hermann Lohr’s "Nelson’s (Tone a Sailing,” The quartet parly, consisting of Messrs Newton, Mills Blackwood, and Cooper, will give “Melisande in the Wood,” and lake incidental work in the part songs. As violin solos, Mr H. Petti! t will give Ed German’s “Bolero,” and Mosr.kowski’s “Spanish iJance,” and Mr J. B. M’Connell, the elocutionist for the occasion, will recite “Gloucester’s Soliloquy,’’ from Richard 111. DUNEDIN COMPETITIONS. The Dunedin Competitions Society’s annual festival will commence on Tuesday next, Owing to the large entry Bums Hall has beon engaged as well as His Majesty’s Theatre and the Victoria - Hall. Excellent programmes havo been arranged for each session, and the evening programmes are expected to prove most attractive. The box plan is now open at the Bristol. Season tickets may lie* obtained on application at the s- rotary’s office.