AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19316, 31 October 1924, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

OCTAGON AND QUEEN’S THEATRES. A very exciting picture entitled " Safety Last ’’ will head the change of programme at the Octagon and Queen’s Theatres commencing to-day. Harold Lloyd, who plays tho loading role, is one of tho loading actors of the day in comedy work, arid he has achieved a groat success in “ Safety Lust.” Tho keynote of the picture is excitement, and, as Lloyd executes a number of thrilling stunts on the top of a skyscraper, the interest of the spectator is not likely to wane. In addition to the thrills there is plenty of laughter in the picture and Lloyd keeps the audience amused right through tho seven rods. Mildred Davis, who plays opposite him, gives a delightful portrayal of her part. Varied and interesting supporting films, will bo screened, and at the Octagon Theatre a special musical programme will add to the enjoyment of the evening's entertainment. EMPIRE THEATRE. It is a remarkable fact that bluff can carry one a long way, but, though it is. considered by some to be one of the essentials for success, there is no question that unless it is applied with extreme tact and care it almost invariably' leads its disciple into tight comers which, strange to.say, the victim can only extricate himself by more bluff, unless, of course, the bluff is” called. The new picture which will be screened at, the Empire Theatre to-night is entitled “ Bluff,” and principal performers are Agnes Ayres ondAntonio Moreno. The story tells of a young woman named Betty' Hallowed, who could not sell her designs to the modistes although she was sure that they were good. With her money running short and a crippled brother to look after, she decided to imprescuate a leader of fashion who was reported as missing. Unfortunately tho missing girl was wantqcl by the police, and Bettv found herself famous in many ways. She was -wanted by the police for being someone else, and when she had proved she was not that person she was wanted for receiving money under a false name. But then there was Fitzie, a lawyer, who succeeds admirably in bluffing the men -who were trying to get Betty into trouble. In addition to this picture, which is a Paramount production, there is another featured production entitled “Alice Adams.” a screen adaptation of Booth Tarkington’s prize novel of that name, featuring Florence Yidor. The supports include a number of news films and comedies, and the Empire Orchestra contributes an entertaining musical programme PLAZA AND GRAND THEATRES. Those who recently enjoyed “ Conductor 1492 ” should find the new programme commencing to-day at the Grand and Plaza Theatres one of irresistible attraction. That inimitable comedian, Johnny limes, will appear in another mirthful photoplay entitled “Sure Fire Flint,” which deals with humorous adventures of Johnny as a taxi driver on Broadway. A Thoe. IT. Ince production entitled “ The Marriage Cheat,” a story of the South Sea Islands, is the second feature on the programme. In this picture civilisation and savagery are contrasted and creditable portrayals of the various characters are given by a capable cast. Varied and interesting supports will also be screened. EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. “ His Wife’s Husband,” featuring Betty Blytnc, is tho title of the chief picture which will be screened at Everybody’s Theatre to-night. Tho story tells of Olympia Brewster, a college girl of rare beauty, .who marries John Brainard, a man .shedoca not love, in order to escape drudgery in a mediocre hotel, and leaves him immediately after the ceremony upon learning that he did not love but merely desired her. She leaves a note, pretending she has drowned herself, and departs to join an uncle who has just sent her money. A strange women fires through a window aa slie roaches the street, she sees her husband fall as if dead, and later reads his death nbtice. Not long after, Olympia’s uncle passes away, leaving her his fortune, and she marries Henry Packard, a prosperous young lawyer who soon becomes mayor and then his party’s candidate for governor. Olympia, now mother of a beautiful daughter, is happy. Packard hires a secretary whom he takes to his new homo to have near him during tho political crisis. The man calls himself Steele, but so remarkably resembles Brainard that Olympia is alarmed. Steele disarms her suspicions, but after having arranged the betrayal of tho mayor to his political opponents for a consideration, Bteele brazenly informs his employer that he is his wife’s husband and will have to be so acknowledged, or the mayor must renounce tho nomination. An aged lady who has become Olympia’s guest through a peculiar circumstance places in Olympia’s hands tho instrument whereby she is able to thwart Steele’s nurposes, a certificate of marriage between Sieelo (Brainard) and a servant now' Olympia's housekeeper. There is a full list of supports.

It is proverbial that troubles never come singly, and this was exemplified the other morning (says the New Zealand Herald), when Commander Middleton, a retired naval officer, residing in Clarke road, Onchunga, discovered one of his cows dead, the loss being accentuated by the fact that it was a beautiful little Jersey, a 5001 b tested butter-fat cow. The owner promptly paid a visit by motor to the stock inspector, in order to obtain his opinion whether it had died from eating the black clover which is now' growing so profusely. Returning home, he found his garage and wush-liousa a mass of fames, and in a few minutes it was only a smouldering heap. However, in accordance with the custom in the navy, the owner took his Joss quite philosophically, consoling himself with the reflection that if the fire had occurred an hour earlier he would have lost his motor car also

Found growing on a slope of Mount Everest at a height of 20,000 ft, a wild rhododrendron has been successfully traneplanted to Kew Gardens. Until this specimen was found, scientists believed that plant life could not exist at a greater height than X7,ooofi.