AMUSEMENTS,

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19350, 10 December 1924, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS,

OCTAGON THEATRE. ‘‘The Green Goddess’’ is proving a strong attraction at the Octagon Theatre this week, a large audience witnessing the screening of the picture each evening. The adventures of the English residents in India who fall into the hands of an unscrupulous Rajah provide ample material for a thrilling series of incidents, in the portrayal of which intense melodrama and comedy are judiciously mixed, A number of scenes of Oriental luxury form a feature of the production. The performers are thoroughly skilled artists, who know how to make the best of their opportunities, “The Green Goddess” is supplemented by a meritorious collection of comedies and topical pictures, and appropriate music is presented by the Octagon orchestra. EMPIRE THEATRE. Life in the resorts of the Apaches is splendidly illustrated in the picture “The Moral Sinner,” which forms the leading attraction at the Empire Theatre at present. As a queen of the Apaches Miss Dorothy Dalton invests the story with a realism that is greatly appreciated, and her adventures make a strong appeal to the audience. The supporting films are of an interesting nature, and the musical programme is up to the usual high standard. EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. Two attractive pictures are presented at Everybody’s Theatre—“Forbidden Valley’” and “Love Letters.” The leading parts in the former are taken by May M‘Avoy and Bruce Gordon, while Shirley Mason heads the cast in the latter. Each picture is a splendid on© of its kind, and the numerous thrilling and mysterious incidents are followed with keen interest. The other pictures are also of a pleasing nature. QUEEN’S THEATRE. An absorbing drama of love and hate is unfolded at the Queen’s Theatre under the title of “The Desert Calls,” in which the part of the heroine is taken by Louise Caldwell. The story is full of exciting adventures, and the climax, in which the heroine and her husband are reunited after passing through many trials, is quit© a pleasing one. Another feature is “More to be Pitied than Scorned," the keynote of which is mother love, and there is a good collection of supporting films. “TO THE LAST MAN.” To the Last Man,” another of the popular Zane Grey novels, has been filmed by the Paramount Company and will bo screened at the Empire Theatre for one week, commencing on Friday next. Miss Lois Wilson, who -played the leading role in “The Covered Waggon,” is the heroine in the latest Zane Grey romance to •be filmed by the Paramount Company. This company sent the players and a large staff of experts to the actual location of the plot in the novel, and the author accompanied the director, Mr Victor Fleming, and supervised the picturisation of his story. The usuqt prices will be charged, and the box plan' will be available at the Bristol. BAND OF HOPE CONCERT. An entertainment arranged by the secretary of the Band of Hope Union was given on Monday night, members of the follow ing bands contributing items: —St. Clair. St. Kilda, South Dunedin, Cargill Road, Cavorshom, Roslyn. St. Andrew’s, Tabernacle, Mornington. Ravensboume, and Hanover Street. The programme included vocal and instrumental solos and duets, action songs, choruses, and elocutionary items. A plentiful supply of fruit and sweets had been taken by the children and distributed during an interval to the inmates present At ihe close of the concert Mr Portoous, ou behalf of the residents, moved a vote of thanks and appreciation to t v i,» performers, and it was carried by acclamation. Mr Hiett, on behalf of the children, expressed their pleasure in being able to bring a little brightness and cheer into their lives. A happy evening concluded with the National Anthem. CHAMBER MUSIC RECITAL. To-night in Bums Hall music-lovers will have an opportunity of listening to a chamber music recital Mr Martin has arranged an excellent programme, which will compare i ery favourably with his iocital given last July, and patrons may be assured of a musical treat. As the recital will commence punctually at 8 o’clock patrons are requested to be seated promptly as the doors will be closed during the performance of the sti ing quartet. THE “ MESSIAH ” CHORUSES. While there is much of beauty in the soloists’ work in Handel’s “ Messiah ” —a fact which no on© would under-estimate for a moment —yot the choruses demand great attention. Many of the same people listen to these poems of nmsio year after year. They sea something fresh each time, and are conscious of their grandeur and beauty. Truly this, masterpiece of Handel’s grips the listeners as only the work of a great master mind and soul can do, and this remarkable grip or fascination is as great to-day as ever? It will be given by the Dunedin Choral Society in His Majesty’s Theatre on Tuesday and "Wednesday next at 7.45 n.m. The ranks of the tenors and bassos will be strengthened by members of the Dunedin Male Choir. Thus those noble choruses, including “ And the Glory of the Lord,” “For Unto Us a Child is Born,” “Behold, the Lamb of God,” “The Hallelujah,” “ Worthy is the Lamb,” The Amen,” n.ay be looked forward to in expectation of listening with much enjoyment. The reserve seat plan opens at the Bristol Piano Company on Friday morning.