AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19443, 31 March 1925, Page 11

AMUSEMENTS.

OCTAGON AND EMPIRE THEATRES. The - Universal Company’s film dramatisation of Victor Hugo’s immortal story “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” attracted crowded attendances at the Octagon and Empire Theatres again yesterday. “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” is a kinemagraphic masterpiece in the truest sense of the word. The sets, which include representations of the Cathedral of Notre Dame, the Court of Miracles, Place de Parvis, the Palais du Justice, the Bastille, and many streets of Paris of the period of Louis XI., are gems of mingled beauty, magnificence, quaintness, and are above all genuine replicas of a historic city whose greatness is thus conveyed forever on the screen. The screening of such an intricate story as this was a huge undertaking, especially when a physical production perfect to the last detail is in question, for so great a motion picture the industry and the public should be eternally grateful to Carl Laemmle. But aside from the production itself, never before has such a remarkable individual performance been given as that of Lon Chaney in the stellar role of Quasimodo, the deformed bell-ringer of the Cathedral of Notre Dame. Mr Chaney, known for years as “the man of a thousand faces,” outdoes himself in its vivid impersonation It would be inadequate to say that he gave a splendid performance. His "Quasimodo” is such a real re-creation of the original that all we can say is—open a volume of Victor Hugo’s “Notre Dame de Paris,” read the minute description of the poor hunchback and see if you don’t feel that no one could possibly be such as this character —then see this production and find “Quasimodo” come to life. Mr Chaney has realised the character not only physically, but psychologically. It is as though the living man was before ns, and not an actor. Never did an actor merge his identity in a role more completely, or make his audience lose sight of the individual more fully. Special musical programmes are also provided. The picture will be screened at both theatres until Friday next. QUEEN’S THEATRE. “Babbitt,” a film dramatisation of Sinclair Lewis's well-known novel, is proving a good draw at Hie Queen’s Theatre at present The story deals with a man who sought the glamour of romance outside his own home in an endeavour to reclaim his lost youth through the love of a beautiful woman. Willard Louis, who appeared in the role of the Prince of Wales in “Beau Brummel” is cast as Babbitt, and Carmel Myers plays the prominent part of Tanis. The second feature if entitled “Leave It to Jerry,” with Billy Rhodes in the chief role. Comedies and gazettes are also provided. EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. “Lily of the Dust,” with Pola Negri in the title role, has pride of place on the current programme at Everybody’s Theatre. The story is an adaptation of the popular novel and stage piny “The Song of Songs,” which tells of a young girl and her fight in life —a girl whose beauty and appeal is a handicap rather than -an asset. The second feature is entitled “Life’s Twist,” with Bessie Burriscalc in the leading role. A good supporting programme is also provided.