AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19498, 5 June 1925, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

EMPIRE THEATRE. *'oh! Doctor/' a Carl Ixieinmh' production in which Reginald Denny and Mary Astor take the loading parts, i- the chief attraction at tho Empire Theatre tin's week. Iho production is a swift-moving, laughing romance in which the irrepressible and ever-original Reginald Denny is seen to great advantage as Rufus Billiixia, who as a child was coddled and pelted, growing up strong and healthy, hut obsessed with tho idea that he must til! himself with pills and potions. Billups was confided lo the tender mercies of an incubator immediately after birth, lie grew to manhood despite a youth that was devoted entiicly to preserving his health, but if iris mind centred on illness, Ids body attained size, if not great vigour. Left a groat fortune but, a small income, he went to live wit it an aunt, who had little sympathy lor ins hallucinations, and subjected him lo some rigorous treatment at the hands of specialists. Needing money, he borrowed from some Shylocks, pledging ids entire fortune, which, however, would not be laa until three years had elapsed. Alter minute examinations by exports, Bbylocks were convinced that he would live. One canny Ehylock, divining that an object in life would assure their loan, obtained a beautiful nurse. That changed him from a hypochondriac to a reckless daredevil. He sought thrills in every dangerous manner conceivable, finally winding up a busbami. and saved his fortune by the keen mind of the nurse. Those who have read the book by Harry Leon Wilson from which this production is taken will find that the story has lost none of its humour and pathos in its adaptation. Reginald Denny with his delightful and over-varied characteristics is well able to portray with the greatest reality the foibles and characteristics of the uctionist’s hero. There is also a very distinguished cast to assist the principals in an efficient and interesting rendering of this comody-drama. In addition lo the star item there is also a comprehensive programme o£ gazettes and. comedies of great interest, forming a good support foi. the big picture. The Empire Concert Orchestra under the able baton of Mr Oh as. Parnell renders an excellent programme of appropriate music included in which might bo mentioned the following selection; Entr’acte, selection from “Maritana” (Wallace), selection from •'Quaker Girl” (Monckton), selection from "Our Miss Gibbs” (Carlyll and Monckton), selection from “Madame Sherry" (Hoschna), Shapiro Medley (overture), humoresque (Dvorak). “Grown Diamonds” (Attber), and latest popular Fox Trots —“Spain” (Jones), "Where the Lazv Daisies Grow’,’ (Friend), “The One I Dove” (Kalmand Jones), “From One Till Two” (Hoover). OCTAGON THEATRE. How love finally came to a couple who entered into matrimony without any thought of romance and solely for the worldly advantages each would bring to the other furnishes the basis for “Gerald Cranston s Lady,” a William Fox production, which will be screened at the Octagon Theatre to-night. Gerald Cranston makes a bargain with Lady Henuione to marry her. Love is not to enter into the affair, as he is marrying for social prestige, and she to secure financial independence for herself and young son.' Ibbotsleigh. who loves llerinionc. goes on a venture to Africa, which, unknown to him. Gerald finances. Before going, Ibbotsleigh taunts Henuione with being a purchased woman, and endeavours to make love lo her. Ilerrnionc respects Gerald, and is jealous of the way her little son loves him. So she goes to the country. Angela, Iter cousin, who loves Gerald, makes loves to him, and uses all her (towers to win him, even following him to Paris in an aeroplane. Ilormione returns, realising she has begun .to love Gerald, but it is turned to disgust when she learns of the trip to Paris. She taunts him with it Just (hen a discontented mob from Gerald’s factories attack him, and ho is badly beaten. Angola comes to ilormione and tells her that Gerald is true to her. When he is brought into tho house helpless, Ilermiono, who has repulsed all of Gerald’s previous advances, tolls him she loves him, and offers the entire fortune he has settled on her and the child in order to save him from threatened financial ruin. The musical programme to be rendered by the Octagon Concert Orchestra, under the direction of Arthur Neate, promises to be something special. The items include : —Overture, “Semirarnido’’ (Rossini); “Symphony No. 2” (Haydn); “Sonata No. 2 Opus 49” (Beethoven) ; Consolation No. 3 (I.izst): !‘Romance,” opus 9 (Ambrosio); “Barcarolle," from "T.es Contes Hoffmann,” by request (Offenbach); “Butterflies.” bv request (Seiler): "Serenade Esnagnol” (Windcatt): “Marche Tartare” (Ganne); “Pulcanelfo” (.Metier' - “In Lavender Time” (Chapman). EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. There will lie a complete change of programme at Everybody's Theatre to-night, when the two chief pictures will lie “Jan of the Big Snows,” a swift-moving drama of the Hudson Bay Country, written by James Oliver Cnrwood, and “Worldly Goodh,” a Paramount picture with Agnes Avres in the lending role. The lirst-ineii-tiiied picture is a characteristic Cnrwood story, embodying as it docs much of the drain a and tense life of the Far North where men of all nations and creeds—some with a hairspring temperament and others with no temperament at all—struggle for existence with varying degrees of fortune. There is adso a strong supporting list, including several comedies and gazettes. QUEEN’S THEATRE. “Idle Tongues” is the star feature in the new programme appearing at the Queen’s Theatre this week. Percy Marmont and Doris Kenyon head a distinguished east in (he screen version of Joseph C. Lincoln’s famous novel “Dr Nye.” Percy Marmont, as Dr Nye, is seen in a striking role, fighting for liis good name and the woman ho loves, both of which his neighbours seek to take from him. A whole village turns against the unfortunate doctor, who has been saddled with a crime for which lie is not responsible. Friends hate and enemies seek to fan the village anger to white heat. I How the doctor and the woman he loves pit themselves and their love against small town gossip and malice is shown in this eolourfnl love drama of Cape Cod. The other feature of the programme is a Beaumont Smith production entitled “Joe,” a clean, healthy, and bright Australian comedy drama. The story comes from Henry Lawson’s book, “Joe Wilson and His Mates.” Another feature of the programme is the supporting list of gazettes and comedies. PLAZA AND CRAN’D THEATRES. An event of interest at tho Plaza and Grand Theatres to-night will be the screening of the films of the screen tests w-hich were held at the Plaza during April. In addi(ioi) a complete programme headed by an adaptation of Robert W. Service's novel. “The Roughneck.” will be presented. The story is a William Fox production, and the scene changes from the San Francisco waterfront of 20 years ago to a tropical island where numerous events of an exciting character take place. George O’Brien plays the leading part, and is supported by Billie Dove (the heroine), Harry T. Morey (who adds the villainous touch), and many others. Another picture is “Held to Answer,” a mystery story written by Clark MacFarlnnd.