AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19500, 8 June 1925, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

EMPIRE THEATRE. A Universal screen feature is the attraction at the Empire Theatre, and is drawing largo attendances. -This picture, which is entitled “ Oh, Doctor!” has earned the reputation of being the most humorous production over seen, and that claim wou _ appear to bo justified. It simply teems with humour and fun of a healthy nature, ihe story concerns the experiences of a young man who, in his childhood, is handicapped by the fear of relatives that he is doomed to an early death unless extraordinary care is taken to prevent him suffering any ot the ills so common to childhood. As a result ho grows into manhood a confirmed hypochondriac, his waking hours being confined to guarding himself against any possible exposure to the elements. For reasons very vital to three men who have loaned him money it is their greatest desuo to keep him alive for at threo After that their personal interest will cease for they will have possessed thein=elves of the great fortune he will inherit at the end of That period. Hoping to get his mind off his physical condition, the money-lenders employ a beautiful nurse to tend him. This opens up a fresh vista in life for the young man, and his escapades and adventures provide scope for an unusually funny picture. Reg. Denny, who is in the principal'role, gives a masterly impersonation, and Mary Aster is at the head of a strong cast which handles the other roles admirably. The Empire Orchestra provides an excellent programme of music. OCTAGON THEATRE. “Gerald Cranston’s Lady,” adapted from Gilbert Frankau’s novel, is the leading picture at the Octagon Theatre, and' is finding favour, if one may judge from the large attendances on Saturday and the applause with which tho picture is greeted. The story, which was adapted for screen purposes by Edmund Goulding, is classed us one of the most ambitious screen productions of the year. Gerald Cranston makes a bargain with Lady Heimione to marry her. Love is not to enter into the affairs, as he is marrying for social prestige, and alio to secure financial independence for herself and her young son. Ibbotsleigh, who loves Hcrmione, goes on a venture to Afrita, which, unknown to him. Gerald finances. Before going Ibbotsleigh taunts Hermione with being a purchased woman, and endeavours. to make love to her. Hermiono respects Gerald, and is jealous of tho way her little son loves him. So she goes to the country. Angela, her cousin, who loves Gerald,. makes love to him and uses all her powers to win him, even following him to Paris in an aeroplane. Hermione returns, realising that she had begun to lose Gerald, but she is disgusted when she learns of tho trip to Paris. She taunts him with it. Just then a discontented mob from one of Gerald’s factories attacks him, and he is badly beaten. Angela comes to Hermione and tells her that Gerald is true to her. When he is brought into the house helpless, Hermione, who has repulsed all of Gerald’s previous advances, tells him she loves him, and offers (he entire fortune he has settled on her and the child in order to save him from threatened financial ruin. The (wo leading roles are taken by Alma Reubens and .Tamos Kirkwood. There are some particularly good comedies and gazettes, and the Octagon Concert Orchestra plays a delightful programme of music. QUEEN’S THEATRE. A bright Australian comedy-drama entitled “ Joe” is one of tho principal features of this week’s programme at the Queen’s Theatre, and coupled with this is “ Idle Tongues,” from the novel “ Dr Nye,” by Joseph C. Lincoln. In addition to these there is a substantial supporting programme including several comedies and gazettes. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. A story of (ho Far, North, from the graphic pen of Janies Oliver Gurwood, is one of the main pictures at Everybody’s Theatre this week. It is entitled ‘‘Jan of the Big Snows,” and tells of men who respect the "honour of the big snows’’ and a stranger who does not. The other feature is “Worldlv Goods;” a story of a “hot air” husband vvhqse domestic life nearly ended in tragedy. There is also an adequate supporting list. GRAND AND PLAZA THEATRES. “The Roughneck,’’ a vivid story of adventure in the South Seas,- is one of the chief pictures at the Grand and Plaza Theatres this week. The story was written by Robert W. Service, and the loading role is played bv George O’Brien. Another big picture is “Held to Answer,’’ a Metro play featuring House Peters and EVelyn and in addition to these the screen tests which were taken in Dunedin a few weeks ago and several supports are presented.