AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19505, 13 June 1925, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS.

OCTAGON THEATRE. It is inevitable that all stories of the winning of the West shall bo compared with “The Covered Wagon,” just as “Tho Birth of a Nation 1 ’ continued to bo tho standard of measurement long after the splendours of that first big play had been* eclipsed. In “North of 36’’ Irvin Wiliat has produced a story that cun hold its own well with the story of the Oregon' pioneers. It is not an imitation, but another phase of tho development; another saga of tho AN estorn plains, picturesque, colourful, and with a fairly strong story by tho author of ‘The Covered Wagon.’’ 1 This is a more intimate typo of tale. ’ Instead of following the fortunes of tho mile-long train of prairie wagons, “North of 36” deals with the individual fortune of Taisio Lockhart in her effort to win through tho Indian country to the railhead with her huge herd of cattle, and in place of tho snake-like trad of covered wagons there are seemingly interminable masses of longhorn cattle. Underlying both stories is the single, idea of tho opening of tho Western territory. At all times (ho photography is worthy of the unusual scenic setting's, and there are a score of shots, tho stampedes, and tho night herding, any single frame of which is in itself intro art. Tho picture is a treat to art lovers, but the purely pictorial is merely a background for the unfolding of the Dory. A Inch of tho action deals with the trite theme of obtaining “tho papers,” but this hackneyed idea js told in such vigorous action that you can forgive tho melodramatic standby. The comedy relief is unusually well handled. _ it is a part of tho story, seldom an intrusion, and is so precisely placed that tho tension of supense docs not break. There are some delightful scenes in which Guy Oliver, as Mayor of Abilene, welcomes the first huge drove, which is stampeded through tho tented town to the blare of the welcoming brass band. There is novelty in the arrival of tho old-lirno train with its wood-burning engine and lino contrast between the prairie scenes and those on the Texas ranch. The picture easily can held its own with its archetype. Lois Wilson is /oven bolter in this than in tho earlier production because she is given a more prominent place in tho story. Ernest Torrence dominates the plot with his usual artistry, and Noah Beery is capital as the ox-out law, who lias become State Treasurer. With not only tho opportunity but the incentive to overact, lie holds himself within tho picture at all times. Even in spite of his villainy, one. questions the scene in which ho is callously turned over to tho Indians for torture, but those scenes are so delicately handled that they will net affect the squeamish. Jack Holt carries himself well in tho role of M‘Masters, and lliero are a number of capital bits played as carefully as though they were star parts. Tho entire production has boon cast with unusual skill to add to tho ensemble. “North of 56” is an achievement raher than a production. Tho story tolls of Sim Rudabaugh, ox-outlaw and Treasurer of Texas in the early days, who plots to corner tho script which represents tho rich cattle lands. He particularly covets the last groat ranch, owned by Taisio Lockhart, Taisio has not tho money to pay hor riders, but they refuse to bo discharged. There comes Dan M’M.asters, whoso father was an old friend of Lockhart’s. Ho brings word that the railroad has been pushed through to Abilene. Ff (hey can got their caltlo to tho railhead they can realise upon their potential riches—but it is 1000 miles across Indian country. Taisio decides to take the chance. Dan offers his escort, but circumstances raise the suspicion that ho and not Rudabaugh is trying to get Taisio’s land-script. Ho is driven off and joins up with Rudabaugh, to spy upon his plans and foil big evil devices. During u night attack tho cattle nro stampeded, but are stopped by tho cowmen, headed by Jim Nabours, the foreman, and at last reach Abilene, whore (heir arrival is made a gala event. Dan wins Taisio, Sim is given to the Oomancho chief, whoso wives ho has slain, and Jim attains tho longed-for dignity of a boiled shirt. Special music incidental to tho picture will bo rendered by tho Paramount Octagon Orchestra, under the oonductorship of Mr Arthur Noato. The following is a list of some of the items played Overture. “Little Madcap” (Gruenwold); “Ukranian Suite” (Moronn): “Ronda Alla Zingareso,” from tho first, Quartet, opus 25 (Brahms); ‘■lndian Canzonctla” (Dvorak); “Danse dos Bouffons,” from tho opera, “Suezourotchka” (Kimsky-Korsakov); "Venetian Serenade” (Luzzati) ; “Cuban Serenade” (Puerner); “Caprice Intermezzo” (Bernard); “Intermezzo” (Strauss).' Tho box plan for the reserved circle is open at Begg’s, and reserved stalls may bo booked at tho theatre. EMPIRE THEATRE. “AVhy Worry?” Those who saw Harold Lloyd in a picture of tho same name at the Empire Theatre last night forgot that their peace of mind luql ever been destroyed by any such things as business or domestic worry. Harold Lloyd has already gained great popularity for his comedy work, which is not of tho usual “slapstick” variety. “AVhy AA'orry?” which is a Pathe production, hurl a very successful run in tho northern centres, and, judging by tho enthusiasm with which tho audience received tho picture last night, it is certain to prove popular with Dunedin thoatro-goers. In "AVhy Worry" Harold Lloyd has a role which suits him to perfection, and he is ably assisted by Jobyna Ralston, who plays the part of liis nurse. In Colosso (John Aasou), who is considerably more than tho usual number of cubits in stature, tho Patho Company has made a valuable find as tho giant’s screen work is most amusing. For instance, toothache is for most people an excruciating pain, but when a giant suffers from a nagging tooth his agony is oven more excruciating. Harold Lloyd finds Colosso in tho throes of toothache, and, after considerable ditlioulty, succeeds in extracting tho root of the trouble, and consequently gains a life-long bodyguard. Colosso is particularly usetul in acting as a gun-carriage for an old-fashioned pounder which Lloyd uses to disperse his enemies. In “Wiiy Worry” Lloyd plays tho part of Harold Van' Pelham, a rich young idler, who kept himself and a corps of doctors and nurses busy taking care of his health, which was perfect, but, having nothing to do but think about himself, he imagined lie had everything except smallpox. So ho sought health and quiet seclusion in tho tropics. AATth him went his nurse and valet. The nurse was putting her heart and soul —especially hor heart —into her work, Their destination was Paradiso, which had been a drowsy city in a dreamy land until Jm Blake, an American, saw a means of making money* in overthrowing the government. His outlaw forces had just taken possession of the town, when Harold, innocent of tho hotbed of revolution bo was getting into, was wheeled ashore. He was speedily arrested, and put in the same cell a.s Colosso, a giant hermit. His nurse, fleeing from tho amorous advances of Blake, disguished herself in the native attire of a boy, and hid in a hut. When Harold found her ho scolded her for playing around in boy’s clothes when she should have been looking after his precious health. Naturally, she was furious, and let him know it. He was in the midst of admiring hor beautiful, ■flashing, brown eyes when Blake entered and recognised the nurse, in spite of her disguise. Harold fights Blake successfully, and, by a strategy, routs tho revolutionists, and so busy was the boy that ho forgot his heart and nerves, and refused for tho first time to take his pills. AVith much satisfaction he diagnosed his own case—ho was in love, with nis nurse. So tho couple enjoy a mutual convelescence. Gazettes and comedies were also screened. Tho Empire Grand Orchestra rendered a fine musical programme, which is of tho usual high standard associated with this theatre. QUEEN'S THEATRE. “Being Respectable,” with Monte Blue and Mario Provost in tho leading roles, was the chief picture on the new programme screened at tho Queen’s Theatre yesterday. Tho store tells of a group of people of average social standing 'who tried to work out their destinies on tho theory that they didn’t care what, people thought of thorn and were in no sense bound by the socalled “conventions.” Tho unhappy tangle that resulted in the theme of the narrative. Monte Blue, Mario Prevost, Irene Rich, Louise Fazenda, and Theodore A r on Eliz aopcar in the cast. Mr Blue plays tho part of a young man who is forced into a marriage with a girl with whom ho had not Ihe slightest thought of marrying through the machinations of a designing parent of the girl. His subsequent “unconventional” conduct lends him right up to the point, of cloning with another woman ami deserting his wife and baby. However, he finds that it cannot be done. The second feature was “Sandra.” in which Barbara La Marr Hays tho title role. In hor paid she is denieted as n woman with a rest loss heart. Site craves love. yet. she knows not where to find it. Her quest carries her throughout, the capitals and gay spots of Em-one. and she meets with numerous novel' experiences. A’ef the real love she seeks is not p, be found. Finally Pandra returns to her home town, and there she discovers love, right on her own doorstep. P,p-t T,vfe|! i- Vi--- I,a Marr’s leading man, and the couple have an admirable supporting cast. Gome.dies and gazettes arc also I included in the programme.

EVERY BODY'S THEATRE

An attractive double-feature programme marked the change-over at Everybody s Theatre last night, the mahi_ attractions being “Desire” and “Hidin' West. ’ Iho last-mentioned picture tells of Madalyn Harlan and Bob Elkins, who wail to break oil their engagement until they arc married. They decide they cannot see it through, and Madalyn flees to tho anus of the man sho really loves. Ho is Jerry Kyan, the Harlan chauffeur, and Madalyn gets secretly married to him. Bob turns for consolation to Ruth Cassell, tt girl who lives with her grandfather, a violin teacher. Bob shows her tho city night life, arid she responds to his lovemaking by giving him her first kiss in a private room at the Casa Diablo. Sho considers this proof of their engagement, and is baffled and hurt when Bob treats the matter as a joke. Madalyn, in tho meantime, fearing to inform her parents of her marriage, feels her way by telling them that sho and Jerry are engaged. The result is that Jerry I: discharged, and she is forbidden to see him again. However, she makes a clandestine visit to his home, and there she finds that her social background raises an almost insuperable barrier between her and the Ryans. Back at homo, however, she realises that her desire for Jerry is more powerful than her caste instinct, and, tossing_ away wealth, social position, and the affection of her parents, she goes to Jerry’s homo. Mrs Ryan, not knowing of the secret marriage, refuses her and says her son Jerry does not tvant anything more to do with her. Madalyn, in despair, takes jx>ison in one of tho cafes where she had oreviously had so much excited pleasure, ’iho manager, thinking her in a stupor of intoxication, carries her to a taxi-cab, with orders to the chauffeur to drive her to an hotel for the night. Tho chauffeur is Jerry, and it is not until ho lifts Madalyn from the taxi-cab that ho discovers she is hi s wife. She is dead. The morning newspapers carry two sensational stories — one of tho disappearance of Madalyn Harlan, and tho other of Jerry Ryan, who, driving his taxi-cab, madly plunges off a city dock. Bob finally decides bo cannot live without Ruth, and finds happiness with her. There is also a substantial list of supporting pictures. GRAND AND PLAZA PICTURES. “The Man Who Played Square” is the title of a Fox five-reel production which is tho chief picture of the new programme at the Grand and Plaza Theatres. While this western melodrama presents nothing out of tho ordinary in plot and treatment, there is packed away enough action and incident in its footage to please patrons who cater to tho thrills of the open country. It involves a conflict between the heroine, the owner of the gold mine, and the character of tho title —and also presents tho usual melodramatic triangle—with the familiar crooked foreman determined to win the girl and embarrass the youth.. After planting its complications which concern tho ownership of tho mine, tho action develops around the efforts of tho hero to protect the heroine. Tin’s incident is typically characteristic of such stories. There is some deft comedy when the camp cook visualises his exaggerated heroics when ho was a doughboy. His wild story is exceeded by one which is told by tho hero But this effort to outdo each other in reciting war-time exploits cements a friendship which eventually establishes the hero’s honesty when ho is accused of theft. Buck Jones, who plays Iho hero, has opportunity to display his physical strength a-s well as suggest the “square-shooter” by holding himself in restraint;. When he rescues tho heroine, from tho mine the love sark is developed, hut (here is an aiiti-cl’ninx tacked on the logical ending that could just as well have been dispensed with insofar as adding punch to the story. There is plenty of physical action along orthodox linos, though the plot and incident are too obvious to suggest much suspense. Wanda Hawley is not so convincing as the heroine. She would sacrifice characterisation (o disport herself in fashionable attire in one particular scene, and Ben Hendricks, as the villainous foreman, is adequate, though ho also steps out of character in appearing so well groomed Hank Mann’s coniody relief is enjoyable. There is also an adequate supporting programme. J. C. NEWLAND’S RECITALS. On Thursday next, in Bums Hall, Mr Nowlands will give tho first of three dramatic recitals. Mr Newlnnds brings to his various readings a fine sense of appreciation, and interpretative gifts of the highest order. Ho comes from Scotland, where he was professor at Now College, Edinburgh, for many years. His first recital includes works hv Edgar Allan Poo, Rudyard Kipling, Charles Dickens Shakespeare, Alfred Noyes, Robert Ford, Masefield, Barrio, and Woalherley. The box plan is at tho Bristol.