AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19737, 13 March 1926, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS.

OCTAGON THEATRE. Tho principal picture of a specially good programme at the Octagon Theatre is a First National, in which Milton Sills, ably supported by Miss Dorothy Mackaill, plays the loading part. The story is that Lucille Thayer, tiring of New York society life, devotes her time to teaching in a pul' ■ school. She appeals to the police department for an offer to handle traffic near her school, and to run down a bootlegging gang. Patrolman James O'Malley is assigned to the job with instructions to obey Lucille’s commands. His first assignment from Lucille is to “get” the leader of the bootlegging gang, the brains of which is Herbert Browne, wealthy admirer of Lucille. During a raid on a society ball O’Malley slips in and arrests Browne, but frees him when he realises he is Lucille’s sweetheart. O’Malley is shot by Danny, a crook, but O’Malley refuses to charge Danny with the shotting, and Danny, who went to gaol rather than divulge tho name of his chief, believing Browne has bribed this officer, reveals Browne’s name to the captain. Realising the magnanimity of O’Maliov and the baseness of Browne, Lucille naturallv turns to the former, and the picture ends to the satisfaction of all. The Octagon Orchestra, under the baton of Mr A. F. Neate, is responsible for a specially fine musical programme. EMPIRE THEATRE. To be entertained is the motive which prompts the public to visit theatres. At the Empire Theatre this week they are assured of entertainment in “Sinners in Silk.” It is a Metro-Goldwvn production made by Hobart Henley, who knows all about high life with its laughter and tears, and is enacted by a fine cast headed by throe great favourites, Eleanor Boardman, Adolphe Menjou. and Conrad Nagel. The picture tolls of a prematurely aged man to whom Science brings back to youth. He falls in love with a girl who is rapidly losing her heart to a hoy nearer her own age, and who is in reality the other man s son. though the relationship is unknown. There is a big climax, big enough in fact to combine a few unsteady laughs with the tense situation presented, and one is thoroughly gripped bv it. With the exception of a few early scenes at sea, the picture takes its way through tho higher stratas of New York society, the background of many fine pictures of the past, although rot one of them can claim the number of variety of sudden, unexpected twists of plot as experienced in “Sinners in Silk.” The Empire Orchestra, under the direction of Mr Charles Parnell, renders an appropriate selection of musical numbers. QUEEN’S THEATRE. Tho headliner in a good programme, which was screened yesterday afternoon for the first time at the Queen's Theatre, was “The Speed Spook.” in which Johnny Hines is the principal actor. It is a doublebarreled plot. ■ On one side we have the progress through six reels of hurricane, whirlwind nondesorint: on the other the plot interest is buijt with the greatest possible climax, a political story. It may be said to be an organised effort against reckless motor car diving. The expression lends itself as a name for deceased speeders and is a warning to all motorists who drive carelessly. EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. Jackie Coogan is given plenty of scope for his undoubted comedy and dramatic ability in “A Boy From Flanders,” which will continue to delight patrons of Everybody’s Theatre till next Thursday night. It is a clover, entertaining story of the reconstructed war fields. Bebe Daniels is the star of “The Manicure Girl.” which is shown as the supporting attraction. It is a bright story, with Bebe Daniels her usual vivacious self.