AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19785, 10 May 1926, Page 14

AMUSEMENTS.

OCTAGON THEATRE. A good picture comedy is like a refreshing shower upon an arid waste of old ideas—ideas that are presented year after year, in a slightly ditierent lorm, in most picture theatres. It is only once in a while, however, mat a cemedy like “Charley’s Aunt” is seen, and wnen it does come it invariably spells full houses. The success of this picture is certainly reflected by the attendances at the Octagon Theatre on Friday and Saturday nights, and if further proor were required one had only to be nresent at the screenings to hear the spontaneous approval that echoed through the hall. “Charley’s Aunt’’ first became known to the public 33 years ago, when it experienced an astounding success on the stage. It had an almost unprecedented run. A.id now, modernised for film purposes, it is claimed to be even better than the original pro duction. For that matter the screen always does offer more scope than the stage, in spite of its muteness. Sydney Chaplin, the famous Charlie’s brother, plays the title role, and it is clear that he has captured the true comedy spirit and been able to retain it through the whole story—a feat which is certainly not a small one. As a story pure and simple, "Charley’s Aunt” would probably be a failure, but the scope tor by-play and good acting is unlimited, and Chaplin overlooks nothing. From beginning to end it is a farce of the Urst water—pure and wholesome. There are no social problems, no inferior complexes, nobody is “misunderstood” in the vague way of' the mundane movie heroine, and there is no suggestion of psychology. It is merely a simple story of a young college man who is torced by his class mates to don the clothes which ho to vveai for their play that night, and impersonate an old lady to allow his friends an opportunity to 'propose to the 'iris tney love. This role, Chaplin says, is the biggest thing in his screen experience so far, and a part he has visualised playing ever since he left England to seek his fortune on the screen in America a number of years ago. Playing opposite vffiaplin is Ethel Shan non, in the chief ‘ominine rple. James E. Page, who has played in “Charley’s Aunt’ on the stage in England for 12 years and who is now hack in London playing the role of Spettigue, in one of the stage companies, was brought over to play Spettigue in the film. The Octagon concert orchestra, under the direction of Mr Arthur Neate, plays a specially selected programme of music appropriate to the picture, and there is also an entr’ acte. EMPIRE THEATRE. The programme at the Empire Theatre this week is an exceptional one, the leading woman in the featured item, "The Dark Ange*, ’ being an actress of more than ordinary merit. This -is Vilma lianky, heralded as the world's most beautiful woman, who takes the part oi Kitty Vane in a story of England during and after the dark days of the war in 1918Supporting Miss Banky Ronald Colman, a young captain who is called back to his regiment at the moment of his betrothal to Kitty Vane. Too late to obtain a marriage license before the young officer's departure for the front at 5.50 a.m., the two part umvledded. The dark angel spread her wings over the soidier-lovet, who was struck down defending a field battery and taken prisoner. After the Armistice he was released,' but he had lost his eyesight and felt he could not ask Kitty to marry him. He buries himself in the North of England far from London, but a hunting party, of whom Kitty is one, meets in the vicinitv of his home, where he has settled down as a writer Kitty is thrown from her horse and found by her erstwhile lover and his youthful friends. But the blind man does not recognise the woman, and it is only when his coat, which he has lent the sufferer, is returned by his rival that his whereabouts are made known. Kitty finds him, and insists on breaking off her engagement to the rival and marrying the blind man, in spite of the protests of her father. A strong supporting programme of comedy, scenery, and music makes up the evening’s entertainment. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. There is a double-feature programme at Everybody’s Theatre this week. The first attraction is a Paramount production entitled “Wild, Wild Susan,” in which the star players arc Bebe Daniels and Rod La Rocque. The story tells of a young society girl who finds life too slow, and decides to “make the pace.” Edward Connelly and Alice Terry appear in “Where the Pavement Ends.” the second feature. The setting of this production is the beauty and glamour of a tropical sea. A strong supporting programme is provided. QUEEN’S THEATRE. When other pictures pall there is always the Wild West story to be seen. It is an old type of picture, but it vvill live, for the simple reason that it Is devoid of things that cannot he understood, and it also has the effect of reviving that spark of boyhood that lives in the breast of every man. Such a picture is “The Sunshine Trail,” which is being presented at the Queen’s Theatre this week It is full of all the old thrills—love, shooting, and riding that mark the type. Douglas MacLean and Edith Roberts play the leading roles, and they are supported by a wellknown cast. The balance of the programme is up to the usual high standard. A POPULAR DANCE. There was n good attendance at the Early Settlers’ Hal! on Saturday evening, when a large number of couples enjoyed another of the select dances held tw-ice weekly by Miss Wallace. The floor was in splendid order, and Mr Arthur Gordon’s dance band privuled a first-class programme of music, including a range of the latest fox-trot numbers. A new lounge has been added in the hall, and this, together with the reserved table arrangements, are much appreciated by dancing enthusiasts. The evenings conclude about midnight, and usually there are motorbuses to take the dancers to their homos. DUNEDIN CHORAL SOCIETY. The Dunedin Choral Society’s Orchestra had a good rehearsal on Saturday night. Mr James Coombs conducting. The work under study is “A Tale of Old Japan," by S. Coleridge Taylor This is a work requiring much delicacy in treatment, and will bo the main portion of the programme of the concert to be given next month.