AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19801, 28 May 1926, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

EMPIRE THEATRE. A more than ordinarily attractive bill of fare is to be provided at the Empire Theatre this week, and in “Tesa of the D’Urbcrvilles.” which opens to-day, the management has secured a picture which should prove popular with all classes ot picture-goers. /‘Teas of the 1) Uibervilles” is a Metro Goldwin production, and for sheer drama the picture has seldom had an equal, for the misfortunes of Tess touch the very depths of human suffering. First seen as a light-heaited English girl, she is suddenly betrayed ana cast on the world. Real love comes to her, but proves itself blind until it is too late to prevent the tragedy invoked by its blindness. To Blanche Sweet must be given the greatest praise forjier sympathetic handling of the role of Tess. She proves herself equal to all the subtle shadings of the character, and her undeniable loveliness adds to the charm ot her portrayal. The role of Angel Clare was assigned to Conrad Nagel, who made the most of it. A difficult part, Nagel gives it life and real meaning. As Alec D’Urberville, the 1 etrayer of Tess, Stuart Holmes is again the villain complete and convincing. George Fawcett is also in the cast, in a role well suited to him. Marshall Neilan produced the picture, taking the entire company to England, where he filmed the classic story against the beauties of the English countryside. A few fine and unusual shots of London add to the effectiveness of the picture. Thomas Hardy’s story has been known to English readers for years as one ot tbs outstanding works of English literature, and they will welcome the advent of this fine film.

OCTAGON THEATRE. “Shore Leave,” Richard Barthelmess's latest First National production, which will open at the Octagon Theatre to-day, is a striking screen novelty. Based upon Hubert Osborne’s successful stage play, it is a comedy built around the romance of a happy-go-lucky sailor, one bilge Smith, and the little dressmaker of a small New England seaport town, Connie Martin. Connie’s mother was the elephant trainer of P. T. Barnum s circus while her father was a sea captain. Thus a love of romance runs in the little dress maker’s blood. She loses her heart to “Bilge,” who is just a gob on one of the U.S. battleships. Like all sailors, he is forgetful. He wanders away with his ship, and Connie seeks to find him. Just when the quest seems, futile, Bilge drifts back —to discover love and happiness. “Shore Leave” is fresh and original in its directorial treatment. It has been described as the most original comedy of the vear. Barthelmess gives a striking and ‘humorous performance as _ the goo, and the role of Connie Martin is delightfully taken by Dorothy Mackaill. Other distinguished players m the cast are Marie Shotwell, Ted MNamara, Nick Long, and Arthur Metcalfe A specially selected programme ot incidental music will be rendered by the Octagon Concert Orchestra.

“GIRL SHY.” Next week’s change of programme at the Octagon Theatre wall be a Harold Lloyd picture called Girl Shy. Lloja plays the role of a small town tailor 8 apprentice in “Girl Shy,” who is painfully bashful whenever he is in the presence of the fair sex. Jobyna Ralston once more is seen playing opposite him, while Fred Newmeyer and Sam iaylor took care of the direction as they have done for several of the most recent Lloyd hits.

QUEEN’S THEATRE. In the new programme to be screened to-day at the Queen’s is an appealing picture entitled “Sporting Life. It is said to be a show within a show. It is an elaborate musical revue, rivalling all the glories of Ziegfeld. Chorus men, comedians, dancers, and a regulation orchestra were engaged to give the theatre scene authentic atmosphere. A real musical comedy star was on hand, too, for one of the players in the cast of Sporting Life” was Paulette Duval, the noted French dancer, and formerly of the Ziegfeld Follies, who does several spectacular dancing numbers from the of the imitation theatre. Bert Lyteil became a theatrical producer for the first time in his varied stage career, as the financier of the revue. The supporting cast of “Sporting Life” includes Marian Nixon, Cyril Chadwick, Charles Delaney, George Seigmann, Ena Gregory, Kathleen Clifford, and many others. PLAZA AND GRAND THEATRES. Every element of suspense, every thrilling incident, and every stunt that sends delicious chills of terror along an audidice’s spine is embodied in "The Monster, a Metro-Goldwyn picture, which will be screened at the Plaza and Grand aeatres to-day. There are ghostly hands that stretch forth menacingly; there are sliding panels in which queer faces appear; there are skeletons in closets, and a demented surgeon who fascinates his victims with hypnotic power. There is also an exciting story of a mysterous disappearance; there are two -"oung men in love the same beautiful girl, and who desire to win her by their boldness and courage, and there are breath-taking moments that wil make spectators hold on to their seats and gasp in surprise and suspense. Lon Chaney, greatest of all character actors, is the star. Others in the cast are Johnny Arthur, Hallam Cooley, Charles A. Sellon, Walter James, Knute Erickson, and Ethel Wales. Gertrude Olmstead plays Betty Watson, the heroine. The other feature is “The Narrow Street,” a delightful comedy, featuring Dorothy Devore. A special attraction at the Plaza Theatre will be an instrumental trio which will augment the musical selections usually jirovidcd by the piano. EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. The change at Everybody’s Theatre today will include two more than usually bright pictures entitled “A Son of His Father” and “Your Friend and Mine.” The former is a Victor Fleming production, with Bessie Love. Warner Baxter, and Raymond Halton. It tolls the story of a westerner's fight against an organised swindle. Until the arrival of a little girl from Ireland he seems to make no headway, but with her assistance he proves himself a son of his father and puts up a great fight to save the ranch. “Your Friend and Mine” is a photoplay based on the stage play by Willard Mack. The plav has gained in dramatic force in its transition from the spoken to the silent, drama, and it has an absorbing story that is carefully produced and well acted by a capable cast. CONCERT AT MORNINGTON On Wednesday evening an unusually attractive and meritorious concert was held in the Mornington Presbyterian Church Hall. The concert, which was promoted by the Bible Classes connected with the church, was in aid of the church and mission funds, and was largely attended The Bible Class orchestra contributed “Colonel Bogey” (march). “Childhood's Fancies,”

“Bells Across the Meadows,” and a Scottish Fantasia. Mr H. P. Desmoulins contributed the following vocal items, two being in response to encores: “Yeomen’s Wedding Song,” “A Little Bit of Philosophy.” “The Two Grenadiers,” and “The Little Klf Man.” The orchestra also conGlock is Playing.” with hell effects by Mr A. Morrison. Mr A. Blyth, gave as a ’cello solo an intermezzo “Cavalleria Rnsticana,” and as an encore “La Canquantlne.” Messrs Stewart. lan and Miss T. Morrison gave an instrumental trio “Czardas,” and were enthusiastically encored. Mr* ,T. A. Wallace played a pianoforte selection “Nocturne" (Dottier), which was loudly applauded and encored. 'J he second part of the entertainment was given over largely to a hilarious one-act play entitled “Widow Mooney’s Lodgers,” in which fbe following'took part: Miss Thelma Morrison (Widow M»oncy). Mr S. Morrison (Rhymer). Mr W. G. Lowrie (Phial), Mr G. Smith. (Patrick O’Rory), ami Miss F. Hope (.lane). Mr W Booih made an efficient stage manager, and Mrs *l. A. allare and " Miss F. Blyth w<*j-e capable accompanists, The performance opened with the singing of the National Anthem, and concluded with a verso of Auld Lang Syne.”

SAVOY JAZZ BAND. Something in the nature of a revelation in jazz music is promised at the Savoy tomorrow afternoon and evening. there have been attempts—and v-ry crcd ’ ible attempts —at various places and on various occasions to provide jazzy dance music, but it is claimed that not until now lias the "real tliiog” been heard. At any rate, each of the six musicians comprising the new band that will make its bow to-morrow is an artist :n liis_ particular department. Toe leader is a trombone player with artonishing powers of producing weird and wjndorful ellnets with the very latest comic jagtes: the drummer is capable of rhytbmin booms

~,ul crashes ami tinkles that excite and ilirill- the saxophonist cots musical effects nut of that modern instrument which are largely responsihle for the “uvpe dance tliat comes over everyone in the vicinity of a real iazz hand, while the lolinist, the ban joist, and the pianist all help in the grand total of melodious, tnntalisinp, irresistible iare. The series of popular (lances will begin to-morrow afternoon in the Tudor Hall, and this will he followed by a supper dance in the evening.