AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19802, 29 May 1926, Page 20

AMUSEMENTS.

EMPIRE THEATRE. “Tess of the D’Urbervilles,” the famous classical novel by Thomas Hardy, is, the subject of a Metro-Goldwyn picture which was screened at the Empire Theatre for the first time last night. As a drama, it is doubtful if any other picture has reached the same standard that has been achieved by this screen masterpiece—for it is a masterpiece. First seen as a lighthearted English girl, Tess is suddenly betrayed and 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 for her 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 of her portrayal. The role of Apgel Clare was assigned to Conrad Nagel, who made the most of it. A difficult part, he gives it life and real meaning. As Alec D’Urberville, the betrayer 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 nicture, 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 of the outstanding works of English literature, and they will welcome the advent of this fine film. OCTAGON THEATRE. A life on the ocean wave is said to he associated with amours at every port, and generally the two parties concerned in any particular flirtation part without t any qualms or heartaches. “Shore eave,” the new picture that was screened at the Octagon Theatre last night, is, however, different, in that when “Bilge’’ Smith meets Connie Martin in the of his wandering career, he captures Connie’s heart. Unfortunately Connie to him is just another “skirt.” Before “Bilge” goes away he tells Connie that he hopes some day to be captain of his own ship. Connie’s only legacy from her father, a schooner stuck in the mud, lies somewhere in the Orient. She has never, been interested in the old ship, but now she decides to get it back, refit it—and make “Bilge ’ the (giptain. She then tries to locate “Bilge,” but without success. There are hundreds of Smiths among the able seamen, and the right one. “Bilge,” cannot bo found. The old freighter comes home with a valuable cargo, and overnight Connie becomes an heiress. Meanwhile the battle fleet returns and Connie decides to give a party to all tho Smiths, in the fleet, thus hoping to locate “Bilge. Even the admiral a Smith, attends. At the height of the party Connie comes face to face with “Bilge,” but he will not marry a “rich skirt,”, and sails away agam with the fleet. Two years pass. Confident that “Bilge” will return some day, Connie deeds awav the freighter to be held in trust for her first baby if its is Smith. She plans to overcome “Bilge s scruples against marrying a rich skirt. Under the terms of the deed Connie is again penniless. “Bilge” learns that she is in poverty, and ‘ comes back. blac-K, greasy, and in old clothes. It is then that 'he realises that Connie loves him, and discovers that he loves the little dressmaker, too. PLAZA AND GRAND THEATRES. The chief attraction at the Grand and Plaza Theatres this week is one of Lon Chaney’s masterpiece®, “The Monster. Lon Chaney of late has become famous through his work in Ho Vho Gets Slapped,” and “The Phantom .of the Opera.” If is due to his genius that these pictures have gained him place in the hearts of the picture-going public, and which give him an evengreater subject upon which to work. He is cast as Dr Ziska, a mad surgeon in charge of a sanatorium. From this one can Ram sofne idea of the vast scope that is open for Chaney to work upon. Ihe other attraction is a delightful comedy featuring Dorothv Devore. Being the screen version of the novel bv Edwin Bateman. Morris “The Narrow Street, _ presents a story as interesting and surprising as those crooked little alleys that twist and turn their way Thettre 3 “will be programme at the 1 iaza xntano • sssW-fi : * ? ‘S£srS*Sf EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. “K Son of His Father,” a Western picture, featuring Bessie Love and Waraer Baxter, is one of the main attractions of the new programme at Everybody s Theatre. It is a vigorous, B VV rl " g / f to A? ’ full of the romance and incident ot me golden west. Coupled with thia, . B picture entitled “Your Friend and Mine, with Enid Bennett and Huntly Gordon in the leading roles. It 18 *^ e ,, atory how a neglectful husband blindly sacrifices his own bapniness, and a drama ot riches and roguery. There is also a good list of supports. QUEEN’S THEATRE. The programme at the Queen’s Theatre this week includes a special production in the form of ‘‘Sporting Lite, • a story in which Bert Lytell and Marion Nixon are the featured players. Sport-ing-Life” has been w-ell named, for in it the audience tees the most thrilling horse race ever witnessed. The mingling of romance, intrigue, and excitement make it a melodrama of no mean merit. The great race is the English Derby, witnessed by half a million people. The supports are of the usual high standard shown at this theatre, and _ include comedies, scenery, and news items. KENDALL STRING QUARTET. SECOND CONCERT TO-NIGHT. To-night, at Burns Hall, the Kendall String Quartet will give the second of its delightful recitals, when a particularly pleasing programme will he presented. It will include the string quartet in B flat, Mozart; the string quartet in D, opus 11, Tschaikowsky’s “The Enchanted Lake, and “Robin Goodfellow” by Alec Rowley and “Sir Roger de Coverley,” arranged by Frank Bridge. The ensemble playing of these talented artistes has been enthusiastically commented upon by those who heard them in the northern centres, and lovers of good music should not miss this opportunity of hearing such clever interpreters of the old masters. Special arrangements have been made to heat the hall. The box plans for to-night s and Monday’s recitals are at the Bristol, where day sales may also be had. SCOTTISH CONCERT. The Scottish concert which, as advertised in another column, is to take place on June 2, promises to he of exceptional quality as regards talent. Lovers of Scottish songs will welcome the reappearance of Mrs Wilfred Andrews (from Wellington), who has come to Dunedin at the invitation of the Otago Centre of the Piping and Dancing Association of hew Zealand. Her reputation as a vocalist is well known in musical circles here, and those wishing to hear her should make certain of securing a seat by booking at Begg’s. The other contributors include Mr A. Rawlinson, Mr D. Forsyth, Mrs Carty, Miss A. Winkel, and Mr Paterson (Scottish comedian), and also Highland dancing. Another concert is to be held on June 3. “THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA.” A wonderful love story, screened in the midst of some of the biggest thrills ever produced, and a baffling mystery told amidst gorgeous scenes, is “The Phantom of the Opera,” a Universal super production shortly to be released in Dunedin. Gorgeous ballets and brilliant Parisian fetes filmed in original natural colours in the largest scenes ever made for a motion picture vie with the dim and eerie cellars under Paris, where the “Phantom,” half devil, holds ghostly sway. Lon Chaney plays the “Phantom,” a strange creasure of darkness, with the gifts of a god and the face of a nymster and a hate-warped soul. Weird shadows, grim figures silhouetted in darkness, and the breathless terror of the unknown surcharge the drama, contrasted with the brilliance of the great fetes and halls and the ballet and opera produced in a vast replica of the magnificent Paris Opera House. The Paris mob, led by an avenging giant, dashes underground to trail the grim “Phantom” to his lair. And then —hut it would spoil the final surprising climax to tell what happened. The 25 or more principals in the big drama are all well-known artists, and all especially well chosen by Rupert Julian, who directed this new epic of the screen. They include Gibson Gowlaad as' the avenging Shawm, Arthur Edmund Crewe as the Persian, figure of" mystery, Virginia Pearson Carl&tta, the opera singer, John Saispolhs, Her&asd Slegei, An.-

ton Vaverka, and many others. Mary philbin adds another triumph to her already notable list as Christine, the Kiri for whom the “Phantom’ launches his reign of fright, and Norman Kerry, her lover in her first triumph. “Merry-go-round,” is seen again as her lover in this new picture. MISS WALLACE’S DANCES. Upwhrds of 300 people took part in Miss Wallace’s dance held in the Early Settlers’ Hall last evening. The floor was in splendid condition, and the modern music supplied by Arthur Gordon’s dance band gave a zest to the dancing. Another of these popular evenings will be held to-night.