AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19803, 31 May 1926, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

OCTAGON THEATRE. “Shore Leave,” the new Richard Barthel amess production which opened at the Octagon 'Theatre on Friday, is a delightful comedy novelty. Ihe picture is based upon the Broadway stage hit by Hubert Osborne, and portrays the romance of a haremscarem young sailor, “Bilge” Smith, and a little dressmaker, Connie Martin, of a small New England seacoast town. Connie loses her heart at the chance meeting, but “Bilge,” being a “gob” on one of Uncle Sam’s battleships, moves on with the battle fleet. Connie is unable to forget the young sailor and she starts out to find him. Connie’s quest provides the story of “Shore Leave.” Aside from being a distinct film novelty. “Shore Leave” provides a remarkable comedy characterisation for Barthelmess. It has been pronounced one of his best performances, if not his best. 'lhis is saying a lot. when his fine characterisations. ranging from the mountain boy of “Tol’able David” to the shell-shocked soldier of “The Enchanted Cottage,” are considered. Here Barthelmess proves that he is a romantic comedian of striking attainments. “Shove Leave,” too, afltordssplendid opportunities for Dorothy Mackaill in the role of Connie Martin, which in the stage version was pla ed by Frances Starr. Miss Mackaill does delightful work as Connie. Mr A. L. Neate’s Octagbn Concert Orchestra is responsible for the musical side of the programme, and renders a number of acceptable selections. EMPIRE THEATRE. One of the greatest masters of English literature* Thomas Hardy, conceived the tragic story from which the Metro-Goldwyn production, “less of the D’tJbe-villes,” has been taken. The picture, which is a wonder full piece of sustained love drama, is now being screened at the Empire Theatre, and is attracting crowded houses. The tale of a young English girl betrayed and cast on the world to find real love blind and tragedy stalking her stens. is one which contains every element of dramatic suspense. The title role is handled with true insight by Blanche Sweet, who combines groat talent and beauty in interpreting an extremely difficult role, and she is admirably supported by a fine cast, including Conrad Nagel, Stuart Holmes and George Fawcett. The direction, in the hands of Marshall Neilan, leaves nothing to be desired. The picture wa* filmed entirely in England, this being considered necessary to catch the elusive charm of the great novelist’s work. The Empire Orchestra, under the baton of Mr C. Parnell, renders an excellent programme of incidental music. EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. Everybody’s Theatre presents an attractive double-feature programme this week. The first picture is “A Son of His Father,” a Western romance, in which love, hate, and adventure hold sway. Bessie Love and Warner Baxter play the leading roles. The second feature is “Your Friend-and Mine,’’ a drama cf riches and roguery and matrimonial troubles. There is also a complete list of supporting pictures. QUEEN’S THEATRE. “Sporting Life,” a thrilling romance of the famous English Derby, comprises the chief picture at the Queen’s Theatre this week. Bert Lytell and Marion Nixon play the leading roles, and are assisted by a good cast. There is also a substantial supporting programme. PLAZA AND GRAND THEATRES. Lon Chaney in the mystery film “The Monster” is responsible for more thrills to the foot of film than any other actor in pictures yet produced, and he does not lose any of the cleverness he showed in “He Who Gets Slapped” and “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.” Others in the cast are Johnny Arthur and Gertrude Olmsted. "The Monster,” which is an adaptation of a famous stage success, is released through Metro-Goldwyn, and is now being shown at the Plaza and Grand Theatres. “THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA.” What is claimed to be one of the greatest pictures of the year is coming to JJunedin shortly. It is "The Phantom of the Opera,” a picture the very name of which embodies a volume of romance. Althougn the great Universal Company has been renowned for the lavishness of its productions, it is said that “The Phantom of the Opera” surpasses all its previous efforts, for in addition to the 32 principals, headed by Lon Chaney, Norman Kerry, and Mary Philbin, an extra cast of over 5000 people was engaged for the production, while a whole army of stage hands, property men, etc., was employed as well. Then, too, there is a ballet of 250 specially-trained dancers from the leading opera houses of New York. Chicago, and other great cities. These 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 way. Lon Chaney plays the “Phantom,” a strange creature of darkness, with the gifts of a god and the face of a monster 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 balls 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 —but it would spoil the final surprising climax to tel] what happened. Mary Philbin adds another triumph to her already notable list as Christine, the girl for whom the “Phantom” launches his refgn of fright, and Norman Kerry, her lover in her first triumph, the “Merry-go-round,” is seen again as her lover in this new picture. “Y” ENTERTAINERS. On Thursday evening last the “T” entertainers of the Y.M.C.A. visited the Wakari Hospital and gave the patients and staff a most enjoyable evening. The performers were frequently recalled. The programme items were as follow;—lnstrumntal trio, Me'ssrs Maaka and Edmond Bros.; coon dances. Miss D. M'Bcath; ventriloquist, Mr J. Gilchrist; Hawaiian guitar duet, Messrs Gurr and Maaka; character comedian, Mr J. Bowles: saxaphone solo. Mr M. V Horn; comedy juggling, Mr Paul Reno. The climax was a comedy sketch, which provoked hearty laughter. Miss iO. Sheridan proved a capable accompanist. The matron extended a hearty vote of thanks on behalf of all present, and hoped (he nnriy would pay a return visit. Mr Reno, in replying, said they hoped to include Wakari in their monthly programme. Y.M.C.A. "CIRCUS.” The Y.M.C.A. “Circus” did not deteriorate in its entertaining qualities when it was given for a second time on Saturday night The 250 performers were evidently in good mood, for the whole of the. production -was carried through cheerfully and efficiently. The entertainment’s claim to the title of "circus” lay almost solely in its possession of two clowns, who provided plenty of amusement. The whole production, however, showed that the performers and Mr J. V. Hanna, the organiser, had not been sparing in their efforts to make the show the success it was. THE SAVOY REOPENS. NEW CABARET DELIGHTS. “A wonderful band” —that was the unanimous verdict on Saturday evening at the Savoy when for the first time in New Zealand happy people danced to the newlyimported musical combination. With any cabaret the music is everything, and a striking tribute was paid by a well-known Australian theatrical man who was vircsent. “It is the best band in New Zealand to-day,” was his remark—an opinion that was heartily endorsed by all. No more delightful entertainment for dancers could be imagined than that which was presented by the Savoy on Saturday afternoon and evening. Dunedin has long awaited Ihe reopening of the famous Savny dances, and those who were present found their anticipations exceeded in every way. The management has been content with nothing less than the best of everything, and perfection in cabaret entertainment lias been achieved. The new band was an instantaneous success when it played in the afternoon, and in the evening, under the glowing lights of the perfect ballroom, cabaret-goers were charmed by the perfectly-blended flow of lilting, catchy melody that compelled response. The band offers a typo of dance music that is entirely new to Dunedin and the happy throng on Saturday evening experienced a new urge to dance away the all-too-short hours of enjoyment. The very latest, numbers were introduced in unique fashion, while th& magically appeal- ; ing note of the “wow-wow” played by the i clever leader, and sounding above the ■ smooth, rich, melody of the band, proved I a novelty that appealed instantly to all. This week Gic Savoy and the band -vlll again offar dance-lovers the ‘oeot of everything that a cabaret can -prodcce. Informal dances arc to be arranged, and the pieces* of Saturday evening will lx repeated at

the Merrymakers on Thursday As oil who attended the Savoy on quickly agreed, the new >»•:£ heard to 1m filly appre-Satcd. evening. Saturday must be