AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19844, 17 July 1926, Page 20

AMUSEMENTS.

OCTAGON THEATRE. The new picture at the Octagon Theatre, which was screened for the first time yes..torclay is “Mannequin.” Alice Joyce, Warner Baxter and Dolores Costello are the featured players. The story fells of Annie Pogani, a half-wit nursemaid in the Herrick household who takes advantage of a quarrel between husband and wife and runs away with the baby, Joan, whom she calls Orchid Sargossa. The husband thinks that the wife has taken the baby while she has loft it tvith him and when a few days later the quarrel is made up they cannot find any trace of the child. In the years that pass. Orchid loathes her surroundings and finally she becomes a mannequin in a fashionable shop, where she meets Martin Innesbrook, anxious to make a name for himself in the newspaper world. His uncle has promised him a position should he show ability. A friendship grows between Orchid and Martin and she gives him an idea for a series of articles which win the approval of the uncle. They are directed to draw the public attention to the practice of women accused of various crimes, obtaining and playing on the sympathies of the men who compose the jury, thereby winning an acquittal on account of sex. Orchid to appear sociable to her workers in the shop, gives a party at which she meets Terry Allen, a man about town. The party is not a success and Orchid incurs the displeasure of the landlady. At a garden party given by the Herricks, to which she is taken by Martin, she again meets Terry, who forces his attentions and accompanies her home. Repulsing his advances she goes to her room, only to find that he has forestalled her by climbing through the window. In the struggle that follows, a large pin of brilliants fatally wounds Terry. In despair she calls Martin and finally she stands trial for murder. The series of articles by Martin are brought up and cause a sensation when Martin claims that they are not true. Judge Her rick is presiding at the murder trial of bis own child, although neither is aware of the other’s identity. The jury, however, acquit Orchid and later proof is brought concerning her parentage. As Joan Herrick her happiness is complete when she marries Martin Innesbrook. The musical programme is given by the Octagon Orchestra under the direction of Mr L. D. Austen. EMPIRE THEATRE. Buster Keaton has a great cast of funmakers in his latest Metro-Goldwjn-Mayer super comedy. “Seven Chances,” which is coming to the Empire Theatre to-day. The story, "which has been adapted from the very successful stage farce by Roi Cooper : -Megrue. is of a young man who will inherit seven million dollars if he marries before seven o’clock of the day of hia twenty-seventh birthday. Seven hours before the time limit' he hoars of the will for the first time. The succeeding seven hours fill the six reels of this hilarious comedy with every imaginable ludicrous situation. With the passing of “The Navigator” through the theatres of the Commonwealth and Now Zealand, Busier Keaton’s prestige as a film entertainer and box-office draw has risen to unprecedented heights. After building steadily in a series of" excellent feature comedies, ho has become, with his role in “The Navigator,” the absolute leader in the field of screen comedy. His name is at this very moment on the lips of thousands of picture-goers in this country, and they are still chuckling over his latest, absurd antics. Now comes his next production, “Seven Chances,” with the difficult task of measuring up with the great success of its predecessor. And it has been done. Buster has captured the risibility of audiences in Europe and America just as easily as he did in “The Navigator.” Here ho must do the same. The supporting cast is immensely strengthened by the presence of T. Roy Barnes and Snitz Edwards. Both have had a cnorough and intense training- in screen comedy, and have been featured in many big productions. The Empire , orchestra provides the music. The capping carnival was shown last night. QUEEN’S THEATRE. “The Unguarded Hour,” a First National production of outstanding merit, heads the new programme now being shown at the Queen’s Theatre. Milton Sills is seen in the principal role, and is well supported by Doris Kenyon. There is an exceptionally strong cast. The locale of the story is laid in Italy. Milton Sills has a most unusual hero role to portray. When he is first introduced as a confirmed woman hater, one might imagine that the usual Sills thrills are not in store. But not much of the .picture unwinds before the right girl comes along. Sills has to do some hard thinking and some harder fighting to defend the girl against the wiles and treachery of an unscrupulous society lion. Perhaps the most gripping dramatic episode in "The Unguarded Hour” is when the same traitor is revealed as the betrayer of the Duke’s (Sills) sister. It is then that the action begins, the sort of action that is dear to the hearts of every class of picture patron. Then there is an aeroplane smash, in which thrill Doris Kenyon is the central figure. In support of this film are an extremely fine comedy, a Gazette, and an interesting scenic film. EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. “Flower of Night,” a stirring Paramount romance, with Pola Negri in the leading role, is one of the main attractions of the new double-feature programme at Everybody’s Theatre this week. It is a talc of a Spanish belle, Carlota Villalon, descendant of a Royal Spanish family, wno falls in love with a young mine superintendent. The Flor de Noche mine has been wrested from Carlota’s father by dishonest Americans, and now one of them, thinking that by so doing he will win the girl, offers to help her regain possession of it. The young superintendent, however, refuses to be ousted. There is a fight, during which the girl realises the danger the man she loves is in, forgets all about getting the mine back for herself, and goes to his aid. Interesting scenes follow. The other big picture is “Trailing Wild Animals,” a vivid account of adventures in the heart of Africa. There is also a strong supporting programme. PLAZA AND GRAND THEATRES. An excellent double bill was screened at the Plaza and Grand Theatres for the first time yesterday. The first picture, entitled “Triple Action,” featured Pete Morrison and his marvel horse Lightnin’. The story is that a band of outlaws are continually driving cattle across the border, and the Hangers have failed to stop them. The chief ranger blames Dave Manion, one of his best men, for this failure, as the outlaws have been crossing mostly in Mauion’s territory. The chief removes Manion’s badge, which amounts to dismissal from the service. Crestfallen, Manion resolves to round up the outlaws and redeem himself in the eyes of his chief and his sweetheart. The story has been provided with a pretty romance, or rather two romances, for Morrison, as a ranger, finds himself loved by two women. Which one he finally marries is not revealed until the end of the picture. The second picture is entitled “Racing Luck.” ROSLYN THEATRE. “Stepping Lively” will be the attraction at the Roslyn Theatre , to-night. Richard Talmadge and Mildred Harris have the leading roles. The picture provides excitement in plenty. ST. KILDA SOCIAL CLUB. The Coronation Hall, St. Kilda, was the scene of some gaiety on Thursday evening, when there was a record attendance of some 150 couples at the St. Kilda Social Club’s “extended night” dance. At this dance there was a largo number of University students, who helped to amuse the dancers. The dance music was supplied by the “Mexican©” Orchestra. The duties of the M.’sC. were carried out by Messrs A. Williams and W. Foley. MISS WALLACE’S DANCE. One of the most successful of the weekly dances held by Miss Wallace was that which took place on Thursday night, when the Early Settlers’ Hall presented a riot of colour, mainly through the presence of students in fancy dress. The carnival spirit of capping characterised the gathering, and Arthur Gordon and his band provided music in keeping with the occasion.