AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19903, 24 September 1926, Page 13

AMUSEMENTS.

OCTAGON THEATRE. Something out of the ordinary in moving pictures will be presented at the Octagon Theatre this week in the screening of the British Instructional Films’ great war picture “ Ypres.” The picture, which will have its initial showing to-day, is intended primarily to keep green the memory of the British soldiers who held tins salient against such tremendous odds during the Great War; No picture, howeve£ great, could tell in detail the full story of Ypres. The countless deeds of heroism performed by its defenders, and their awful sufferings, are far beyond the power of any picture to depict, so the producers determined, in conjunction with the British War office, to weave their production round the more outstanding episodes on which the successful occupation of the salient from time to time depended. The opening section of the film shows graphically the initial stages of the first battle of Ypres, including the loss and heroic recapture of Cheluve!-. The capture of Hill 60, and the second battle in which the Germans first introduced poison gas to the Western front, are faithfully reproduced, while the grand assault on Messines Ridge with the exploding of 19 land mines, which had taken 18 months to lay, arc all brought before us in a manner which mere pen could never describe. In this section of the film is a wonderful picture of a trench raid —one of those sudden midnight dashes by volunteer parties on the enemy trendies, which did so much to sap the morale of the Germans. The attack on Passchendaele of glorious memory is also shown. The producers, recognising the importance of the personal element in such a picture, came to the con-

clusion that it would he correct to take from these episodes the deeds of those men who arc recognised as having, by their heroism, exercised decisive influence on the issue of battle. In the recapture of Cheluvelt, officially regarded as the “most critical moment in this great battle,” we see how Brigadier-general Charles Fitzclarence, V.C., organised this vital coun-ter-attack, a fact which was tragically unrevealed until a year after this gallant soldier had died in action. In the defence of Hill 00 we see how Captain (then (Lieutenant) G. H. Woolley took command at a despprate moment and so earned the first Territorial V.C. in circumstances so appalling that of 450 non-commissioned officers and men only two non-commissioned officers and one man answered the roll call when the action was ended. This glorious film will be preceded nightly by a special atmospheric prologue in the shape of a Diggers’ impromptu, concert, under the supervision of Mr John Leech.

EMPIRE THEATRE. A new programme of outstanding merit will bo screened at the Empire Theatre today. The big feature is a rollicking comedy entitled “Skinner’s Dress Suit,”' wnich features the king of screen laughter-makers, Reginald Denny. The production is said to be the most amusing comedy screened. It is a riot of laughter depicted in eight parts. Reginald Denny is soon in a class of his own in this latest picture. In “Skinner’s Dress Suit” Denny’s long series of smashing hits has been climaxed. This story, by Henry Irving Dodge, has been carefully adhered to jsy the star and his director, William A.' Seiter. and the result is a screamingly funny situation comedy. Denny, in the role, of Skinner, is superb, and ho is ably supported by charming Laura La Plante as “Honey, ’ his wife. The two leading players have been given a wonderful supporting cast in this modern comedy of the mishaps and adventures of a young married couple who find themselves in difficulties with instalment houses and partial payment concerns. Denny dock not merely create comedy through situations that are ridiculous and incongruous, but takes his

audience along with him in their laughing sympathy ior him. Denny has that human touch which gives him at once the sympathy and laughs of every audience. At the end of the picture patrons are so much concerned at Denny’s adventures that they wonder how ho came through it all without his spirit being broken. Denny has that uncommon quality of compelling people to laugh at him. Credit must bo given to Laura La, Plante, who plays opposite the star. In “Skinner’s Dross Suit’’ Miss La Plante demonstrates her ability to a marked degree. She is the loving wife who takes it for granted that her husband occupies a high standing in businoss._ and she sees to it that their social standing is recognised accordingly. The poor husband, over ready to please, gathers up enough courage to ask his employer for a rise in wages. It is not forthcoming, but the underpaid clerk, which in reality the husband is, tells his wife that ho has received an increase in wages of 10 dollars a week. Then the real fun of

the piece begins. Reluctance to tell his wife the prosaic truth _ lands the husband into buying a dress suit, attendjng social functions, and generally spending well above his means. The wife is pleased, but Denny is not —and he has a comical vary of showing it, but not to his wife. There is a constant outwitting of creditors, and a continual receiving of huge bills with no corresponding filing of receipts. From then on the plot thickens. The action becomes faster and still faster, and the excitement more intense. The plot takes a novel turn, and the final scones are surprising and unexpected. The new programme also includes several good supporting pictures, and choice musical selections will bo played by the Empire Orchestra, QUEEN'S THEATRE. The principal picture at the Queen’s Theatre for the coming week is “Mike. 1 ’ “Mike” is the latest Marshall Neilan screen creation from the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios, and is comedy of the most hilarious kind, mingled with plenty of thrills and excitement. Its humour is fresh and free, and runs the gamut from subtle wit to broad comedy. It is the result of the ingenuity of- the director in handling the situations, and the acting of the principal comedians, who include two of the most famous fun-makers of the screen, Ford

Sterlng and Charlie Murray. _ The love interest of the film is supplied by Sally O'Neill and William Humes, the former of whom is making her first screen appearance. ’EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. To-day’s programme at Everybody’s Theatre will include “Stephen Steps Out,"’ which is a pictorial description of how a boy thought he “could put one_ over his old man.” Douglas Fairbanks is the essayist, and very cleverly makes the story “go.” The story goes that Stephen Harlow, jun., pride of his father’s heart, has the average boy’s distaste for studios. Stephen meets Harry Stetson, a publicity man, and together they decide to spring one on Stephen Harlow, sen. In the meantime Stephen, jun., tries, by bribery, to obtain a Turkish Order for the professor of history in the school he has just left. Stephen’s efforts to obtain the Turkish Order result in his being captured and placed in a prison. In the next cell ho learns that tho inmate is the young son of the Sultan, and, a wild scheme for the latter’s liberation enters his head, fie himself succeeds in escaping and informing tho Sultan as to the, whereabouts of bis son For the timely rescue Stephen accepts tho grand Cross of the Crescent for the deposed school master. On his return to America again Stephen cannot pass his examination. But Stephen, senior, sees the humour of the situation in having his son teaching some new tricks. “Hands Up” is another interesting picture.

PLAZA AND GRAND THEATRES. Heading the fine double bill programme commencing at the Plaza and Grand Theatres to-day will be Johnny Hines m the hilarious comedy “Rainbow Riley.” The story tells of a cub reporter whose first assignment is a feud between the Ripper and White families in the Kentucky mountains. At the scone of hostilities the _reporter, “Rainbow” Riley, is forced to do clare himself first a White and then a Ripper. Because he is in love with Alice Ripper, the sweetheart of Tilden MacFields, known as the killer of the Ripper clan, ho antagonises the Rippers. Because he cannot fall in jove with Becky White, who is in love with him. he incurs tho enmity of the White faction. Both sides set out to exterminate him, but after many thrilling adventures Rainbow returns to hia paper with a “scoop” and Alice Ripper In addition, “A Six-shootin’ Romance” will be screened. This is a Western play of love and adventure, in which a cowboy and masterful young English girls match wits and strategy The leading part is taken by Jack Hoxie.

WEMBLEY DANCE CLUB. The Wembley Dance Club will bold an ther of ite popular dances in the Ecarly •Settlers’ Hall, to-morrow evening-, when he programme will include one-steps, fox rots, waltzes, alberts, lancers. and -piadrilles. The Ritz Orchestra will provide the music.