AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19906, 28 September 1926, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

OCTAGON THEATRE. “ Ypres,” one of the most remarkable pictures of the Great War that has ever been screened, is the main attraction at the Octagon Theatre this week. Some parts of the picture have been reconstructed, but the work has been done so cleverly that it is difficult to distinguish it from the genuine film. From the opening of the first Battle of Ypres, in October, 1914, with the loss and recapture of Gheluvelt, to the capture of Belleveue Spur, the key to Passchendaele, in 1916, it was transparently impossible to depict in detail the story of Ypres. _ The method of treatment, therefore, decided upon by the producers was to follow the outstanding episodes on the issue of which the salient from time to time depended. In addition, lighter moments behind the lines —the film record of the Royal visit to the front in November, 1914 —the mobilisation in England of Britain’s army, the embarkation of colonial troops for the seat of war, and many other genuine pictures taken during that period are shown. In this connection it should not be forgotten that during the war there were attached to the War Office official kinematographers, many of whom obtained pictures, impossible to release at the time, taken close to the front lines. The story, on account of the number of years the salient was occupied, could not possibly be told in detail, and therefore the producers decided to follow the outstanding episodes on the issue of which the holding of the salient from time to time critically depended. The episodes chosen according to this plan are:—The opening of the first battle of Ypres, with the loss and recapture of Gheluvelt; the capture of Hill 60; the second battle, in which the Germans introduced poison pas to the western front, and in which the Geddes “ details" achieved immortality; the launching of the trench raids, which were of vital importance in sapping German morale; the grand assault on the Messines Ridge, with the exploding of 19 mines which had been 18 months in construction; and the attack on Passchendaele. In the capture of Gheluvelt one sees Brigadier-general FitzClareuce organising the vital counterattack. In the defence of Hill 60 it is seen how Captain Woolley took command at a desperate moment, and so earned the first Territorial V.C. In the gas attack we see the rallying of his men by Lieuten-ant-colonel Birchell, V.C., and the covering of the Canadian retreat by Lance-corporal Fisher, V.C. The deeds of Sergeant John Moyney, V.C., and Captain _ Clement Robertson. V.C., are also realistically depicted. There are also the lighter moments behind the lines, such as the glimpses of Toe. 11., the concert party, and the men in what was dignified by the name of baths. There is also the heroism of the Royal Army Medical Corps, and an exceptionally dramatic incident in a reconstruction of the “ dropping ’’ of Zeppelin by Lieutenant R. A. J. Warneford, V.C., The story carries a vast lesson in patriotism, and the makers of “Ypres” have produced a picture which is designed as a dignified and dramatic memorial to all the gallant keepers of the Capeof Death. The film was witnessed last night with the reverence apparent in its making. Whatever unpleasant truth there may have been in all that has been said of the motion picture industry to its detriment, “Ypres” makes complete atonement, for it is indeed a cenotaph in pictures and the medium by which such hallowed memories is so beautifully presented is deserving of national consideration. EMPIRE THEATRE. “Skinner’s Dress Suit” is the feature picture now showing at the Empire Theatre. It is proving a big draw. Reginald Denny plays the leading role, ana is ably supported by a cast comprising Laura La Plante, Bon Hendricks, jun., li J. Ratclitfo, Arthur Lake, Hodda Hooper, Lionel Brahm, Betty Morrissey, Henry A. Barrow, William A. Strauss, Lila Leslie, Lucille Ward, and Broderick O’Farrell. Denny is known throughout thi length and breadth of Filmdon as the screen’s foremost interpreter of farcical roles. While audiences laugh at him Jiey sympathise with him. In ‘‘Skinner’s Dross Suit” Denny is seen at his best. This story, by Henry Irving Dodge, which has sold over a million copies in book form, has been carefully adhered to by the star and his director, William A. Setter, and the result is n delightfully funny situation comedy Denny, as Skinner, is superb, and he is ably aided and abetted by charming Laura La Plante ns “Honey,” his wjfe. The two leading players have been given a won derful supporting cast in this modern, comedy of the mishaps and adventures of a young married couple who find them selves in difficulties with instalment houses and partial payment concerns. The final scenes are unexpected and surprising. One of the most versatile of the younger woman stars it Laura La Plante. Fresh from her triumphs in the Universal Super-Jewel, ‘‘The Midnight Sun,” in which she portrayed the role of a Russian dancer, this talented star is seen in one of the featured leading roles in “Skinner’s Dress Suit.” The new programme also includes several good supporting pictures. Appropriate musical selections are played by the Empire Orchestra. QUEEN’S THEATRE. The feature picture now showing at the Queen's Theatre is “Mike,” a Marshall Neilan production from the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios. The leading role is played by Sally O’Neil, who is known as the wonder girl of the screen. She is supported by William Haines, Ford Sterling, and Charles Murray, and many other well-known screen players. The story tells how an Irish girl made life a riot for herself and her family, finally helping to foil a band of notorious robbers who had looted a mail train The adventures and romance that invaded her life .in the meantime make a delightfully humorous story plentifully supplied with thrills. Neilan himself wrote the story especially for Miss Pickford, but at the last moment it was found that she was not able to take the contract. “Mike” was a much-coveted role, and the»’screen world was stirred to interest when the part was given to a girl unknown o the public and the industry. The girl, Sally O’Neil, is not vet 18 vears old, but the exceptional brilliance of ho; artistry to this unusually humorous film brings her into the front rank of screen artists. Several excellent supporting pictures"’cotnpleto a programme of high merit. EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. Raymond Griffith, the quaint comedian of the screen, shows to advantage in “Hands Up,” the Paramount picture which is being offered to patrons of Everybody’s Theatre this week. The efforts of Griffith to get a supply of gold for the army of the South in the American Civil War against a general after it for the North, provide many excellent situations. And then there are two heroines—two girls with whom Raymond falls in love, and what is the way out'/ Ho has them both. Griffith is supported by an excellent cast. Marion Nixon and Virginia Lee Corbin are the two girls. Mack Swain, as their father, provides a good bit of Western burlesque. Montagu Love is cast as the officer opposed for obtaining the gold. The other featured picture is “Stephen Steps Out,” with Douglas Fairbanks, jun., and Theodore Roberts in the leading roles. PLAZA AND GRAND THEATRES. One of the feature pictures now being shown at the Plaza and Grand Theatres is “Rainbow Riley.” It is said that this picture affords Johnny Hines even a greater array of thrills than are provided in real melodrama. In one scene the inimitable comedy man is seen dangling on a fraillooking rope over a gaping ravine, hundreds of feet deep. This is only ou of the many thrills, but is in itself sufficient to prove that there is a man absolutely without even a suspicion of “nerve.” In this big comedy production, Johnny gets the laughs just when one expects a tragedy. An interesting fact in connection with this picture is that, as a play under (lie title “The Cub,” it served as the last 'cgitimate stage piece of Douglas Fairbanks prior to liis entering pictures. Those who have already seen “Rainbow Riley” states that Johnny is at his best in this ' io of a tub reporter who is sent to the Kentucky mountains to report a fond. Arriving there, he is immediately immersed into a barrel of trouble, and it takes all his ingenuity to got out with a skin whole. The other feature picture is a Western story, entitled “A Six-shooting Romance,” which features Jack Hoxie.

ROSLYN THEATRE. In “Tho Manicure Girl, which will he -hown nt the Roslyn Theatre to-night, Bebo Daniels has tho leading role. She plays tho part of a manicure girl b a fashionable hotel, her popularity with men patrons eaii'ing her fiance great disnleasurc. One enthusiastic admirer is a wealthy married man, Rut the girl eventually meets his wife, and (hey soon find a euro for a frivolous husband and a jealous Gance.