AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19947, 15 November 1926, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS.

OCTAGON THEATRE. The-.principal roles in “Bright Lights,' the main attraction at the Octagon Theatre are taken by Charles Ray and Paulin Starke. The story is that one evening afte her work in the night club Patsy rebuff the advances of Marty Hess, a millionair man of the world. She confides to he friend Gwendolyn, another chorus girl that all men think money can buy any thing. With this prejudice against mci firmly established sho returns to he mother's farm in the country in rospons to an urgent wire. In the country towi she meets Tom Corbin, a very uusophis ticated and sincere farmer-inventor, wfi, rescues her in romantic fashion Iron drowning in a swimming pool. His obviou embarrassment arouses Patsy’s interest and although Tom is far from oblivious ti her charms, his natural bashfulness prevent him from telling her. One evening hi takes her for a ride in his motor car After their return ho overcomes his nor vousnoss sufficiently to make love to her Thinking that ho is the same as his cit; brethren Patsy starts to leave, but Ton apologises for his conduct saying that tin moon and her beauty made him forget him self. In a few days Patsy’s city friend; Visit her, and their costly clothes and lini manners make Tom painfully awaro of hi; own social shortcomings. Seeing Patsy am Marty Hess in an attitude that suggest; they are in love with each other, Ton leaves for the city to discuss business con corning a farm implement ho has invented He leaves a note for Patsy in which in says that ho realises ho is not her sort but that some day he may learn the grant way she admires. Brokenhearted, Patsy starts again for Broadway, but there sht meets Corbin and the two are reconciled, There are strong supports, and the Octagon Orchestra capably renders the musical programme. EMPIRE THEATRE. The new programme at the Empire Theatre has evidently struck the public i taste, and a good week’s run may bo predicted for it. The feature is a comedy entitled “Old Clothes,” in which Jackie Coogan plays the leading part. The comedy teems with amusing situations, and the gifted youngster (little else) takes all that is possible out of the part of Tim. One of the most amazing careers in the history of tho world is that of Jackie Coogan, perhaps tho only boy who can truthfully claim to have made himself a millionaire before ho reached his ’teons. Tho moment of his first great stride to fame, success, and wealth is still well within tho memory of everyone it being his appearance in tho now celebrated picture “Tho Kid.” Ho obtained a hold on the interest and affections of theatre-goers then that has never loosened. To-day, he stands with the foremost stars of the silver shoot. It is interesting to note that of tho number of pictures he has appeared in, the three that stand out most prominently are those in which ho,has played in rags—“ The Kid,” “The Rag Man,” his recent big MetroGoldwyn success, and his current picture made for the same company, “Old Clothes.” The two last-named pictures are especially related, as each deals with the same ibt of characters, tho second picture being in fact a continuation of the first. In each, Jackie essays the role of Tim Kelly, the wistful Irish waif who .is befriended by an old Jewish junk dealer. This has been proved beyond shadow of doubt his finest role. His pantomimic pow'ers are marvellous in one so young. Every movement is expressive of some emotion, and his talent is so well controlled that his acting has a naturalness which, combined with his youthful naivety, results in a realistic performance of tho rarest merit. QUEEN’S THEATRE. At the Queen’s Theatre Hoot Gibson, with a strong party, is appearing in “The Arizona Sweepstakes,” an exciting Western film. “Coot” Caddigan becomes embroiled in a street fight which he discovers to be a faked affair. He has joined in to assist “Stuffy” M’Gee. A man is killed and “Coot” is charged with the crime. “Stuffy” hides him in his room where live the little M’Gees. Caddigan has to be home on a certain date to ride in a horse race. “Coot” escapes, taking the kids with him. Arriving home he learns that Colonel Savery, father of Nell Savery, has bet his all on the outcome of the Arizona Sweepstakes, in which “Coot” is to ride for him. If Savory’s horse loses, Jonothan Carey, millionaire city man and neighbour, will foreclose on Savory’s ranch and marry his daughter. Carey has heard of “Coot’s” escape in the city and when “Stuffy” arrives believes him a detective coma to arrest “Coot.” . A real detective arrives. Carey takes him to “Coot,” who escapes, but, facing arrest, returns in time to ride in the race which results in a neck-and-neck struggle between “Coot” and Carey.

EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. Everybody’s Theatre management has selected “The Song and Dance Man” and “Rouged Lips” with which to regale its patrons during the week. Viola Dana appears in “Rouged Lips,” which is an interesting story. In “Tho Song and Dance Man’’ the three leading characters are filled by Bessie Love, Harrison Ford, and Tom Moore. The story runs that “Happy” Farrell and his partner, Fred Carroll, are song-and-dance artists. They are successful, and just as they reach the pinnacle in vaudeville the war breaks out and they enlist. After Armistice, the partner who has been badly gassed, is really not much good for anything, and they make a valiant effort to regain their lost popularity. In the theatre in which they are playing is a Miss Lane, who takes a kindly interest in Can-roll. And then, one night, a more fierce paroxysm of pain brings about his death. “Happy” Farrell, left alone, visits the home of his partner and gives the bereaved mother almost his last penny. Then ho drifts, and some time afterwards “Happy” seeks the shelter of Jane Rosamund’s boarding-house in Now York. His arrival coincides with tho eviction, through inability to pay, of Miss Lane and her mother. He recognises the little friend of the theatre, and pays for the room, leaving himself barely enough to pay for tho week. PLAZA AND GRAND THEATRES. A strong programme is being presented at tho Tlaza and Grand Theatres at preThe main attraction is “Tho Far Cry,” in which Hobart Bosworth, Myrtle Stedman, and Jack Mulhall have the principal roles. Tho story is based on the play of tho same name by Arthur Richman.. It is the story of a young American girl who goes to Paris and Italy in search of happiness. She has been taught by her mother to prize liberty and freedom above aj else, but she falls in love with a young Amoncnn artist, and her views undergo a decided change. Also showing is a society drama, “Another Scandal,” and a comedy, Motor I rouble, ’ adds to tho entertaining qauhties of the programme.

KING EDWARD THEATRE. South end residents have an opportunity of seeing ‘The Arizona Sweepstakes” the pnnmpal picture at the Queen’s Theatre, at the King Edward Theatre. Hoot Gibson is at his best in tho leading role and .some very exciting pasages are included in the picture.

THE REPERTORY PLAYERS. Repertory Players arc established in Auckland and Wellington, and now Dunedin, with plenty of artistic talent at hand has followed in the wake of the northern centres, with the result that His Majesty’s theatre has been booked for Friday and Saturday evenings next, when Messrs JNicholls and Lcstog’s hilarious comedy, in three acts, will bo presented, with Bessie Ihomson, fresh from her London successes, m the leading role, supported by Mr Dampen and Mr A. R. Tard’ner, and an exceptional cast. “His Temporary Wife,’’ ° r aS P atl ; on3 of the theatre are probably aware, is a quick-witted housemaid secretly married to William, conficionfcal butter and valet to the impecunious bachelor, Charley Shackloton, and the whole of the manifold and ludicrous situations and complications arise from the fact that Shackleton has boon obtaining money for bi s extravagant tastes from his trustee hv representing himself as married to an extravagant wife. The play will be handsomely staged, the scenery having been imported for the Festival Hall at the late Exhibition, and the funds accruing from the production are to bo used for the purchase of these artistic sets. The box plans will bo opened at the Bristol on Tuesday morning. “THE VANISHING RACE.” What promises to be one of the most interesting pictures which has ever been screened hero is “The V wishing Race,” which will ho opened at the Empire Theatre on Friday next. “The forced retreat into i the desert wastes, marked bv a trail of blood, is one of the major transgressions of the white man against the rod man ” These words of Zane Grey, the novelist, who wrote “The Vanishing Race,” tel] the crux of the story of the Indians, which Paramount has made into an epic picture The bitter, courageous, determined but hopeless stand of the Indians against their

white enemies, their retreat from the green fields and well-watered country they had called their home for centuries, into the barren desert is a powerful episode in “The Vanishing Race.” The coming of the first white man to North America and the gradual development of the native race of the Western Hemisphere are also depicted in this master film. The prehistoric episode of the production which briefly reviews the story of the early days of civilisation and pre-civilisation are among the most powerful in the production and are the result of months of tireless effort. To make these and more modern scenes, including those which take place in the “to-day” story of the Indians, 10,000 coppor-hucd men, women, and children were used, almost a third of the population of (ho Navajo Indian Reservation, where a company of 500 Paramount players and technical workers spent four months. In all, the picture took a half-year to film. Richard Dix, who ''lays the role of the Indian hero of Grey’s story, Lois Wilson, Noah Beery, Malcolm M'Gregor, and the other players all lived the rough, out-door, life that was the lot of all the others. Lucian Hubbard, editoral supervisee of all /Cano Grey productions for Paramount, adapted "The Vanishing Race” for .croon use. Ethel Dohertv wrote the continuity. George B. Seitz directed the picture.