AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19968, 9 December 1926, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS

OCTAGON THEATRE. The stark realism of “The Volga Boatman,” Cecil B. De Mille’s new personallydirected First National feature, which is tho principal attraction at the Octagon Theatre this week, is destined to make it one of the most outstanding pictures of the season, in the opinion of many critics. Presenting for a background the maelstrom of Russia in revolution, De Millo has woven in romance, melodrama, and humour with a deft baud, capitalising on his sense of the spectacular without losing the human touch. A startling contrast between the splendour of the aristocracy and the squalor of the peasants is brought out in the picture, which follows the experience of three leading characters —a prince, a princess, and a Volga boatman — through the Russian revolution. ’’The Volga Boatman” was originally inspired by the song of that name, and it is an original story of Konrad Berovici, the celebrated author. It was adapted for the screen by Lenore Coffee. The story follows the course of a great love, great perils, and three tangled lives. The yawning gulf between royalty and serfdom is spanned by a fair-haired giant—a lowly Volga boatman, who loves a Russian princess, and she him. Comes a political and social cataclysm, agging in its trail carnage, untold peril, degradation, fear, and yet—here is real drama, deftly woven together by a master producer. Elinor Fair Victor Varconi, Julia Faye, Theodore Kosloff, and William Boyd figure in this thrilling production. It is romantic, yet it rises far above mere melodrama; it is both tragic and voinic at times—-it is intensely human —a great gripping love story of an aristocratic Russian girl for a plebian boatman, which often rises to great heights in its interest and wonderful appeal. It is typically a Cecil B. De Mille theme handled in that superb manner for which all De Mille productions are famous. Elinor Fair plays the girl, and William Boyd the man, who pulls in the harness of- the Volga boats. The time is laid during the period of struggle between the Red and White armies, and the whole drama is underlaid with gripping interest concerned with the reversal of postion when servant became master and master servant. EMPIRE THEATRE. The tragedy of four lives leavened by the enlightening influence of the love of two women. Such is the case upon which has been built the story of “Tlio Devil’s Circus,” a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer picture of life in the circus ring, which is now being shown at the Empire Theatre. Norma Shearer, as the little orphaned girl from the country, who found her life romance in the circus tent, is fascinating, and will cantivate the hearts of all who are fortunate enough to see her in this picture. She is typical of the innocent girl wiio imagines life in tho city to be one merry round of enjoyment, and who clothes the slum-bred youths in the shining armour of knighthood. She found the gold at the end of the rainbow only after she bad passed through years of unhappiness, but the gain was well worth the waiting. The story goes with her through the years of circus life, before and behind the scenes, through the dark hours of the war, until a chance meeting in the old places gave her lover back to her once again. No other element is more prominent than the human, which intertwines through every scene of the film. “The Devil’s Circus” tells a story of life in a human way; as it happens to the ordinary individual. Behind it there is a moral that none may disregard, and that will commend itself to all. The story was written by the director, Benjamin Christianson. The cast includes Carmel Myers and Charles Emmett , Mack, QUEEN’S THEATRE. “Her Second Chance,” which is now being screened at the Queen’s Theatre, is the screen version of. the famous novel of the same title from the pen of Mrs Wilson Woodrow. The novel ran into several editions, and created a big sensation among lovers of dramatic romance. It will easily be seen, therefore, that tho picture, with Anna Q, Nilsson in the leading role, pro-vides-screen lovers with acceptable entertainment. Others in “Her Second Chance” are Dale Fuller, Sam de Grasse, William J. Kelly, Mike Donhn, Jed Prouty, and Corliss Palmer. Lambert Hillyer directed the picture EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. Adolphe Menjou, in his latest starring vihicle for Paramount- ‘A Social Celebrity,” which is being screened this week at Everybody’s Theatre, is seen as a barber who goes to New York. Here he masquerades as a count and thus obtains entree to tho best society. He is found out and goes back to being a barber, and his girl, who has learnt the real meaning of happiness, goes with him. Playing in the featured roles are Chester Conklin, well-known screen comedian, who was recently seen in “Behind the Front,” and prominent in “The American Venus,” and Kitty Lavorno. KING EDWARD THEATRE. “The Devil’s Circus,” besides being screened at the Empire Theatre, is also the main attraction at the King Edward Theatre. There is also a good supporting programme. “ TORRENT.” An unusually realistic piece of drama will be unfolded at the Octagon Theatre when Monta Bell’s now Metro-Goldyn-Mayor production Ibanez’ “Torrent” will be presented. Taken from the widely-read story by Vicente Blasco Ibanez, author of “The Four Horsemen,” “Blood and Sand, “Enemies of Women,” and many oilier novels that have become motion picture successes, this now picture tells of a peasant girl of Spain who becomes a worldfamous singer. She is in love with a young Spanish nobleman, and is loved by him, but he is not strong enough to overcome his mother’s objections to the girl. Tho story of his ineffectual fight against his weakness is a gripping piece of entertainment well enacted by a fine cast of players under the guidance of Monta 8011, one of the most versatile directors tho industry- A particular feature of “Torrent” is the introduction of a new star, Greta Garbo. Miss Garbo, who is both very beautiful and exceptionally talented, is ii European artiste of great reputation on the Continent. She reveals a typical, y European grasp of drama and presents a sympathetic and accurate portrayal of Leonora, the peasant girl puma donna. There are some very thrilling moments in this picture, one in particular in which a Spanish town is devastated by a mighty torrent went the Jucar, swollen by the rains, overflows its banks and sweeps the countryside. This episode has been handled in remarkable fashion and is one of tho biggest thrills seen on tho screen for some time. Ricardo Cortez plays the leading male lole opposite Greta Garbo, anti the big supporting cast includes Gel-crude Olmsted, Tully Marshall, Mack Swam, Lucien Littlefield, and Martha Mattox. “THE AUCTION BLOCK.” “The Auction Block,” a delightful comedy drama with Charles Ray and Eleanor Boardman in tho leading roles, will be the new picture at the Empire theatre tomorrow. The stoiy is that of a likeable but indolent young man who depends for existence upon his father s cheque book, and who meets and falls in love with a beautiful country girl. His father, .thinking it is one of the customary “affairs of hi s s on, signs a cheque which is unblushing 1 y accepted, for instead of conforming to the implied bargain he marries the girl after a whirlwind courtship. Unfortunately, his bride learns something of bis past escapades, and in high dudgeon she leaves him and goes back to mother, vowing that she will never return until bo can make his own living instead of going to his father every time the petty cash is running lo.v. After a period of thrilling adventure, in which he encounters a sireq of the worst type, who nearly upsets his noplecart completely, ho makes good, and the girl returns. The story, which is by Hex Beach, was produced under tho direction of Hobart Henley for the MctroGoldwyn studios, and it has been transferred to tho screen with all its original charm intact. Another strong attraction will ho the screening of the film “Miss New Zealand.” WEMBLEY DANCE CLUB. Tho Wembley Club will hold its second last dance of ’ the season in the Early Settlers’ Hall on Saturday evening, when the special attraction will be a waltzing competition, in which men only will take part, the ladies acting as judges. Six prizes will be given. Tho Ritz Orchestra is arranging tho programme of music. THE “.MESSIAH.” The first performance of the “Messiah” look place under tho composer’s direction at, Dublin. The composition is one of Handel's greatest achievements. The “Messiah,” like some majestic peak, towers high above the rest ot his works in the sublimity of it# theme and the loftiness ot its conception. This fact was at once recognised. A repetition performance was given, which was another great success.

The “Messiah” was first performed in London on March 23. 1743. It is recorded that at this performance the audience were so moved at the words, “For tho Lord God Omnipotent reigneth,” that they all, with King George 11, rose to their feet, and remained standing till the conclusion of the chorus. This incident instituted the custom of a standing posture in listening to this psen of praise. This oratorio still retains its hold on the English-speaking world. It is regarded at the Christmas oratories, though it is sometimes sung also at Easter. Dunedin music lovers would count tho season incomplete without it. It is this feeling which prompts the Dunedin Choral Society to give their annual performance, of the monumental work in His Majesty’s Theatre on Monday and Tuesday next.