AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20006, 25 January 1927, Page 4

AMUSEMENTS.

EMPIRE THEATRE. Few, if any, comedy themes are more popular than that which leflds itself to the brand of hilarity that results on the wordy wars between Irishman and Jew. Such is the theme of First National's comedy attraction, “Sweet Daddies,” which is now being shown at the Empire Theatre. Especially welcome is the picture when one finds Charlie Murray cast in the Irishman’s role, and George Sidney and Vera 'Gordon, there to maintain the Jewish pride. Murray, known as a famous screen comedian, first saw the light of day in 1872. He is one of the few real “oldtimers,” not only as far as the screen is concerned, but in other branches of the theatrical business. The circus, vaudeville, tab show, and musical comedy—Charlie tried them all. The team of Murray and Mack was considered for years the premiere comedy act in vaudeville. In 1912 Charlie decided that he would try “them there nervous photographs,” as he humorously called them, and joined the Biograph Studios. There, in company with Gloria Swanson, Jack Mulhall, Marshall Neilan, Low Cody, and Wallace Beery and other embryonic celebrities, he worked as an “extra.” The story concerns Pat O’Brien, a strage comedian (Charlie Murray) who is fired for breaking up the show when the worse for liquor. Eventually O’Brien and a Jew, Finklebaum, enter into partnership to import a mysterious product from the Bahamas, which is suspected to be bootleg whisky. O’Brien and Finklebaum are arrested by a Federal officer on a rum-run-ning charge after the jealous Berkowitz warns the prohibition department. Young O’Brien, who meets the ship in a hydroplane in an effort to forwarn his father and Finklebaum, is also arrested. But the next morning they are all released when it is disclosed that the partners are importing nothing more seripus than molasses. In the meanwhile, Miriam had been planning to marry Berkowitz after ho had promised to use his influence to get her father and her sweetheart out of gaol. But Berkowitz is cheated out of his bride and disclosed as thtf leader of the Florida bootleggers. _ All ends happily, with Jimmy destined to marry Miriam. Mis Finklebaum is glad to give her consent when she learns of the villainy of Berkowitz and the manner in which he had been making his money. In addition to “Sweet Daddies,” a number of other interesting pictures are shown, and excellent musical selections are played "by the Empire orchestra. OCTAGON THEATRE. “Old Bill Through the Ages” is the title of the feature picture being shown nightly at the Octagon Theatre. It is a comedy by W. A. Darlington, who has immortalised the hero of Captain Bruce Bairnsfather’s famous drawing. The picture is described as a merry super burlesque, the featured players being Syd. Walker as Old Bill, Arthur Cleave as Bert, and Jack Denton as Alf, the three musketeers of these historical adventures. Like the chief character himself, the film is a mixture of riotous fun, satire, and philosophy Bill participates in some of the more notable events in English history, hobnobbing with the leading figures like William the Conqueror, King John, Elizabeth, Shakespeare, Drake, etc. “English history, wildly burlesqued,” is a fair description of this most side-splitting comedy. The action of the story ranges through some 10 periods, from the time of William the Conqueror to the present day. Needless to say, no attempt is made to deal realistically with historical facts and figures, since the whole picture has the nature of a farcical extravaganza. The idea of the picture is that Old Bill, falling asleep oyer a volume of English history, dreams himself back in the past. His adventures in various periods constitute the incidents of the story. Thus he is shown consulting Domesday Book in Norman days, playing an aggressive part in the signing of Rlagna Charta, and bombing a refractory William Shakespeare at Queen Elizabeth’s Court. There is no lack of comic anachronisms; sharing the fortunes of the Civil War with both Rovalists and Roundheads, and so forth. With so wide a variety of settings the production is necessarily an elaborate one, outstanding scenes being the Coujt of Queen Elizabeth, the Norman Pensions Department, and the Registration of Charles 11. Since most of the action represents the haphazard incidents of a dream, many unusual photographic effects, executed by Horace Wheddon, are naturally called for. There are also several excellent supporting pictures, including a fine study of sea life, and a travel film. Excellent musical items are played by the Octagon orchestra. QUEEN’S THEATRE. South Sea Islands, Venice, and Miami scenery are all mixed together in one sequence of Bebe Daniel’s new Paramount picture, “The Palm Beach Girl, now being shown at the Queen’s Theatre. The entire melange was obtained at one place, the famous Tahiti Beach, connected with the Maimi-Biltmire section of the Coral Gables Development, It is a sparkljng, rollicking comedy laid in the society atmosphere of Palm Beach and other Florida beauty spots glorified by the bewitching presence and humorous antics of Bebe Daniels. Of the many exciting highlights in the production, the big speed boat race—actual reproduction of the annual regatta near Maimi Beach—is outstanding by virtue of its thundering action and hair raising thrills. The story was adapted from the yarn by Byron _ Morgan and the play “Please Help Emily,” by H. M. Harwood, and is full of exciting incidents. There are enough funny gags and comedy situations to keep audiences in a constant state of laughter. Lawrence Gray, who gave such a good account of himself opposite Gloria ISwanson in “Stage Struck,” and “The Untamed Lady,” ,is happily cast as Behe’s leading man. Josephine Drake, Marguerite Clayton. John Patrick and Armund Cortez are others who assist Bebe. EVERYBODY’S- THEATRE., A new Metro-Goldwyn-Mayar picture, “His Secretary,” is this week’s principal attraction at Everybody’s Theatre. The picture features Norma Shearer, the beautiful firm actress. Lew Cody, the light comedian, Willard Louis and Karl Dane. The production is the screen version of a story by Carey Wilson, and is directed by Hobart Henley with deft touches of the genius that characterises all his pictures. Ho has produced an excellent light ao mecHy of business romance. A plain business girl is in love with her employer, to whom she is secretary, but it is all to clear to both girl and the other employees that her affection is not requited. The manner in which she wins his regard and all the incidents attached to the theme make a picture of a very High quality. “The Crimson Runner,” featuring Priscilla Dean, is a daring, vital story of a young Apadhe girfl _ whom (poverty and oppression turned into a female Robin Hood who, under a clever disguise and with the aid of her crafty henchmen, robbed the rich that the poor might eat. “The Crimson Runner” is an original story by Harvey Gates, author of “Mery Go Round,” and “The Wildcat of Paris,” one of Miss Dean’s notable earlier triumphs. Featured in the supporting cast are Ward . Crane, Taylor Holmes, Mitchell Lewis, James Neill, Alan Hale. Ilsa .de Lindt, Charier- H. Mnilcs and Bernard Siegel. PLAZA AND GRAND THEATRES. Jack Hoxie is the leading figure in “The Border Sheriff,” a Universal-Blue Streak Western picture now being shown at the Plaza and Grand Theatres. Hoxie impersonates the character of Cultus Collins, sheriff of Cayuse County, and in his official capacity is called to Washington for a conference with the Government Secret Service Chief. Collins evidently decided that chaps and spurs and woollen shirt would not be just the proper regalia in which to appear in the nation’s capital, for he turned up there in a striking suit of tweeds, white shirt and new shoes. The cast supporting Hoxie is an excellent one, consisting of such players as Olive Hasbrouck, S. E. Jennings, Gilbert Holmes, Buck Moulton, Tom Linghnm, Bert DeMarc, Frank Rice, Floyd Criswell and Leonard Trainer. The other feature picture is “The Dancer of the Nile. ’ The story is based on the early life of King Tutankhamen, and features Carmel Myers, in the role of Arvia, the dancer, and June Elvidgo and Malcolm M'Gregor. A powerful climax is reached through the depicting of one of the religious ceremonies, at. which Arvia, a beautiful young dancer, who has incurred (he displeasure of Pharaoh's daughter, is the victim. KING EDWARD THEATRE. Tlie leading feature at the King Edward Theatre this week is “The Crimson Runner,” an original story of post-war Vienna, by Harvey Gates. The locale of the story is fascinating Vienna, and all the brilliance and colour of its people have been deftly woven into this impressive scene. In addition to Priscilla Dean, Ward Crane, and Alan Hale, the cast includes such skilled players as Taylor Holmes, James Neill. Ilsa de Lindt, Charles H. Miles, Mitchell Lewis, and Bernard SieaeL