AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20069, 8 April 1927, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS.

OCTAGON THEATRE. In ‘‘You Never Know Women,’’ which will be screened at the Octagon Ihcatro for the first time this evening, Paramount has given Florence Vidor her first oppoitunity to appear us a iuJMledgod screenstar. She portra/s the role of a Russian vaudeville performer, a character vastly different from ether parts she has acted. The story is to the effect that, a Russian troupe of players, headed by Vera janova and Ivan Norodin, are awaiting t.ie arrival of Vera. She is late, and when she hurries to her room, she explains that she was saved from death by a nice man. ihc man has followed her, and when the curtain goes up is interested in her performance. During the show he makes his way to the back stage and introduces himself. Vera is very glad to see him, but Ivan, in love with Vera, is angry at the attentions of the stranger. The attentions ot the stranger persist, however, much to tha anger of "Ivan and the disgust of the rest of the troupe. Vera, however, is much taken with this man and so Norodin decides to let them have their love. At one of his most hazardous stunts, that of releasing himself from handcuffs chains and a box under water, performed as a publicity stunt before a huge crowd he tails to come up. Vera, who has hastened to the scene, collapses and that night •it h a sad troupe that treads the boards as the curtain rises. In her room Vera realises the love she has for Ivan, and when Foster arrives she repulses him. She runs away and a chase follows through the theatre. Finally just os she is cornered, to her great pleasure and to the discomforture of Foster, Ivan appears. Clive Brook plays the load and Lowell Sherman the blase villain. William Wellman directed the production. EMPIRE THEATRE. To-day there will be presented at the Empire Theatre a new picture which holds a great reputation. The title of the new picture is "Poker Faces," the story of wmch is done in the inimitable sty.e ol the director, Harry Pollard, who is credited with being one of the greatest comedy directors of the motion picture industry Laura la Plante and Edward Everett Horton co-star in the production, and together givo an entirely novel and well-acted por trayal of the trials which beset a young married couple. Jimmy Whitmore, a struggling office worker, has an argument witn his wife over the need of a new rug in their home. He cannot aflord it. While Jimmy is at his office working he is given an unusual chance to aid his employer, Henry Curlew, in landing a contract with George Dixon by promising to meet him at the station and dino him with the aid of Mrs Whitmore. Jimmy discovers that his wife has decided to work t D earn money for the rug so Jimmy hires an actress with a jealous prize-fighting husband to pose as his wife for the evening. Curlew and Jimmy plan to sign Dixon up that night and Dixon hires Mrs Whitmore through an employment agency. When all arc congregated in Curlew’s library things happen rapidly. D>xon pretends that Jimmy is his partner. Mrs Whitmore becomes angry, the actress embarrassed, and the other' two men puzzled at the actions of the others. Aftoi an eventful evening Curlew, not in on Jimmy’s secret, insists that everyone spend the night at his home. Jimmy's lack of attention to his pseudowife and his attention to the hired stenographer cause more trouble, which is topped when the actress’s mate arrives to take her home. Jimmy flees from the actress’ room and hides, in IPs real wife's. Dixon hoars the actress screaming _ and breaks in and fights with the boxer in the dark, thinking it is Jimmy. The fighters both go down for the count and- door is broken down just in time for Jimmy to take credit for the double k lock-out. A wire from a branch office tells the crowd that Dixon is a crook, and with his arrest Jimmy gets his raise and a new rug, and is forgiven by his wife. QUEEN’S THEATRE. Tom Mix is said to be in his best in the latest Fox production “No Man’s Gold,” which will be screened /at the Queen’s Theatre to-day for the first time. Not only is he back in one of the finest pictures of the typo that gave him world-wide fame, but no is supported by a cast, each one of which is an old favourite with moving picture audiences. There is the beautiful Eva Novak, who plays the part of Jane Rogers, a rodeo star. She does her own riding in a way that must make many a cowboy envy her. The part of the villainous gambler, Pete Krcll, is played by The husky Malcolm Waite. In one of the beet rough and tumble fights ever screened, ho uses everything -from his fists to a saxaphone. but is at last knocked out by Tom. The story of “No Man’s Gold” is the kind that will hold the attention of any audience from beginning to end; because it is a real story with logical suspense and many breadth-taking situations that corns about as a natural result of plot and characterisations. EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. “Temptation," a Master picture which will be shown at Everybody s Theatre today for the first time, is an adaptation of the novel “Konigsmark,” which is_ said to bo one of the greatest love stones ever written. The story is absolutely modern in period and treatment. Aurora, a beautiful voung woman, is forced by her father into a loveless marriage with a very rich and powerful man. She goes to live in his naface. Her husband, at last tiring of his attempts to win her love, announces that he is leaving for the Congo on a hunting trip. His jealous brother murders him and hides the body m the palace. Aurora knows nothing of this She is informed later that her husband met his death in. Congo. She returns to her father in Pans, and flings herself into the wild night life of the city to forget. At length she returns to the nalftc© of her late husband, where a young French visitor falls in love with her The French youth discovers the body of Aurora s husband hidden in a secret chamber m the pa.nce. Hof ore he can inform Aurora, the murderer sets fire to the palace. The young Frenchman heroically rescues Aurora from the flames, and she declares her love for him Another feature which will ha screened to-dav is Marshall Ned.m s Dipffimaev ” in which the charming, Blanche Sweet' plav, the loading part. the peace of the entire world depends on the recovery of a stolen treaty. The newly married wife of a young Foreign Office attache is suspected. . Evidence piles■ «PThen come complications and rex elation* which are said to be amazing. PLAZA AND GRAND THEATRES. The screen version ot Richard Harding Davis’s most sensational story, ‘Hansons Folly.’’ will head the bill at tne Ilaza and Grand Theatres during the ensuing week. The picture carries additional interest in that the popular Richard Barthchnc;.,, heads the cast in a role that should repeal him in his element. As Ranson, Baitl c.mess is called upon for a really, thulium portrayal, most of the “action being enacted in the wide, open spaces. Of tne many exciting situations in the story, one that stands out prominently is wheia the hero dashes into a blazing ammunition depot at the risk of almost certain death, with the object of removing a store ot explosives. Dorothy Mackaill is once again cast opposite Barthelmess. and is responsible for a most sympathetic portrayal in the role of Mary Cahill. In support is “The Boy Friend, . a Mctro-Goldwyn-Maycr picture which is a breezy comedy of small town life adapted from the stage success, ‘lhc Book of Charm. It was directed by Monta Bell, with a cast headed by Marcebne Day. John Hairon, and George K. Arthur. KING EDWARD THEATRE. After having enjoyed a sucessful inniDgs of one week at the King Bdwara Theatre. “Hold That Lion” is to ho withdrawn this evening in favour of No Man’s Gold,” a thrilling story of a treasure hunt. Tom Mix is prominent, and it is stated that his performnee m_ No Man’s Gold” is the best ho has yet given. The new picture is full of exciting incident. “BEAU GESTE.” The picturisation of P. C. Wren’s famous novel, “Beau Gesto,” which caused quite a sensation in Dunedin recently, where it plavcd to packed houses for two —ecks, will be screened at the Municipal Pictures, Mosgicl, for two nights, commencing to-morrow. The .ipecial atmospheric stage prologue that accompanied the picture during the season here will also be presented to the picture-goers of Mosgiel. Mr Albert Petri, who delighted the Dunedin audiences with his "Songs of the Legion.” will no doubt prove a great added attraction. MALE CHOIR CONCERT. Probably the most outstanding item to be given by the Dunedin Male Choir at its concert in His Majesty’s Theatre on Tuesday evening next will be the ballad