AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20087, 2 May 1927, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS.

EMPIRE THEATRE. “Variety,” Paramount's great picture, is attracting good bouses at the Empire Theatre. “Variety” opens on a scene in whioh the leading player, Emil Jannings, is shown as an old man discouraged with life. He has been a prisoner for HO years, and is now about to be freed. It does not require much imagination to describe tho way ho looks. Then as ho tells his life story to the warden the scene changes, and Jannings is scon ns a young man— Boss—the world’s greatest acrobat. On seeing tho transformation, it will be hard to believe that both are the same man. But then when one remembers Jannings's appearance in such films ns “The Last Laugh,” “Passion,” and “Quo Vadis,” the thing seems more probable. It would appear that at last, a challenger for the crown Lon Chaney has worn go long, has come out of the" east. Another prominent actress in the cast is Madame de Putti People who have seen Lya do Putti featured with Emil Jannings in tho film, are emphatic in asserting that no more fascinating actress has come to the screen. In her beauty there is a provocative strangeness, and the almost childlike naivette with which she exercises her allurement is absolutely puzzling. Miss de Putti ia a slight girl, sft 2in in height, and weighs 103 pounds. She has black bobbed hair and flashing brown eyes that are so dark they are almost black. Her mouth is small and frequently an expression not unliko tho Mona Lisa smile hovers around its corners. The leading lady of "Variety” first saw the light ot clay in Budapest, some 22 years ago. Little Lya studied dancing, and in her early 'teens went to Berlin and became a member of the Winter Garden’s ballot. Strangely enough, this same Winter Garden was to ho tho scene of her latest triumph, “Variety," a story of backstage life at that theatre. In tho Winter Garden ballot Miss de Putti's talent was soon recognised and she became the premiere danseuse. While there, Joi Mai, well known German motion picture director, saw Lya and placed her under contract. Since then, she has appeared in many films and acquired a largo European following. First and foremost, the thing which impresses spectators most are the scenes at the Berlin Winter Garden. It is no wonder, because in those sequences, thousands of people were used. Every conceivable type was represented among them. The searching eye of the camera discloses both “high-hat” and “lowbrow” gentry. Men eating pretzels, and others drinking beer. Hero—one leaning over a huge stomach, and there—a long lean personage. And then, over them all, the acrobats at work on the trapeze. in Germany, the “rings” are not placed on a stage, but right over the beads of tho audience. The acting of Emil Jannings is wonderful. Lya de Putti is most striking as Bertha, the flirting wife of Boss, and Warwick Ward, a celebrated English actor, is superb as the villainous acrobat, Artmelli. He gives a dashing performance. “Variety” certainly shows more clearly than any printed bqpk the tortuous moral reactions of a not unintelligent woman to her lovers. The picture was made in Germany. Most appropriate music is played by the Empire Orchestra.

OCTAGON THEATRE. Ranked by national critics as one of the six best pictures of the year, D. W. Griffith’s newest production, “Sally of the Sawdust,” which is now being shown at the Octagon Theatre, is the first motion pictui'e to receive this distinction where the critics have seen it in an unfinished condition. During one of the trial showings of the picture, which Mr Griffith always makes that the public may tell him what is interesting and what it not, several national critics on vacation in that vicinity, dropped in to see it. So enthusiastic wore they, that they immediately telegraphed for the remainder of the Board of Critics to come to a later showing. Then they voted it one of the beet pictures of this year, and one of the most entertaining pictures ever made. No other producer ever has had so many pictures ranked in the select list of best as Mr Griffith, but for delightful entertainment, laughter, human play of emotions and splendid acting, “Sally of the Sawdust” ranks with the finest things ho has ever done. The charm of circus life, and carnival merriment for the background is illuminated with the joyful gaiety of two characters new to the screen, a side-show entertainer, juggler and handy-man with other people’s pockets; and his ward who believes she is his daughter and who loves and fights for him. The comedian’s part is played by W. C. Fields, for years famous Inughmakor of the stage and now star of the Ziegfold “Follies.” The daughter’s part is plaved hy Carol Dempster, a young Californian girl. In the supporting cast were a number of loading stage players. Glenn Anders of “They Knew What They Wanted.” played the chief heavy role: Alfred Lunt, playing the title part in “The Guardsman,’ has the loading juvenile role. Others prominent on the stage who appeared in this picture were EfTie Shannon, Florence Fair, Charles Hammond, Dorothy Bioknell, and Marie Shotwell. _ Frvillc Alderson, who acted in the capacity of Mr Griffith’s assistant, also plaved one of the important characters in the story, “Sally of the Sawdust” was adapted to the screen by Forrest Halsey from a stage play in which Madge Kennedy and W. C. Fields played a year on Broadway, in New York. QUEEN’S THEATRE. An absolutely boundless appeal has been made to the picture-loving public,.by the screening of “The Flaming Forest,” which is now being shown at the Queen’s Theatre. Apart from its intense interest to every British subject, and the added recommendation of its famous author, it hae a brilliant cast of screen favourites. The story is that Jules Lagaree, a fanatical half-bread, dreams of establishing a republic in NorthWest Canada. His fo’lowers murder anti rob with impunity. Andre Audemnrd an old storekeeper, and his wife are both ■murdered. Lagaree pays unwelcome attentions to their beautiful daughter. Jeanne Marie, and cruelly ill-treats her crippled brother, Roger. The settlers appeal for protection to the Canadian Government. As a result, the North-West Mounted Police are mobilised, and depart for the interior. In the meantime. Lagarre has made himself provisional president of his “republic,” and has ordered all settlers to recognise him or leave their homes. Lagarre and his men attack the mam settlement, and much bloodshed and cruelty follows, Jeanne Marie is captured. Soon however, the Mounted Police near their destination n nd Lagarre flees, Jeanne Mane escapes and runs towards the oncoming soldiers'. Sergeant David Camgnn rescues her just as she is abotit to be recaptured. 1110 North-West becomes peaceful again, although Lagaree is plotting in silence. Carrigan's friendship for Mane ripens to love. A ruse of Lagarre s lure» the majority of the police away north. In their absence he and his followers attack the post. Only a few men, including Carrigan, are left to protect the women and children. A fierce battle follows. Lagarre and Carrigan fight a terrific battle, and the sergeant wins. The half-breed is captured and the lovers are reunited. EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. Milton Sills in the role of a devil-may-oare scapegoat son of _an English carl, making a precarious living m London by moans of his remarkable personality and his wit, is now being shown at Everybody’s Theatre in “Paradise.” One of the reasons why Sills remains a great figure on the screen is his ability to give an entirely different characterisation in every picture in which ho appears. One never grows tired of him. for he is always different—always standing forth as an entirely new personality. Ana in “Paradise ho is seen in one of the happiest los of his career. Bottv Bronson is his leading lady, with Noah Beery, Kate Price. Charlie Murray. Lloyd Whitlock, Claude King, and Ashley Cooper supporting. “Paradise’ is the film version of Cosmo Hamilton s great novel of the same title. In support is “Forlorn River,” the story of which centres about the thrilling experiences of a mysterious individual known as “Nevada, capitallv played by Jack Holt. Raymond Hatton is his mate, a tramp cowpunchcr. who contributes some good comedy work. Arlette Marchal, charming French actress, provides the love episodes, while Edmund Burns competes the quartet of principal players in the role of Miss Virch'Ts boyhood sweetheart.

PLAZA AND GRAND THEATRES. The feature of “Prowlers of the Night,” this wcek’a principal attraction at the Plaza and Grand Theatres, is the appear anco of Fred Hurnes, who makes his debut in a star role. The story is a gripping one. Humes, as a Western sheriff, is wounded in a pun battle with bandits. Ho is given aid by a beautiful girl, whom ho later discovers is the daughter of the loader of the very gang that wounded him. This discovery is not made, however, until after has has fallen in love with the girl and she has returned his affection. His oati» of office and sense of duty compel

him to wage unrelentless war on the law breakers, and hi* love and devotion to the girl wreack havoo with Ills plana. To reveal the final outcome of the story would be to lessen the enjoyment of those who will see it. Barbara Kent, a beautiful newcomer, is the girl. _ She reveals a wealth of histrionic ability, not a little emotional depth and is pictorially so pleasing that the end of the -icture comes all too quickly. Ernest Laemmle is responsible for the direction, and ho has not only handled the plot well, but given it settings of natural beauty which greatly enhance the whole. Lovers of the outdoors will doubly enjoy this picture. Others who distinguish themselves in the cast include Joseph Belmont, “Slim” Colo. Walter Machle, and John T. Prince. KING EDWARD THEATRE. “The Flaming Forest." which is now being screened at the King Edward Theatre, deals with the colonisation of the NorthWest territory of the Dominion of Canada, and the events that led to the mobilisation of the Royal North-West Mounted Police. With the inimitable charm of method of its author, historical fact is admirably blended with imaginative fiction. It is a Metro-Goldwyn-Meyer adaptation of the novel by James Oliver Curwood, and is a romance of great charm. Renee Adoree, Antonio Moreno, Bert Roach. Claire M’Dowoll, and Tom O'Brien are in the oast. It was directed by Reginald Barker, and extensive research work has made it a faithful historic document.