AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20088, 3 May 1927, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

EMPIRE THEATRE. Brilliant in tochnioque and lavish in setting is “Variety,” which is this week s principal attraction at the Empire Theatre. The story opens with a scene m a prison. Prisoner 28, an aged and bent old man, has been summoned by the warden ot the prison. For more than 20 years the prisoner has refused to talk, but ho at last consents to tell his story to the sympathetic warden. The prisoner tells how ho as a young man, handsome and muscular, was named Boas,_ Ho was a partner in a travelling carnival acrobatic act with a beautiful girl, Bertha, whom Boss idolised. She, however, was a selfash little flirt who made Boss practically a servant. The carnival was playing in an outlying section'of a great European city. To the fair grounds oamo Artinelli, the foremost acrobatic star in the world, who was facing the prospect of losing a very profitable engagement at the mammoth Winter Garden because of the loss of his partner in an accident. He was looking for another partner, and had been told about Boss and Bertha. At sight of the oeautiful Bertha, Artinelli at once made a lucrative proposition to Boss and the girl to join his act at the Winter Garden. They accepted. Soon, they became the sensation of Europe and packed the great theatre at- every performance. The climax of their act was the famous triple deathdefying somersault in which Artinelli s life depended upon the skill of Boss in catching him after the third flip through the air, 200 ft above the heads of the, audience. Meantime, off-stage, Artinelli was making every effort to lure Bertha away from Boss. Eventually, ho does so, and, in a fit of jealousy. Boss kills him. At the conclusion of the prisoner’s story the scene again shifts to the present day, and an official is seen appearing with a pardon for him. Emil Jannings gives a portrayal that will long to remembered. At all times there is a wealth of expression in his face. Tt changes from a grim .fymeal laughter to a deep hatred. Frail with seductive beauty is Lya de Putti. She is new to New Zealand audiences, but she will be remembered by her performance. Warwick Ward gives a performance that is in no way overshadowed by the brilliance of the Continental star.

OCTAGON THEATRE. Featuring the well-known comedian, W. C. Fields, D. W. Griffith’s United Artists Corporation release, “Sally of tho Sawdust,” is being screened this week at the Octagon Theatre. The circus in which Fields, as Professor Eusfcaoo M’Gargle, and Carol Dempster, as Sally M’Gargle, appear as side show entertainers, /alls on bad times, and their last money is spent for a telegram seeking work with a distant carnival company. They decide to walk, carrying the great Professor’s regalia and Sally’s wardrobe in some minor bundles. But -the Professor’s feet get s oro and Sally gets lame, and thoy decide to ride calch-as-catch-can on the next tram. They swing abroad the baggage car while the train is moving 15 to 20 miles an hour, and. their ride and the sudden and undignified ending compose some o[ the gayest scenes in this most entertaining of comedies. For “Sally of the Sawdust i 3 different from anything Griffith has done in years, it being a merry story of adventure, and excitement, always funny and often convulsing in its hilarity, with a startling and boisterous finish that makes it one of the most distinctive films made in years. Never has Griffiths been more entertaining. The high quality of acting, entertainment and lavish sets have earned for the picture national recognition as one of tho six best films of the year.

QUEEN’S THEATRE. “The Flaming Forest,” from the novel by James Oliver Curwood, is being screened at the Queen’s Theatre. Briefly, the story tells how Jules Lagarre, a fanatical halfbreed, dreams of establishing a republic in North-West Canada. Settlers arc murdered and robbed until the ncwlyformed North-West Mounted Police restore order. Sergeant David Carrigan rescues a beautiful girl, Jeanne Marie, from Lagarrc’s ruffians, and the two fall in love. The police are lured away, and Lagarre attacks the fort in their absence. Carrigan rides through the Indian lines and gets help just in time. Ho and Jeanne Marie are then married. James Oliver Curwood based the story of “The Flaming Forest” op actual historical incidents. The rebellion of Louis Rcil in the latter half of the eighteenth century was one of the most sensational episodes in Canada’s history. He had planned for a general uprising of the Red Indians throughout tho North-West, but the mounted police successfully coped with the position. Reil was arrested and hanged. “The Flaming Forest” gives a thrilling depiction of this incident. The principal roles are taken by Antonio Moreno and Renee'Adoree. EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. “Paradise,” the ' principal / picture at Everybody’s Theatre, features Milton Sills and Betty Bronson. Cast as a suave ne’er-do-well son of an English carl, who abandons a pecunious existence of living by his wits in London to battle his way to the sovereignty of a Polynesian “Paradise,” Sills creates a fine testimonial to his versatility. Miss Bronson first became prominent when she played “Peter Pan.” She is now portraying a little exvaudeville dancer who marries the devil-may-care son of an English earl and goes through great suffering for a time in an effort to live, and finally after a series of thrilling episodes, which land her in the South Seas, she finds her happiness with the earl’s son. The second picture is “Forlorn River,” another adaptation of a Zane Grey novel. Jack Holt adds to his laurels in a new type of role. As an outlaw and fugitive from justice, Holt has to do a good deal of hard riding to escape the sheriff and his posse. Later he risks life and liberty in a hand-to-hand struggle with a gang of cattle rustlers who are holding the girl he loves. Arlette Marehal), a FTench beauty, makes a charming heroine. Raymond Hatton plays a comedy role in his usual finished style. Edmund Burns is the third angle in the novel triangular love affair. The film made against the remarkable scenic background of Brice Canyon in Utah, under the direction of John Waters, who made “Born to the West.”

PLAZA AND GRAND THEATRES. Fred Hume, a new recruit to the ranks of the heroes of Western pictures, has the leading role in “Prowlers of the Night,” which is being screened at the Plaza and Grand Theatres. It is the story of Jack Norton, a Western sheriff, who is severely wounded in a gun battle with bandits. He is given aid by Anita Parsons, a girl he has never seen before, but later learns that she is the daughter of the leader of the bandits with whom ho has been fighting. He is torn between his love for the girl and his devotion to duty, but the latter is too strong to resist. He continues to pursue the gang, and gives chase when they rob the village bank. The remainder of the picture is replete with exciting incidents. Also showing is “Compromise,” featuring Irene Rich and Clive Brook. Tlic story tells how, while beautiful Joan Trevore fought against compromise, setting her ideals above the lax standards of her friends, she suffered and was constantly humiliated. It was only after she had forgiven her erring husband and realised the weakness of human nature that she faced understanding aud peace. ' KING EDWARD THEATRE. Tho attraction at tho King Edward Theatre is “The Flaming Forest,” which has pride of place on tho programme at tho Queen s _ Theatre. Tho picture provides entertainment that is sure to satisfy, for it is an adaptation of James Oliver Curwood’s novel. The supporting programme is full of interest. "THE FLAMING FRONTIER,” Tn “The Flaming Frontier,” which will I >ogin at the Empire Theatre on Friday, Hoot Gibson is tho principal player. Gibson was born in Tekaman, Nebraska, and spent most of his life riding the ranges in Oregon. It was in this hard school that ho gained the experience that lias brought him such fame on tho screen. It was only natural that Gibson, tho cowboy, should enter all the hie rodeos Held in the West. Ho early began winning prizes and topped it all off by winning tho all-round championship at the great Pendleton Round-up in 1912 In this ho • was pitted against tho best cowboys in I tho country. Ho held the championship for several vears Before ntcring pictures Gibson was the star of several hie Wild West shows. In “Tho Flaming Frontier” Gibson appears first as a pony express rider, one of those daring, dashing men who figured so prominently in tho history of the early Wot. A protege of General George A. Custer, he goes to West Point, f but is expelled from the Academy, through 1 taking the blame for an offence charged i t> th« brother of the girl he loves. In the«e scenes life at America's famous mill- I

tary academy is faithfully depicted as it was in tho 70's. Returned to the plains he becomes an army scout and is shown experiencing many stirring adventures, and is the messenger sent by Custer to Major Reno with orders for tho latter to come to the rescue. His parting with General Custer, the latter role being played by Dustin Farnum ; his wild ride through the attacking Indians; hi* pleading with Reno, and finally his finding of Custer’s body following the massacre are said to ho by far the best things this versatile actor has dene. In addition to Gibson and Farnurn, the all-star cast in “The Flaming Frontier” includes Anne Cornwall, Ward Crane. Eddie Grihbon. Harry Todd, Kathleen Key, Harold Goodwin. George Fawcett, Charles K. French, Walter Rodgers, Noble Johnson, W'iliarn Steele, Ed Wilson, and Joe Bonomo.