AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20311, 20 January 1928, Page 13

AMUSEMENTS.

EMPIRE THEATRE. Many Dunedin picture theatre patrons will recall with delight the irrestiblo antics and humour of those two master comedians, Charles Murray and George Sidney in “ M'Fadden's Flats,” a comedy drama of exceptional merit, which was accorded a great reception at the Empire Theatre some time ago. In view of this it should give a lot of pleasure to many to learn that these two players will appear again at the Empire Theatre to-day when the change of programme is made, in “ Lost at the Front,” a war comedy, in which both iind ample scope for the display of their talent for humour and clever buffoonery. The story has to do with Patrick, typical Irish policeman of New Yoik, and his friend August, who is an equallv typical German saloon keeper. They are the best of friends—and friendly enemies. Both become interested in Olga., a sculptress who has her studio in their part of the town. A discarded wireless outfit is sold to trusting August by a hobo, as an invention that will help Germany win the war —it being wartime, just before the American participation in the world struggle. August is called to the front as a Germant reservist. Patrick and Olga think that his “ invention ” is really a deadly one, and when America declares war they decide that Pat must go in order to find August and get the invention away from him before it destroys the American army. Pat cannot get into the American army because ho is too old, so Olga leads him to the Russian army recruiting headquarters, where he enlists in the Czar's legions. Pat and August meet on (he Russo-German front, where Pat makes August prisoner and takes possession of the invention, which August lias retained in spite of the refusal of the Gcimans to consider it seriously Then Pat and August engage in a game of dodging both armies, and in so doing disguise themselves as women, and get into what seems to be a parade of women. These prove to be recruits for the Russian Battalion of Death, and Pat and August manage to escape hastily just before they are given a bath and physical examination. In the midst of their subsequent attempt to escape news comes that the armistice has been signed, and their troubles are over. They return to New York, seeking the girl for whose hand they are rivals, and discover that she has married in their absence.

OCTAGON THETARE. The feature picture on the new programme at the Octagon Theatre to-day is a production entitled “ Becky,” which brings back to the sceen in Dunedin a firm favourite, who has won a gi eat many admirers in previous productions. This is vivacious Sally O’Neill, the captivating little Metro Gofdwyn Mayer star, whose twinkling blue eyes, roguish smile, and saucy wit are as Irish as Ireland itself. It does not matter that this talented little player is one of Hollywood's comparatively new recruits. She is a splendid illustration of the saying “ You can’t keep a good girl down. ” ' Her list of film triumphs is unusually long for one so young. There will be many who will remember her charm and personality in such productions as “ Sally, Irene, and Mary,” ‘ Battling Butler,” “ Slide, Kelly, Slide,” and “ 'Frisco Sally Levi.’’

Sally O'Neill will be seen to-day at the 0: tagon Theatre in “Becky,” a story teeming with the colour and glamour of life in a great metropolis. In the title role, Miss O’Neill portrays the part of a young and beautiful girl who climbs from the bargain basement of a great store to be the sensation of a revue on Broadway, and has never appeared more winsome or lovable. Playing opposite Miss O’Neill is that sterling actor, Owen Moore. He plays the role of “ Don Scarlett,” a “ man about town,” who is regenerated by his love for “ Becky.’ The part has plenty of scope for tire whimsical humour of this player, which he combines with some splendid' emotional acting. Harry Crocker plays the part of “ John Carroll Estabrook,” a young artistocrat, who falls in love with “ Becky,” and Gertrude Olmsted lias the role of his sister “ Nan.” Mack Swain, Claude King, and many other favourites arc included in the wellchosen supporting cast.

QUEEN’S THEATRE,

The most attractive feature of the new programme at the Queen's Theatre today will undoubtedly be the screening of the Tuiiiiey-Dempscy tight. Every detail an! movement, round by round, of that great light is depicted with amazing distinct ness which must be acounted a great credit to the art of kinema photography. The seventh round, in which the ex-cnan pion knocked Tunney down with six terrific punches to the jaw. is shown In every detail. This will give local loilowcrs of boxing an admirable opportunity of seeing a reproduction of the cyclonic contest in which the hitherto invincible Dempsey was deprived of the woiids heavy-weight championship. The picture is well worth seeing, and even those whose acquaintance with the intricacies and fine points of boxing is limited will laid a great deal to grip and amuse them :u this film. The second picture on tiu programme will be “ Alias the Deacon, in which the featured players arc Jean ilerscholt, June Marlowe, and Ralph Graves. Ilerscholt’s remarkable talents as an actor have enabled him to portray every conceivable type of role from light comedy to the most villainous character possible. In this picture lie oortrays uie role of a lovable, middle-aged itinerant who represents himself as a benign deacon in order to cover his real profession t.l gambling. The picture, a film version of the stage success, was directed bv Ld wai'd Sicilian. These two pictures, together with a supporting programme of topical views and comedv make up an evening's entertainment that is well wortn while.

EVERYBODY’S THEATRE

There will be a new double feature programme at Everybody’s Theatre to-day when the change is made. The first pic tore is “ Lady Robin Hood.” a Eamo is Players Lasky film, starring the beautiful, Evelyn Brent. The leading male ;olj is in the hands of Robert Ellis, the others in the cast being Boris Karloff, William Humphrey, and Darcy Corrigan. Evelyn Brent takes the role of a girl who leads a band of patriot 11 Carbonari ” in the Pyrenees mountains against the aggressions of a local ruler who has flagrantly abused tire common people to enhance nis own wealth. A young American millionaire, erasing in his yacht into ihe harbour of Manzilla, at the foot of the Pyrenees, is kidnapped and held for -ansom at the instigation of this lovable little firebrand, who then is foolish enougn u> fall in love with him and let herself in for many difficulties and complications. The second feature is “ Over the Hill,” which is no less entitled to pride of place on the programme than “ Lady Ron u Hood.” Tlie return of this well-known and much-liked production to a Dunedin theatre will be welcomed bv many woo saw it before and by a greater nunibir of picture theatre patrons of the younge; generation who have not as yet bad an opportunity of witnessing one of the most touching and pathetic films ever screened The cast is a largo one. and the nlayms are proved actors and actresses. I'lie theme of “ Over the Hill ” needs no amplification hern. Tim picture has been taken from Will Carleton’s poem, and it is claimed for this production that it has been witnessed hv hundreds and thousands in every corner of the world.