AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20316, 26 January 1928, Page 15

AMUSEMENTS.

EMPIRE THEATRE. Charlie Murray and George Sidney are the featured comedians in “ Lost at the Front,” which is being screened at the Empire Theatre, and they keep the audience in a roar of laughter with their inimitable antics. The story is based on friendship between an Irish New York policeman and a German saloon keeper. They are true comrades, and occasionally they become friendly enemies. One of these occasions arises when they both become interested in Olga, a sculptress, who has her studio not far from the saloon. Then the war begins, and a short time after the German has invested in a discarded wireless set, sold to him by a wily commercial traveller, he is called up ns a reservist to fight for the Fatherland. The policeman and Olga know of the wireless set, and become convinced that it is some deadly contraption to further the power of Germany in America, so Patrick decides that it is his duty to enlist on the off-chance of finding his erstwhile friend and destroying the apparatus before it hurls destruction on the American army. This situation gives scope for diverse complications, which are calculated to amuse the most dour of audiences. There are excellent supporting pictures on the programme, and the music by the orchestra enhances the enjoyment of the evening. OCTAGON THEATRE. It is claimed that Sally O’Neill has never appeared in a more lovable and winsome characterisation than she does in the title role of “ Becky,” now being screened at the Octagon Theatre. She reveals an unsuspected depth of feeling in the emotional scenes. “ Becky ” is a swiftlymoving drama, full of the colour, the glamour, the thrills of city life. It affords an intimate glimpse into the lives of shop girls. Sally O’Neil is seen in the role of “ Becky,” a child of the city, who starts life as a shop girl, and who, after some surprising adventures, becomes a sensational stage hit. Owen Moore, Gertrude Olmsted, Mack Swain, and Harry Crocker have prominent parts in the supporting cast. A feature of this delightful entertainment is a selection from “ II Trovatore,” played by the Octagon Orchestra, with an organ accompaniment by Mr C. A. Martin. QUEEN’S THEATRE. Every vital aspect of the most cyclonic fistic battle in boxing annals is vividly and graphically shown in the film of the Dempsey-Tunney struggle which is now attracting crowded audiences to the Queen's Theatre. Round by round Tunney is seen in defence of his world’s heavy-weight boxing title, and just what a wonderful come-back Dempsey really made is apparent from the picture. ‘‘ Alias the Deacon.” with Jean Hersholt in the starring role, is an excellent supporting attraction, and features the star in his most famous role. The second episode of “ The Silent Flyer,” starring Silver Streak, the wonder dog, is also showing. EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. “ Over the Hill,” the chief attraction at Everybody’s Theatre, is a picture which is wholesome, clean, and inspiring. It is the story of a little old-fashioned mother, an affectionate but weak-willed husband, six children, a dog, and a humble home, and as such it has an appeal which sets the other and more pretentious settings in the shade. GRAND AND PLAZA THEATRES. “ Fighting Courage,” with Ken Maynard in the leading role, heads the programme at the Plaza and Grand Theatres this week. It is claimed to be among the best Western screen entertainments yet filmed. The supporting production is “ The Wreck,” featuring Shirley Mason and Malcolm M’Gregor, a melodrama of crooks and romance that speeds along at a breathless pace.