AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20338, 21 February 1928, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

OCTAGON THEATRE. “ The Flag Lieutenant,” the most recen* picture to he introduced to the Dunedin public-through the medium of the Octagon Theatre screen, compares very favourably with its forerunners, the famous Ben Hur ” not excepted, and everyone who saw “ Ben Hur ” was delighted with it. The comparison is perhaps a bad one, seeing the two pictures belong to two entirely different classes, and deal with sud> different subjects. But as far as a trans- | ference to the picture screen is concerned the one is not very much ahead of the I other so far as actual production goes. ■ Neither is there a narrow margin of dif- ' ference between the manner in which the characters are impersonated. With clever and artistic handling both in regard to the mechanical side of the work and on the part of those supporting the characters, there remains the story only, and that is a particularly interesting one. » The Flag Lieutenants” is a fine illustration of what is expected from the man who enters the British navy, and who comes up to expectations. The story tells of the friendship of two officers engaged in twin branches of the service, one being a ship’s officer decorated and successful despite his brief term as a naval man, while the other is an officer of marines, who is faced with' retirement after a term of office that contains little worthy of mention. It is, in a way, an illustration of how opportunity comes to some and not to others, and that when it does come, and advantage is taken of it, whoever follows this course advances rapidly, while the other through lack of opportunity, falls into the background, and is seldom seen or heard of. But in “ The Flag Lieutenant ” the opportunity—a tardy one—comes to the man in the marines. Success depends very largely upon the silence and confidence of his friend. This leads tip to many interesting situations. The cast is a very»strong one, and includes Henry Edwards and Dorothy Seacombe. The supporting films include the story of the Prince of Wales from his boyhood to his manhood. Some incidental dancing by Babs Saul and Iris Gordon of sailors’ hornpipes is quite enjoyable. EMPIRE THEaTRE. The last stages in the educational life of young people, commonly known as college life, have not been infrequently requisitioned by moving picture story writers and that is the case with “ Natfghty But Nice,’’ the principal picture being screened just now at the Empire Theatre. It may be assumed that one very good reason for the selection of such a period is that it is the period of frolics, escapades, a winking and a blinking of rules and regulations, mischievous, daring, consistently getting into scrapes, and adroitly getting out of them again. In fact the period when stolen apples are always sweetest. “ Naughty But Nice ” is a comedy drama of the good type, arid although college life plays a part in it, it is only a means to an end. Colleen Moore takes the leading character so far as the fair sex are concerned, and is bright and vivacious all through. She is winsome and clever, and it is impossible to see her on the screen without being impressed, by her obvious talent, “Naughty But Nice ’’ is a First National production, and the storv is of an excetpionally , lively and extremely pretty little country £irl, and the adventures she meets with in the environs of a smart American college matters .move swiftly. Everybody knows what sad people students are, Americans included and the little country girl views everything with wide-eyed amazement—for a time—and then becomes very irresponsible. There is incident after incident in rapid succession, and a rich vein of humour runs persistently through each and every one of them. Lightness and vivacity are the chief ingredients in “Naughty But Nice.” The other picture at the Empire Theatre is ‘ btereoscopiks, ” which provide a delightful interlude. It is something new, and an optica] sensation may be experienced by patrons, who wish to‘explore for themseives, by placing special glasses in front or their eyes. ( QUEEN’S THEATRE. “The Hills of Kentucky,” with Jason Roberts ns Steve Harley, is the leading, attraction at the Queen’s Theatre, and has won the commendation and admiration of many. Prominent as “ the grey ghost” in the story is the famous dog “ Rin Tin Tin,” which certainly shows an intelligence almost human. In the story there are two brothers—Ben (the villain) and Steve, and there is a school teacher by the name of Janet. This young woman attracts the brothers though in different ways. Rin Tin Tin is tlie salvation of everything and everybody good, and brings about destruction to thosel seeking evil. The story is not only interesting, but very exciting. It is hardly necessary to add that after much trial and tribulation Steve and Janet join hands, and are supremely happy, and it may be added that the “ grey ghost ” (Rin Tin Tin) remains with them, “ Three Miles Up ” and the sixth episode of “ The Silent Flyer ” are also being screened. EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. Norma Shearer scores a decided success in “ The Demi-Bride,” which is at present to be seen at Everybody's Theatre. As Criquette, who is expelled from a Parisian girls’ college for falling 1 in love wih a handsome boulevardier named Philippe, she is very clever. I Criquette outdances all competition in | the art of lovemaking, and Philippe falls an, easy victim to her charrfts and her charming ways. Unfortunately she discovers, or thinks she has discovered, something about Philippe’s pecadilloes in former days, and being high spirited—to put it mildly— puts him under a chastening process that she thinks he deserves. Philippe, however, manages, with some tact and not a little diplomacy, to assuage her jealous suspicions, add emerges from the encounter without a scratch. He is not only master ot the situation, but has conquered rhe girl whom he really loves. The “ Brave Heart ” is the ‘■'unporting picture. PLAZA AND GRAND THEATRES. A hero of the saddle and the sun, and also a favourite with the ladies is tc be seen at the Plaza and Grand Theatres in one who is known in real life as Buck Jones. “ Hills of Peril ”is the picture play in which he appears, and he gives a very convincing representation of the Western hero, as he is known on the picture screen. “ Hills of Peril ” contains a variety of matter. It is full of action, and contains a strong love theme, a spice of humour, and a blond of romance. The hero has to leave Pinon City, and , makes for Lode City. On the way he meets Ellen Wade, who takes a liking to the hero and his wonderful horse. Later Ellen obstinately persists in going tq a dance though she is warned against doing so, and there is a great upheaval in which the hero proves himself a marvel. The rest may be imagined. The supporting picture is “ What Happened to Jones/' which is very amusing.