AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20378, 9 April 1928, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS.

OCTAGON THEATRE. Ramon Novarro, a motion picture actor whose popu.arity is growing by rapid strides, has one of the best roles of his career in “The Road to Romance,” which is being well received at the Octagon Theatre. The story is from _ the pen of Joseph Conrad. It is an exciting tale of the bold buccaneers that formerly infested the Caribbean Sea, and have for their stronghold the picturesque island of Reigo, off the coast of Cuba. (For years the island had been ruled by the proud house of Reigo, but death had interrupted the concession, leaving only the bed-ridden Don Carlos and his beautiful sister, Serafina, in th© castle. By keeping the last of the Reigos virtually prisoners the Governor of the island, in crafty Don Balthasar, who was hand in glove with the pirates, assumed control of the island, and also desired to marry Serafina to complete his conquest. But a secret summons for help haji been sent to Spain, and Captain Jose Amando arrived at the island disguised as a ragged sea rover sent secretly by his king. Amongst this colourful background Ramon Novarro, as Captain Jose, plunges into a romantic role. The Octagon Orchestra plays ‘‘Maritana” (Wallace) as an overture, and a tone picture entitled “ In a Gipsy Camp ” is also played. EMPIRE THEATRE. “Three Faces East,” a thrilling wartime mystery jdrama of the secret service, is the feature at the Empire Theatre this week. Jett a Goudal plays a dual part in this production, which was adapted by C. Gardner Sullivan from the stage success of the same name. The story tells how Jetta is deep in the confidence of rival Powers. She apparently gives valuable information to two fighting Powers, and it is not until tho closing scenes of the film that her true identity is revealed. _ Miss Goudal, in the coarse of the story, is presumably a Gorman spy. She is known in the picture as Miss Hawtree, and falls in love with Valdar, a German spy. When Valdar is about to send a message to Berlin that all is in readiness for an air raid on London, Miss Hawtree covers him with her revolver, and threatens to kill him if he sends the message. A thrilling revolver fight follows, with the result that Valdar is mortally wounded, but by whom only the last scenes in tho film There are many thrilling scenes in ‘ Three Faces East.” The background of war gives the picture a decided touch of real drama. It is a Rupert Julian production, and in addition to having directed the picture Julian plays the role of Kaiser Wilhelm. A large number of the sets shown in the film are both massive and historical. Tho other featured players are Robert Ames, Henry Walthall, and Olive Brook. . , . On the same programme is anotner interesting budget of the Empire Local News, which includes pictures of the Aus-tralia-New Zealand cricket test match, the Port Chalmers regatta, and the St Olair croquet tourney. In addition to this attractive programme, the pictorial record of Hinkler’s arrival at Bundaberg and Brisbane, after flying from England, » shown. Appropriate music is supplied by the Em pire Select Orchestra. QUEEN’S THEATRE. A picture which caters for boxing enthusiasts, showing the _ fight between Heenev and Sharkey, is now being screened at the Queen s Theatre. _ two champions are seen in action, in E 3 rounds of scientific boxing. _ Heency s career has been one of great interest to those who follow the sport. He was recently chosen to be matched against Gene Tunney, the world’s champion. Heeney gives a splendid account of himself in the fight with Sharkey—a fight which ranked him among the world s best boxers. „ The other picture is entitled Galloping Fury,” with Hoot Gibson, the popular Western cowboy star, in the principal role. Gibson is cast in a role which gives him an opportunity to display his horsemanship. ,PLAZA AND GRAND THEATRES. “ Tumbling River,” featuring Tox Mix and his famous horse Tony, is the latest Western production now showing at the Grand and Plaza Theatres. In this film Mix is the owner of a stock ranch, and is known for the fine horses he breeds. His two prize horses, however, are Tony and Buster, and thev mean more to Tom than all his other worldly possessions. Then the cattle rustlers steal Buster, and the excitement begins. In the pursuit after the rustlers Mix finds an opportunity to exhibit his sunerb horsemanship, and' he and Tonv perform some of their most brilliant riding feats and stunts. The plot becomes fast and furious until the final scenes when Tom outwits the rustlers, and regains his stolen horse and the girl be loves. Patsy Ruth Miller is featured in “ What Every Girl Should Know.’’ the second picture on the programme. EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. Tom Tyler has played in many a Western nicture, but in his latest release, “ The Cowboy Cop,” showing at Everybody’s Theatre, he has a role that calls for the wearing of a mounted policeman’s uniform as well as of a dress suit—a decided departure from this popular Western player’s usual field of activities. The picture commences in'the usual breezy manner of the Tyler’s productions, but after one brief glimpse of Tom in his cowboy outfit the audience is whisked into the intrigue of the “ Big Town’s ” underworld, where Tom, as a mounted policeman, puts his knowledge of guns and horses to some very thrilling tests. On the same programme is the film version of “ Charley’s Aunt,” one of the most amusing comedies seen on the screen for many a day, MERRY-GO-ROUND. Almost reminiscent of a corner of the Amusements Park at the Exhibition, is the spectacle to be seen at the corner of Castle and St. Andrew streets just now. Situated there are a and what is claimed to be the very latest of riding devices—a chair-o-plane—and on these merry crowds are daily and nightly being whirled round to the music of a steam orchestraprone. The brilliantly illuminated machines make a very attrac- j tive showing at night, and are proving very popular with both young and old.