AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20450, 3 July 1928, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

OCTAGON THEATRE. Lon Chaney, perhaps the most popular of players in mystery productions, appears in the principal picture at the Octagon Theatre just now. It bears the interesting title of “London After Midnight.” The story is concerned with the supposed suicide of Robert Balfour, whose best friend. Sir James Hamlin, adopts his daughter Lucille when Balfour dies. The Scotland Yard detective Burke, who handled the case at Balfour’s death, is given cause five years later to renew his investigations, and he employs many ingenious methods, including hypnotism, and the adoption of several clever disguises before he finally solves the mystery. The Balfour home, which is reputed to be haunted, has to be used in the process of unravelling the problem, and many thrilling episodes take place which keep the audience on tenterhooks till the satisfactory climax relieves the tension. An engaging love interest is early introduced, but this very properly culminates to everybody’s approval in the closing scenes. In able support of Chaney are Marceline Day, Conrad Nagel, Polly Moran, and Henry B. Walthall. A film abounding in humour and youthful high spirits is presented in another episode of “The New Greater Collegian Series.” The orchestra, under M. de Rose, renders a capital programme of orchestral music, including “Jolly Robbers” (Snppo) and the. special musical theme to the picture “Brisc de Her” (Leoncavallo). “ THE COHENS AND KELLYS IN PARIS.” The Irish, and the French, and the Jews are presented by the Americans. Conceive the fighting, and the truces, and the incessant flow of wit and language which is to be seen in “ The Cohens and the Kellys in Paris.” It still is the cause of much wonderment as to how they ever got passports. The Cohens and the Kellys tell of their adventures and escapades and escapes at the Octagon Theatre, commencing on Friday next. J. Farrell M'Donald and George Sidney are the speakers of the prologue, Vera Gordon and Kate Price providing further hilarity, and Sue Carol and Charles Delaney winding up the comedy at the end in an appropriate fade-out. All this is claimed for this - picture, which is in the nature of memoirs. It deals with the adventures of a pair of men in Paris who, accompanied by their portly wives, still manage to do the thing properly. It shows an Irish art student in the Quartier and his Jewish wife, and a vast quantity of hilarious happenings, the adventures of Mrs Cohen and Mrs Kelly on the Rue de la Paix: the education of Kelly in the fashionable art of flying a Moth; the deportment of Mr Cohen on the duelling field. There is no purpose served in saying that Jewish-Irish comedies are now overdone; one could go on like the brook watching the Cohens and the Kellys, especially in Paris. They say funny things and do funny things, and make the most outrageous mistakes, shock the elegant Frenchmen, and are the butt for the wit of the French women. REGENT THEATRE. “ Beau Sabreur ” continues to attract large audiences to the Regent Theatre, and this excellent Paramount picture, adapted from Captain P. C. Wren’s famous story of the same name, deserves all the attention it has claimed for its graphic representation of vivid life in the French Foreign Legion and the picturesque scenes and action shown. Major de Beaujolais takes an oath to an uncle that he will throughout life forswear the charms of:the ladies, and instead follow the honourable profession of a life in the army with a view to serving his country unto the death. The story crosses to Algiers, and the audience is next shown the immense Sahara Desert, where most of the scenes are filmed. Gary Cooper portrays the character of de Beaujolais. who is later beset by the strong temptation of the company of a fascinating girl named Mary Vanbrugh (played by Evelyn Brent). The major was responsible, for rescuing Mary from a designing sheik while she was en route to Laguig to visit an uncle. Under the circumstances de Beaujolais is fotced to t take the girl under his protection, and this he does very unwillingly, but later Mary proves her courage and worth by saving his life, and the major eventually falls in love with her. At the same time he effects an understanding, with the uncle, and is relieved, from the now , heavy burden of his oath. The picture presents many stirring battles of the Legion with Touarges. and the interests of the violent action, intrigue, and love fascinate throughout the production. A very pleasing ballet is staged by the Otago School of Dancing, and the Regent , Operatic Orchestra, under Mr Arthur Frost, completes a very, fine evening’s entertainment. “LOVE AND LEARN.” Esther Ralston, Paramount's blonde star, has a strong cast to support her in her latest picture, “ Love and Learn,” which will be screened at the Regent Theatre next Friday. The leading man is Lane Chandler, a young player who is expected to do much in the near future. Heddcr Hopper, Claude King, and Helen Lynch are other well-known members of the cast. The picture, which is the story of a young lady who decides to. get into trouble, and succeeded beyond her hopes, is a comedy. It vvas directed by. Frank Tattle. Rural Engi nd is the background of “ Doomsday,” ‘ the second feature on the programme. Paramount made “ Doomsday ” from the book of the same name by Warwick Deeping. This locale is a new one for photo-plays. Pictures have been laid in almost every country and clime in the world, but rarely have they the farm lands of England as the locale. Florence Vidor, who appeared recently in “ Honeymoon Hate ” and “ One Woman to Another,” has the starring role in “ Doomsday,”, and Gary Cooper, now appearing in “Beau Sabreur,” plays opposite her. STRAND~THEATRE. “ Seventh Heaven,” the featured picture at the Strand Theatre, is a captivating tale of France in the time just prior to the war, and later the hero himself goes to fight for his country. Charles Farrell is cast as Chico, the foremost figure in the production, and Janet Gaynqr has the character of Diane, Chico’s sweetheart. Both give excellent representations of their parts, their acting being noticeably free from any unnaturalnese. Chico is a Paris sewer cleaner who is gifted to an unusual degree with the desirable trait of self-confidence. Diane lived with a sister much older than herself, who repeatedly ill-used her, and eventually drove her from the house. The boy Chico learns her story when he finds her in the street, and, taking pity on her plight, he takes her to his attic. Here he cares for her and quickly wins her love, which at first he accepts rather complacently, but later he learns to appreciate the full value of the treasure he has won when the pair have to part. This is caused through the Germans attacking Paris and Chico’s departure with his comrades to the front to defend hie country. At the war he gains well-merited distinction, but after a big engagement the War Office reports him as missing. Diane receives a great shock when she hears the news, and soon after a dashing young officer seeks her hand in marriage. The wedding is about to be celebrated when Chico upsets all arrangements by his appearance. He is blind, and Dianes love and pity at his affliction are lavished upon him in such bounteous measure that he very quickly forgets his former misfortunes, and the pair find mutual happiness. The Strand Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Mr L. D. Austin, provides a delightful programme of .music. EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. “ Black Jack " and “ Irish Hearts ” provide plenty of variety and thrills at Everybody’s Theatre. The former picture, in which an outstanding part is taken by Buck Jones and his horse, Silver King illustrates numerous exciting adventures which fall to the lot of three prospectors who have discovered a gold mine and who have to put up some strenuous fights against a gang of desperadoes as a result of the discovery. The prospectors are often hard put to it to stave off defeat, but a clever move, in which a dog plays an important part, enanles them to secure reinforcements in the form of • relatives, who eventually beat off the ruffians and retain possession of the mine. “ Irish Hearts.” in which the principal role is taken by May M'Avoy, is an attractive film, dealing with an interesting story. GRAND AND PLAZA THEATRES. PatiWs of the Grand and Plaza Theatres are offered three attractions dealing with Wild West life, the thrilling lives of sailors, and the work of Scotland Yard. “The Wild West Show” provides

great opportunities for Hoot, Gibson as Rodeo Bill, who puts in a lot of fine work in comedy and drama, displaying qualities that make an appeal to most people. After starting a riot at the circus, lie distinguishes himself by saving the life of the circus owner’s daughter. A rival for this lady’s hand accuses him of robbing the ticket box, but he proves his innocence. A thrilling display of courage and skill is given when the circus tent is struck by a hurricane. “ The Spider’s Web ” presents the second chapter of the mystery serial, entitled " Blake of Scotland Yard.” A striking story of the sea is unfolded in “The Sea Beast,’’ in which John Barrymore takes the leading character. KING EDWARD THEATRE. The programme which is at present being screened at the King Edward Theatre contains two feature pictures. The first is an absorbing story entitled “ Children of Divorce,” in which Clara Bow, whose popularity rises with each fresh production, has the leading role. The other picture is “ An Affair with the Follies,” starring Lewis Stone.