AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20498, 28 August 1928, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

REGENT THEATRE.

“We’re All Gamblers” is the title o£ one of the feature pictures being shown at the Regent Theatre this week. Thomas Meighan and Marietta Milner take the leading roles in a romantic story, which concerns a young society lady who is blessed with unlimited wealth. She makes the acquaintance of a handsome East Side pugilist as the result of a motor accident, which turns out very fortunately for the pugilist. The wealthy young lady knocks down an elderly woman who is the mother of the pugilist. A young brother ie later introduced into the story, and he allows himself to be drawn into the company of very rich people. He tries to keep pace with them, but fails and gets into serious difficulties, from which he emerges with extreme difficulty. Many other incidents take place. The heiress breaks off her engagement with her lover, and turns to the pugilist for consolation. The story is very clever, and all the characters exceedingly well portrayed. The supporting picture is “ Tillie’s Punctured Romance,” in which two clever comedians, in the person of Chester Conklin and W. C. Fields, arc responsible for the bulk of the amusement which runs throughout the production. Louise Fazenda is seen in the leading feminine role. “ Tillie’s Punctured Romance” is strong in big guns, dugouts, and trenches; and some very amusing war scenes combine to make the picture satisfying entertainment. There is a strong cast in support of the three principal players. Mr Arthur Aldridge adds to the atractiveness of the entertainment by singing several well-known songs, these being well rendered. The Regent Orchestra, under the baton of Mr A. G. Frost, provides its usual excellent programme of musical selections.

‘THE ELEVEN RASCALS.”

Commencing at the performance on Thursday evening, “ The Eleven Rascals,” the combination of clever child acrobats, contortionists, singers, tumblers, dancers, comediennes, etc., who have been booked for the Regent Theatre by J. C. Williamson Films, will make their first appearance before a Dunedin audience. Coming direct from seasons in Australia and Auckland, “The Eleven Rascals” present a remarkable act. The children are expert in every branch of their art, the tumblers being notable for their speed and the small acrobat's for their strength and finish. Included among the novelties to be offered are “ The Village Revels, the “ Ten Acrobatic Firemen,” the “ Silver Lining,” the “Kinky Kids’ Parade, “ Baby Wonders of the Air,” the Tincan Band,” “ Bedtime Stories,” the “ Juvenile Haka Dancers," and the “Whirlwind Tumblers.” Commencing Inday, the picture programme will include a mystery comedy drama, “Something Always Happens,” and the latest Wallace Beery-Kaymond Hatton tarcc. “Wife Savers.” In “ Something Always Happens,” most of the weird action centres about a missing jewel and the majority of the surprising adventures that befall the characters in the piece take place in an old cottage, filled with the treasures of a dead past age, “Wife Savers” shows.the comical Beery and Hatton in the Swiss alpine district, where the unfortunate habit of one of the pair of sneezing regularly has most disastrous results. in that each sneeze dislodges a goodly portion of a great mountain up which the two are climbing. The box plans for the season are advertised.

OCTAGON THEATRE

One of the reasons for the success of The Divine Woman,” the new picture starring Greta Garbo, and now showing at the Octagon Theatre, is the exceptionally fine cast that has been assembled in support of the famous Swedish actress. The picture is a page from life, being based on the life of the well-known and popular Sarah Bernhardt. It is romance in its most appealing form, and never has Miss Garbo appeared to better advantage. The swift action of the story holds one enthralled from beginning to end. From a peasant girl this great woman rose to a position of wealth and power, and the screen portrayal shows how she” travelled the road of romance and adventure, and brought the world to her feet. Miss Garbo is wonderfully good in the character of Marianne, the peasant girl. It would be difficult to conceive of a cleverer impersonation of a very trying role. Marianne passes through various phases of experience in her chequered career, and Miss Garbo is equally clever in all. Lars Hansen, in the leading male role, deserves great credit for his able performance of the part of the French soldier, ami the others appearing in the cast lend ample support to the two principals. In addition to “The Divine Woman, the final of the series of pictures of • The Greater Collegians ” is screened. Ibe orchestra continues to maintain the reputation it has established, and, under the direction of M. de Rose, provides a hne performance of well-chosen items.

STRAND THE ATI! I

•• The Circus.” which is the feature piclure at the Strand Theatre at present, is interesting in many resprets. one being that it is the creation of Charlie Chaplin, one of the greatest comedians who has ever appeared on the kinema stage. As a humorist, Chaplin knows well the subjects that touch the risible faculties of an audience, the peculiar touches of an act that elicit laughter from the onlookers, and in “ The Circus ” lie has presented to the public a play full of humorous incidents, laughable scenes, and innumerable sidelights of merriment, in which the comedian is seen at his beet gnd in his most amusing moods. It is a play that alwavg draws large houses. At the close of the story there is introduced a touch of pathos, and the comedy man rises to a great height as a man by taking the woman lie loves back to his rival and placing her in his arms for protection and safety. Having performed this act of self-denial, he wanders off. caring little what becomes of him. A Topical News Gazette is also shown, and a fine musical programme is provided by the orchestra.

EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. «I Will Repay ” is the principal feature at Everybody’s Theatre this week. It is the picturisation of Baroness Orczy’s well-known novel of the days of the French Revolution. A daring band of Britons, headed by the Scarlet Pimpernel, set out to rescue doomed aristocrats from danger, risking their lives from sheer love of adventure. Sir Perciva! Blakeney (the Scarlet Pimpernel) is’seen in the very arms of the terrorists, only to escape by some astonishing strategem. The story concerns the love of Paul Delourcde. a revolutionary leader, for Juliette de Marny. How the Scarlet Pimpernel rescues them by clever strategy, and how they ultimately find happiness, provide a thrilling climax to a really well-produced picture. Mystery, intrigue, and romance are cleverly blended in " The Warning,” which is shown in support of the first picture. It is a remarkable production depicting the work of the British Intelligence Department in Shanghai. and in it Jack Holt and Dorothy Revier are seen at the head of a strong supporting ?ast.

PLAZA AND GRAND THEATRES

As might be expected, the screening of the Heeney-Delaney tight is the principal attraction at the Plaza and Grand Theatres this week. The fight is well filmed, and round by round each incident is brought out with remarkable distinctness. The supporting feature is a drama entitled “ Midnight Rose.” the scene of which is laid on the Gold Coast. It is the story of a gangster who falls in love with a cabaret dancer, who reciprocates his affection. Gradually, under her influence, he reforms, and the story is brought to a happy conclusion. Another chapter in the history of “ Blake of Scotland Yard,” is also screened.

KING EDWARD THE AIR I

.Tack Mulhall and Dorothy Mackaill appear at the head of a strong cast in " Just Another Blonde,” which is proving a strong attraction at the King Edward Theatre this week. “ Fashions For Women.” with Esther Ralston m the leading role is the supporting feature. ENTERTAINMENT AT SEACLIFF. Probably no finer evening’s entertainment has been given at the Seacliff Mental Hospital than the one rendered on Saturday uight by the St. Kilda Band and choir, under the direction of Bandmaster Dixon. The very large attendance of staff and patients had what they themselves tanned " a wonderful evening.” No doubt this was brought about by the great variety in the items given. The following is the programme, which speaks tor itself; —Band numbers; ’•Colonel Bogey,” march; “Sailors’ Life,” selection; “Druid’s Prayer,” waltz; trom-

bone Fantasia, “Firefly”: overture, "Raymond”; march, “ Southleigh.” Soloists —Miss Ray Stubbs. “ Danny Boy”; Mrs T. D. Rogers. “Harvesters’ Night Song ”; Mr E. Kelley.” “ Scottish Laddie.” Vocal duets: “May Day Morn,” Mrs and Miss Coventry: “ Down the Vale,” Miss Ray Stubbs and Mr James Dixon. Recitations By Miss Betty Coventry. The band and choir were heartily thanked by Mr Gumming and others for the very fine evening’s entertainment and a strong appeal was made to pay another visit. It is pleasing to note that nothing was wanting in the arrangements for the satisfactory entertainment of the visitors, who numbered nearly 50. Thanks are due to a number of people who gave their cars to take the visitors out and bring them home again.