AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20500, 30 August 1928, Page 14

AMUSEMENTS.

REGENT THEATRE

" We’re . All Gamblers ” and “ Tilly’s Punctured Romance ” have nearly run their course at the Regent Theatre, and are soon to be withdrawn in favour of further attractions. 'During the time they have been shown the two have been the means of attracting large attendances that have gone away quite satisfied. “Were All Gamblers ” is a romantic story, and has its origin in “beautiful love.” The two leading characters are a young society lady and a handsome pugilist, and, illassorted as they may seem, they are the heroine and the hero. Of course, the handsome pugilist does not get the lady without a struggle. In “ Tilly s Punctured Romance ” two clever comedians, in. Chester Conklin and W. C. Fields, appear, and are responsible for the almost unbroken amusement during the whole of the time occupied in the screening.

THE ELEVEN RASCALS

At the matinee this afternoon, the troupe of child performers, the Eleven Rascals, will make their first appearance at the Regent Theatre in their pantomme revels. The afternoon sessions will be specially arranged for the young folk during their school holidays, but the Rascals will also appear each evening. The Rascals come to Dunedin direct from successes in Australia and in Auckland. Their act includes tumblers, acrobats, singers, comediennes, contortionists, and among the novelties, introduced are “ Village Revels,” “ The Ten Acrobatic Firemen,” “ The Whirlwind Tumblers,” “ The Silver Lining,” “ Baby Wonders of the. Air,” and “The Juvenile Haka Dancers.” Commencing to-morrow, a new picture programme will be presented .with the Rascals. The mystery comedy-drama, “ Something Always Happens,” and the latest Wallace Beery-Raymond Hatton farce, “ Wife Savers,” complete the bill. In “ Something Always Happens ” the leading roles are taken by Esther Ralston and Neil Hamilton. The story concerns the mysterious disappearance of a jewel, and most ■ of the adventures take place in a haunted house filled with the treasures of a dead past age. In “ Wife Savers ” Beery and Hatton are said to be, funnier than ever. The locale of the picture is the Swiss mountains. .The box plain arrangements are advertised.

OCTAGON THEATRE

The feature picture at the Octagon is claimed to be based upon the life of Sarah Bernhardt, and its title is TheDivine Woman.” The heroine, kuopks a; man down for attempting to makef.love to her—his attentions are not wanted — and, getting frightened by the idea that she has killed him, she runs away. Later she meets a soldier, and it is a case of mutual love. The nearly-killed mar turns up again, and "the French soldier does not like it. He is arrested for debt, and, after serving a term of imprisonment, threatens to murder the lady, but he does not do it. The pair make friends and retire to the seclusion of some beautiful country spot, where they live happily together. Marianne is played by Greta Garbo and Lucien by Lars Hansen. The “ Greater Collegians ” is also screened.

A MAN’S PAST.”

“A Man’s Past,” the Universal-Jewel production which marks the first screen appearance of Conrad Veidt, noted European star, in an American starring production, has been booked to be shown at the Octagon Theatre on Friday night. The picture is said to be one of the greatest dramas ever filmed, and, in addition to Veidt, embraces a long list of well-known players, including lan Keith, Barbara Bedford, George Siegmann, Corliss Palmer and Charles Puffy. “ A .Man’s Past ” is a screen adaptation of the celebrated Hunfarian play of the same name written by Imerich Foelds, and deals with the efforts of an escaped convict from a French prison to rehabilitate himself before society. Sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment on the Isle of St. Noir for putting to death one of his patients suffering an incurable disease, Dr Paul la Roche is taken from his cell to operate on the warden of the prison when he is shot in an uprising. The operation saves the warden’s life, and la Roche is promised his freedom by Lieutenant Destin, assistant warden; but the warden, hearing of it, orders la Roche back to his cell. La Roche manages to escape, and makes his way to Algiers, where a lifelong friend. Dr Henry Fontaine, and hia_ sister, Yvonne, take him in. Dr Fontaine goes blind from overwork, and la Roche takes his name in order to perform operations on Dr Fontaine’s - patients. Hq performs several miracles, and as a result is a social lion in Algiers. He falls in love with Yvonne, but is unable to tell her, because of the strange circumstance that has the world thinking she is his sister. . Things come to a climax when Lieutenant Destin arrives in Algiers and recognises la Roche. He informs la Roche that, unless he is given Yvonne’s hand in marriage, he will expose him. La Roche, in a quandary, tells Dr Fontaine of the trouble, and the doctor shoots Destin. La Roche saves the lieutenant’s life, and in repayment Lieutenant Destin obtains a full pardon for la Roche.

“ PRINCE OF ADVENTURERS.'’ " The Prince of Adventurers ” has been secured by the Octagon Theatre management, and its Dunedin season will be commenced on September 7, “ The Prince of Adventurers” is set in an age■ vVhen the ruling classes were fabulously wealthy, when cities were built of palaces and noble buildings, and it is perfectly natural to see these amazing sets ” as the background for Casanova’s exploits. The Carnival of Venice, a gorgeous piece of pantomime on the canals, is the outstanding scene of the picture, and the fireworks display, and the battle of flowers along the waterways, are further adjuncts to the carnival. Critics next mention the court of the Empress Catherine II of Russia for beauty and immensity; Catherine’s reception of Casanova in her boudoir, a common mode among the ladies of that gay era, her humiliation before her Court at the hands of the Emperor’s mistress, are small but poignantly human aspects of the tale. The playing of Casanova by Ivan Mosjoukine is said to be a fine piece of acting: it calls for skill with the sword as well as for skill with the nimble tongue; an expressive face, and an ability to wear the elegant costumes of that day. The Empress is played by Mile Suzanne Bianchetti with rare understanding and a very natural mixture of Imperial dignity and feminine weakness; Bianca, perhaps the truest love in Casanova's faithless career, is finely played by Diane Karenne. Peter II is played by Max Klein with Jannings-like power.

STRAND THEATRE

The revival of Charlie Chaplin at the Strand Theatre has been attended with phenomenal success. Charlie has not forgotten his cunning ” in the direction of providing inexhaustible humour for his patrons, and is seen at his best in “ The Circus.” First he is a wanderer on the face of the earth, then a circus attendant, next a tight rope walker, and _ eventually a lover—though not a successful one. The end of what is a decidedly amusing story is a pathetic one, for Charlie, for it places the girl in the arms of another man, while the comedian again becomes a wanderer.

EVERYBODY’S THKATRE. The story of the “ Scarlet Pimpernel,” as told on the screen at Everybody’s Theatre, under the adopted name of “I Will Repay,” has met with all the recognition it deserves; the evening attendances being especially large. The point in the screen depiction is that a young revolutionary leader loves a young woman of the aristocracy named de Marney. When everything is looking very black, the Scarlet Pimpernel comes to the rescue; he being no other than Sir Percival Blakeney. There is also screened “ The Warning.”

G.F.S. BAZAAR

The bazaar promoted by the Girls’ Friendly Society was continued yesterday afternoon and concluded last night. At both sessions there were good attendances of buyers, and satisfactory business was done, so that by the time the sale was finally dosed down the majority of the goods had been sold. A very satisfactory sum of money was realised by the effort, and this will go -towards the funds of the Boys’ Memorial Home and St. Mary's Orphanage, During the eve.ning the members of the Girls’ Friendly Society supplied a very entertaining sketch entitled “The Butterfly Wedding,” and the Ail Saints’ .Girl Guides provided a pleasing variety of items. The programme presented was greatly onio.ved by all present.

GRAND AND PLAZA THEATRES

The Heeuey-Delaney fight has been the means of attracting crowds to the Grand and Plaza Theatres of an evening, and of drawing fairly good houses during the afternoon. It is a very “willing go” that is witnessed between the two men. In addition, there is screened “ Midnight Rose.” a story of life on the Gold Coast, in which Lya de Putti essays the leading part quite successfully. The other leading character, that of a ■ reformed gangster, is taken by Kenneth Harlen. An episode in ** Blake; of Scotland Yard, is also shown.

KING EDWARD THEATRE

The programme at the King Edward Theatre this week contains two excellent pictures. The first is “The Warning, which is a secret service story, featuring Jack Holt. The other, picture is “ I Will Repay,” Baroness Orczy s well-known novel.