AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20582, 4 December 1928, Page 15

AMUSEMENTS.

OCTAGON THEATRE. Not many picture plays have been seen in Dunedin possessing more attractive qualities than “The Merry Widow,” which is very soon to be withdrawn from the screen of the Octagon Theatre in favour of something equally good, or alleged to be better. The operatic version of “The Merry Widow” will be fresh in the memory of many Dunedinites, with Florence Young as “ the widow,” and a very charming widow she made. The picturised version of.a rather' sentimental incident in the life of humans is certainly pleasing, and a view of it, on the screen, is well calculated to send patrons away in a perfectly good frame of mind., Like all stories, the fulcibm is love, and like all stories it is a case of true love not running smoothly. There is a “young blood” named Danilo, and though a Prince, he falls in love with a dancing girl, which-is not a matter for surprise when the girl is seen under screen conditions. Sally O’Hara, the danseuse, rather likes the young Prince, and his ways, and the_y are to be married, hut the Prince’s mama does not admire the mesalliance, and persuades her son to give Sally the go-by. However, “ there are as good, fish in'the sea,” etc., and Sally meets with the infirm Baron Sadoga who dies before very much happens. The Baron offers Sally marriage, ' and conveniently dies very soon .after the ceremony, leaving his wealth to' his disconsolate widow. Then, of course, Sally and Danilo meet under rather hilarious conditions, and the reunion of two fond hearts can have only one result. The music supplied by the highclass orchestra is well worth hearing. "HOT HEELS” AND “BACHELOR BRIDES.” The Octagon Theatre management has" announced an all .comedy, week, commencing on Friday next. The first attraction is “Hot Heels,” a Universal scream, featuring perhaps one of the greatest farceurs of theinj all—Glen Tryon. This, his new picture, surpasses even the sparkling comedy of its predecessors. Besides the riotous comedy the picture has more than its quota of real thrills. The second picture is va mystery comedy entitled “Bachelor Brides,” and stars Rod La Roque, who is supported by G. Elinor Fair and Julia Faye. The scene is laid in Scotland, in a castle on a stormy night, when crooks attempt to steal a rich pearl necklace. EMPIRE THEATRE. The Empire Theatre is always Up to dale with recent, and entertaining pictorial matter, and the latest success is “The Night Watch.” The scene is nearly all confined to Die sea, for the simple reason /that the heroine (Billie Dove) marries a French naval commander, and very sopn begins, to resent hia duties interfering with his home ties. She considers herself more than ever neglected at a function given to the officers and their wives on board tho ship forgetting that . her husbands’ bounden duty is to look after his guests. She determines to pass!the night on the vessel, and after some difficulty obtains the commander’s tacit consent to do so. There is a sudden declaration of war, and the ship puts off to sea. The commander does not want to alarm his wife by telling her all this, but insists on her going ashore, and she does so, feeling deeply hurt. When leaving she meets an old lover, and is tempted. In her frame of mind she is unfortunately facile, and stays on board. Time passes, and the wife is. afraid to let her husband know that shu has not left the ship. Under' these circumstances she is compelled to remain In the cabin of her ci-devant lover, who proves hfmself a gentleman, and guards her as far as he possibly can. There is a naval engagement, and after many vicissitudes wrongs are righted, and rights riveted more firmly than they ever were before. The second picture is “Home Made,” which provides an abundance of amusement, and sends everybody away home happy. The musical portion of the entertainment is to he highly commended. i “ THE' HAWK’S NEST.” “ The Hawk’s Nest,” starring Milton .Sills, which Opens at the New Empire Theatre on Friday next, ,concerns two underworld resorts, operated '.largely to thrill tourists, is handled in unique manner . by Benjamin Christensen, who achieves some of the finest trick camera effects that have been seen. Sills operates one of these underworld cafes for tourists, while Montagu Love, another underworld gangster, operates a rival establishment, which is attempting to put Sills’s place, “ The Hawk’s Neat,” out of business through framing Sills’s partner, played by Mitchell Lewis. The enmity between Sills and Love is deepened through Sills protecting the dancer, played by Doris Kenyon, who is sought by Love. "French Dressing” is the second picture on the- programme. The plot is both amusing and sincere, and tells the story of a cold little Boston wife who really learned how to live through a trip to Paris. Lois Wilson is the wife, and her transformation from the prim Boston matron, with long tresses, to the beautiful girl with bobbed hair and Paris gowns, is realistically portrayed under the direction of Allan Dwan. H. B, Warner, as the Bos-, ton husband who wishes his wife would he a little lees prim, a little less cold; Lilyan Taahman, as the bright girl friend who comes for a visit, and whose innocent actions unwittingly cause Lois to leave home and go to Paris for a divorce; and Clive Brook, as the suave man-about-Paris, all give portrayals that are finished to the highest degree. STRAND THEATRE, The current attraction at the Strand Theatre is a drama which tells a stirring story of the days of the Russian revolution when a whole nation rose up against the governing classes and bloodshed was everywhere. John Barrymore has the chief male role in "The Tempest" and he is admirably supported by Camilla Horn, whose blonde beauty is one of the features of the production. Throughout, the , story is full of sensational episodes, and it provides entertainment of an exciting order. A yomig officer in the Russian army falls in love with the daughter of. his general, but she is already betrothed and believes that she does not love him. Then, one evening, in a state of semiintoxication, he insults her, and, in her anger, she has him degraded and sent to prison. There, he meets a Communist agent who inspires in him a dreadful loathing of the royalty so that, when the princess cames to see him, he drives her away, with scorn and scathing criticism. Through tne war period he remains in prison, and it is not until the revolution breaks out that he is released, He takes a seat upon the “ Red ’’ tribunal and in the course of time the princess is brought before him for judgment. He is then faced with the greatest of all problems, and the course he decides to adopt makes a very interesting ! story. There are excellent supporting ■ pictures and the Strand Orchestra, under the baton of Mr L. D. Austin, provides an appropriate programme of incidental music. REGENT THEATRE. Pola Negri lias a large following amongst motion picture patrons and her latest picture, “ Three Winners,” which 1 is now being shown at the Regent Theatre, is sure to increase the number. The story is simple but convincing. Baroness Gcrda Wallentiu is married 1

to Count Dietrich Wallentin, and, although she loves him, her affection is not really reciprocated. On Anna Marie, the one child of the marriage, falls all the mother’s love. At the opening of the story, the count la arranging for his wife to go to her sister at Vienna, eind although he does not seem to have any reason for desiring her to do so, he is very insistent when she opposes the plan. With her, he sends Stanislaw, a famous violinist who is noted for his depravity. At the Austrian border the man induces Gerda to leave the train and he , detains her until she has missed it. He then takes her to his home, and the next day the news comes that the train has been wrecked and the baroness’s carriage destroyed by Are. ; Aa the story goes on the interest becomes greater, the girl meeting an American with' whom she falls in love. After many terrible adventures, the tangled web is straightened and all ends happily. Clara Bow is featured in “Ladies of the Mob” and there is an excellent vaudeville act provided by Mardo and _ Wynne, who are seen to' advantage in some good patter and dancing. The Regent Orchestra is responsible for a fifie programme of music. , . ■ ■ EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. The programme Which the management of Everybody’s Theatre is offering to patrons this week contains three feature pictures. The flrst of these, and, as far as Dunedin audiences are concerned at least, the most important, is "A Daughter of Dunedin” the Aim recently made in this city by Mr Rudall Hayward. The other two are " The Play Girl,” featuring Madge Bellamy and “ The Silver Slave ” in which the chief player is Irene Rich. “ A Daughter of Dunedin ’’ has Dale Austen in the title role, strongly supported by Norman Scurr and “ Tiff ” Bennett. There is little substance to the story, which is briefly that of a ■ pretty young school teacher and. the two young men who, are aspirants for her hand. These are Freddie, a reporter, and Bill, a farmer. Farce is the keynote throughout, and the antics of the two males are humorously ; ridiculous but immensely entertaining. Mr Scurr, as , the reporter, shows that he has the makings of a really finished comedian, while both the other principals given excellent interpretations of difficult roles. The local settings are of great interest to Dunedin audiences and the photography is of a high standard. ~~ , GRAND AND PLAZA THEATRES. Ivor Novello and Mae Marsh are cast in the leading role’s in “The, Rat,” which has pride of place on the programme at the Grand and .Plaza Theatres this week. The picture is filled with thrills of the most popular kind and the climax is an arresting one. The underworld /of Paris is the locale of the story, and the very location has a lure that cannot fail to attract. Paris is famed for its cafes, beautiful women and its apaches, who rule the lawless element which is so strong. “The Rat” is a picture which was made to depict these things in an interesting manner, and it does not fail to do so. “Riding for Fame ” is the title, of Hoot Gibson’s latest effort, which is the second feature on the programme. It is a typically Western story complete with all the attributes of that type ’ which are so popular. The supporting films are equally attractive. KING EDWARD THEATRE. The people living at the south end of the city,; and those adjacent thereto, are being exceptionally well catered for at King Edward Theatre; Two pictures are being screened, and both possess decided merit. The first is “ Padlocked," an exposure of the bad results that may obtain, from morality of the hypocritical kind, and the ■ second “ The Lady in Ermine.”

MISS CROSSAN’S RECITAL, i At His Majesty’s Theatre on Decern* her 12 the “ Crossan Studio ” pupils will appear in their annual recital, ‘‘Dance Revels.” Quite a novel scene will' he St, Clair Beach,, in which most of the students will take part. The " 80-Peep ’* ballet by the junior children tells the story of “ Little 80-Peep who lost her sheep,” etc. The “(Doll Dance,” in which the tiniest ones take part shopld certainly be charming. An atmospheric Egyptian scene will display a wealth of authentic Egyptian dancing. The producer, Miss Gladys Crossan, will appear in four solos. ; "\ ERNEST DRAKE RECITAL. , At the Princess Theatre on Saturday, nest Mr Drake will present his pupils at his annual recital. The. programme is an interesting and varied one, which will include excerpts from opera, oratorio, and ballads both classical and modern, whilst the pupils’, choir will render Christmas carols. Many well-known vocalists will take part, including a number of successful competitors at the recent Dunedin Competitions. The box plan . arrangements are advertised.