AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20591, 14 December 1928, Page 13

AMUSEMENTS.

NEW EMRIRE : THEATRE. : In "The Leopard Lady/’ which comes to the Empire Theatre, commencing at to-day's matinee, Mr Hale is featured with Jacqueline Logan and Robert Armstrong; He has the role of Cffisar, a Cossack rider in a circus in Austria, and he owns a trained ape, which he employs in the commission of numerous murders. He disguises the animal as an old woman, and sends it forth on its fatal mission, that' of annihilating his enemies. But he fails to reckon with, the ingenuity and skill of Paula, an annual trainer, played by Miss Logan, and is finally unmasked and brought to justice. Besides the three featured players, the cast includes Hedwig Reicher, James Bradbury, sen., Dick Alexander, William Burt, Sylvia Ashton, and other screen artists. A "hog pie” stand on the old Boston post road starts the complications that make “ Man Crazy," First National’s amusing romance of New England, which will also be shown on this bill, one of the most entertaining pictures of the year. “ Man Crazy " co-features Dorothy Mackaill and Jack Mulhall. Miss Mackaill is cast as the granddaughter of an aristocratic old lady of one of the "fine families” of New England. She horrifies her grandmother by establishing a pie stand on the Boston post road to help out a crippled boy. Then Mulhall, driving the fastest truck on the highway, comes along and promptly falls in love witjh the pretty “ waitress.” From that point complications come thick and fast, culminating in a breath-taking auto chase, a hold-up, and. other stirring events. Manuel Hyman, who was the director of the Dunedin Exhibition cabaret, fyid an old favourite of the New Zealand public, is at present on a vacation in Dunedin, after a euccessful engagement as musical director of the Ambassadors in Sydney, The announcement that ho has been engaged to appear for one week should arouse a great deal of interest. STRAND THEATRE'. 'Gloria Swanson, who is featured in “ Sadie Thompson,” which is being 'continued at the Strand Theatre, is given scope in this picture for displaying her remarkable dramatic capabilities. It is Said that dressed to the part of “ Sadie ” Miss Swanson vainly tramped the streets' of Hollywood in search of a small part 'in a picture. The story opens on the island of Pago Pago, where a party consisting of Sadie, Dr and Mrs M’Phail, Oliver Hamilton, a reforming tyrant, and his wife, are making an enforced stay, as a result of a smallpox quarantine. Sadie’s innocent flirtation with Sergeant O’Hara, one of a group of marines stationed on the island, arouses the reforming instincts of Hamilton. He causes her to confess that a penal sentence awaits her in San Francisco, and counsels her to, return. Even he, however, is not immune from the fascination of .Sadie, and, overcome with remorse for his weakness, ho commits suicide. Sadieknowing that she has been the cause is about to leave the island when she is met by O'Hara, who bashfully repeats an offer to take her to Sydney and marry her. Sadie accepts, and the two flail away over the horizon. A_ specially arranged musical programme is supplied by the Strand Orchestra, directed by Mr L. D. Austin. OCTAGON THEATRE. Universal's masterpiece, “The Heart of a Nation,” will have its initial screening at the Octagon Theatre to-night. It has been described ns one of the finest pictures of 1028, and it should please the most critical audience. George Sidney, who is usually co-starred with Charlie Murray, and who is generally known us a comedian of the first flight, will make 'his debut as a dramatic actor. So subtly has the humorous allied itself with every other emotion in this player’s make, up in “The Heart of a Nation” that finally it resolves itself into a remarkably good film drama. The story itself, which has been capably - handled by the screen, is a human, life-like mixture of little humours, little tragedies, little romances, the common quota of the average every-day life. It is just such " plots ” as these that make the great and nearly-great plays and novels. It is the story of three immigrant families of the new world, Jewish, Irish, and Italian, of the consistent innocence and conservatism of the paronts/'and the rapid assimilation of the new modern ideas by the youngsters; of sharp family feuds between one modern daughter and a couple of old-fashioned parents, and, finally, of the declaration of war. Amidst all the drama and insinuating itself into the romance of Beth Linne and an aristocratic New Yorker, the elusive figure of fun works his way, completing the final rounding !note of a picture singularly rich, in the stuff that makes good entertainment. An excellent company of players supports George Sidney in this picture. Patsy Ruth Miller and .George Lewis have the juvenile leads, while the other roles are filled by equally popular artists. Excellent supporting films have also been selected and will no doubt add to this attractive programme. Another item of interest to patrons is this week’s presentation by the Octagon Orchestra, under the baton of M. de Rose. It is a grand fantasia, “ Home, Sweet Home, ■ the World Over ” (Lampe). Describing the manner, in which. "Home, Sweet Home,” is played in different countries, vis., England,. Gcrmany, Spain, Russia, Italy, Scotland, Hungary, and the United States. ‘ An attractive musical programme has also been arranged, by M. de Rose for this fine combination of players. REGENT THEATRE. Another double-f eature' programme will hep resented at the Regent Theatre for , the first time this afternoon, “The Showdown/’ the first attraction, presents a love story of poignancy and power. Selected as George Bancroft's first starring picture for Paramount, following his appearance in "Underworld,” .“The Showdown ” is the story of four men—and one woman—brought face to face with primitive conditions in a desperate struggle to find oil. Into the swampy jungles of the back country of the Tampico oilfields comes a gently-nurtured girl from New York: Ignorant of the conditions she must face, she brings a trunk full of evening clothes and gold-mounted toilet articles. . Through a series of events, she finds herself alone in the back country. .Heading the cast which supports B&neroft are Evelyn Brent—who played with him in “ Underworld ” Neil Hamilton, Fred Kohler, also in “ Underworld ” as leader of a gang, Arnold Kent, and Leslie Fenton. “The Showdown,” was adapted to-the screen Jjy Hops Coring from the stage play Wildcat, by Houston Branch. Th" second feature is “Hot News,” which concerns Michael Clancy, who is the owner of the Sun News Reel, a screen paper. His unusual items and many scoops have been in no small measure due to the ingenuity of Scoop Morgan. His daughter has just announced her intention of returning home from college and proclaiming an ambition to become an expert camerman. His daughter’s wish being law with old man Clancy; he starts to outline a scheme to Scoop Morgan suggesting that the latter teach Pat the game. Scoop’s indignant refusal and Clancy s heated order to get out are overheard by Pat, who has just arrived. The joy of her arrival is overshadowed However, by the knowledge that .he has lost Scoop from the staff and that a rival pews reel will take him. From here on the story moves swiftly to a successful finish Slnstls Marionettes will be meseated for tho last time this afternoon and evening. To-morrow evening will see ae imtml staging, of .“The Regent "m ,ch ' v i n lnclude Fred Hodges nrd H Vy p ToW i' acr °katic dancers, and the Regent Ballet, composed of eight dancers who have been brought from

GRAND AND PLAZA. Again there comes to the Grand and -L iaza Theatres that variety in pro* grammes which should be pleasing to patrons., This week’s programme consists of a laughter special, “The Nervous Wreck, : and an excellent epic of adventure picture entitled “Riders of the Dark, together with a fine comedy and an interesting news reel and scenic films. Hilarity distinguishes “The Nervous Wreck, AI Christie’s latest laugh special featuring Harrison Ford, Phyllis Haver Chester Conklin. In “The Nervous Wreck the story has a melodramatic flavour and the cleverly conceived eituations should please all, Harrison Ford, ns Henry Williams, strikes out for Arizona in a Ford touring car. He stops at a ranch for a meal, which consists of half

a dozen ears of corn, a dozen biscuits, a pound, of beef—rather a hearty meal for one who has. only a few Weeks to live. Here he meets Sally, who is engaged to Bob Wells, the sheriff. .She is preparing to leave for Chicago to buy her trousseau, so Henry volunteers to drive her to the railroad in his Ford. They run short of gas, and hold up another car to secure the necessary petrol. From this on. the laughs and thrills follow each other in quick succession. The second attraction is "Eiders of the Dark,” featuring the popular and versatile Tim M'Coy. Special mention should be made of the remaining players. No less than well-known players in the cast being Dorothy Dwan,' Bert-Roach, Rex Lease, Roy D’Arcy, Frank Curren, and Dick Sutherland. Very seldom is such talent assembled for an out-door romance.

EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. To-day will see • the opening of a new double feature programme at Everybody’s Theatre. Dolores Del Rio, whose role of Charmaine in “ What Price Glory,” made her so well known over night, scores again in the drama “No Other Woman.” The story in whiph she appears is of unusual interest and is well motivated. It deals with a fortune-hunting society gambler, ployed by Ben Bard,, who marries a wealthy ■ South American girl. Miss Del Rio, for-her money, while the true lover s,v : ■ ■ wealth. The. settling for this picture is .the world s playground, Biarritz, France. Many beautiful scenes are shown of this summer resort on the Bay of Biscay. Supporting “No Other Woman” is the hilarious comedy of matrimonial troubles and tangles, "If I Were Single,” featuring Conrad Nagle and May M'Avoy, The stars are seen as May and Ted Howard, bride and groom of a year, and at a stage where “billing and cooing” have lost a bit of their kick. Hence, when Myrna Loy. in the, role of the thrill-seeking Joan happens on the scene, the somewhat tired Ted starts a _ flirtation that soon brings about a critical condition in the Howard household. To reciprocate for imagined and real wrongs May flirts with her piano instructor, and for a time it looks as though trouble is the next order of the day, KING EDWARD THEATRE. Herbert Brcnnen, producers of “ Sorrell and;Son,” “Beau Geste,” and “Peter Fan/’ gives another splendid picture in “ Dancing Mothers,” commencing at * the King Edward Theatre to-night. ■ Clara Bow, Conway Tearle, and Alice Joyce form the mainstays of a splendid cast. “ Dancing Mothers ” is'the tale of a pretty Woman who was almost cheated, out;of life by a heartless husband and a thoughtless daughter. ‘ As the mother who started out in order to save her child; from throwing herself at a notorious bachelor, and ended by falling in love with him herself, Alice Joyce gives ■ ore of the finest performances of her career. The second picture, “ Smile, Brother, Smile,” supplies the supporting part of the programme. The picture is an original story based on the adventures of a travelling salesman i

MR LEECH’S LYRIC,CHOIR. evening, at His Majesty’s Theatre, Mr Leech’s Lyric Choir will present Fielding’s “Tom Jones”, in opera form (by Edward German). ‘ Edward German s music remains charming throughout, and is capable of evolving enough new and contrasting matter to sustain interest to the end. The choir strength will bo over 100 < voices, and ample scope will be found in the stirring, sparkling, and animated choruses which adorn the opera.. The principals will be Mr Lawrence A. North, who will sing the name part of “Tom Jones”; the part of Sophia has been entrusted to the true soprano of Miss Valda M'Curdy; Miss Stuart Mitchell will sing the exacting part of Lady Belaston; ' and Miss Doris M'Curdy as Honour, Mr W. 6. Hitliker as Weston, and Mr Les Stubbs will complete a cast in which individuality should be the keynote, A full concert orchestra will support the production, and Mr John T. Leech will conduct. The box plan arrangements are advertised,