AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20612, 10 January 1929, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

NEW EMPIRE THEATRE. The chief feature at the New Empire Theatre this week is the great naval drama, “ When Fleet Meets Fleet,” which depicts with convincing realism the great battle off Jutland between the British and German fleets. The setting is unmistakeably genuine, and the romance has been woven into the picture with remarkable skill. The film does not present a one-sided view of the contestants; the Germans are shown as ordinary men, with human feelings and sympathies, and not as brutal super-machines. The second picture, “The Rush Hour,” is in lighter vein, _ and features Marie Prevost and Harrison Ford. The story deals with the adventures of a shopgirl who stows away on a great Atlantic liner in order to gratify her craving to see the Old World. Supporting is a picture dealing with the life and work of the great composer, Felix Mendelssohn. An excellent programme of music is supplied by the Empire Orchestra under Mr Charles Aves.

“ANYBODY HERE SEEN KELLY?”

Kelly was a cop and a soldier; and above all he was Irish, sentimental, and devil-may-care. Altogether a delightful creature, who had what is known as a good “ line ” in New York, and promptly served Uncle Sam in France by tryingit on mademoiselle. His little piece, spoken from Armenticres to the Moulin Rouge, was, “ When the war is over, come over to America and marry me.” Unfortunately, Jeannette, out of some hundreds, believed Kelly. And she went to America to marry him; and Kelly, in peace days, a cop, was the first person Jeannette spoke to in America. For he was directing the traffic, and she just asked him the way. That is the beginning of "Anybody Here Seen Kelly?” a bright, amusing, and, sometimes, a tender little romance between an Irish policeman and a French miss, and it will he the principal attraction at the Empire Theatre de Luxe next week, commencing to-morrow. Tom Moore plays Kelly, and, the quaint Bessie Love is Jeannette Kate Price is a motherly person who roundly abuses Kelly for his post-war treatment of a, war-time romance and who plots and schemes in dark places to right the wrong. And Tom O’Brien, who, incidentally, ■ won many decorations iri France, makes a realistic sergeant who brings peaceful diplomacy into the latest Franco-American disagreement. The story is said to be good, it keeps one in suspense, and the perfect happy ending is accomplished after all. " Lady Be Good,” a First National production based on the musical comedy success of that name; is the second picture on the programme. Dorothy Mackaill and Jack Mulhall in the featured roles romp through the comedy in the manner that has made them such popular players, and a supporting cast lends itself commendafaly to,the comedy scenes. Mulhall plays the role of a vaudeville magician, with two ambitions in life. One is to play engagement at the Palace Theatre in New York, and the other is to marry his assistant, Miss Mackaill. At the matinees, in addition to the two features, there will be screened another two Charlie Chaplin comedies, entitled “ Behind the Screen ” and “ The A fine musical programme has been selected by Mr Charles Aves to be rendered by the Empire Symphony Orchestra. • STRAND THEATRE. The picture showing at the Strand Theatre this afternoon and evening is one that will appeal to all who are pleased with skilful acting amid luxurious settings, Ronald Column and Vilma Bauky are two actors who have earned a worldwide reputation for talent, and their names on the title of a picture are sufficient to arohse interest. In their latest production, “ Two Lovers,” + hey give an admirable entertainment, and present a ■wonderful story in which they extract all that is best from their respective characters. Ronald Colman is seen as Mark Van Ryeke, a Belgian, who, with his countrymen, is suffering under the oppressive yoke of Spain. The story deals with the schemes of William the Silent, known as_ “Leatherfnce,” who leads a secret society, which is sworn to throw off the foreign yoke. Hia adversary, the Duke of Ozar, arranges a marriage between Mark Van Rycke and his pretty niece, Donna Lenora, and the course of the love of these two young people forms the basis for a thrilling story, . A suitable score of music is rendered by Mr L, D. Austin and the Strand Orchestra. REGENT THEATRE. Pictures, pantomime, and vaudeville are the features of a programme that has proved a great success at the Regent Theatre this week. The pantomime, " Sinbad the Sailor,” is a riotous whirl of colours, music, and dancing. The production, which is in the hands of Mr Ed. Warrington, tells in charming fashion the familiar story of the adventurous Sinbad. Specialities are given by Mildred and Connie, the popular comedy artists, while Jack Gerard and Ed. Warrington make two excellent buffoons. The first picture is “A Woman On Trial,” featuring Pola Negri, Einar Hansen, Arnold Kent, and Andre Sarti. It is the story of a woman who marries again in order to obtain money to restore her first husband back to health. “ The Mating Call ” is also a picture of outstanding merit, starring Thomas Meighau. Renee Adoree, and Evelyn Brent. Thomas Meighan plays the part of a soldier who returns from the front to find that his fiancee has married another, He consoles himself by marrying a waif whom he has found at the immigration camp at Ellis Island. Renee Adoree plays a fine part as the waif who eventually is able to give to the man the love he has craved. A fine musical programme is supplied by the Regent Orchestra, under the baton of Mr Neville Ravel, OCTAGON THEATRE. The picture which has been showing at the Octagon Theatre this week is one that strongly substantiates the claim of British films to better recognition. "The Further Adventures of the Flag Lieutenant ” is a thrilling picture in an excellent setting. It is a story of espionage and intrigue on the Shanghai river-front. Lieutenant Dicky Lascelles is in charge of the dangerous mission of investigating the causes of recent disturbances among the Chinese. He finds a plot by a Bolshevist agency, anti also discovers that a beautiful woman known as Pauline Alexander is one of the prime movers. He sets out to capture her, but she has inveigled his fiancee into her power. Such is the situation when the Chinese break into revolt, and the plotters, including Dicky and his fiancee, are caught in the same trap. Dicky wins through and brings the British forces to the relief of the besieged. He is only just in time, however, and many breath-taking episodes occur before, a happy conclusion is reached. “ DETECTIVES.” A brainless house defective and a bellboy with aspirations to be a Sherlock Holmes—these are the central characters m the latest adventure of Karl Dane and George K. Arthur, heroes of “Rookies,” and, incidentally, it introduces to the screen a new type of comedy. But Dane as the lumbering house detective, and Arthur as his bellboy satelite, blunder into thrills! They wander into flying knives, and untold dangers—and the result is one of the funniest things the screen has ever seen. This is “ Detectives,” the new Karl Dane-George K. Arthur costarring picture, which comes to the Octagon Theatre to-morrow. The two heroes are working in an hotel, both rivals for the hand of the pretty house stenographer, played by Marcel ine Day, when the mysterious Orloff, master crook, starts his depredations. They start in chase—a race with the girl as a prize and stolen jewels as the object, and from then on their hilarious adventures and comical mishaps keep the fun going. The picture will be shown with specie'll supports, ineluding a Max Davidson comedy, views of the Southern Alps, and Gazette, and a brilliant musical programme arranged for the Octagon Concert Orchestra by M. de . Rose. EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. The attraction at Everybody’s Theatre this afternoon and evening is “College.” a picture of University life, featuring the woodeu-faccd comedian, Buster mi. Keaton plays the part of a boy who has graduated from high school with honours, and comes to college a real “highbrow.”

His sweetheart has insisted that he become an athlete, and he strives to please her, but his seriousness of purpose makes him the butt for the wit and practical jokes of all the other students. The other picture is “ Sally, of the Sawdust,” featuring Carol Dempster and W. C. Fields. GRAND AND PLAZA THEATRES. The chief attraction at the Grand end Plaza Theatres this week is “A Certain Young Man,” featuring Ramon Novarro, who takes the rather unusual role of a London gentleman of fashion. He is seen as a young peer who is satiated with the fawning attentions of the women of London s smart set, and flees to the coast of France to indulge in a quiet Ashing holiday. On the train, however, he meets a girl, and his plans are tumbled down, the interest of the story then concerns his attempts to live down his past. The other picture is “The Demon Rider,” a thrilling Western story, featuring Ken Maynard. “THE LAST FRONTIER.” One of the greatest Western attractions ever made has been secured for screening at the Grand and Plaza Theatres, commencing to-morrow. This is "The Last r ’ ? story of daring deeds and thrilling adventure ,in the days of the pioneers, _ and starring a great cast of players including William Boyd, George Bancroft, Marguerite de la Motte, J. f'airel MacDonald, and several thousand extras. Three thousand buffalo and two thousand Indians take part in some of the mam scenes, which are laid in Western Kansas in 1867. The Sioux Indians are resisting the invasion of white settlers and attack a wagon train in which Beth Holliday, her father and mother, are moving westward. .Beth’s parents are slain, and she is cared for by Ligo, a blackleg Indian trader, who hopes to win her, although he is aware that she loves Tom Kirby, a Government scout. As Kirby had induced the Hallidays to go west, Beth holds him responsible for the death of her parents. An estrangement follows when ■l, 13 covertly accused of complicity with the Indians in their warfare against the whites. Many dramatic incidents transpire. Lige is unmasked after he has conspired with Pawnee Killer, an Indian Chief, to stampede a herd of buffaloes through Salina where Beth is teaching school. Kirby saves Beth from the onrushing bison, and after things are explained they are reconciled, KING EDWARD THEATRE. The attraction at the King Edward Theatre this week is “My Best Girl," starring Mary Pickford. 'The "world’s sweetheart” is seen as Maggie Johnson, a shopgirl in a large store owned by a wealthy man called Merrill. She has as an assistant Joe Merrill, the son of the owner. A romance springs up between the two, but neither realises that it is really love. Joe is engaged to a society girl for whom he has friendship but no real affection. On such a foundation an entertaining story is built, in which Joe’s fiancee, realising that ho will never love bet, sends him to Maggie, and eventually a happy conclusion is reached.