AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20707, 3 May 1929, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

OCTAGON THEATRE, The management of the Otagon Theatre have done well to extend the season of the third programme of movietone pic* tures, A great feature of the programme is the .speech by the -King. The speech was delivered by his Majesty prior to his recent illness, on the occasion of the opening of a new bridge at Newcastle-on* Tyne. General Godlcy also speaks. A musical playlet, “In a Music- Shoppe," deals with the life of Stephen Foster, who wrote an old plantation melody, “ My Old Kentucky Home.” The feature of the evening is “The Red Dance” in which the chief artist is the beautiful and dainty Dolores del Kio. The music connected with this plays a most important part in the undoubted success it achieves. Charles Farrell takes the leading male part, and the Russian revolution is the source of the plot. Tasia (Miss del Rio) is/ Ipft alone in the world and vows vengeance against the persecutors of her father and mother. There is a grand duke introduced into the picture, whose sympathies are with the people. Then comes a romance between Tasia and the duke. The singing of the Roxy Male Choir adds to the effectiveness of the picture, REGENT THEATRE. “ Four Walls,” the big attraction coming to the Regent Theatre this afternoon; is said to be a thrilling drama of underworld life* and rejuvenation—one of the most poignant human documents ever brought to the screen—the first tcostarring vehicle of John Gilbert and Joan Crawford. Benny (John Gilbert), gang leader, shoots a rival because of Frieda, Benny’s girl, portrayed by Joan Crawford. _ Sullivan, a detective, has bim sent to prison for four years, during which time he resolves to reform. However, on his release, Frieda fights to win him back, though his mother wants him to marry Bertha, a quiet homely girl who has lived with his mother, and brought her consolation throughout the term of Benny’s imprisonment. However, in a cabaret fight in which Benny is unwittingly embroiled. Frieda risks her life -jri save his, and after the police prove their innocence the . couple find happiness at last. A battle between police and gangsters as seen from the roof of a New York skyscraper one of the unusual scenes' shown in the course of the picture. The battle takes place in. and around the East Side Political Club, when two rival gangs engage in a free-for-all fight. John Gilbert and Joan Crawford escape from the hall to the roof and from this vantage point lean over the parapet and watch the fight in the streets below.' The camerashows the scene from their point of view. The picture gives John Gilbert his strongest role since he appeared in “The Big Parade.” As leader of an underworld gang, his life a vortex of conflicting elements from defiance of the law to abiding romance and lurid drama, he again finds scope for expressing the full extent _of his genius. One minute finds his fury unleashed in dealing .with merciless foes without—the next, he is struggling, poignantly with himself, striving to build up a new life clear of the " Four Walls ” of his previous existence. Joan Crawford, it is said, has never been seen in sucb nn alluring role, in which she bends striking beauty with amazing talent. Franklin Pangborn will be remembered for his work in " The Girl in the Pullman ” and “ Blonde for Choice,” when his inimitable, idiotic characterisation proved him to be a comedian of outstanding merit. In “My Friend from India.’* which will be shown in addk tion to "Four Walls," Pangborn is starred in' a strong east, which includes Jeanette Loff, one of the screen’s most beautiful younger artists. He plays the part of “the friend,” a pseudo Hindu prince, and everyone is taken in by him until two other princes ■ arrive on the scene. “My Friend from India 1 ” is claimed to be one of the richest farces ever screened, STRAND THEATRE. Owing to the fact , that every night during the past week the Strand Theatre has been packed to its capacity, the management has decided to retain." The Woman Disputed ” for a further week’s, season. A character of unusual strength and fascination, perhaps one’ of the strongest ui fiction, is the way critics have described Mary Ann Wagner, the heroine of “The Woman Disputed,” the part played by Miss Talmadge. Mary Ann’s life is -the drama of regeneration, the romance of boundless .love, and conflict between self and sacrifice. Two men, friends, fall in love with Mary Ann. Then comes war, and the rivals in love find themselves rivals in war. , Misunderstandmgs destroy the friendship of years, and a lust for vengeance springs up in its place. Loneliness, the unending tread of warracked soldiery, the desolation of battlescarred country and the pitiless hand of a steel-hearted invader sweep before the girl in kaleidoscopic rapidity. Suddenly she gnda herself face to face with a supreme test: she must sacrifice either' honour or country. A widely heralded dramatic climax on the stage, its emotional tensity and sweep are said to have been heightened in the film play. The players appearing in support of Miss Talmadge in “The Woman Disputed” are well known to picture-goers. Gilbert Roland plays in this film. Arnold Kent is” the rival suitor. EMPIRE THEATRE. The chief film feature at the Empire Theatre to-day will be “Three Weekends,” in which the principal role is taken by the fascinating and popular Clara Bow. The story is by Elinor Glyn, and the lead’ng male role is taken by Neil Hamilton, with another star, Harrison Ford, in a lesser role. It is a colourful tale, full of fun and clean, wholesome humour, and it should find ready acceptance with all classes of audiences. The talented actress is noted for the personality and dashing originality wh’ ch she displays in all her productions, and for that reason all her pictures are eagerly awaited. “Three Week-ends” should prove no lesp successful or popular than such films as “ Wings,” “ Red Hair,” “It,” and “The Fleet’s In.” The all-star cast with which she is supported should provide all the excellence that an audience could want in the way of entertainment. The setting of the second picture, “ Eve’s Leaves,” is said to be by far the most colourful in which Beatrice Joy has ever been seen. First, she appears on the deck of a big three-masted trader plying in Chinese waters. Later, a quaint Chinese village is used for the background, with bamboo houses, coolies, and other picturesque features. The climax takes place in the stronghold of the Chinese bandit—a magnificent castle high in the hills. The picture abounds in laughable situations, yet has a proper proportion of pathos. Included in the local gazette will be pictures of Saturday’s football, Alhambra v. University A. the laying of the foundation stone of Selwyp College, etc. - A special tnus’cal programme has been selected by Mr Aves for the Empire Orchestra. EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. “ Wild West Romance ” is the chief attraction, with Rex Bell, at Everybody’s Theatre to-day. The story baa to do with a Small-town boy who has yawned his way through life until a series of amazing incidents changes his entire viewpoint. The arrival of Ruth Thorndyke, daughter of a travelling evangelist, brings into the lonely boy’s life a realisation of love that almost overwhelms him. His pitiful efforts to show the girl that he is worthy of her makes him the butt of the townspeople. Rex Bell, in the starring role, plays the small-town hero with a touch of pathos that promises big things. The supporting feature is “ The Crimson City.” a thrilling yet tender love story. It has to do with Nan Toy, a slave in the “ House of a Thousand Daggers,” on the China coast, and with Gregory Kent, fugitive from justice. Nan Toy, like another “Madame Butterfly,” rescues Kent, nurses him to health, only to give hiin ii at last, when bis honesty has been proved and his white sweetheart has come from England to claim him.

impossible she, thwart their fierce designs and often going through many adventures many awkward situations, come out triumphant in the end. The second at* traction is "Johnny Get Your Hair Cut,” featuring that popular little star Jackie Coogan. The story is that of an orphan who to obtain a position as an ap* prentice jockey. With all - the ingenuity of a determined adolescent, Jackie works qi S ,n s® the confidence of "Mother olapm a kindly woman who keeps i boarding house for jockeys. He meets ;■ derelict of the race track who owns ; horse, and the two enter into & pact ihe events which lead, up to the big race are full of mischief and fun with Jackie ever present on the screen. Another interesting item is the British Sportin' benes, on this occasion dealing wit' Wrestling.” \ KING EDWARD THEATRE. “The Street of Sin,” featuring Ei. Jannings, is the chief attraction on th new programme at the King Edwan theatre. The story is by Josef von Stern Pi 61 ®, Benjamin Glazer, and deals with the life of a huge rowdy {Emil Jannings) who rules the slums with his fists. Sup porting this picture is a thrilling drama of the East, The Crimson City.” This melodrama of the China coasfc tells tb< story of Nan Toy, a Chinese girl slave and of her love and sacrifice for a white outcast whom she meets in "The House of a Thousand Daggers.” Many thrilliiincidents mark the way of Nan Toy and her lover* until the white woman cometwho takes him from his Chinese “Madame Butterfly ” for ever.