AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20710, 7 May 1929, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS.

STRAND THEATRE, in its second week at the Strand Theatre, “ The Woman Disputed ” is still attracting good houses. Norma Talmadge has the leading role, and is both charming and artistic. Miss Talmadge is regarded as one of the outstanding personalities on the screen, and her part in “The Woman Disputed” readily confirms this reputation. The story may be somewhat grim, but there is a good deal of realism about ‘it, and it is not made too grim to be unpalatable. As Mary Ann Wagner, Miss Talmadge is seen in a great pictorial character. Mary meets with two army officers, and the acquaintance changes the tenor of her whole life. Both Paul and Nika (Austrian and Russian respectively) fall in ov ? KT-! th Alar y: Then war breaks out, and Nika gets his first blow in by telling the girl he loves her. Unhappily for him “® discovers that the Austrian has got in ahead of him, and that Mary loves the Austrian. Naturally the Russian is furious, when he finds he has been beaten in a matter of affection. He, unfortunately, obtains his opportunity when Mary is brought in amongst a number of other prisoners A terrible torture is devised, but to save the other prisoners, the girl sacrifices herself. Eventually the lovers are united, and everything is explained a ™W-. Though the story is as old as the mils, it is wonderfully portrayed by Miss Talmadge and those associated with her. In support there is a number of interesting films. The Strand Orchestra, under the conductorship of Mr L. D. Austin, plays an excellent musical score. EMPIRE THEATRE. The Empire Theatre, in the meantime, is given up to comedy, and good comedy at that. Anyone who has seen Clara Bow in “ Three Week-ends ” could scarcely deny that she is seen at her best in an hilarious comedy full of vim. The cither comedy is “ Eve’s Leaves," in which the star is Leatice Joy. In “ Three Week-ends ” Clara Bow makes all the fun. and introduces the greater part of the romance also, the hero and the convenient millionaire (Harrison Ford) being kept quite busy enough giving her sufficient openings for the exercise of her surprising energy and her peculiarly charming manners. Gladys O’Brian lives in a tenement flat with her father and mother, and after about 18 years of it is heartily sick of the constant disagreements, ranging from wordy battles to free fights, which seem to bo the common round of the neighbouring tenants. Determined to ensnare some eligible and wealthy young man, she is attracted by a splendid limousine and an immaculately-clad youth whom she takes to be one' of the sons of wealth. She was not to know that he merely one of the -hired servants of wealth, and the situation becomes more than complicated by the fact that love at first sight is mutual. “ Eve’s Leaves ” is an appeal made to a very backward, but beautiful maiden to become very much more up to date in her methods and she responds wonderfully well. 51 Eve’s Leaves" concerns a young lady whose life on her father’s tramp steamer leaves no time for the cultivation of the adorning graces of femininity. She never misses them until a romantic old sea cook lends penny thrillers and love stories that set her dreaming of Prince Charming. She cannot at first understand why the first young man she is attracted by exhibits no sign of reciprocal interest. The kindly cook tells her she lacks sex appeal, and provides her with a guide to the cultivation of that very necessary female weapon, and as a result the determined young lady changes her dungaree trousers and flannel shirt for less modest but more revealing attire. The effect can readily be understood. Farce is let loose, and the final scenes are of an uproarous character. There is also a good -weekly gazette. _ ' MUSIC AND DRAMA. Empire Theatre patrons will be offered 'at least two features in the new programme on Friday which rank considerably higher than the commonplace in cn tertainment. Musically and dramatically, the programme will be out of the ordinary, Perhaps the outstanding item of the two will be the first appearance at the console of the Christie Unit organ of Mr Leslie V. Harvey, who comes to Dunedin . from Sydney under special engagement. Picture-goers generally will welcome the news that this great instrument, which has been silent for so long, will once again contribute to the daily entertainment. The dramatic feature on Friday will be the great British production. Moulin Rouge," admitted by critics to be the finest piece of work yet turned out by the studios of the United Kingdom. The story is not unfamiliar, and many people will be glad of an opportunity to witness a screen interpretation of this world-renowned drama of the Parisian stage. In lighter vein is the supporting film, “Honeymoon Flats,” a delightful comedy packed full of laughs and good humour, Mr Harvey comes to Dunedin with a high reputation as a theatrical organist, having commenced- his studies in this branch of music in the .California Theatre, in San Francisco, where one of the largest organs in America is installed. He spent seven years in this theatre under the tutorship of Mr Wallace Sabin, who is regarded in America as a master of organ music. For the past three years Mr Harvey has been organist at the Prince Edward Theatre in Sydney, and during that period he gathered a large and admiring public to his theatre New Zealand Jisteners-in will not be strangers to his playing since he has often been heard over the wireless. More than once he has been responsible for an entire evening’s programme of music broadcast by one or other of the Sydney stations. It is the purpose of the Empire Theatre management to make fuller use, of the organ than has been the case in the past. When Mr Harvey takes control of the instrument he will appear at every ’matinee performance and will be ‘ responsible for all the music in the programme,, and at the, evening performances his work will not be confined to the entr'acte. He will render the usual solos and specialty numbers, but he will also work in conjunction with the orchestra, which from Friday will be under the direction of M. de Rose late of the Octagon Theatre. * OCTAGON THEATRE. The Octagon Theatre is fast becoming the house of the movietone,” and this expression has certainly been a successfu one from a public point of view ihe public owes the management of the Octagon Theatre something for having provided it, perhaps at some financial risk, with the latest and most up-to-date movement m the picture world. That the talking films are appreciated is shown by ' vay the attendances have kept up although the programmes have all enjoyed extended seasons. Prominent amongst the addresses given m one by King George, at the opening of the new bridge at Newcastle-on-Tyne. The address comes to the audience with wonderful distinctness, and there is complete synchronism between movement on the screen and voice amongst the audience. "In a Music Shoppe” is a*novelty, and is illustrative of incidents in the life of Stephen Collins Foster, writer of "My Old Kentucky Home,” and other plantation melodies. The little playlet presents many pleasing and attractive features The Roxy Theatre Orchestra, with its UO performers, lends interest and beauty to “ Ihe Red Dance,” which is exceptionally well placed. „ Dolores del Rio and Charles Farrell are seen in the leading roles. The plot centres round incidents in the Russian Revolution, and Miss del Rio takes the part of Tasia, a Russian girl, whose mother and father were tortured by the Cheka for no other reason than that they taught the villagers to read. The mother dies, the father •is thrown into prison, and Tasia swears revenge. Then comes into the picture the Grand Duke Eugene, a haughty aristocrat who. by all the Taws of the Soviet, should be her deadliest enemy. And so he is until his charm and gallantry and the fact that his sympathies are really with the people, completely overcome the girl’s enmity. She loses her heart to this man. and after further adventures the pair find their happiness.

“ FAZIL.” The Octagon Theatre will present next Friday the fourth movietone programme of talking, singing, and sound productions.* With the inevitable improvement in recording and reproducing, this programme is said to be considerably ahead of all those presented to date. "Fazil,” a powerful drama of the Orient and Paris, is said to be a greater film than “ The Sheik, It ia accompanied throughout by the Roxy Theatre Orchestra, which provides a beautiful musical setting, harmonising with all the varying moods of the production. "Fazil” i s the story of Prince Fazil, a tribal ruler of Arabia, who goes to Paris on a diplomatic mission, meets B abrienne, a French beauty, sweeps her off her feet, marries her, and takes her back to his kingdom. She refuses to bow to the ancient laws' regarding women, and there are frequent clashes between them, out of which emerge some tense drama. The show nlrf include an all-talking comedy, J h Xj' amU * Picnic,” Richard Bonelli, tne Chicago Grand Opera House baritone, and Randolph’s Royal Hawaiians, an accomphshed native orchestra, in a film entitled Songs of the-South Seas.” Box plan arrangements are advertised. REGENT THEATRE. . The management of the Regent Theatre has provided an excellent. programme for the patrons of this popular house of amusement. Both pictures are full of interest and stand in striking contrast to each other. The principal attraction. tour Walls.” has the popular John GRbert m the chief part, Gilbert is reputed to be one of the highest paid screen stars of the present time, and his name in the cast of players generally goes far & , r , e ™end any picture. In “Four Walls he is supported by Joan Crawford, another well-known and admired actress. The picture is purely a drama, and is full of gripping situations. 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 elenients 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. Benny (John Gilbert), gang leader, shoots a rival because of Frieda, Benny’s girl, portrayed by Joan v Crawford. Sullivan, a detective, has him 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 firl, who has lived with his mother, and rought her consolation throughout the term of Benny’s imprisonment. However, in a cabaret fight in which Benny is unwittingly embroiled, Frieda risks her life in saving his, and after the police prove their innocence the couple find happiness at last. The supporting picture, “My Friend From India,” is a comedy and is well worth seeing. The comical Franklin, Pangborn is seen in the title rqie, and his acting is guaranteed to provoke laughter. Under the baton of Mr Neville Ravel, the Regent Orchestra plays a wellchosen programme of music. NEXT WEEK’S PROGRAMME, , In “Honour Above All," the new film drama announced for showing at the Regent Theatre on Friday, the beautiful and picturesque settings- are said to be a prominent feature. Scenes of an oldworld village in the famous Danube Valley shots of the interior of a fine castle and of the village inn, and charming river scenery, form exceptionally artistic backgrounds to the action. Opinions on this phase of the picture are unanimous. Leatrice Joy, Joseph Sehildkraut, Nila Aether, Seena Owen, May Robson, Albert Gran, and Frank Reicher. all have good parts in thi B picture—the three firstnamed being specially prominent, both by reason of their excellent work' and the fact that theirs are the principal roles. The second attraction is “The Cameraman,featuring Buster_ Keaton. Buster tries in vain to get a job aa a newsreel cameraman, but is told by a pretty girl in the office that if he buys a camera and submits some good “ shots ” he may get a start that way.’ Later he is seen turning the crank in the midst of a wild Tong war ‘ waged with machine guns and knives, but when he reports to the M-G-M Newsreel‘office, the boss finds that he has no film in the camera. So Buster’s opportunity dissolves in naughty words from the boss and tears from the girl. But he tries again, at the speed-boat races, and this time u monkey makes his horoscope serve him profitably,, .Keaton plays, in this new uproarious comedy, an apprentice newsr.eel camerman- shooting scenes in New York. Among the thrills are his dfop from a four-storey building into a Chinese Tong war, a thrilling boat accident, a scene in which he climbs like a monkey over a Fifth avenue bus, a swimming pool scene in which he narrowly eseapes t drowning, and other misadventures,, all in an hilarious strain. Marcehne Day plays the heroine. Mr Maurice Guttndge, who has been appointed to the charge of the Regent Orchestra, will return to Dunedin on Friday. Mr Guttndge holds the unique position of being one of the most highly-paid musical directors in New Zealand, and his return will be awaited with interest. GRAND AND PLAZA THEATRES. “The Luck of the Navy” has, so far, bad a most successful run at the Grand °laza Theatres, and has found favour with several large attendances, by no means slow to demonstrate that they are pleased with the most recent programme, ihe supporting picture is “Johnny, Get Your Hair Cut,” in which the amusement centres in Jackie Coogan, the child actor. In the first-named picture Miss Evelyn Laye, famed for her beauty, and Mr Henry Victor are the stars in a very strongly filled cast, and play the parts of Cynthia Eden and Lieutenant Clive Stanton, R.N., respectively. Incidental to an absorbing story there are terrific handi toll and fights, a dazzling ballroom scene, a mobilisation of the fleet, and many other attractions. The story tells how Admira Maybridge, his ward Cynthia, and Her brother. Wing, await the return of Clive Stanton, a nephew of the admiral’s Louis. Peel, a young foreigner, puts in an appearance, and rather upsets matters, but all comes right in the end, after much that is very interesting has happened. EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. Two fast-moving and thrilling pictures constitute the current programme at Everybody’s Theatre. The first picture, Ihe Crimson City,” is an excitingatory of the China coast in which the love story of an outcast white man and a Chinese girl is the principal theme. The featured players are Richard Tucker, Myrna Loy, and Anna May Wong. The production deals with the adventures of Gregory Kent, an Englishman wrongfully accused of embezzlement. He flees to China, and becomes involved in many startling adventures. He intercedes for Nan Toy, a slave girl, who is tortured by her Oriental master. Kent is thrown from the place. The story hinges on the fact that a former sweetheart of ■ Kent is visiting Brand, a wealthy oil magnate, who himself loves the white girl. Proof is sent from England that Kent is not guilty, and then follow the complications which involve all the actors in the thrilling drama. How Kent’s former sweetheart comes to claim him, and how Nan Toy fights to keep his love, makes the picture a very exciting photoplay. The supporting film is “ Wild West Romance,” with the new cowboy actor, Rex Bell, in the leading role. The story deals with life in a small Western town, and concerns itself principally with a good-natured youngster, played by Bell. It is a logical, fast-moving story, in which Bell falls in love with an evangelist’s daughter, whom he wins after capturing a gang of robbers. A fine cast of plavers supports the star, including Caryl Lincoln in the lead.

KING EDWARD THEATRE. Ex-pugilists, ex-convicts, and underworld characters true to life appear as extras in “The Wheel of Chance,” the newest Richard Barthelmess feature, which commences to-night at the King Edward Theatre. The underworld is the background for a dramatic incident taking place between Barthelmess and Margaret Livingston, who plays “the other woman ”in .the story. The supporting picture is “Wild West Romance,” with Rex Bell, youthful cowboy star, in the leading role- Caryl Lincoln has the *>hief feminine part