AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20800, 20 August 1929, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

EMPIRE THEATRE. “Mj Man," the principal picture on this week’s programme at the Empire Theatre, is a drama of human life told in entertaining fashion with the aid of the " talkies.” It has brought to light a remarkable little comedienne in the person of Fannie Brice, who delights the audience in the role of the young woman round whom the story' centres. She makes her appearance in the opening passages of the film in which she is shown as mother, father, and guardian to her younger sister and_ little brother, the scenes making a fitting introduction to a delightful story of Fannie’s love for a man who is unworthy of so great a gift. Treachery is used by the young man and her sister, and the story of how the solution of her destiny comes holds the keen attention of the audience. In her role of entertainer, Fannie gives several pattercomedy items which are very acceptable. The preliminary '‘talkies’’ are well chosen, and they include an excellent comedy entitled “ Lucky in Love,” featuring Clyde Cook, Mr Leslie Y. Harvey's contributions on the organ are as refreshing as ever, and the playing of the Empire Orchestra lends variety to the programme. “THE HOME TOWNERS.” “The Home Towuers,” a “talkie" revival of George M. Cohan’s stage sucess, will be commenced at the Emph'c Theatre on Friday next. The cast- has many famous recruits from the stage, including Richard Bennett, Doris Kenyon, Robert M'Wade, Robert Edeson, and Gladys Brockwell. Cohan, the author, is reputed to be one of the most popular stage writers of the day, and Warner Bros, adapters, Addison Burkhart and Murray Roth, are said fa have kept all the charm of the original. Bryan Foy, who is one of the really great directors of the day, is responsible for this picture. “ The_ Home Towners ” is a genial, heartwarming, chuckling play—recounting the adventures of two middle-aged chums, the young lady to whom one is engaged, and her family. Robert M'Wade plays P. H. Bancroft, the small-town - pal who hears that His millionaire crony is engaged to marry a young woman from the city. Bancroft at once assumes that she and her family are hoodwinking his friend, and comes post haste to Manhattan to set things right. Instead, he sets things decidedly wrong, and it is only after much manoeuvring that he straightens out the mix-np ho himself has made. Robert M'Wade interprets the same part he played in the original stage production. “ SHOW BOAT.” Well known and enjoyed as a play in England and America, “Show Boat” will be commenced in its “ talkie ” adaptation at the Empire Theatre on Friday, August 30. This colourful story of the Mississippi Valley and of Chicago in the last generation, embodying the love story of Magnolia, the young show boat girl played by Laura La Plante, and Ravenal, the romantic young gambler, played by Joseph Schildkraut is based upon the internationally famous novel of the same name by Edna Ferber. “Show Boat” was made by Harry Pollard, the director who was responsible for “Uncle Tom’s r a The com pany supporting Miss La Plante and Schildkraut includes such favourites as Otis Harlan, Emily Fitzroy, Alma Rubens, Jack M'Donald, Jane La Verne, Neely Edwards, and Elise BartletL In its music “ Show Boat" is said to be a veritable anthology of America’s popular music of the last half-century. OCTAGON THEATRE. The installation of new “ talkie" anparatus at the Octagon Theatre has made it possible to present more attractive programmes, the first of which is bein' set eened this week. The new system has « l £? u m°re than satisfactory results The Studio Murder Mystery," which is the mam feature on the new programme holds the unwavering attention of the audience until the final scene, Mysterv and tragedy in their darkest forms constitute the essential features of the storv. the mystery of a murder in a film studio, which forms the theme of the story, is cleverly sustained until the end, and so well is the story told that it is not until the story has run its course that the identity of the culprit ig revealed. in ? a l" ed , Richard Harden is found stabbed to death in a film studio, and suspicion falls on five persons. When her father is poisoned suspicion falls on a girl who is sentenced to death. How she is saved is related after a series of startling events which end in the capture of the real murderer. There are several supports, the turn by the famous comedian, (jeorge Robey, being perhaps the best. “A DANGEROUS WOMAN.” p Dangerous Women,” the latest lai amount all-talking picture, will be commenced at the Octagon Theatre on bnday. This is claimed to be the first African all-talking film with experienced film and stage actors, Baclanova, Clive Brook, and Neil Hamilton head the cast, ibe locale of the picture is a British outpost m the jungle country. Clive Brook plays the representative of his tatheriand, and Baclanova is bis Russian 'V n Keil Hamilton is cast in the role ot Brooke brother, who is ensnared by the iv ilea of his sister-in-law. “A Dangerous Woman ” has an' emotionally tumultuous climax, which comes crashing audience. h ° C5 ’ CS 3nd Cai ‘ s of tha REGENT THEATRE. The screen version of “Abie’s Irish ;;° se p 18 pwynst a strong attraction at the Regent Theatre. It is 1 a delightful story, tull of humour, featuring cLrles Rogers and Nancy Carroll in the roles of Abie and Rosemary and Jean Herscholt as Solomon Levi. It is an ambitious film in every way, varied in its appeal and workmanlike m its production. The photograpby and sound production are excel- ■< : « • 6u PP° rtll, g programme of ta!kies is a strong one. There is a clever song cartoon feature in which several figures appear and go through a numvber of diverting antics while a selection of old-time melodies is rendered There is also a news reel, and fi?m rL* h V Uo<St a j tractive supports is a £ briana g Grey deeP ’ Sea fishing eXpedi - THE ADVANCE OF THE “ TALKIES.” Since the inception of the “ talkies ” in Dunedin there have been several films of outstanding merit, films ip. which there has been ample evidence of the highest technique associated with this latest form rop, nipvmg picture producer’s art. As with all new innovations, however, the inarch of time brings even greater triumphs for those who devote themselves to a close study of the original - with a ? roducln K an improved and amplified edition of the basic idea. Complete proof of this will be given to picturegoers m this city m a week or eo when the latest releases from the film studios are presented at the Regent Theatre, the coming attractions being “The Wheel of nlo. featuring William Dix. “The Doctor a Secret ” and then the all-talking production which is claimed to be the most lavish presentation released in this country, Ihc Broadway Melody,” a trio of featured films which will more than uphold the high standard set in this theatre by its popular predecessors., STRAND THEATRE. The film version of the widely-discussed nove! by Amta Loos, “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, is the main attraction at the Strand Theatre. The story is a very unusual one, telling, in very entertaining fashion, the story of a girl who in her extreme youth was found very attractive by the opposite sex and who. on leaving home increased her feminine artfulness and turned it to advantage, persuading a male In end to finance a trip to Europe where she contracted a marriage with a wealthy American The supporting picture. The Sm Sister,” is an exciting story of Alaska, EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. A story of love and intrigue telling of the battle between two brothers for the band of a girl is the piece de resistance at Everybody’s Theatre. The story deals with the adventures of Thomas Hurst, who has become engaged to Letty Dean. His brother John has also fallen in love with Letty, and he does all he can to discredit Thomas in her eyes. The subsequent events keep the spectators well entertained. The supporting picture is “Plunging Hoofs” a story of the West, with a remarkable horse in' a prominent role, and an episode of “The Collegians” u also shown.

GRAND AND PLAZA THEATRES. "The Silent House,” the film version of a famous stage play, is featured at the Grand and Plaza Theatres. It is a British production, and many of the scenes are laid in China. There arc many mysterious happenings, which hold the rapt attention of the spectators. " The Phantom City" is the second picture, dealing • with the phantom of an old mining town which instills terror into everyone who ventures-too near it. KING EDWARD THEATRE. A double feature programme will be commenced at the King Edward Theatre to-night headed by " Zero,” featuring Fay Compton and Stewart Room. The story deals with an author who is not satisfied with his home life. He'writes a play just prior to leaving for the Continent. The train in France in which he is traveling is wrecked, and the author is reported dead. He decides to keep the fact that he is alive a secret. In France, and again in Italy, he meets a woman who attracts him extremely. Longings for old associations become too strong for him when he visits the theatre to sea his play produced, From_ the pit where he is seated he notices his wife in a box. He accidentally meets bis friend from abroad, and they see much of each other, and the climax is reached when he has to make a final choice between the two women. Tho supporting feat lire is " The Silver Lining,” with Eve Gray in the chief part. ’