AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20930, 21 January 1930, Page 15

AMUSEMENTS.

EMPIRE THEATRE. “ The Virginian ” continues to attract large audiences to the Empire Theatre. It is a highly dramatic picture of the cattle country of western America. It was adapted from Owen Wister’s novel of the same name. It would be difficult to imagine anything more realistic than what is to be seen on the silver sheet dU j lE f? screening of “ The Virginian,' ana the realism is strongly accentuated by the shouts of the herdsmen and the dialogue which takes place during the production of what is an interesting picture story Amongst those participating in the production are Gary Cooper, Richard Arlen, Mary Brian, Walter Huston, and Chester Conklin, Arlen being a care-free cowboy of the up-to-date stamp, and Cooper his friend, the Virginian, Though there is much serious and exciting matter in the story, there are dashes of amusement which are irresistible. Mary Brian is the little school teacher, who is much disconcertecPby the rough methods of the Wild West, and plays her part very charmingly. The villain is impersonated by Huston with fidelity and effect. “THE BATTLE OF PARIS.” coming attractions to the Empire •theatre, which commences at to-morrow's matinee, is the picturisation of the stage success The Gay Lady " retitled for the screen. The Battle of Paris.” The title niay be a little misleading as regards the type of story—the picture has nothing to do with war. It is a musical play, featuring the great English comedienne. Gertrude Lawrence. The boulevards and cabarets of Paris of war-time days, the wild abandon, the scintillating night life, the big engagements in the romance sector back of the battle lines are all faithfully brought to the screen in this all-talking, ail-singing, all-laughing filmland not one shot is fired. Outside of America, the premiere screening of this picture in the world has come to Dunedin. Reports on how it was received in the United States have not had time to reach Dunedin but taking into consideration that “ The Battle of Pans ’ is one of the sis yearly Paramount specials, the film should be one ol OU i, me Tit and one filled with excellent entertainment. As has already been stated. Miss Gertrude Lawrence is «! a a ed ' She was acclaimed at Home as the finest woman fun-maker, and it remains to be seen what she cat do in the talkies. Opposite the star plays Charles Ituggles, the clever comedian of “ Gentlemen of the Press,” who was responsible for a great deal of laughter as a drunken reporter. The musical section of the play bas been well produced, there being £oui theme bodm which are bound to become popular. They are entitled “They All Here Comes the Band jyajg°n. Housekeeping,” and “What Makes My Baby Blue. The new procramme is to be supplemented with a d j danc « act , by Ramon, Madeline, and Pedro (international adagio dancers) who have been appearing at every session at the new Civic Theatre in Auckland for the last month. STRAND THEATRE. - Strand Theatre is presenting an excellent programme in “Making the e > \ s . *} as been shown by the crowded +v Uß i eß J V j lch thu * theatre has had during •5? ay T he story of “Makine Uie Grade” deals with the efforts of a J lttle Birl who operates a tea room to an insufferable young snob of great wealth. One situation follows another, plunging the young pair into all sorts of • f n «““«£ * as t has been Picture and the interest never flags for a moment. “ Making the Grade ” 13 , a C T edy of J rather high-class quality a?- rf ac( ? rß and actresses of exceptional ability have been selected to fill the cast. Edmund Lowe, as the snobbish Herbert with plenty of money and little brains, makes a great hit. Pool as Herbert pears to be. Lettie (Lois Moran) sees something m him to admire, and does far more in a prolonged attempt to knock j 62 ? 60 into hsnj th an most women would do for a much superior man. perseverance meets with the reward it deserves. “The Gay Defender,” a very pretty and rather thrilling story in parte—is the principal support, the leading characters being filled by Richard Dix and- Thelma Todd. “THE HOUSE OF HORROR.” The Strand Theatre on Friday will present the film “ The House of Horror,” ««! •« ls . described as a mystery tnriuer/ The picture has more than mystery thrills to offer* however, for it is also a lively comedy, thanks to the efforts of Louise Fazenda and Chester Conklin, the famous comedy artists at tne head of the cast. Love passages of a novel sort are also present, with handsome young Jaines Ford and Thelma Todd. who hold the eye and the imagination, in the lovers’, roles. There is a mystery within a mystery, too concerning the authorship of “The House of Horror.” It has to do with a < ti. dlamond , and certain other dements P* the m-ify ba ll d 011 real life happenings William V. Mong, William Orla--5“ d ' „ E toile Chautard, Dale Fuller, lenen Holtz, and other well-known character artists in grotesque make-ups, terronse the lovers, and the comedy leads and weave the sinister part of the mystery plot. Picturesque, even grotesque sets, with the most ingenious secret passages and panels and trick “props” the screen has presented, lend value to this line evenings entertainment, OCTAGON THEATRE. -rw. pr d“. cipal picture at the Octagon Theatre this week, and one of many atJ^. by Leave Home ?” It is very light, and is an excellent hour's entertamment. “ Why Leave Home? " is a S' Tho V< r SI j 1? °l *x e v fa T OUS sta B e plav, I „ 6 9 rad ’ e Snatchers, ’- which is well ttonTV 0 - 3 theatregoers. The complications begin when three college students, compelled to avoid meeting three chorus girls owing to lack of funds, learn of three women who are williijg to pay well for their services as escorted They arrive the apartment .of one of the women, escaping detection by the three husbands involved. The women hn.ve learned that their husbands are pretend-i“?-t° <» a hunting trip, but are really mtoef t! f tbe i. th r chorus * irla - Deter,to teach the men a lesson, they decided to undertake an adventure on to “WW r° count b Th Tr, is only one song L f eav e Home? ” which was not ™dP«tA y th « team of Conrad. Mitchell, pottle- It is “ Home. Sweet Home," a ““ this famous old tune is used to obtain “TU f w h k% m v any - ,a £ ghs iD the Picture. Look What You've Done to Me,” “ Doing fte Boom Boom;” w “°ld Soldiers Never 1,. ®’ a ,S£ Bonita are some of the numinn- nrB eM 13 a 30 an excellent supporting programme. REGENT THEATRE. Three Live Ghosts ” is experiencing a very good season at the Regent Theatre, it is a highly humorous picture, and fully up to the standard in entertainment set by this theatre, ■pie story is based on the-stage play of the same name by Frederick S. ieham, and the whole of the scene is set in London immediately after the conclusion of hostilities in the Great War.. Mrs Gubbins is visited by an American detective, who tells her that Wuffnm 18 P de , ad ’ and he : >s trying to trace William Foster, who is known to have enlisted with Junmie, and for whom there is a large reward being offered in New York. Captivated by the idea of obtaining the reward. Mrs Gubbins promises to try to trace Jones.” There next walks °P *5 the scene a strange trio—one obously a Cockney, one just as obviously an unbalanced creature, and one rath°r handsome young man. They are singing lustily the favourite.army ditty. “Plum and Apple.” Complications immediately ensue in which the whole ensemble becomes embroiled in a tangle with the law but the least likely of the principals is found to hold the trump cards. In addition to the feature picture there is a long and varied programme of short subjects, including a news reel, a novelty review, a comedy, a picture dealing with the Australian film industry, and a singing number, featuring Craig Campbell, a wellknown tenor. “THE DANCE OP LIFE." The Regent Theatre will present an entirely new programme to its patrons ?-V Fr, £ ay n:ght - ' vhen tbe talking film _ The Dance of Life ” will be presented It is a story of a talented voung comedian, with no responsibilities' and a love for liquor and horses. At the moment when things are black with him, a girl puts him right, and with her as his dancing partner he climbs to the top, and is a sensation on Broadway. But he is easily influenced by anyone who comes in touch with him, and when Bonny, his partner and now his wife, is away from him, he slips again, and resumes an affair with an old sweetheart. Drink brings him down, apd when the moment co m ? g

for another big chance for him to make good, he is the worse for liquor. Bonny, however, arrives just in time, and literally carries him , through the opening performance, dancing with him, pleading, loving, telling him softly to “Keep dancing, pal, keep dancing. But it is not only the story which is so gripping. “ The Dance of Life," with its delightful music and its spectacular ballets, ts an excellent musical. drama. Some of the big scenes are in technieolour, and, with the dressing and lavish stage settings, constitute some beautiful dancing and stage scenes. There are no fewer than six musical numbers, which have proved big “ hits." Hal Skelly plays the leading part of Skid, the comedian, the part Ke actually created in the original stage version called “ Burlesque,” and popular Nancy Carroll is said to act her part in a remarkably effective manner. KING EDWARD THEATRE. At the King Edward Theatre to-day what should be a most attractive programme will be presented. The first film which features the well-known actress Vilma Banky is entitled “ The Awakening.” This is supported by a picture “ The House of Horror," in which the leading roles are taken by Louise Fazenda and Chester Conklin.