AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20965, 3 March 1930, Page 13

AMUSEMENTS.

OCTAGON THEATRE.

Patrons are still being afforded an opportunity of seeing a great picture in “Plight” at the Octagon Theatre. The action of the play is of a thrilling description, and there is no chance ol the attention wandering for a moment, or the interest flagging. A young man named Phelps loses his good name over a football match, and being in disgrace joins a flying school, at which he is not a prominent success. The tutor is named Williams, and he and Phelps do not “ hit it.” Then a girl in the shape of a pretty little nurse comes upon the scene, and both men fall in love with her. She prefers Phelps, who, along with Williams, is despatched with a squadron of planes to suppress a rising by a band of bandits. Phelps meets with a terrible accident, and would in all probability havS been killed, but is rescued by Williams, both being severely burned. Much that is very spectacular is seen in connection with the accident. Like all satisfactory fiction, the climax is just what it ought to be. Ralph Graves (Phelps), Lila Lee (Elinor, the nurse), and Jack Holt (Williams) all make a great success of the parts they fill, and are strongly sup ported. There is also screened a Fdx' Movietone News, an Australian Gazette, and a film depicting a tour through Hollywood. “HIGH TREASON.” Probably the most remarkable picture that has come to Dunedin since the advent of the sound screen is " High Treason,” which will bo shown at the Octagon Theatre nest Friday. Some really remarkable photography has been I accomplished, while the settings—models of great buildings, aircraft of futuristic design, and the exterior scenes generally are really astounding in the vastness of their Benita Hume, the wellknown English actress, occupies the leading feminine part, and playing opposite her is Jameson Thomas, who, though no*, so well known, is a master of his art. The film was produced at the Gaumont Studios, and is an entirely British production. The theme of “ High Treason ” is truly one worthy of Jules Verne, for, if the story is not quite as imaginative as the works of that writer, it relies entirely upon the prophetic vision of its creator for its interest. “ High Treason ” forsees the time, 10 years hence, when the world will be on the' brink of another war—a much vaster, more distinctive, and more fearful war than that of the last decade. Great Britain, its dependencies and the whole of Europe is seen as a federated union of states, governed by a council at the head of which is a president, and which is composed of members of both sexes. There is the usual warlike element that is to be found in every community. Then there is the PeaceLeague with its following of 25,000,000 members at the head of this organisation, and Stephen > Seymour and his daughter, whose life work it is to champion tfie cause of peace. A bizarre effect is added by the curious costumes worn by the people. Military men are clothed in leather or rubber uniforms, while civilians all seem to wear white uniforms of a design similar to the military habits. As for the women, it is noticeable that short hair is still to be popular in 1940. Skirts appear to have gone out of favour entirely, for the - girls all wear ■ what appear to be abbreviated Oxford " bags.” The story is commenced at the frontier of two of theEuropcan States. The guards on either side of the road barrier are playing poker. The appearance of no fewer than six aces in one deal causes trouble, and revolvers are drawn, but an interruption comes in the shape of a man and a woman in a small but curiously highpowered car. The fact that they are rum-runners would seem to indicate that Europe is destined to go "dry.” The guards on one side of the frontier pass the car, but the others are not so easily satisfied, and when the driver of the car tries to escape a bomb is thrown, wrecking the car. At once a battle is started between the two groups of guards. The next scene shows the news of this outrage being broadcast from New York to the world by means of television radio. There is some talk of war as a result of this incident, but the Peace League averts disaster. The next outrage is when a band of anarchists blows up an express travelling by the Channel tunnel from London to France. In this part some very effective scenes are reproduced as the train dashes to destruction. The people scream and tear madly at each other in frantic efforts to escape as the water rushes in upon them. Under the expert guidance of the small band of men who are trying to engineer' a world-wide conflict, matters go from bad to worse. Instant mobilisation of all men and women is ordered* and Seymour and his daughter work frantically to avert the tragedy. Then comes the crowning disaster. The headquarters of the Peace League are bombed by aeroplanes, and again scenes of indescribable confusion and terror are graphically depicted on the, screen. War seems imminent, and, in-' deed, the President of " Europa ” announces his intention of declaring war at midnight. As the time comes, Seymour decides to see the president and mainone last appeal. He receives an audience, and on being asked to speak for the microphone, he says there will be no war. The president draws a revolver, but so does Seymour, and in the exchange of shots the president is killed. However, war is averted, and the story draws to a gripping climax with the trial of Seymour for high treason. The picture is undoubtedly the most outstanding British screen production ever shown in Dunedin. REGENT THEATRE. No ,one could see “ The Trespasser,” the latest picture screened at the Regent Theatre, without eing favourably impressed. Gloria Swanson displays her histrionic ability to the full in the most interesting character in the play. The story tells in a most convincing manner of a woman’s self-sacrifice for the object of her love, and no doubt is a true exposition of woman’s self-sacrificing instincts, which is frequently met with everywhere, in everyday life, and in a prominent form, " The Trespasser ” follows no new line of thought, but is none the worse for that. It is the old, old story of the humble girl marrying into a wealthy family without the family’s consent or knowledge, and the inevitable split between father and son. Up to a point the plot runs along the orthodox lines, but there comes an intriguing twist when the girl, who, to save her husband from the wrath of his father, disappears with her child and comes under the pro tectiou of her former employer. The marriage is annulled by some process or other. It is the mad infatuation of a man—the girl’s employer—that causes all the trouble in this particular case, and but for that there would be no story at all. There is an unpleasant, and totally unworthy, suspicion as to her young son’s parentage; the world in which she lives naturally taking the worst possible view of the circumstances surrounding the girl’s life. After much heart-breaking, almost equal to that met with in •“ East Lynne ” a happy ending comes about. Gloria Swanson plays one of her biggest parts as the heroine, and is strongly supported. There is also screened a iletroGoldwyn Mayer News Gazette. Miss Marion Harris is heard in a song num her, and a comedy, “Madame Q,” is very amusing.

“ RIO RITA.'’ Tin; Regent Theatre on Friday will present a film which has won acclamation in every centre in which it has been shown. This is the spectacular production “ Rio Rita." Proof of its outstaud-

ing quality is found in the recent criticism of G. A. Atkinson, who, in Ms capacity of screen critic on one of Loudon’s leading newspapers, is not afraid to state his opinion through the columns of his paper. “ ‘ Rio Rita,' ” he wrote, “ is Hollywood’s greatest gift to the tired business man. Htjre is everything that should please the eye, charm the ear, and soothe the mind. is more romance in Mexico than there is in any country west of the Atlantic, and I am glad that Hollywood has at long last decided to cross the Texan border. They have never done anything better than ‘Rio Rita.’ The sunsplashcd patios and gardens are a complete December cure, music more unique has never been heard. Every number is good, and if there is one thing better than the music it is the comedy. I have rarely seen a house laugh so much. The world has never seen a more enthralling show than ‘ Rio Rita.’ There has been no such 1 value for money ’ in all the history of entertainment.” Another critic writes: “It strikes a new note in the all-talking, all-singing variety of picture in that it is not a film revue, but a musi cal comedy in the best tradition. : A musi cal comedy is a refreshing novelty, with its inconsequent and accommodating plot, its music and its lavish settings. And Kio Rita ’’ gives us all of this, with a couple of extremely funny comedians into th“ bargain. It also provides an entirely new kind of role for that extremely clever actress, Eebe Daniels, who, until now, has' mostly confined herself to parts in which she emerges from a chrysalis comic stage to that of a beauty,. Here she begins as a beauty, and, as a Mexican one, with no hint of the comic, but complete with Spanish clothes, a foreign accent, and a most pleasing singing voice. EMPIRE THEATRE. At the Empire Theatre the public is being treated to a remarkably amusing farce in “ Embarrassing Moments,” with Reginald Denny in the leading role. The principal female character i% taken by Merna Kennedy, and William Austin and Otis Harlan, along with others, constitute a strong cast. The foundation of the farce is the story of a young girl who, on her return to her home from an art school in New York, is met by the whole of the townspeople, including her fiance, her father, and her “ young man’s ” mother. During the evening, w'hen her homecoming is being celebrated, her friend Mae turns on the wireless, and the strains of a New York orchestra playing a familiar dance tune inspire her to commence a modern dance. The villagers are all thoroughly shocked, with the result that she hands back the young man his ring. When her father presses her for an explanation she invents a story of another man in New York, and, on being questioned as to his name, states that he is called Thaddeus Cruickshank. By a lucky coincidence there is a man that name, in New York, and complications of a most amusing kind spring up like mushrooms, and keep on growing until a happy ending is reached. Mr Leslie V. Harvey’s organ items are Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsody No, 2, “ I’m Painting the Clouds with Sunshine,” and the Hawaiian farewell, “ Aloha Oe.” He is also heard in a number of piano solos, including “ Rustle of Spring ” (Binding), a medley of popular airs, and “Softly Awakes My Heart ” (“ Samson and Delilah”). , “MARRIED IN HOLLYWOOD.” On Wednesday the Empire . Theatre will present another outstanding film, “Married in Hollywood,” which is Hollywood’s first Viennese all-talking, singing and dancing song romance, with music by Oscar Straus. Based on an original story by Oscar Straus and cofeaturing J. Harold Murray of “Rio Rita ” fame and Norma Terris, of equal fame as the star of “ Showboat ” during its long run, “ Married in Hollywood ” is acclaimed by reviewers as the most artistic and moat gorgeous production that has yet come to the screen or stage. In addition to the featured players, the supporting cast of 20 includes a majority of real stars, such as Walter Catlett, Irene Palasty, the famous Hungarian prima donna, who was the toast of Vienna for several seasons; John Garrick, the brilliant young Australian star; jNennox Pawle; Tom Patricola (America’s dancing genius), Douglas Gilmore, Gloria Grey, Herman Bing, Evelyn Hall and Leila Karnelly. The added musical “hits” written by Dave Stamper and Harlan Thompson include ‘ Dance Away the Night,” the love motive, a beautiful waltz number which is expected to surpass in popularity and appeal the memorable “Merry Widow” waltz, a number which is sung and danced by Norma Terris and J. Harold Murray; “Until One Comes Along,” sung and danced by Irene Palasty a'nd Tom Patricola; “Peasant Love Song,” a solo by J. Harold Murray; and “The Black. Hussars,” sung by the male ensemble. “SUNNY SIDE UP.” Charles Farrell, co-featured with Janet Gaynor in “ Sunny Side Up,” the Fox Movietone musical .comedy, written by B. G. de Sylva, Lew Brown, and Ray Henderson, is a well-dressed young man for the first time in his screen career. In tils past Farrell always lias played the role of the handsome young he-man of ordinary circumstances, whose idea °f. sartorial splendour was a flannel shirt open at the neck, and a pair of corduroy_ trousers. “ Sunny Side Up,” which will be seen and heard soon at the Empire Theatre, however, presents Charley as a wealthy young bachelor, prominent in Long Island society. In such a role, he is seen as a genteel fashion plate, and thousands of dollars were spent in outfitting the young man for the part. Hollywood’s best and most expensive tailor was commissioned make Farrell half a dozen lounge suits, several sports ensembles, and two complete outfits of evening wear. So when Farrell is seen in this production, he will be a living model of what the young man about town will wear next season. STRAND THEATRE. The new programme at the Strand Theatre promises to be one of the biggest attractions that have been screened at that place of entertainment for some time. The chief picture is “Interference,” in which the principal characters are taken by William’ Powell, Clive Bropk, Evelyn Brent, and Dons Kenyon. Tbe story concerns Deborah Kane and Philip Voaze, a suave rogue of a pronounced order. After a brief period of true love he meets Faith, falls in love with her, and marries her. He soon kills her love with his dissolute habits, goes to the war, and is reported jto have been killed. Faith then marries 1 Sir John Marlay, and at a memorial service Deborah is amazed to see Philip. She follows him home, and he openly insults her, in spite of the fact that she tells him she still loves him. Philip tells her that he is living under an assumed name. He is ignorant of her second marriage, or of her whereabouts, and for revenue Deboiah blackmails Faith, Philip comes to consult Sir John professionally, and is astounded at meeting Faith there. After that tlie plot thickens,” and grim tragedy makes an entry. ' “ Interference ” is nothing' if not interesting and provocative of intense excitement. The characters are exceedingly well filled. In a supporting, direction there is a Patho 1 ictoi ial Nens, a novelty number by Eddie Cantor, and a comedy entitled “ Pusher in the Face.” KING EDWARD THEATRE. At the King Edward Theatre “We’re Ali .Gamblers” and “The Crash” are still being screened, and provide a really good evening’s entertainment. The characters in both are very well taken. The south end theatre lias lost none of its popularity.