AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21021, 9 May 1930, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS.

EMPIRE THEATRE. “The Mighty,” the all-talking Paramount picture opening at the Empire Theatre to-day, presents a striking story of,a man of the underworld, a born gunman, whose prowess during the war brings mm back a national hero, accepted and held by society against his wishes. George Bancroft, who appeared with such great success in “The Wolf of Wall Street” and other big productions, has the lead‘“B role. He i s supported by Esther Ralston, Warner Gland, Raymond Hatton, 0. P- Heggie, and Dorothy Revier. Bancroft plays the role of the returned hero of the war. After he has been so firmly entrenched in the graces of the underworld he gathers his gang and prepares to mak a haul that will make him wealthy for life. Here comes the great conflict of emotions. Shall he cast bis lot with his old gang or with, the new gang? ” The answer is dramatically shown in the picture. Among the supporting features, pictures will be screened of yesterday’s trotting at Forbury Park, and the organ and orchestra will further augment the bill with some refreshing music. Of particular interest is the return of Mods, De Rose and the Empire Concert Orchestra, which will present the latest American and European successes and request selections. Mr Joseph Wayne will again preside at the console of the Christie Unit organ, and, besides playingwith the orchestra, he will present a programme of special organ items. PRINCESS THEATRE. The Princess Theatre ia still attracting large audiences to witness the filming of the picture “Disraeli,” based on a dramatic moment in the career of England’s great Jewish prime • minister, one of the most remarkable and far-seeing British statesmen of the nineteenth century. Disraeli was even in ordinary politics an extraordinary, not to say bizarre, figure, in many ways the antithesis of the typical English statesman, but bearing towards his country, a passionate devotion which _ was yet often misunderstood. In this picture there are masters of speech whom it is a pleasure to hear. In the whole of the two hours’ entertainment not a word, not n syllable, is lost by anyone who is prepared to give the screen the most ordinary attention. With its remarkable combination of stage acting and stage speech it is an entertainment for adult minds, something in itself admirable and mature. George Arliss, in the title 1 role, gives a characterisation of superlative finish and skill. He has many admirable lines, and he delivers them admirably. His utterances bristle with quiet humour, and his portrait of the great statesman is something which must bo infinitely more informative and intimate than any of the countless biographies that have been written could ever be. The atmosphere of the film is English, and there is a quality and substance about it, a fertility of content and significance that have been absent from any talkie yet seen here, with the possible exception of Somerset Maugham’s “Charming Sinners.” Not only Arliss and bis leads, but every extra and super in the cast speaks with an articulation which is astonishing in its clarity and purity. In addition to the principal picture, there are several short features of note, OCTAGON THEATRE. Joe Wagstaff and Lois Moran will make their appearance in a highly entertaining romantic comedy drama, “ A Song of Kentucky,” a Fox Movietone all-talk-ing and singing entertainment at the Oc- , tagon Theatre to-day. The story concerns the gradual rise of a youthful and ambitious song writer who falls in love with a rich and beautiful society girl. Their romance is interrupted by jealous and intriguing outsiders, but the plot against them is finally discovered which brings about an exciting denouement. One of the big moments of the picture is the actual running of the Kentucky Derby of 1920, which is one of the interesting backgrounds of the romance. Another ia the symphony concert which is the climax of the play. The cast includes such favourites as Dorothy Burgess. Douglas Gilmore, Hedda Hopper, Edwards Davis, Herman Bing, and Bert Woodruff. “ The College Coquette ” is the supporting feature. Under the skilful direction of George Archainbaud. “ The College Coquette ” is reported to be one of the most natural of these pictures to reach the screen. The location sequences were taken at Occidental College in California and in many of them the students and faculty participate giving an atmosphere impossible to obtain otherwise. Ruth Taylor has the title role and makes an idea] coquette. Her friend of the “ clinging vine” type as portrayed by Jobyna Ralston. The masculine section of the school is headed by William Collier, Jun., aa a pupil and John Holland as coach. STRAND THEATRE. “ Land of the Silver Fox,” which will be commenced at the Strand Theatre to-day, teems with vigorous action, while the setting of the frozen wilderness of upper Hudson Bay affords a background of rave beauty. The story gives Rin-Tin-Tin an opportunity to display his skill, daring, and agility. It offers colour and emotion for the human cast, too. Leila Hyams and Carroll Nye as a pair of lovers held apart by treachery arouse sympathy, while John Miljan and Thomas Santsohi are provocative villains. The story of “ Land of the Silver Fox ” has to do with the silver fox trapping industry, concerning itself especially with the efforts of the manager of a trading' post to thwart the longdelayed marriage of his ward to a young trapper._ The post manager connives with a notorious killer to do away with the boy and steal a stock of pelts, but through the watchfulness of Rinty the scheme is frustrated and the obstacles in the lovers’ path cleared away. “ Greyhound Limited,” in which the popular Monte Blue is featured, is the second picture on the programme. This actor has been seen before in railway pictures, and the fact that in this one he again takes up his stand on the footplate, will no doubt be a great attraction. The cast includes Edna Murphy, Grant Withers, Lucy Beaumont, Ernie Shields, and Lew Harvey. Albert Howson wrote the story, Anthony Coldeway the scenario, and Howard Brctherton directed. PLAZA THEATRE. “ Annapolis ” is the feature picture to be commenced at the Plaza Theatre tonight. The east includes many film notables, the chief being John Mack Brown, Hugh Allen, Hobart Bosworth, Jeanette Loffe, and Maurice Ryan. The story is taken in the Naval Training Academy at Annapolis, and deals with two trainees who enter the college together. At first they quarrel over the love of a girl with whom each is in love, but later they become fast friends. There are many spectacular scenes in this film. There is the collision and sinking of a small boat by a chaser and the' rescue by aeroplane of a stranded and sinking motor launch which is crippled by the guns of rum-runners. Then there is the naval wedding and the bride and bridegroom descend from the church under the guard of honour of hundreds of naval officers in their white uniforms. How quickly a sedate and conservative young princess, fresh from the tutelage of royal governesses and the decorum of a European Court, may be transformed into a typical American girl of the period during a visit to New York is demonstrated by Sue Carol in “ The Exalted Flapper,” the second picture. On her return home she is mistaken for an American “ flapper ” by a prince of the neighbourhood country. Barry Norton portrays the prince opposite Miss Carol. An amusingcomedy completes the picture bill. The Plaza Orchestra will play as an overture Ballet Egyptian Suite No. 1, and the entr’acte is a 'selection from, the " Gondoliers.” During the screening of “ Annapolis ” Mrs Johnstone will render the serenade “Victor Hubert ” as a violin solo. KING EDWARD THEATRE. The ever-popular Hoot Gibson will be seen to-night at the King Edward Theatre in “ Smilin’ Guns,” in which he introduces, besides his usual dare-devil riding, some very good humour. An Irish girl, Blanche Mehaffey, heads an excellent supporting which includes Virginia Pearson, Leo White, Robert Graves, Walter Brennan, Jack Wise, James Bradbury, jun, and Dad Gibson. Pola Negri has the leading role in “ The Woman on Trial,” which , deals principally with a court scene in Paris.