OCTAGON THEATRE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21198, 2 December 1930, Page 13

OCTAGON THEATRE.

Sapper’s thrilling melodrama, " Temple Tower,” which features further adventures of the author’s popular hero “ Bulldog ” Drummond, has now been adapted to the screen, and this week, it forms the leading picture on the bill at the Octagon Theatre. In the picture “ Bulldog ” Drummond is introduced fighting to save the woman with whom he has fallen in love. The girl is seen inside the tower, prisoner of a criminal and a half-mad jewel thief, with the intrepid Drummond outside, baffled by the_ spiked walls and barred windows. Neither Drummond nor the girl knows if the other is still alive or not. And behind them both; lurks the sinister figure of the masked stranger, with murder in. his heart. That wellknown screen actor, Henry B. Walthall, gives one of his best performances as Blackton, the man who has “ doublecrossed ” the other members of the gang. The comedy work is capably supplied by Drummond’s friend in the character of Peter Darrell. Kenneth Mac Kenna enhances his reputation already established in many notable screen productions, and Marceline Day has the chief feminine role as the mysterious heroine. The supporting pictures include a Fox Movietone News, an amusing comedy, “So This is Marriage,” screen snapshots, and a horoscope series regarding “ People Born in May.”

" A ROYAL ROMANCE.” Commencing next Thursday at the Octagon Theatre, comedy, romance, and thrills it is said, are. interwoven into a thoroughly entertaining motion picture in “ A Royal Romance,” the Columbia all-talking film with William Collier, jun., and Pauine Starke in the leading roles. Interest centres about John Hale, an author who desired to live through a romance before he wrote about it. This adventurous American stakes his all on this romantic impulse and wins love and a fortune, He chooses Latavia, a picturesque kingdom in the Balkans, for the setting of his adventures. Upon his arrival there, with Rusty, his coloured servant, he becomes involved in a series of escapades that are the last word in rapid fire action. His experiences with the Countess Von Baden, whom he finds in hiding at the Vau Baden Castle which he has bought with a recent inheritance, terminates in a delightful romance. The cast is uniformly good—with outstanding performances by William Collier, jun., and Pauline Starke. ‘ Women Everywhere,” Fox Movietone singing and speaking romance of Morocco and, the Foreign Legion, will complete the

programme. J, Harold Murray and Fifi Dorsay are featured. The story deals with the adventures of Murray in the role of “ Charles J ackson,” a rough and ready captain of a Yankee tramp steamer engaged in the rum trade who accepts a cargo of arms and ammunition for delivery to rebellious natives of Morocco. Murray is captured by the French and saved from death by Miss Dorsay, who plays the part of an entertainer in a picturesque Moroccan cafe frequented by Legionnaires, sailors, and the like. PRINCESS THEATRE. Featuring the popular star, Winnie Lightner, “Hold Everything,” this week’s principal attraction at the Princess Theatre, is a typical modern American comedy, enhanced by several spectacular scenes made doubly attractive by the brilliance of the colouring. Technicolour may not reach the perfection that producers have been seeking for so long, but it has a peculiar attractiveness which is well brought out in such films as “ Hold Everything.” The picture, however, has other claims to the attention of theatregoers, among which are the inclusion in the cast 'of such noted comedy players as Winnie Lightner, of “ Gold Diggers of Broadway” fame, and Joe E. Brown, one of the most-familiar figures of silent film days. Perhaps even more interesting is the fact that Georges Carpentier, the once-famous boxer, is included in the cast. Carpentier is one of the most interesting figures whom modern boxing, has to light, and it was not long after his retirement that he became an actor. Sally O’Neill also has an important role. There is no lull in the witty dialogue and broad comedy of the picture except when spectacular scenes are occasionally introduced. ROXY THEATRE. A thrilling picture dealing with such a thrilling subject as the wreck of a great liner is at present being shown at the Roxy Theatre. _ “ Atlantic,” which is the screen adaptation _of Ernest Raymond’s story, is a British production, having been filmed at the Elstree Studios for British Dominions Films. The picture shows the decks of an Atlantic liner, with all the life and gaiety which characterise such a place on such a voyage. But disaster looms out of the night in the shape of a mighty iceberg, and in the shortest of spaces death stares the passenS® rs i n the face. The scenes depicting the launching of the life boats with their burden of excited women and helpless children have been extremely well handled, and the story works up to an excellent climax. There is a strong supporting programme. “UNDER THE GREENWOOD TREE.” The alliance of Thomas Hardy and ‘-he best that the British talking picture studios can achieve, results, it is said, in the instance of “ Under the Greenwood Tree. This picture, released to the tune of the most enthusiastic praises, has been secured for presentation at the Roxy Theatre, and will open a season on Friday. Also on the programme are a News Gazette of the World in speech and sound, a musical novelty act, and an all-talking short comedy, “Me and the Boys.” KING EDWARD THEATRE. “Tomight at Twelve” is the title of the principal picture on the current programme at the King Edward Theatre, the leading roles being taken by Madge Bellamy, Robert Ellis, Margaret Livingstone, and Vera Reynolds. Miss Bellamy J® the sweetheart of George Lewis, and the . plot revolves about their romance. A jealous wife finds a note reading “ Tonight at twelve,” written by her husband, which she regards as an assignatien with some woman. She accuses one 01 three married women of being the person. for whom the note is intended, the situation becomes involved, and Miss Bellamy and Lewis get an insight into many matters_ that they never dreamed ot. there is a good supporting programme. 6