AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21431, 4 September 1931, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS

OCTAGON THEATRE 1 “The Santa Fe Trail,” story of New Mexico in the bad old days when a man’s safety depended on hie stout-heartedness and his quickness to act in an emergency, forms the principal attraction on the new progi’amrtie which will be commenced at the Octagon Theatre to-day. The leading role is taken by Richard Arlen, the principal supporting players are Mitzi Green and Eugene Pallette, the latter supplying a broad vein of comedy throughout the production. The story deals with the trek along the Santa Fe trail by Stan Hollister and his huge flock of sheep after he has been driven from the open range by the cattlemen. With “ Doc ’ Brady and “ Old Timer,” an 11-year-old orphan, Hollister is seeking new pastures. Indians tell him of Juan Castinado’s rich ranch, and agree to work as herders if Hollister can arrange to run the flock on Castinado’s land. Leaving the sheep with the Indians, Hollister, Brady, and “ Old Timer ” ride to Castinado’e rancho. A fiesta is in progress, and they are incited to attend. Hollister falls in love tvith Maria, and arrangements are completed with Castinado to pasture the sheep. Fearing that Castinado frill profit from sheep raising sufficiently to pay off his debts and void the valuable mortgages, Coulard, a rogue who is trusted by Castinado, threatens Hollister, warning him away from the ranch. Hollister and Brady defy him, and get the better of a skirmish in which guns play a part. Next day, Hollister sends “ Old Timer and Emily, Castinado’s ward, to the Indian camp with instructions for the Indians to bring the sheep to the ranch. On the way, the two youngster see Goulard murder the Indian chief. They follow Coulard to the camp, and lie concealed while Coulard accuses Hollister of the murder, and incites the red men into such a fury that they go on the war path. The story then sweeps on to an exciting climax. The second featured film on the programme is “No Limit,” with Clara Bow in the leading role, the story telling the adventures of an ambitious little usherette in a big picture palace in New York. The box plans are at the theatre and the Bristol. .PRINCESS THEATRE Hailed as “the ansfrer to the public’s cry for ‘ a different picture,’ ” and described by the critic of the Wellington Dominion as a film that patrons would be foolish to miss, “ Doctors’ Wives ” will be commenced at the Princess Theatre this afternoon, It is said to be a long time since so much discussion has been caused as that which this remarkable drama of the domestic affairs of a brilliant surgeon and his jealous wife, hag created. “Doctors’ Wives ” is a departure from the usual screen fare and both from the point of view of subject and that of treatment the production opens Up unique avenues of entertainment. The story delves into the private life of doctors and their Wives, and the result is an entertaining and novel picture. The story revolves around the marriage of a successful New York surgeon to an assistant in his research laboratory. After six months of marital happiness conflict enters the drama in the form of doubts and suspicions in the bride’s heart, which are corroborated m her mind when she inadvertently discovers what she thinks i& an affair between her husband and-one of his patiente. Without explanation to her husband, sno leaves her home and goes to that of Dr Kane Ruyter, her lifelong friend. She, however, tires of this, and takes up nursing undfit an assihfied name. Her life in the iie« sphere transforms her husband, his work, and his strength, and the drama moves thehco to a fitting climax. -Warner Baxter, who plays the role of Dr Jude Denning, the surgeon, has added another distinguished success to his already, long, list, lit portrays, his part with potential appeal to the audience. His subject is versatile, and. he‘brings all his art into play. Joan Bennett, who plays opposite him, is especially appealing, both as the idealistic young bride and then as the emotional wife who runs the gamut of experiemes before she comes to the realisation that her husband’s sacrifices are greater than personal .. -relations between Mian and wife could ever he. Helene Millard heads n supporting cast, which includes Paul Porcnsi. Nancy Gardner, John St. Polls, and Cecelia Loftus. There is a strong supporting programme. The box plans are at the Bristol and at Hall s fruit shop. i ’ REGENT THEATRE Nancy Carroll and Charles Rogers are again united on the screen in Paramount s “Follow Through,” which will commence its season at the Regent Theatre to-day. Supporting the stars is Zelma ONeil and Jack Haley. Together this quartet prove a delightful foursome, mixing love and golf in a manner, whicj} is said to be a joy to behold. * Tile story tells how Lora Moore, runner-up for the women s golf title of the Mission Country Club, loses to Ruth Van Horn. But Lora has a new interest in- life, for she has fallen id love with' Jerry Downs, a handsome professional instructor to Jack Martin, a violently girl-shy young millionaire. Downs arouses Ruth’s jealousy by Offering to coach Lora’s game, but the attentions of Lora’s friend, Angie Howard, to the shy Jack Martin causes that modest millionaire to cut short his stay at the club. He will take Downs with him if he leaves. Angie, however, with a mysterious love perfume, vamps Martin into a promise not to leave, and, finding his rlhg, refuses to give it back. Meantime, Ruth is furious as she watches the budding romance, and to Separate Downs and Lora, she invites Downs to spend a.month at her Pebble Beach house. However, it is through Martin that Ruth finally brings Downs to the shore, mansion. When Lora hears that Downs is going to Ruth’s house, she believes that he does not love her. At a masquerade party she loses her head, and, taunted by Ruth, challenges her rival to a return golf match the next clay. Ruth widens the breach between Downs and Lora by telling each that the other is interested in nothing hut golf. Lora, with a slight lead in the golf match, is upset by this information, but the two contestants reach the last green even. Responding to Angie’s urging. Downs takes the place of Lora’s caddy, and with Downs backing her up, Lorn makes a long putt and witis the Watch. Downs and Lora make Ruth’s defeat even more emphatic by straightening out their misunderstanding, and with Angie and Martin, they .plan a double wedding. The. box plans are at the theatre and the Bristol.

STRAND THEATRE “The laughter hit of the season,” as “ Little Accident ” has been termed, will be commenced this afternoon at the Strand Theatre, with ohe of the most brilliant casts of comedy players ever assembled for one picture. Douglas Fairbanks, jun.. Slim Summerville, Zasu Fitts, Anita Page. Joan Marsh, Sally Blarle, Roscoe Karns, Albert Gran, Henry Armetta, Dot Farley, and a hos.t of other popular artists take part in the screamingly funny story that has been a huge success wherever it has been screened, and which was specially secured for the Strand Theatre after considerable negotiation with Universal Films. When, right on the eve of his Wedding a young man learns that he has just become a father it is not hard to imagine what hilarious consequences may follow. That is the situation in this sparkling comedy-drama. “ Little Accident is replete with laughs from start to finish. The plight of the hero, with a three-weeks-old baby on his bands and entanglements with three prospective wives in the offing, furnishes the motif for what is described as the funniest farce of the season. “ Little Accident ” was directed by William James Craft, who has produced many of the screen’s most popular comedies. The picture is based on the sensationally successful stage play of the same name, written by Thomas Mitchell and Floyd Dell. “ Little Accident ” is of the type of play admirably adapted to the talking screen. Its hilarious complications and crisp and amusing dialogue blend ideally in a production that should set a new mark for film comedy A Graham M'Namee talking newsreel and a comedy. “ Rolling Along,” starring Charlie Murray and George Sidney, will be included among the supporting features. The box plans are at the Bristol,