AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19474, 8 May 1925, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS.

OCTAGON THEATRE. A Paramount picture entitled “Dangerous Money,” will bo screened for the first time at the Octagon Theatre to-night Bebe Daniels and Tom Moore, artists who need no introduction, take the leading roles. Tire picture furnishes a fine object lesson namely, the fact that money, in far too many cases, creates unrest and discontent, The heroine, born in poor circumstances, is loved by a young Irishman, who is of the impecunious kind. Shortly after the story opens, she falls heiress to considerable money. The trustees of the estate send her abroad to study. She is subsequently taken to Europe, where, mixing with the wealth and beauty . around an Italian watering place, she learns to drink, smoke, and spend money freely. Her doings are learned by the trustees, who send the young Irishman abroad in an endeavour to bring the girl to her senses, but she is too immersed in gaiety to take any notice of him. so ho returns homo. In the meantime, she marries a penniless Italian nobleman, who has wooed her for her money. Eventually, of course, she finds she has made a mistake. The story takes a sudden change of interest when it is learned that the estate which aho lias inherited is revoked by a new' will which leaves everything to the hero. The discoverer of tho will attempts to blackmail the woman. She, however, pleads with (fie fellow' to give the will to its lawful owner. The scene changes to New York, whore a lire- breaks out in the heroine's apartment. She is saved by the young Irishman, but the husband, in attempting to descend by a rope, is killed, after which tho lovers are on the way to bo married. Although tho part of the heroine is somewhat unsympathetic. Miss Daniels makes it very likeable. Tom Moore, as usual, gives hn excellent characterisation. Specially selected music will be rendered by tho Octagon Orchestra under Mr Arthur Neato. Tho overture will be “LTtalionno a Alger” (Rossini). EMPIRE THEATRE. “The Gaiety Girl,” which will commence at the Empire Theatre to-day features Mary Philbin. an artist of exceptional charm and ability. In tho old castle of Pencarreg (tho story runs) lives the, last of tho noble Tudors, with hi.s granddaughter, Irene, and an old retainer. Nearby lives young Owen Tudor, the old child of another branch of tho family, who loves Irene. The girls is Accosted one day by Evans, agent for tho now-rich John Kershaw, who seeks to buy the 'Tudor Castle through foreclosure proceedings. Irene rejects Evans’s clumsy advances, and goes home to find tho old Earl despondent over their poverty. Evans now comes to the castle to take possession, but lie is driven out by the Earl. Tho Earl’s stubbornness does not avail him with Kershaw, and Irene and her grandfather are forced to leave. At this time, Owen and Irene say bood-bye, for Owen must go to Africa to win back a fortune lost there by his dead father. The boy swears lie will return and Imy back tho castle. Convinced that friends in London will assist him, the old Earl insists on a journey thither, but tho friends provide no assistance. Poverty forces Irene to starve herself for her grandfather. She is picked up on the doorstep, fainting, by one Pansy, a beautiful chon is girl, who presently obtains her a place in the new Gaiety Follies. Kit Kershaw, dissolute son of tho millionaire, sees her and jersists in making love. Word conics to lier that Owen had boon killed, and she agrees to marry Kit so that her grandfather may live out his years where ho was born. Shortly thereafter a wire from Owen telling of Ids good fortune, is intercepted by Kit, who destroys it. The conclusion is a dramatic one. There is a strong list of supports, and tho Empire Orchestra will contribute a programme of music arranged by Mr Charles Parnell. QUEEN’S THEATRE. Tho principal picture on the new programme at the Queen’s Theatre is “ Tho Eagle’s Feather.” It is a Metro picture tolling how Dolila Jamison (Mary Alden), a strong-willed and powerful woman, owns Circle R. Ranch, and rules it with an iron hand. She is known as “the best man in tho country,” and men call her “the eagle woman.” Her niece Martha (Elinor Fair), a frail, beautiful girl, is called “tho eagle’s feather.” There are only those two women on tho ranch; both safely guarded by the fidelity they- inspire in the workers. Rut on tho adjoining ranch is a dangerous man, Van Brewen (George Seigmann), jealous ol tho eagle woman’s success and covetous of the beauty of tho eagle’s font her. One day, when'getting the mail, Martha is annoyed by Van Brewcn’s insulting attentions, and a stranger, John Trent (James Kirkwood), protects her. Trent has lieon a wanderer since tho horror of his war service robbed him of ambition, lie seeks a job os rousoabout on Circle R. Ranch, and there, under tho inspiring leadership of Dolila Jamison and his growing love for Martha, ho finds a return of his own aggressive manhood. Jeff Carney (Lester Cnneo), one of the ranchmen, is jealous of 'Trent’s advance as foreman of tho ranch, and “accidentally” has his horse kick Trent in tho head. As Trent lies wounded Delila, in attending him, finds that she loves him. Her lovo increases when driving the cattle on a hundred mile trip to tho market, there is a terrible stampede, and Trent rescues her from the onrushing animals, after she has been thrown from her horse. On their return Trent goes to Delila to toll her of hi.s lovo for Martha, but he bungles his words, and she thinks ho is proposing to her. When she accepts him ho bluntly tells her it is Martha ho loves. Dolila is in a frenzy of humiliated rage. She accuses Trent of stealing money from her safe and orders the ranchmen to horsewhip him and'drives Martha from tho house. Eventually, however, she forgives them. Tho second feature is “Daughters of Pleasure.” EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. “Classmates,” which is the principal picture at Everybody’s 'Theatre, features Richard Barthclincss. It tells how Duncan Irving, realising the limitations of the village in which he lives and also tho social distinction between himself and Sylvia Randolf, whom ho loves, enters a Military Academy. Then comes camp illumination, Ihe big event of the West Point summer camp. Sylvia and her aunt, Mrs. Stafford, conic to the Academy for the event, and Bert Stafford (also in love with Sylvia) finds himself entirely cut out by Duncan, with whom Sylvia has fallen in lovo again. Duncan and Sylvia becomi engaged and Sylvia makes Duncan promise to look out for Stafford and' be patient with him. On returning to camp after the dance Duncan is confronted by Stafford, who is beyond control with jealousy. Before a largo group of cadets Stafford insults Duncan so unforgivably that Duncan strikes him. Bert falls to tho ground and cries out that he has been blinded. Duncan is dismissed from tho Academy. In New York Duncan learns that Bert is lost in the South American jungles. He realists that the onfy way for him to square himself in the eyes of Sylvia is to find Bert and bring hm back safely. Ho starts out for South America. Bobby Dumblo and “Silent” Clay obtain leave from West Point and join Him. They plunge into the heart of the'jungle. After weeks of hardship and struggle they find Bert, and, after a superhuman effort, they manage to gef, back to civilisation anf. safety When the rescue is reported Duncan has his army commission restored to him and the story ends with the wedding of Sylvia and Duncan at West Point. A happy vein of humour runs through “The Super Sex.” which is also shown. It features Robert Gordon and Charlotte Pierce.