AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19475, 9 May 1925, Page 17

AMUSEMENTS.

OCTAGON" THEATRE. Tho Paramount Company has long had a great reputation for producing first-class nuns, and "Dangerous Money, which was released at the Octagon 'itieatre for the first time last night, maintains the high standard set by this company. Tho vivacious Bebo Daniels plays the leading role, and Tom Moore is the hero of tho story. Tho picture proves that in far too many cases money creates discontent and trouble. The heroine, who was born in poor circumstances, is loved by a young' Irishman, who is of sterling worth, but who has little of this world’s goods. However, the heroine becomes heiress to a considerable estate, and the trustees send her abroad to study. She goes to Europe, and falling in with what is usually described as “a fast set,'' she learns to smoke, drink, and waste her money. In fact, she creates such a stir that the trustees hurriedly despatch the young Irishman in an endeavour to bring the girl to her senses, but she is having what she considers is such a good time that she ignores him and ho returns home. Meanwhile she marries an impecunious Italian nobleman, who has wooed her merely for her money, and eventually it dawns on her that she has made a mistake. However, affairs take a sudden change when it is ascertained that the estate which she has inherited is revoked following the discovery of a later will, which leaves everything to the young Irishman. The discoverer of the will attempts to -blackmail her, but she pleads with the man to give tho will lo its lawful owner. In New York a fire breaks out in the heroine’s apartments, but she is saved by the young Irishman. .The husband, however, falls' from a rope and is killed, and, after jnuch tribulation the young couple are free to marry. Varied and interesting supporting films are also screened. As is customary at the Octagon Theatre, a lino musical programme is provided by the Octagon Concert Orchestra, under tho baton of Mr A. Ncate, which renders the following selections: Overture to “LTtalienno a Algar” (Rossini); first movement from the Italian Symphony (Mendelssohn) ; selection from the Musical Romance “Sometime” (Frimi); Vulse Sclebre (Moskowski); Idyll on a British Folk-song, “Country Dardens” (Percy Grainger) ; Chant D‘Avrill (Krafft-Lorlz.ing); Air do Ballet (Victor flerbert); Enfre-acte (Cabazon) ; Pizzioati, strings only (Lott or); Serenade Coquette (Barthclomy) ; and Romance (TschaikowskyJ.

EMPIRE THEATRE. “The Gaiety Girl,” which is based on li. A. R. Wylie’s novel, “The Inheritors,” is tho principal film on the now programme which was shown at the Empire Theatre for the first lime yesterday. The picture features Mary Philbin, a newcomer to the screen, who is rapidly becoming a favourite. The story tells of the last of the Tudors, who lives with his grand-daughter Irene and a solitary retainer in the old castle of Poncarreg. Tho girl is in love with Owen Tudor, tho only son of another branch of the family, who lives close to the castle of Poncarreg. Despite the fact that their homo is a castle, the Tudors are very poor, and are threatened with the foreclosure of a mortgage held by John Kershaw, a member of the new-rich fraternity. Evans, agent for Kershaw, visits tho castle to take proceedings against the carl, and while there makes advances to Irene, which are repulsed. Owen determines lo go lo Africa in an endeavour to recover the fortune lost there by his father many years ago, and Irene and her grandfather leave for tho home of friends in London, whom tho earl thinks will provide shelter. They arc sadly disappointed, however, and are soon reduced to abject poverty. Worn out by the long struggle for existence, Irene one day falls fainting, and is assisted by Pansy, a beautiful chorus girl in the Gaiety Follies. A position in (ho Follies is obtained'by Irene with the aid of her new friend, and she takes up work in the chorus. While (here she, is admired by Kit Kershaw, an idle son of a millionaire, who makes love to her. On receiving word that Owen is dead, Irene agrees to marry Kershaw in order to brighten the last days of her grandfather’s life and enable him to die in tho homo of his ancestors. A telegram arrives from Owen shortly afterwards notifying his success, but it is intercepted and destroyed hy Kit. How the. story is enabled to end on the usual note is graphically pictured in the'closing scones of the drama. Strong supporting features complete an attractive programme. The Empire Grand Orchestra, under the direction of Mr C. Parnell, renders a delightful programme, the selections comprising entr’acte, “Lo, Hear the Genlle Lark” (duet, for flute and clarinet; flautist, Mr T. Rodman; clarinetist , Mr S. Georeel: selection from “The Gaiety Girl”; “Air do Ballet” (Massenet): “Meditation Poetiquo” (Fraz.ee); “Dance of the Harpies” (Hadley); “Wonderful Garden of Dreams” (Torsi er); theme, “Somewhere a Voice is Calling” (E. Tate).

QUEEN’S THEATRE. “Tho Eagle’s Feather,” a powerful picture dealing with ranch life, had pride of place on the now programme at th» Queen’s Theatre yesterday. The story relates how Dolila Jamison (Mary Alden), a strong-willed and powerful woman, who owns the Circle R. Ranch, rules it with an iron hand. She is known us “tho best man in the country,” and men call her “tho eagle woman.” Her niece Martha (Elinor Fair), a frail, beautiful girl, is called “tho eagle’s feather.” There are only these two women on the ranch, and both arc safely guarded by tho fidelity they inspire in the workers. But on the adjoining ranch is a dangerous man, Van Browen (George Seighmann), jealous of tho eagle woman’s success and covetous of the beauty of the eagle’s feather. One clay Martha is annoyed by Van Brewon’s insulting attentions, and a stranger, John Trent (James Kirkwood), protects her. Trent has been a wanderer since the horror of his war service robbed him of ambition. Ho seeks a job as rousoabont on Circle R. Ranch, and there, under the inspiring leadership of Delila Jamison and his growing love for Martha, he finds a return of his own aggressive manhood. Consequently Trent fulls foul of Jeff' Carney, who succeeds in injuring him apparently accidentally Dolila tends him, and finds that she loves him. After further exciting incidents Trent goes to Delila to tell her of his love for Martha, but as a result of his incoherent words she thinks he is proposing to her. When she accepts him he bluntly tolls her it is Martha ho loves. Delilia is in a frenzy of humiliated rage, and she accuses him ot stealing money money from her safe and orders tho ranchmen to horsewhip him, and she drives Martha from the house. Eventually, however, she forgives them. The second feature is “Daughter* of Pleasure,” and comedies and gazettes are also screened.

EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. Richard Barlhelmess is deservedly Eopular with moving picture patrons, and is latest film, “Classmates,” will doubtless attract largo attendances to Everybody’s Theatre this week. Barthelmeas plays the role of Duncan Irving, who, on realising the limitations of tho village in which he lives, and also because of Ins love for Sylvia Randolf, enters a military academy. During camp illumination, the principal event of the West Point Camp, Sylvia and her aunt, Mrs Stafford, come 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 love again. Duncan and Sylvia lecome 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 large group of Cadets Stafford insults Duncan so unforgivably that Duncan strikes him. Bert falls to the ground and cries out that ho has been blinded. Duncan is dismissed from the acamedy. Later Duncan learns that Bert is lost in the South American jungles, and he realises that the only way for him to square himself in tho eyes ot Sylvia is to find Bert and bring him hack safely. After weeks of desperate search in the jungle Duncan finds Bert, and brings him back to civilisation. On the rescue being reported Duncan has his army commission restored to him, and the story ends with his marriage with Sylvia at West Point. A happy vein of humour runs through “The Super Sex. the second feature, and topical? and comedies are also screened.