THE PICTURE HOUSES.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 13641, 23 March 1915, Page 5

THE PICTURE HOUSES.

The introduction of the supernatural element into pictures possesses a fascination Svhich seems irreaitible, and tho screening of the mystery drama, "The Devil's .Signature," at the World's Pictures drew large attendances at aU sessions yesterday. The pictureis an adaptation from '''The Great Hilltop MvsI'cry,'' lrom the Mtmsey magazine. The producer has secured a film representation that shows the story m a vivid light. Ethel Vivandier and her friend, Marie Le Favre, arrive home m company with papa Vivandier. Finding Ethel caressing '»< photograph of Douglas Hamilton, father disapproves, thinking the young man is only a sweetheart, but Ethel and Douglas had befln secretly married twelve months previously. A letter arrives for Kthelfrom her husband, who, deploring their forced separation, states that death would be preferable to both if they cannot live m their proper state. He, also notifies her of an intended visit at midnight on the same evening. Whilst waiting for her husband's signal, Ethel is alarmed by strange noises, and is % informed that her room has the reputation of being haunted. Marie Le Favre, being a strongminded girl, offers to exchange rooms. Ethel thankfully consents, and both retire for the night. Further noises of a strange character alarm Ethel, and seeking her father's assistance, it is discovered that Marie has" met with a mysterious death')- the only clue being an impress of a cloven hoof on the carpet. Around this clue a celebrated detective and a newspaper man endeavor to work. The detective believes Douglas to be guilty : the newspaper man has another theory. Their adventures j m unravelling the niystery is of a sen- , national kind. "Maud and the Bachelors" shows Mdlle. Mestinguet, the j noted French comedienne, m one of her ' favorite roles, and her impersonation of an old sport to entrap her flighty husband is really clever, as" well' as, humorous. The War Budget, as usual, contains a great deal of matter of interest regarding the doings of the Allies. "Womatrs Folly" is one of those pathetic draniavs of "home life."' A splendid . musical programme wag rendered by the orchestra, to 'which several new'■instrumentalists' have been added. Cluirles Chaplin, ''the- -Very funny man," and Mabel Norma ml. "the great girl," at the head of the full strengthof the Keystone Company*, Caused the walls of His Majesty!s Theatre to resound with laughter* last night m the brilliant 2000 ft comedy, "Caught m a Cabaret." Chaplin is simply great as a sixth-rate waiter, who passes ■ himself off a s the Prime Minister of Iceland. It is ti rough-and-tumble, helter-skelter productiop,sO full of /absurdly funny situations that the laughter is kept goinc aU the time, and many t'O'nside'r it the Keystone masterpiece to date — and that is saying vi. great deal. The clever screen plays, "Coward's' .Sacrifice" and *' Every Man has Ids Price," again earned' the goodwill -of the well-filled house. The former describes how a young physician shows the white feather when put to a severe test, but : later on. -nobly reclaims himself; while the latter shows how an arrogant New Yorker discovers that wealth is . not. all-powerful out amongst the rugged and independent inhabitants of tho Far West. "Wild Birds ,of Scotland" is a beautiful lesson m., natural history, which incidentally reveals some of the magnificent scenery of . the ' '.Land of -Browh Health and 'Shaggy Wood," >, Much interesting war news is contained, m the "Patlie War Budget." and this- is supplemented hy a series of topical cartoons by an eminent artist, which shows ; the Kaiser m a very had. way.; "Hesanut Hunts Wild .Game" -is a clever and highly 'amusing trick film, which shows the hero doing •"mighty deeds of derring-do amongst lions, tigers and cannibal**-. Tho audience aro sent home m the best of humors by • the clever fooling of John Bunny and Flora Finch m "The Old Maid's Baby," which, of course, concerns.* a .poodle dog* of: which -Bunny is furiously 'jealous. This well varied and highly diverting collection of high class plioto plays will make its farewell appearance to-night-. ••_