AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15269, 4 May 1915, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

GRA_vD THEATRE.

There were crowded attendances at 1 tho Grand Theatre yesterday, when an excellent programme was shown. The premier attraction wa s the Celio drama "Woman," which, is a good example of high-class cinematography. _Rom first to last tno produciion was meritoriousj the photography being of that clear type associated with tho best Italian films, while the acting was good. Tho staging, however, wa s the most remarkable feature, the many ballroom s cenes, views of large theatream! their thronging audiences, the Casino at Monte Carlo, with the hundreds of gamblers, being excellently shown. The story is a pathetic one, wherein a princess is separated from her husband through a misunderstanding, and the child is mistakenly given, into the custody of the husband. After many trials and tribulations husband and wife and daughter are re-united. The fourth instalment of the trans-At-lantic serial, entitled "Dead Reckoning,'' was also an attraction for the many followers of this story, and was its exciting as its pre.lece*-*"ors. The plot of this series i s laid on the sea. and ono remarkable scene shows a larce liner running into a schooner. The rescue of the *-chooner'.-- crow and pas•.onfrors nroviVln*. plenty of excitement. The "Er.'lair .Tourral" shows some very rood views of the Ecryntian troops, including Lancers, CainM Corns, etc., a very fine view of the Fie l C*.nal. with the German warships bo+tled up, and the launching of a DOOO-ton liner at Greenock. ficotlar>d. A humorous r>icturo called "The Rn:i«a*ro-ma'ker's T>ream," caused a cron-l deal of merriment. During the after-oon sessions sncc'al film*-- w-pve <-bo*.vn. Th" camo pronrrmmo will be shown to-day and tonight.

HIS MAJESTY'S' THFATPE

A large gathering of spectators asjsemblod at His Majesty's' Theatre last ._•■_- j*- 1 *> witness the screening of tho •p -if -■ -gramme. Tiie programme contained a good variety of pictures and all wero thoroughly "enjoyed. A film that possessed a special interest was one treating of tho'New Zealanders in camp in Egypt. This was a remarkably good study and showed up clearly the New Zealanders and tlio men of many of the companies. Its presentation was greeted with hearty applause. "Australia's Sons" was another first class patriotic film with a strong local interest. Views wero shown of the Australian Expeditionary Forces in training in readiness for their departure to the.scene of conflict. Another notable film was the Patho War Gazette, which contained a number of tho latest views of the -operations in France and elsewhero. Altogether the war element held a dominant position on the programme. Some good supporting pictures were also shown. "His Son's Accuser" was a powerful drama based on the workings of heredity in the way of a son following his father's footsteps by collapsing under a mad infatuation. "Helen Intervenes" was a sentimental child study in which an infant causes a fiat discharging a shop girl from her employment to be recalled. The programme closed with a most laughablo Keystone comedy "Hogan The orchestra played some enjoyable music throughout the everting, the overture being- selections from "The j Gondoliers." To-night the same pictures will bo shown.

OPERA HOUSE

Tho new programme at the Opera House last night attracted a very good audience. The entertainment, however, was-like the curate's egg, good in parts. Mr Phil, Percival, ,who delighted- last week's audiences ■ with hi 3 comedy at the piano,, was easily the leading performer last night. He gave a new turn differing in detail but not in method from what he presented the provious week, and the turn possessed all tho fun and freshness of his first effort. He followed uo with a burlesque drama. which was splendidly done. ' There was a happy-go-lucky direction about the whole affair which invested it with a peculiar charm. Frank, Lank, and Alice, two men and a girl, comedy jugglers, who were on last week, appeared again, and repeated their previous performarree. It is so well done, however, as to bo quite worth a second week's run. . Miss Ella, Air-lie, a "chic little comedienne,'' also brought forward from the previous week, sang with a full measure of '"chickiness" "Woman, you're-a travelling Menagerie,'' "Bottle Oh,"-and another well-known number. Vaude and Verne,- new artists, gave samples of their home-made "patter." Some of the local allusions, however, were out of plumb. Carl Merlyn, a mock magician, performed some elementary tricks to show accidentally as it were how they were done. The dismal way in which ho worked produced loud laughter. Mr Max. Martin, now in his last week, worked up io his programme billing; as "an eccentric dancing and singing ■comedian-,*" and Messrs Courtenay and. Shaw essayed, according to programme, a first appearance One might have suspected that without the printed direction. Two pictures were* shown, a Keystone comedy and another comedy featuring Mr W. S. Percy. The same bill will be given to-night.

QUEEN'S THEATRE.

Although, not billed as the "star" picturo in the new programme at the Qiieen's Theatre, 'The Review of the Main Expeditionary Force in "Egypt," in the presence of Goneral Birdwood, General Godley, and the Hon. Thomas Mackenzie, excites the most interest-at the present time, a_ the film was taken just before "our boys" met the Turks in their first engagement in defence of the Canal. The picture gives us a good idea of the wonders worked by a few months' solid training in earnest under war conditions. "Three Bags of Silver," the sixth series of th e "Adventures of Kathlyn," is quite as exciting as any of the series that have been shown". The sacred white elephant, lions, tigers, and fierce bandits of the hills all add realism to the various scenes. Some lightning sketches, called "Studdy's War- Studies," are cleverly executed. "The Archaeologist" ia-a bright clean comedy, and is photographed amidst beautiful surroundings. A short film showing the' Motor Boat Race at Auckland between the FIO2--wing and the Disturber, is screened, while the latest Topical Budget completes a good all-round programme. The same pictures *yill be shown at all sessions to-day and to-night.

GLOBE PICTURES

I The new program'mo at 1 tho Globe Picture Theatro yesterday was attended tby a good number of interested spec- ! tators at all sessions. The principal film ;\va s a drama entitled "The Living ■ Dead," which had to do with a runlaway couple who are pursued by a 'relative and a detective. The merits of the position aro altogether on the 'side of the "runaways and sympathy on i thoir behalf is keenly excited. The two are discovered on board a river 'steamer making for New York, but I tlio girl, by a clever ruse, enables her lover to jump overboard and swim for tho shore. She believes him drowned but is transfixed with joy later on when siie beholds him alive and welt, '■"-•'raid Cat" was another good film containing a child story served up with much pathes and sentiment. The latest Australian Gazette showed pictures of a motor smash in 'Centennial Park, Japanese exercises, and war dances tho Royal Agricultural Show at Sydney, jumping in the Hunters' Plate, Scotch Artillery winning the Sydney Cup at the A.J.C. Autumn Meeting, and a series of topical cartoons by Harry Julius. The programme will bo repeated a- iha usual hours to-day.

1 . EVERYBODY'S. '"■' J

"The Mystery of the Diamond Belt" was the big film in the new programme at Everybody's Theatre yesterday. It was a most "thrilling production* right through, and the story was splendidly worked up for the camera. The daughter of a most eminent "crook!" secures under her father's direction a position a.s typiste with a firm of diamond merchants. She promptly becomes enpaged to the son of the senior partner, but still under her father's influence she : reveals details of a big transaction, j namely, tho purchase by the firm of a ; £10,000 diamond belt. The girl's father and his supporting party of criminals set out to capture the belt which they eventually do, actually having to ' rob the young man. the girl's lover, of . tho precious trinket. Then follows a great to-do to recover the stolen property, and there is an exciting war of _ wits between the detective in charge of _ the case and the aforesaid eminent j I "crook" before the firm" deno'iPT"«.it is j reached. •'With a Skirmishing Party in Flanders" contained a number of , very interesting war films which showed : British outposts engaging the retreat- i ing enemy, a fight for a bridge, capture • of German stracriers, house to house fishting in a village, and the German forces in full retreat, leaving their transports to be captured by fhe British. .Several other good films made up a first-class programme which will bo repeated to-day.

SYDEXHAM PICTFRFS.

Thp now rtronramme _cre?ned at the Sydenham Theatre attracted an apprecintir c aiiclience last evening. Th. f oat lire rieturc was a Patho piece, 4000 feet long, entitled "His Son's Accuser," a romance bearinc* on llir. fateful influence of heredity. tSiipDOi'tinE* pictures w.-?re.: —"Latest "War Gazette (Pathe to-vcal), "Helen Intervenes" (a snlendid drama and child study), "Australia's Sons." and the Keystone corned v "Ho.«ian's Annual Spr-.e." featuring* Charles Murrny. Tho programme will be repented to-night.

OLYMPIA RINK

Tho sport of roller skating has properly set in for the winter, and there wero further largo crowds of enthusiasts on the floor at' all sessions yesterday. The usual sessions will bo observed to-day and music will be played both afternoon and evening.

ORCHESTRAL CONCERT

At tho Theatre Royal to-morrow evening tho Christchurch Orchestral Society will give tho first subscription concert of its 191-5 season. The programme will consist of vocal, orchestral, and instrumental items. The vocalist will be Mrs E. J. Le Cren, of Timaru. who will -sing "The Enchantress" (Hatton), ""Woman and tho Horse," and "Sing, Break into Song" (Mallinson). Miss Lillian Harper wilt play, with Mr W. Handel Thorley, "Grand Duo," for two pianos (Moscheles). The orchestra will play Grand Symphony No. 8 (Beethoven), "Kama•rinskaja" (Glinka), Prelude to 'TLohengrin" (Wagner), and "March of tho Prophets" (Meyerbeer). The box plan is now open at The Bristol. The committee has made arrangements for intending subscribers to procure their tickets and reserve their seats at The Bristol. The final rehearsal will be held in the Theatro Royal thi s evening at half-past seven.

PLIMMER-HALL COMEDY COMPANY.

Th c box plan for the Plimmer-Hall Patriotic Season opens this morning, at The Bristol Piano Company. The company will make its first'appearance on Saturday next, at ths Theatro Royal. The opening production will be Isaac Henderson's play, "The Mummy and the Humming Bird." The plot'is said to bo an interesting one, and the dialogue bright and clever. Messrs Plimmef.and Hall have, brought together a specially-selected cast for tjie opening production, including Mies Beatrice Day, whoso capabilities are 60 well known to New Zealand playgoers. As already announced, the management are giving tho whole of the r**-turns for the ten weeks'.tour of New Zealand to the Belgium Relief Fund.