AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15478, 4 January 1916, Page 10

AMUSEMENTS.

MURIEL STARR'S FAREWELL SEASON.

The J. C. Williamson, management are presenting, on Monday night next, a strong attraction at the Theatre Royal. In addition to the treat Miss Starr's presence affords, "Bought and Paid For " will introduce Mr Charles A. Mill ward.. and Miss Dorothy Davies, both of whom were associated with the Sydney and Melbourne accesses, and were seen in leading roles sustained by each in the original New York production. The second production of the season, on Saturday, January 15th, will be a new American comedy, entitled "Nobody's Widow.'' The final prodiirtion, "Under Cover," is said to bo an cxciiing story, well told. The box plans for the five performances of "Bought and Paid For" will be opened at Milner and Thnmrx=on's next Friday morning at 9 o'clock. THEATRE ROYAL. The Theatre Royal was again filled in all parts last night, when the very fine picture-stuuy ot the British Navy was repeated, iiomo most impressive views were shown of the big fleets of the. Empire, and the wholo picture proved highly interesting. "Our British Navy'' will be shown again to-night, ;ind also to-morrow night, in conjunction with "Hearts in Exile." On Thursday, the last night of the season, ''The Lights of London,"' a pictorial representation of G. R. Siros's famous drama, will be revived, and will be accompanied by a final screening of "Our British Navy." QUEEN'S THEATRE. Crowded houses at all sessions yesterday greeted the new programmo at the\ Queen's Theatre. "When ThicTcs Fall Out" (Kalem), a two-reel drama dealing with "The Mysteries of the Grand Hotel," is the principal picture. Tho cast includes Frank Jonasson, Pauley Hurst, Marion Sais, and True Boardman. The valuable exhibit of tho jewellers' convention is in tho strongroom of the Grand Hotel. Inside a_massive trunk ■ the head _of the thieves' gang is .also placed in the strongroom of the hotel, and immediately begins operations on the valuables. Tho plot is very cunningly worked out, and the stage settings and acting are very good throughout. "For Love of Mary Eilen" (Majestic), is a pretty comeuydrama featuring two good children actors. George Stone and Carmen de Rue, anrl was a great favourite with the audiences. "Au Rcvoir —the Departure of the Bth Reinforcements," is about the best of this cla§s of films which has been shown here, the route-march through Wellington, the embarking there, and the crowds in Cranmcr square, Christchurch, being all very clearly shown. "Queenie of the Nile" (Lubin) is a good, clean comedy, in which Billie Reeves and Mae Hotely take the principal parts. It deals witn a burlesque of the times of Antony and Cleopatra; tho latest number of tho "Topical Budget" completed a good, all-round programme. The samo pictures will be shown at all sessions today. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

"Rupert of Hcntz'au," being the sequel to "i'Jic Prisoner of Zenaa," wnich proved such a popular attraction at His Majesty's Theatre last week,- was screened for the first time yesterday. Like the first picture-story, the sequel is a most elaborate production in every way, and tho stirring movement of the plot is splendidly carried through by those eminent artists, Henry Ainley,, Gerald Ames, Charles Rock, arid Jane Gail. The story in tho sequel deals with a serious, complication arising, by the intercepting of a letter sent by Queen Flavia to Rudolf Rassendj-.il. Tho letter was really perfectly harmless, but an attempt was made to bring it under the notice of the King, already foolishly, jealous of the man who stood him in such good stead at tho time of the coronation, in order that the plans,of a faction hostile to the Queen might b.V advanced. In the course of a complicated medley of exciting incidents •the real king is murdered by his cousin, and his body is afterwards burrit.beyond recognition in a fire which destroyed thi? hunting lodge.' The problem then is'how to adjust the position without compromising the Queen, and it appears 15 be one of insurmountable difficulty. Fate, however, intervenes, for Rudolf Rassendyll, who has been at hand while most of the action was in progress, and who was taken for the king, is shot dead by a traitor, and is buried with pomp and ceremony as the late ruler of the State. The picture was produced on a lavish scale, and was altogether a noteworthy film. Other films were "The Story of a Glove," a good', Yitagraph comedy, the latest "Pathc Gazette," containing many interesting war pictures. and a coloured scenic, study of d Dutch town. The programme will be repeated this evening. .

.GRAND' THEATRE. • Crowded houses at. yesterday's sessions of the Grand Theatre witnessed the initial of "High Treason." a military drama of high quality by the Universal Company. Tho picture is splendidly produced, the staging being particularly gbod. Manv of tho interiors are /elaborate in structure and appointments, 'while there are many beautiful exteriors, all in perfect harmony. with tho requirements of the story.. The acting of the principals' is strong throughout, particularly that of William Welsh, who intornrets the par s t of General Bleriofc. Tlie story is cleverly conceived, and readily adapts itself to photo-dramatic use, while the plot is sliown in such a way as to command' hearty interest from the commencement. ' A young officer of tho French Army loses a considerable sum of money gambling, and in order to cover up his debts due to a soy, he steals important documents from his father, who is a General in tho Army. Ho is wounded in the arm while 'carrying out. the theft. Skilfully casting suspicion upon • a bFotlior-officer. he evades the_ consequences of > his treachery untilhis conscience rebels. He has to pay tho penalty. His mother, broken-hearted, pleads with Iter husband to save their son. but it cannot bo done, although the mother believes tho execution to be a mock ceremony. Another interesting set of "Salisbury's Wild Life of America" was . show 9, which included some, very fine studies of bears and mountain lions, one showing the capture of a lion and its transport to the zoo. Other pictures wore a good number of the ''Eclair Journal" and a comedy, "The Pipe Dream." The same pictures will be shown again to-day and to-night. GLOBE PICTURES. The enthralling picture serial, "'Tho Million Dollar -Mystery," continues «> attract large attendances of patrons ao the Globe Theatre, as each episode develops. The new episode screened yesterday was entitled '"The Borrowed Hydroplane," and contained as its star feature a thrilling aeroplane flight. Through the perseverance of Norton, the reporter, a hydroplane takes an active part in the rcscue of Florence Hargreaves from the hands of the "Black Hand" gang, who succeed in entrapping the girl and then take, her out to sea in a swift motor-boat, while two of the gang overhaul her house in search of tlie million dollars. The butler, Jones, uses great strategy, and stands at bay in a fight to the finish, in which the ever-resourceful Norton and the-police oome on the scene, and the ."Black Hundred" again faces defeat. Supporting films included:. "Their First Quarrel," an entertaining Vitagraph 00medy; "In Spite of Him," a Lubin drama; and "Love, Speed, and Thrills," a Keystone comedy featuring Chester Colkin. The same programme will bo presented to-day.

in film form for the first time at Everybody's Theatre yesterday. and Tras witnessed by crowded houses at nil sessions. The story concerns a clover doctor, who at the same time was a powerful hypnotist, and he succeedcd in saving a young girl's life by p. skilful operation on the brain. On recovery, the patient at times seemed possessed of queer fancies, and sho would behave in a mysterious manner, althouch prior to "the operation she was usually of a sunny, happy nature. Subsequently the doctor claimed tho girl as his wife, to which her father objected. The latter was murdered, and a knifo was discovered in the girl's dressing-case. Subsequent enquiries showed that tbe doctor had the power of directing the girl's actions from a distance, and many thrilling incidents follow, during the course of which the acting of the principals is exceptionally good. Tho playscenes are 0f... great beaut v. Several other good pictures were shown, and the whole programme Was heartilv enjoyed. Tho simc films will be screened to-d3y. SYDENHAM PICTURES. Large audiences were present at both matinee and evening performances lass niglit in the Sydenham Theatre. Tho loading picture was that of ''Rupert of Hentzau," a sequel to tho "Prisoner of Zenda," both stories from, the pen of Anthony Hope, The present film depicts the scene throe years.after Rudolf Rassendyll crushed Black Michael and held the throne of Ruritania fo r the helpless prisoner of Zenda. and King Rudolf tho Fifth forgets that he owes both his life and crown 'to the Englishman. Rudoif the Fifth is full of jealous suspicions of his queen, the beautiful Flavia, who sends a letter of farewell to Rassendyll which falls into the hands of Bauer, a spy of Rupert of Hentzau, who uses it as a loyc r for •obtaining a pardon from tho King for his share in the Black 'Michael conspiracy. When Rassendyll hears of the stolen letter, ho goes again to Zenda and Kinu Rupert of Hentzau, and his own death follows, as ho is shot by mistake for the King. The subsequent climaxes are full of throbbing interest and detail. Other good pictures arc also included.