ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 512, 20 May 1909, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THE EOTAL PICTURES. , • "Full up }| no Joom," was tho news awaiting expectant picture-lovers who ventured near His Majesty's Theatre a little before eight o'clock last night. The Royal Pictures .have established themselves 60 well in the eyce of those who enjoy a good picture show that unless one comes in* good time, it is impossible to secure seating accommodation. The films are well worth the attention bestowed on them by the public, and the new programme shown last night was in every • way equal to the high standard, set by.- the syndicate, .and- the audience were unstinted in their applause..-- The first picture shown was entitled, "A Special License/' a story of jealousy, where a'lover, on a forlorn hope, disguises himself as a lady's betrothed , and her to the altar in a motor-car, having meanwhile 'taken precautions to forcibly prevent the injured one from with his plans, but just as tho .ceromony is proceeding the real lover makes his entrance and takes the place of the other.' The film that excited the greatest interest and admiration # was called "The ■ Gamekeeper's Son. • It illustrated tho home-coming of the son ana his -warm welcome, but it is soon found that all was not to run smoothly. A young brother commits 6ome poaching, but is un--5t -l gamekeeper's son is in love with the daughter of the owner of the game preout at night to court her. His father and hers are also out in search of poachers, and they .track tho keeper's .son, who is wounded by the gun of the owner. He manages to return to the homestead, where he is confronted by his father and the .owner, but ho is saved by the confession of his young brother, : who is aware of the love affair. Mutual explanation' follows, and a picture of extreme pathos closes satisfactorily. Additional attraction js lent to this week's performance by. beautiful colour effects in several of the films,, showing exquisitely pretty landscapes and sea views. The industrial element was not lacking, as was evidenced in tho films entitled, "Maple Sugar Making," and. "Industrial India." The sensational detective series was continued by a picture, "Nick 1 Carter in Banger," which was watched with great interest from start, to finish. It is the story of tho abduction of a maid, and the famous detective's endeavours to'release her. He falls into ? fc F a P>, is placed in a coffin and partly buried, but manages t6 escape just in time. The humorous aspect was not overlooked, such pictures as "William' 6 Suicide," "Back, Back" "The Carpet/' . "A Cheap Entertainment, etc., giving it full prominence. Among tho other, films run off were: "The Poor Littlo Kiddiee/'J'Henry in," "Bound for Constantinople, The Honour of the Slums," and "How the Kiddies got Even,", 'There will be the usual matinee on Saturday afternoon. THEATRE BOYAL. There can bo no two .opinions concerning the programme of pictures being shown this week at the Theatre Royal. Evidence of their quallty - X* ?ir en large attendance last unight. fhe film showing Niagara 3Tcdl6 in winter time proved very interesting, and evoked general approval. The programme will be repeated to-night. V ' "THE MERRY WIDOW." ; An Auckland telegram states that a record m theatrical booking was established yesterday when the plans for "The Merry Widow" wero opened, over 3000 6eats being secured. The record is the more remarkable in view of the strong attractions in the shape of the Melba concerts and the Cinderella pantomime.