AMUSEMENTS

Evening Star, Issue 14530, 5 December 1910, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS

FULLERS' PICTURES. —'A Lion Hunt.'— Three films of pre-eminent interest and novelty lifted the ' Saturday's new programme at tho Princess far above even that high standard of cinematographic entertainment which tho Fullera have "struck and maintained in New Zealand. These were ' A Lion Hunt,' 'Picturesque Sydney,' and 'Norway to New York,' and the first named stands by itself among the many films secured at great personal risk. For this lion hunt js not undertaken by a couple of crack shots armed with deadly magazine riiles, but by a dozen natives with spears, who, having corned the lion, charge him from all sides, while the cinematograph operator stands close by and clicks off tho dying moments of tho tawny monster. Tho affair with the first lion was rather disappointing. All the audience saw was a. long form slinking rapidly across an open -field into the brush at tho far end, ;i .sudden rush of black forms into tho thicket, and then a. view of the lioness stretched in death. But tho attack on tho second lion, a huge, shaggy male, was a real hair-raiser. • Beforo the Somali came into the picture at all one saw the great, ugly head peeping out over the low scrub. As the natives spread out like a fan the head disappeared. They were Tight on lop of .him before ho suddenly stood up swaying on his feet like a boxer, evidently at a loss where to strike first. A dozen spears were in his vitals before ho touched earth after his great hound, and he was dead before the cinematograph machine focussed on him again as tho crowding blacks stepped aside. It is a great film, which the busiest man should not miss. Alone it is worth the prieo of admission. The views of Sydney arc magnificently chosen. The first series includes the- finest sights in the noblo harbor—surf-bathing at Manly, the crowded shipping at Circular Quay, a liner crawling to her berth, the innumerable ferry boats, tho flagship of the Australian squadron; while tho second series reveals the throbbing centre of the great metropolis, the cars lunning in a continuous stream, the great warehouses, tho palaitial Victoria markets, tho great Catholic jCathedral, and the beautiful resiliences .it 'Pott's Point, 'From Norway to New York' is a magnificent seascape film, and one of the finest examples of color cinematography that wo have seen. These are only three of the new subjects, all of which are fust-rate. In the class known as dramatic films there are 'The (iirl of Triplo X Ranch,' of the usual Western typo, and "Mazeppa,' an intense medieval study. Amongst others are ' Italian Cuirassiers,' 'Jones at the Wail,' and 'How Tweedledum. .Missed the Train.' Decidedly this week's programme is " worth while.'' It was witnessed by a very large and very delighted audience on Saturday, and will be repeated to-night.

HAY WARDS' PICTURES. The sailing of the Term Nova from our port the other day gave additional zest to some excellent pictures of the Antarctic expedition barque leaving Sydney Harbor, ■which were included in the weekly change of programme at the Burns Hall on Saturday. There were also a number of shorterrange views showing so much of the " domestic" side of the. expedition that A sight of them' on the screen gives substantia! consolation to any who were unable to see the vessel when she was at Port Chalmers. The series also gives some excellent yachting 6cenes depicting the opening of the season in Port Jackson. There are s-cveral dramatic films, one of the best having for its. subject an incident common enough en Wall street in these, days of financial rings and commercial trusts. Wc arc introduced to a successful business man in his home and to his family of two small daughters; then to his office and to his business partner. There is Gomo "move" on in the control of tho sugar market, and the partner plays him false, and delivers him into the kinds of the king of the trust, a crusty old man with ii forbidding exterior. Back from the atmosphere of the "tape." machine and the diplomatic private- secretary or clerk who guards tho door of the great man's sanctum, we are shown, the painful scenes at homo which follow the announcement of ruin. Tho two small girls empty their money boxes, mate a pilgrimage to Wall street, gain aceewl to the Sugar Trust King, and present -a document" stating tliat as the king lias taken their father's money they will give the king theirs (produced) en condition that he gives their father back his. Tlu upshot is a letter by next day's pest (which the audience are privileged to read) containing an offer by the trust boss to the mined man of a position as his manager at 15.000 dollars a year. Tho picture is instinctive. So also is one entitled "The Champion Boxer.' Though a comic film, illustrative of tho hazards run bv a Frenchman whoso enthusiasm fur boxing is fanned to fever heat by witnessing a ring contest, it gives some interesting sidelights on the life of tlto boulevards, the cafe, and other Parisian resorts of the frivolous. The concluding scene—a glove * fight on roller s-kates—is extremely funny. The flag of Company H is full of Bed Indians and cavalry, surprise attacks and slaughter, and the' sagacity of a bulldog. There is a very good scenic picture of Italian peasant'life in most captivating country; also a story with Japanese setting, which is well worth seeing. The programme, which is enhanced by musical accompaniment provided by piano, violin, and cornet, is to be repeated nightly this week. ALHAMDRA THKATRK. There will be a complete change of programme at the Alhombra this evening. J. M. West, described as the world's greatest equilibrist and hand-balancing expert, will make a first appearance. Rupert Cuthbert, a descriptive balladist, will sing for the first, time before a Dunodin audience, and May Duhlberg will make a reappearance. Many Alharabra patrons will bo sorry to learn that the last nights of Nat Clifford, the .English comedian, are announced.