AMUSEMENTS.

Evening Star, Issue 14627, 25 July 1911, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS.

'The lU\al D.ivcae' was the chief film *f ihe new series presented at the Princess Theatre last night. It is scarcely uocesaary t» say. that the theatre, was crowded. Napoleon Bonaparte, the mighty upstart, is •tfll the only soldier whom all the world salutes. It needs no more than a weeping wallow tree to make- the sentimental British mind turn to St. Helena in order to see, in imagination, the Little Corporal " bitiug his nails at Destiny," whose heir he A hundred years ago the hand 6 of Englishmen itched for the tliroat of Napoleon; to-day, so magnanimous is the -hinghsli mind towards a defeated foe, all British hands are ever ready to applaud the Liiae Emperor. As af representation, of histcry this film calls for no comment at all, but as a piece of cinematographic art it is exeeikait. Too much, of course, is made of the "Koyal divorce," but a£ there are so many gentle folk who take pleasure in being given "a great inclination to cry," little need be said of that phase of :1m pictorial drama. The pictures of the great phases of Napoleon's military career are really excellent, and should be seen rather than read about. On cannon balls the "man of destiny" leaps forward to immartality. But to'show the wisdom of the Preacher in his dictum tint " ;'.l i*' vanity and vexation of spirit'' --heiv com-s Waterloo. And alter that St. Helena ;uid the bitter heartache. All hearts go out to the vanquishe/1 as he looks far over the sea to- the ruins of his dreams. From first to last "The Royal Divorce' held the attention of the audience, and often won bursts of applause. There was one picture that made one inclined to snicker in order to avoid swearing—the one that wowa Napoleon " trying to hold his baby heir " Peculiarly enough, the ' Marseillaise' was not heard. However, ' The Royal Divorce ' is worth seeing- The remainder of the programme lompriees films that are, if anything, above the usu;.ii standard, and that is saying a great deal. The manufacture of gas mantles is peculiarly interesting. 'Who's Who at the Zoo' is one of the most entertaining and instructive l )lL " tures ever shown in the Princess Voun«; folk should see the pelicans, penguin", cranee, chameleon, gazelles, rhinoceros, elephants, camels, bears, ever so many more animate, and one toad, that gobble* up things that crawl with marvellous alacrity. 'The Mission Carrier' is a Wild Wast drama, full of exciting episodes in the mountains. 'Bobby as Hypnotist' shows that in the matter of detecting theft "a little child shall lead them." 'Captain Barnacle's Courtship' is after the manner of J. W. J:i<r,b.,'s ,-tuiics. and is a sure mirthmaker. ' Pathe's Gazette ' and ' The King at Aldei'shct' are full of interest. The same programme will be repeated tonight.

THE KINGS THEATRE. One oi the first essentials of vaudeville is constant variety, and the- Fullers ensure the fulfilment of this essential by a circuit that is constantly changing the fashion of its artists. For example, it was almost a new company that faced the large audience in the King's Theatre last night, and tho whole entertainment was novel and full of interest. Dr Rows is as well known to Dunedin theatregoers as most entertainers that come this way, and yet so varied is his talent and so consummate the address with which he presents his work that he is a never-failing draw and a mystirier of iirst rank. The "Doc's" exposition this week is in the nature of an exposure of tho methods of the gentle grafter, and tho best compliment one can pay him is to emphatically announce what a. dangerous person he would be were his phenomenal accuracy and prestidigitative faculty turned to the purposes of perpetration instead of exposure. Delavale and Gilbert introduced an excellent patter turn per medium of a patriotic scene on the deck of the battleship New Zealand. The turn was a happy mixture of heroics and comedy, presented with skill and humor. Maud Faning, one of the few vaudeville artists who understands the possibilities of tho coon song, struck square in the bull's-eye of popular favor wjth her specialty numbers, in which she was assisted by the children Violet, Mereia, and little Huia. Mdile Koko offered a pretty and daintily-served entertainment J of magic, and in addition drew sand pictures in a delicate fashion; while j Rupert Cuthbert, May Dahlberg, Lily i Vockler, the Gibson Duo, Ruby Wallace, Mabel Lynne, Will Gilbert, George ! tiparkes. the Elliott sisters, and that adroit comedian Arthur Elliott all contributed materially to the enjoyable programme. : This and every evening it will be offered. THE SCARLET TROUBADOURS. One thing, and one thing only, marred the altogether commendable performance it Hies Majesty's Theatre last evening, and that was not the fault of the Tioubadours, but was due to lack of eouttesy on the part of one or two in the audience to the perfoi!vi.< and to the rest of the audience. Foi iu:in.te!y, such incidents are uncommon in Munedin. So far as the entertainment h.'-j'A is concerned, wo have nothing but pra'fe to offer. It is clever, refined, and a.iti--ae, and one leaves the theatre with running but pleasant recollections. The buc-.ws of the company artistically is un<imi'.t« ;i. and those who have not paid a \',r-t •<> the Troubadours during the curi- ii it the present season should make a j».;.::t of doing :-«, for it js a mistake to eupp.'se ihat their entertainment is merely a repetition of what was given by them before. They :nc no taientid and versatile a band of pi'.iyi.s :■■; on mere repetition. The company v."iii appear again this evening. GLASGOW THEATRE. The new programme screened last night at tiiio popular picture theatre was of sterling quality, and of such a nature that all who, witnessed it were more than satisfied. A drama entitled ' Autumn Leaves' needs apecial mention, the pictures being screened in the form of various leaves and beautifully tinted. Another film shows a girl and her two lovers, and, as usual, her irate father chooses for her the one she does not like. One scene depicts a duel, in wnich the two lovers fire just at the moment she appears on the ground, and thus receives a slight wound herself. During her convalescence the father tries to force things, and as she will not yield she is imprisoned in a tower. .Her escape is witnessed in breathless excitement, and che and her lover ride post-baste to Gretna Green, where the well known blacksmith performs his duty and makes them man and wife just as the raving father dashes in. However, he is at last reconciled, and "all's well that ends well." Two Indian dramas, ' The Squaw Man' and ' 'The New Marshal of Gila Creek,' are full of hard riding, daring escapes, and happy endings. The comics are delightful, and include ' Percy Wants a Moustache,' 'An Ardent Lover,' and 'The Well-swept Chimney,' and the latter must be included in the rir?t rank o f this popular and liilavious style of picture. 'Who's Who at the Zoo' is a highly educative and interesting film, and by watching It one can see more Grange animals in five minutes than could be seen in a lifetime of travel. This is a specially interesting film for childien, and will be exhibited at Satnrdoy's matinee. The t wo colored fantasies, • Diabolo' and 'Satan's Defeat,' are marvels of cinematography. The management have oeveial improve- j wents to their entertainment under way. The programme will be screened again tonight, and also (for Mr Keen's benefit) tomorrow night. HAYWARDS' PICTURES. The motion pkuires which Messrs Hayward have en hand at the Burns Hall this week can be reoornrhendtxl without hesitation. Scenic, dramatic, and comic films ax© included in the programme in about *qual proportions, and this lends pleasant variety to the performance. ' From Mon- '■ tieal to Hongkong' is a scenic film that is alone worth the admission money. The pictures will be shown again to-night. j ROLLER SKATING. Tho Masonic Rink is still drawing largi» houses. The rink will be open to-morrow afternoon and evening. Jirprrt instructors are always on haad for the benefit of begloats, i

Arcadia Picture palace. There will be a complete change of programme at Cargill'a Corner to-night, when a number of dramas of exceptional merit will be shown. Comic and scenic films will also be screened.