AMUSEMENTS

Evening Star, Issue 15537, 6 July 1914, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS

QUEER'S THEATRE—'A WOMAN OF THE PEOPLE.' Chief aiming a splendid series of new pictures released a: the Queen's Theatre this morning is a. magnificent drama featuring that talented "Continental actress Miss'Asto Neilsen, who, after scoring many brilliant successes in other productions, achieves something of a triumph in her latest role as Gertrude Von Heseendorf in 'A Woman of the People,' a compelling drama which unfolds .1 story of ennobling impulse—a girl's sacrifice of her honor for her Fatherland. (General Hassendorf is a big man in military circles, and when a great' airship disaster befalls his country a number ot military experts Assemble in council and discuss the possibilities of improvement in tne air fleet, with the result that the general, as an officer who places the honor of his country before everything, receives orders to travel to Copenhagen to erd.eavor to secure the rights of -an mvention of a young Danish airship mechanic. But other "forces are at work, and an ambassador of a. foreign Power, a certain Covnt Baldwin, to "whom the general's daughter is secretly engaged, is instructed to secure the plans. Gertrude Hessendort travels with her father, and at the same time enjoys the company of her lover, who. unknown* to her, is the see.'-et enemy ot her Fatherland. The nlot is splendidly developed, Count Baldwin gaining intimation of the general's secret mission through his unsuspecting fiancee. But. when +h? girl at last suspects treason she nets swiftlv, if reluctantly, and the count's offer of marriage being indignantly declined by the general, torn "between lov« and patriotism she dramatically defies lier lover to choose between returning the plans which be has secured or parting from her for ever. The count prefers to remain loyal j to his countrv, and the distracted girl._ be- ] fore a brilliant assemblage of quests m a. ballroom, adopts the one cour.se which remains open, and explains the secret relations which have existed between her and the count, and as a last resort ci-eates a sersatinn bv defiantly snatching the plans from his coat pocket. The count is defeated and the girl humiliated, but months afterwards, when the capital is gaily decorated, the statelv aircraft M, the finest of the fleet, passes overhead amidst the cheers of the populace, the girl remembers, and with a great effort joins m the cheering. As a love story of emotion. pathos, and charm 'A Woman of the People' holds pride of place. The other films on the programme include 'Fleeting Fortune' .(comic), 'Java Gardens' (scenic). 'Pal id or is Hungry, and ' Topical Budget'—a splendid line of supports to a great headline attraction. MISCHA ELMAN. _ The name of Mischa Elman is a household word all over the world where music is known. On the Continent and m America this wonder of the strings compels admiration from all quarters, and draws the largest audiences of any concert artist. At the Sydney Town Hall the Elman. concerts, according to the Sydney papers, were "amazing successes, tor there were hundreds of people who desired to buy tickets but who had to be refused ; inside the hall there was a wonderful audience, representative of all classes, who were bewildered by the magnificent playing of this young man of 23 years of age." Mischa Elman will only be seen in Dunedin on Monday and Tuesday next, and at each concert he will give an entire change of programme. Mil? Eva Gauthier, with a mezzo soprano voice, is the vocalist of the party, and Mr Percy Kahn is the pianist. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE, The new programme presented by the Smart Set on Saturday evening was much appreciated by a fairly numerous audience. A significant fact is that the increasing each evening instead of diminishing, as is usually the case. This shows that the company have made good. They are a talented band of performers, and those who like a refined, amusing, and clever entertainment should make a point of seeing the Smart Set at His Majesty's. Miss Georgie Martin (the soubrette), Miss Lalla Knight, Miss Gwenyth Evans, Mr Ernest Paikes (baritone), Mr Ma.urice Jones (tenor), and Messrs Walter Georue, Harry De Robeck, and Gavin Wood (the comedians) were all enthusiastically received. The entertainment concluded with a concerted number entitled 'Way in the Backblocks,' a humorous skit on ' Our Selection,' which proved highly diverting. Mr Edgar Hulland is a pianist of marked ability. A capable accompanist at an entertainment of this kind means everything, and Mr Hulland excels in this respect. His solo work also adds value to the entertainment. PLAZA PICTURES. The big attraction in the new series of pictures screened at the Plaza to-day i& furnished by a new firm of film producers —the D.K..G. Company—in a circus drama 'The Dare-devil,' a three-reel picture which provides many sensations. The principal figure in the drama is Rose, a dare-devil circus performer, who, among other feats, walks across a tight-rope under which is a cage of lions. Besides the. heroine, there is the usual circus type of villain, whose scheming machinations, however, only bring about his own discomfort. Another drama. is 'The Coward Hater.' in which Phillips Smalley and Lois Webber take leading parts. But the programme scores heavily m point ot diversity. The pictures showing typical Scottish scenery cannot fail to appeal to all, and there is an interesting industrial film giving an insight into -what is known a,s the baseball industry. The comic side of the entertainment is well provided for, 'Misplaced Foot' (Keystone) and ' A Wonderful Hand' being two certain mirth-provokers; while last, but not least, there is a pictorial version of the _ pantomime 'Ali Raba and the Forty Thieves.' PRINCESS THEATRE. The children's tango competition on Saturday attracted a large audience. 'The first "prize fell to Miss Edna Lang and her partner. The prizes were presented by Mrs W. Ernest Crome, wife of the popular manager, who congratulated the competi-toi-s and their teacher (Mr Phillips). A pleasant feature of the afternoon was an additional gift to Mr and Mts Phillips by the adult, tangoists. The former was presented with a shaving outfit and mirror, and tha latter received a. silver-mounted powder box. The unsuccessful little competitors were given a _ large box of chocolate as consolation prizes by the Fuller-Brennan Management. Tonight the long-looked-for appearance of the Casting Lamys is announced. This act is said to "stand pre-eminent to all others of a. similar class. It teems with thrilliiia feats that keep the onlooker astounded and spellbound. A further appearance i« that of Roy and Ray, two clever performers from America, in song and story. They are two of the most entertaining people that the firm have imported. Further assistance will be given by the New York Comedy Four, whose fine concerted work last week gained for them many admirers. Carlton Max, Andrews and Dent, Phillips and Merritt (the last named in their last week) are al6o on what is a most attractive programme. La 1-Yanco vsill this week, prior to her departure for America, l)e Been in her posturing, which is always a great draw. FULLERS' PICTURES. The first session of the new programme to be screened at the King's Theatre tonight will commence at 6.30 p.m. The films are good individually and pleasantly varied. The 'Pathe Gazette'_ deak with a number of topical subjects, including the visit of warships to Belfast Lough in connection with the Ulster crisis. A series of beautiful views on the river Danube and some scenes from the vast steel works in the French town of Longwy should prove interesting. A tale of wrong and misunderstanding, culminating in tragedy, is unfolded in 'Love's Sunset,' This film is produced, with tha assistance of a veT.v charming actress and a delightful email boy, and its settings are excellent. It is i said to be a very artistic production. ' The I Burner Law' is" an American drama with a most urexpected ending. ' The Tell-tale ! Stai ' is a cowboy drama with a vigorous and effective plot. Two amusing comedies -vri'l be presented—' A Dangerous Ca-'«' and ' The Film Johnnie,' by the Keystone Company. The latter is original in form, [ and Bxeaenis a* its " *tar " performer that

1 brilliant film humorist Charles Chaplin, whose fame is just beginning to spread wide in the cinematograph world. This player possesr-e* a. gift for producing laughtor in an audience without an effort on ni* part, and his adventures in a picturetheatre arc diverting in the extreme. HAYWAED3' PICTURES. To-night will see the first presentation at The" Octagon of ' The Curse of War.' This modern drama is said to be one of the beet ever turned out by Pathe-, rind is regarded as superior to those recent euc-cesfe-s by the same maker, ' King of tb» Air' and ' Honesty ' The plot is spokao of as being refreshingly original and powef fid. The story is staled to be so clearly applicable to modern conditions, both as regards international relations and warfare, that its producers are hopeful that its teachings may prove of value. Another picture to bo shown, which i* sutp to arouse interest, is the new series of the Panama Canal, which is Tight up to date. Cine Faction shows the blowing away of the last fragment of land separating- th« Atlantic front the Pacific; it*, removal brought, about the joining of the two oceans. ' lawyer Quince, filmed under the supervision of the author, is the first. of the \Y. W. Jacobs stories to arrive in picture form. OtheT films to lie exhibited are 'Visit to the Spider' .'Pathe. Nature study), 'Guilty or Not Guilty?' (a, orairui founded on a celebrated case), ' The Family Skeleton' (comedy), and the latest 'Gaumont Graphic'