AMUSEMENTS.

Evening Star, Issue 15606, 24 September 1914, Page 1

AMUSEMENTS.

PLAZA PICTURES. The public have long recognised the Plaza Theatre, in George street, as a place where pictures of the type that please, amuse, and instruct by their wholesome quality, but do not vitiate, are shown. The new programme that was exhibited to-day was no exception, and agreeably entertained the spectators. The picture that headed the list was ' The Gambler,' a striking drama by the popular Cities' Company, who produced 'Quo Vadis?' and ' Antony and Cleopatra.' The picture tells a powerful story, having for its moral the portrayal of the demoralising influence of gambling in a well-ordered 'and comfortable home. The supporting j films are: 'For Life or Liberty' ( dramai, ' Warwick Chronicle,' which depicts a bud get of interesting views in other lands "Molluscs at the Bottom of the Sea, showing pictures of the strange life undei the water, and ' The Ring' (comedy). Thi: programme will be shown for the remain der of the week, and should prove popula with patrons of the Plaza. QUEEN'S THEATRE. The star film on the latest change of programme at the Queen's is entitled ' A Man's Sou].' It is the story of a man whose wife leaves him, and who sinks in the social scale until he becomes of the scum of a Western American mining town. From this he is lifted by the coming into his life of a boy, left to his charge by a former friend. The reform is completed and tho love of his former wife regained by a gallant act of his during a. terrible prairie fire. Tho scene depicting this fire and the rescue is a sensational one, and the whole picture is most thrilling. How Jim Kelly, drunkard, fighter, and general saloon '' crook," is turned into a man bj the age-old force of love is told in the etory of "The Girl Across the Hall,' a drama of absorbing interest. It contains plenty of action and many sympathetic passages, and should prove a popular film. Then there is the ever-popular Keystonn. comedy. This time it is ' Gambling Rube,' whose adventures, as shown on the screen, are guaranteed to create an aching feeling in the Tegion qf the onlookers' ribs. The supports ort this programme are 'The Suitor and tho Parachute,' a comedy in which a peculiar condition enforced by Miss Agatha to her consent to the proposal of Bigorus provides material for lots of fun ; ' The Champion vSwordsman of tlu British Army,' an interesting picture; ' The City of Sydney,' a scenic that should draw natives of that fine Australian centre, as well afs those who have visited it; and an ' Australian Gazette.' In this programme, then, there is variety and quality, two essentials to the enjoyment of a picture entertainment.

HAYWAEDS' PICTURES. The screening of the 7,000 ft film ' David Copperfield' at the Octagon picture theatre is nightly proving a great, draw, nevertheless the patronage it no better than such, a film deserves. Dickens's famous story w magnificently acted by a. cast of English star players, amid6t beautiful 6cenk' .settings in the old cathedral town of Canterbury: Dickens's great characters are perfectly visualised by extreme histrionic and exceptional animated art, and as the old familiars appear to fit exactly into their places on the screen they are 'greeted with real delight and applause. The picture will be screened again this evening. FULLERS' PICTURES. The programme now being .presented at the King's Theatre is proving attractive. ' The Jlasked Dancer' is probably the best of a number of excellent films, and it approaches almost the thrilling stage at times. " Famous Belgian Cavalry' and 'The Last Naval Review at Spithead' are especially interesting at the present juncture, and the comedies tickle the risible faculties of the numerous patrons. BRYDONE SKATING RINK. Owing to the approach of the summer .season the management of the Brydcne Skating Rink have decided to close at the end of the present week. Those who desire to participate in this exhilarating pastime should not fail to do so not later than Saturday evening, when tha iUnk will definitely" close for the season.

ENTERTAINMENT AT ST. KIEDA. The Coronation Hall at St. Kilda was comfortably filled last evening, when .an excellent entertainment was given in aid of the St. Kilda. relief fund. The worthy object for which the concert was promoted evidently appealed to St. Kilda residents. The entertainment was a capital one, and encores were frequent. The following contributed:—Miss N. Densem (song), Master E. Bell (recitation), Mr J. Leech (song), Misses P. Waters, V- Breen, M. Bentham, and P. M'l-aren (ballet), Master Seon Brown (song), Miss May Brown (recitation). Mrs Power (song). Mr J. B. M'Connell (recitation). The pupils of Mis* May Black also contributed largely to the. entertainment, which concluded ■ with a military tableau, - Maoriland.' A splendid orchestra, under Mr F. F. Thomas, rendered a number of selections in pleas ing fashion. The financial result of the venture should be satisfactory. Apart from the money derived from the sale oi tickets the audience raised over £2 in ;-. small coin collection taken up after Mr M'Connell had recited 'The Absentminded Beggar."