PICTURE ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Star, Issue 16228, 25 September 1916, Page 6

PICTURE ENTERTAINMENTS

PLAZA. Although the Plaza Theatre reopened only on Saturday, an entirely new programme was offered to-day. a" fact which speaks well for the repertory of the agency supplying the new management. The fresh head-liner is the photo-drama 'Love's Crucible, featuring Frances Nelson. Tho play concerns itself with the good and evil influences which play a part in every woman s life. Myra Dymslev, a. beautiful artist, becomes enmeshed in a net of sensuous intrigue laid for her bv the young libertine Robert Lawton. In"her fascination for this dissolute young millionaire she throws aside her New England lover Stephen V-right, and discovers too lato that she has been onlv a toy. By a strange turn of fate, "it is Frances, tha sister of her millionaire traitor, who rescues her. In the end, and after a series of big and gripping situations, Stephen VV right comes to the rescue. This is an excellent modern drama, and the "supports," too, are good. EVERYBODY'S. Everybody's management present to-day the Lasky feature ' The Ragamuffin,' i'n which Miss Blanche Sweet presents a unique study of Jenny, the slum-child. Jenny is tho foster-daughter of a crook, and is persuaded to break into the house of the wealthy young Bob Van Dyke. She encounters the owner, interests hi'm vastly and he wins her from her enterprise. When she leaves she takes nothing but his photograph, and her defection leads to a nasty scene with the gang. She wins, however, and starts life again as a dressmaker, with image in her heart. Meantime, tha latter's fortune changes, and temptation comes to him in the shape of his housekeeper's savings: but Jennv is able to save him from himself, and finally this socially ill-mated pair find happiness. Tha rest, of the new programme is up to a high standard. ° NEW QUEEN'S. Pre-eminent in the new catalogue of picture subjects at tho Queen's Theatre is ' Tho Waif,' an enthralling story of the stage. An actor takes a waif of tho streets to his poor and foodless lodging, and his charity finds an unusual reward' For tho boy proves a regular sprite of happiness, giving compensation for the hard days that follow. The actor teaches him. the rudiments of stagecraft, and finally, when the old man is dying of starvation, the boy wins his place in a~Teading part iu a metropolitan production. That night the actor and the boy dine off chicken. The scene of the boy's first-night triumph is a fine one, and in the end the little waif proves to bo the son of the manage)-. Be sure the old actor is not forgotten in the ensuing prosperity. Another feature is the war film 'The Fight at St. EloiV showing the commencement of the bombardment of the German positions, tho British in their new steel helmets, shells bursting over our trenches, and the men of the "Fighting Fifth" going to their billets. Some clever cartoons and tho 'Gaumont Graphic' complete the new bill. ' THE NE'ER, DO WELL.' At the Octagon and King Edward Theatres- to-night Rex Beach's wellknown story will be screened for tho first time- in the City. Tho plan at Tho Bristol gives every indication of a hia season at tho Octagon. The storv, which is known the world over shown how one Kirk Anthony, son of a traction millionaire, gots into trouble with ■Mso police, and a friend puts him, in a half-muddled state and penniless, a-boarcl a ship leaving for Panama. On tho voyage Kirk meets Mrs Courtlandt, who, with her husband, is bound for Panama on a diplomatic mission of importance. Sho develops a strong liking for the young fellow. Meanwhile, Anthony's father, disgusted at his son'a made escapade, disowns him. At Panama Kirk gets mixed up in a, fracas with the local fire brigade and police commandant, and is landed in the local prison. Tho Oourtlandts manage to ol>tain ms release. Ho commences work as a train conductor, but before entering on his duties has. a holiday, during which he visits the Courtlandts. Kirk falls in love with a Spanish girl namw! Chiquita, and becomes engaged to her. Mrs Courtlandt in an angry scene threatens Kirk. The story of KirkAnthony s making good, of how he married Chiquita despite the counter-plot-tinp of Mrs Courtlandt, of the tragio end of Courtlandt and Kirk's apprehension on a murder charge, and how lie cleared his name forms tho most engrossing and richly-humorous film play since 'The Spoilers.'

The Grand attractions are ' Charlie's .Nrght Chit,' the latest Chaplin feature, and tho two sterling dramas ' Classmates' and 'The Red C-oss Xin-se.' A fmo version of '-Jbrnille/ with Clara Kimball Young in the big role, is the chief draw at the Emmie

The last twr> exhibitions of tho famous film 'The Birth, of a Xatkra' are announced. Very largo .rud-onces filled Uia Majesty's Theatre on Saturday afternoon and evening to see this unique and colossal subiect.