AMUSEMENTS.

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 July 1916, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE.

Visitors to Pollard’s Pictures last ; night were treated to a bill of fare of I unusual, excellence and variety of. ■ subject. The seventeenth instalment lof “The Million Dollar Mystery,” • screened under the title of “A battle Jof Wits,” was brimful of sensational ■ happenings and was closely followed *by the largo audience present, the location of the dollars' being still cleverly i concealed. This thrilling episode and I the excellent programme that supported it will, be repeated again to-night. A special programme has been selected for the Sunday display, the star feature of which is another of the London Film Company’s wonderful dramatic productions, produced under the title of “The King’s Outcast. ’ This is a powerful story of a captain in the Army who becomes a card sharper. He commits a murder, is discovered, escapes, sees another man sent to prison for his crime, but eventually, after many years of plotting and welshing is compelled to tell the truth. _ It will be supported by a new topical budget, a Kalem drama of railroad life entitled “A Milo.a Minute,” and a Lubin domestic story with a vein of coraedv in it entitled “An Accident Policy!” Musical Reins, novel and popular, will be introduced by the , augmented orchestra. TOWN HALL. The present bill at the Town Hall will be presented to-night for the last tunc. The World Film Corporation has the distinction of introducing another star actor to the local picture-goers on biinday, when Cecil Spooner will make his debut to a’ Greymouth audience in a brilliant SC(Ju-t drama, which is a remarkable commentary upon Royal life in Bavaria. The story is founded upon the diplomatic intrigue of the envoy of the Emperor Joseph of Austria, who is. in collusion with the Bavarian Cabinet with the object of forcing Louis, King of the Bavarians, to abdicate the throne in favour of Joseph- _By bribery and corruption, the Prime Minister of Bavaria, and Louis’ cousin, the Duchess of Lundenberg, are to throw in their lots with the plotters. Ihe Cabinet requests .the King to increase taxation, while the Secretary of State clamours for a decrease. The parties met in council, a stormy scene ensues, and the King defers consideration. During the interim he attends a theatre, and is impressed with the ability of Dazy, a dancer, who is making her debut. The King’s presence at the theatre leads to an interview between monarch and star, and from now onwards the story becomes intensely interesting. Dazy perceives what is in the minds of the revolutionists and exerts every resource to combat. Her struggle is protracted and trying nevertheless she succeeds and the monarchy is saved. MANDL’S HALL, BLACKBALL. “A Battle of Wits” is the stirring title of the seventeenth instalment of the cleverly-constructed serial drama “The Million Dollar Mystery,” which forms one of the dramatic features of to-morrow night’s new programme of Pollard’s Pictures. In this episode the “'Black Hundred” make another determined effort to get Norton. By clever spying they learn of his being sent to interview a certain Gen. Henderson. Only by remarkable nerve is their treachery foiled. A Vita graph one-reel play entitled “Hilda of the Slums" is the supporting feature. The comedy will be supplied by “The Jungle Cure,” “Jimmie on the Job,” and, “The Jinx on Jenks.” The travel studies are “The Waters of the North Company,” and excellent views of Salonika, while topical events and fashions will be shown in a new Patlie Gazette.

MINERS’ HALL, RUNANGA. Tomorrow evening at the Miners’ Hall, Mr. McLean’ presents Carlyle Blackwell in the Favorite players’ masterpiece, ‘'The Key to Yesterday,” a magnificent work in four big acts, brimful of sensation, and interwoven with a most gripping’ romance. This is the first of this noted company’s big releases: to be screened on the Coast Clara. Kimball Young in the pretty Vita graph comedy, “When Mary Grew Up” is a noted item in this special programme, which also includes a new Topical Budget, displaying the latest events of interest to all the world, “She Never Knew,” a drama of real life, “Winter Flowers and Plants,” a , Gaumont nature study, and ■'several other most interesting subjects;, making, when supported by appropriate music, an ideal entertainment. OPERA HOUSE. Years ago, before the advent of the “movies,” the Coast used to be.visited several times yearly by touring companies—Kennedy and Dobson, Grattan Higgs, MacMahon Bros.. Yv roods-Wil-liamson. Fitzmaurice Gill, Taylor-Car-rington. and many other combinations —who brought to our doors novelties in drama and comedy, and invariably one or two old favourites. Of these latter, . “Arrah-na-Pogue” was easily the most popular, its human story, sti’ong vein of comedy, and the clever ruso of “Arrah” in aiding her sweetheart to escape, appealed to all classes of playgoers. It pleased the Irish people because it was a truthful representation of Irish character and gave a vivid depiction of the state of affairs at one time “in the little isle so green.” It was these facts, no doubt, that tempted the Westport Savage Club to produce it in their town. That they made a . big success of it, Press and public unanimously declared. This organisation of thirty people, headed by Mr. J. S. Matthews, assisted by Miss Hath Kittson, will produce this evergreen comedy-drama at the Opera House on Monday and Tuesday. All the original scenery and effects are/ already here, and it is claimed „ that the production is staged equal to anv professional company. The prices are fixed at 3s, 2s and Is, and the plans are now'open at the Bristol.