ENTERTAINMENTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3713, 24 December 1912, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS.

PATHE PICTURES,

The spontaneous and hearty applause that punctuated the performance given by Pathe ' Pictures at | His Majesty’s Theatre last night was ample proof that the programme submitted was to the entire taste of the large audience. And it is little wonder that everyone was pleased, as one might visit many metropolitan picture palaces without striking as meritorious a series as that at present filling the screen at His Majesty’s. Beautiful and touching to a degree is the presentment the A.B. players give of Charles Kingsley’s well-known poem, “The Sands of Dee.” The unhappy lot of poor Mary, who is driven forth from home by her stern old father because she has fallen in love with the faithless artist, was portrayed in a manner that made many in the audience swallow hard to keop back tli,e tell-tale tears. When the hapless maiden’s lifeless form is., borne from the “cruel, crawling foam” by the still faithful Bobby it takes a brave effort of will to keep dry-eyed. The pathetic story is most artistically told, and its beautiful seascape setting greatly heightens its effectiveness. “The Bank President’s Son” was another fine drama that met with general approval. The outstanding scene in this capablyacted story is a most exciting horse race on an ice track on a river, in which the heroine wins a" big purse which enables her to engage a legal luminary to establish her lover’s innocence. It was good to hear the whole-souled merriment called up by the breezy comedy, “The Birl Bandit’s Hoodoo,’’ which tells how a couple of girls disguised themselves as desperadoes and frighten seven years’ growth out of a male braggart. The seenics, “Lucknow” and “Around the World in Two Hours,” were much admired, as was the new Pathe Gazette. This entertaining series will be repeated for the last time to-night. To-morrow (Christmas Night) a specially-selected holiday programme will be presented. The series will be headed by the famouli exclusive star feature, "Vengeance is Mine,” an appealing romance of a studio girl. The story is woven throughout a series of exciting happenings, and is brilliantly staged. Another big picture which will bo warmly welcomed is a splendid dramatisation of Ilobert Louis Stevenson’s world-famed story “Treasure Island,” which is a veritable triumph in cinematography. “The Touch of a Child s Hand,” is another subject which is specially appropriate for the Christmas season. To-morrow night’s programme will contain some fine scenic subjects, and “The Rhine Falls,” “St Malo,’’ and “A Trip to the Samoan Islands,” will delight lovers of beautiful scenery. A new Pathe Gazette also figures on the programme. A part change will be made on Boxing Night, when the new pictures will include “Me and Bill.” a touching drama of friendship, and three splendid comedies, “A Problem in Reduction,” “Martha’s Rebellion,” and "Apple Pies.”

THE OPERA HOUSE.

This evening a partial change of programme will be screened at the Opera House. A special attraction is promised in a superb film dealing with the Third Crusade. “The Talisman,” the title of the film, is a pictorial representation of Sir Walter Scott's well-known novel of that title. The picture shows King Richard I. of England, who commanded the army operating in the Holy Land. His mission—the recovery of Jerusalem from the hands of Saladin, Sultan of Egypt—proved to be a failure, and after much bloodshed his army disbanded and returned to Europe. Richard I. is one of the best known characters of history, and is even to this day looked upon as a model of chivalry. His deeds in Palestine aroused the greatest enthusiasm in Christendom .and though he failed to attain his object his name has been handed down from generation to generation as the greatest military commander of his age. "The Talisman” faithfully follows Scott’s great book, and nothing has been spared to make the film perfect. The supporting programme is also of a very high order, and includes a superb collection of photo-plays. On Christmas night a special programme will be screened. Included in the series are a number of Christmas films, amongst which special mention must be made of “The Miser’s Christmas,” a splendid story dramatised from Charles Dickens. 1 A Bad Man’s Christmas Gift” is another picture that is sure to arouse enthusiasm, and the same may be said of the rest of the programme. "Brother Bernard, a picture by the well-known Cines Co., is a monastic story said to bo of great power, and beautifully staged. Other pictures included in the Christmas Series are ._‘Tn and Around Llandudno,’’ a splendid scenic; "Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves,” a pantomime by the Cines Co.; “Highways and Byways of England,” a scenic gem; and "English Birds in Moorland, Marsh and Mountain," a splendid nature study. In addition to this the management have decided to repeat “The Talisman,” in this series. There will he no pictures ou Thursday, Friday and Saturday, but an entire change of pictures is notified for Monday next.

BEBLE CP.OME CO.

Music and amusement lovers have a treat in store on. Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at the Opera House. The musical Cronies and their coterie of refined artists appearing in three different programmes on those evenings. The Cronies present the kind of entertainment one does not hesitate to recommend to the public. It is in truth an exceedingly clever show, run by a talented company of really capable performers, who have a big reputation and live up to it. Press notices throughout, the Dominion in all the large centres have been highly complimentary, and we have been assured by competent critics that this refined and artistic company have, if anything, improved on the really fine programme presented with their former company some twelve months back. The merry musical melodies and the delightful jingling of the hells should meet with warm approval from appreciative hearers in all parts of the Opera House on Boxing night. All the supporting artists arc engaged for their brightness, merit, vim, and versatility. . Their performance, which is of a high class order, is noted also for its humor, which, while it convulses, is' always of a clean and healthy kind. 1 Public and press opinions unanimously declare that the show is undoubtedly one of the cleverest and most entertaining that has over toured New Zealand. Three different programmes will be given during their season here.

MISS CARRIE MOORE.

Concerning Miss Carrie Moore, who opens a three-night musical comedy season at His Majesty’s Theatre on Saturday evening next, the Wanganui "Chronicle says:- ~, ‘‘Miss Carrie Moore is a worlds star as a vaudeville or musical comedy actress. She has been ‘starred on the hoardings in Bondon, in the programmes of the Colosseum and Hippodrome. She has bowed to the plaudits of many thousands. She has appeared on programmes with the world’s greatest actors. In Australia her fame is even greater than at Home, and her appearance on the boards will always prove an irresistible “draw." Hast evening she appeared in the Opera House, and treated those fortunate enuogh to be present to a most delightful evening's fun. Miss Moore’s charming stage presence, versatility, and magnetism instantly captivate an audience. Her singing is delightful The audience last evening recalled her again and again for her inimitable rendering of topical songs. She is endowed with a very fine voice, which she uses with cultivated effect. In the little comedietta which formed the socond half of the entertainment Miss Moore, as a musical comedy star, created a very clever cliarcter. She kept the house in per-

petual merriment, and many will have pleasurable recollections of her visit. Miss Moore was well supported. She has an excellent company with her. Mr Percy Clifton filled the part, of Simplicitas in the Arcadians, and has appeared in other Williamson productions. He is a comedian of high standing in the colonies. Miss Lily Moore is a clever bo> impersonator, and was responsible for much quaint, comedy. Miss Iris Edgar and Miss Bulu Bussanne were charming in their parts. Mr Clifford O’Keefe sings in a cultivated style, and Miss Cissie O’Keefe gives equal enjoyment in contralto items. Mr Percy Dalton, Mr Kennedy Black, and Mr H. C. Steyne complete the company. It is a first-class vaudeville company, strong all round, and such as the public like to patronise.” SACRED CONCERT. A grand sacred concert will be held in the Methodist Church on Christmas night. A number of bright Christmas carols and anthems will he rendered by a strong choir, while quartettes and solos also figure on the attractive programme. The soloists will include Mesdames Glanville and Rounthwaite, Miss Jordan, and Messrs Mac Gibbon, Ha.rre, and Heatlicote. Mr A. E. Bawrence will act as conductor and Mr 11. Prime as organist.