ENTERTAINMENTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 4965, 4 September 1918, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

EVERYBODY’S

TO-DAY’S NEW PROGRAMME. Ancestor worship is most pleasantly ridiculed in the Vitagraph feature “The Wild Strain” to be shown at Everybody’s.. Noll Shipman makes a fascinating heroine. Her people are staid beyond all reason, and mope under the shadow of a long line of ancestral portraits. One portrait, however, is missing, the eighth grand father. He happened to have disgraced the family name by being a brigade. Neil Shipman as Winifred is out for fun, and when a bold, bad, swashbuckling man urges her to adventure she steals away, rides her horse into a circus, comes home consequently in much disgrace and tries to make her eyes behave themselves. But she bubbles over again, goes for a moonlight ride, saves a bank from robbery, gets mixed up in a cabaret scandal, and is eventually saved by the hero, who displays un-dreamed-of powers of pugilism. This, his parents are forced to admit, is due to the fact that a great grandfather had been a prizo fighter. The story is well tokl and contains delightful humor, with a full supply of tin-ills, leading, up to a most exciting finish. The 9tli episode of “Tile Great Secret,” serial, entitled “Cupid’s Puzzle,” a chapter full of excitement and adventure, will also, be- shown, together with other supports.

PALACE PICTURES. Cardinal Mercier, the courageous prelate of Belgium, who has so steadfastly opposed the German aggression in that stricken country, is the central figure in the World feature “The Cross Bearer” to be screened for a season of three days and nights at the popular Palace, commencing at tcv-day’s matinee. The part of the Cardinal is taken by Montague Love in a very convincing manner, while Jeanne Eagels takes the part of Liane,his ward. The story has an historic basis, and an enthralling Iov e . theme is woven round the charming figure of Liane, who loves and is loved by a Belgium officer on active service. _ The German Commander looks with evil eyes on this sweet young girl. _ The Cardinal uses every means his wits can devise to save her from the gruesome desires of this German and the combat between the one defenceless man opposed to the might of the enemy makes a notable story. Eventually her lover in disguise passes through the enemy lines and reaches her, but no sooner are the two united in marriage secretly at night by the Cardinal than circumstances part them, and ths German commander devised a plot which makes it- appear to the young husband that Liane is false to him while at the same time she is led to belio\ e that he is a traitor. A striking feature of this great play is the spectacular scenes of cathedral interiorsand the Cardinal’s visit to the Pope. The treatment meted out to the unfortunate women and children, of Belgium is vividly whilst the gripping reality of Cardinal Mercier’s heroism is soul stirring. To sum up “The Cross Bearer” is an artistic, and an historic treat. Included in the superb programme is episode o of the exciting serial picture. “I lie Double Cross” mystery and a full quota of comedies and topical. Reserved seats can be secured at Miller’s Corner.

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. “The Silent Mail” was shown for the last time at His Majesty’s Theatre last evening, and again there was an excellent attendance. Tonight there will be a complete change of programme. The star picture is a William Fox drama entitled “The Victim,” and no less an actress than Valeslia Suratt has been secured to present that wonderful creation of the play writer’s brain, Ruth Mellin. The story deals very largely with the worst side of life, but shows how even in. the most unfavorable circumstances it is possible for right to triumph over wrong. Ruth Mellin, the central figure in the strange and fascinating story, is a girl who in the earlier year's of her life comes into close contact with criminals of the worst type. She endeavors, with fate apparently against her, to do right and at every step she is beset by criminals. Her father, a deep-dyed scoundrel, commits a crime and shelters himself from justice behind his beautiful and innocent daughtei, who is tried for the crime, adjudged guilty . and imprisoned. When the term of her imprisonment expires she meets Richard Boulden, a wealthy plivsician, and marries him, but her rather and his gang discover her whereabouts and force their iyay to her. They find that Jack Higgins, a detective, is blackmailing Ruth. Higgins is killed in a fight and Ruth is accused of the murder. Finally Ruth gains her freedom as a result of a confession made by her father whose sense of justice was awakened by injuries received in a fire. Miss Suratt has a hard part to play and one that puts her to a vary severe test. The play has greatly increased her popularity and those who see her exceptional acting will have a real good night’s entertainment. # The supporting programme will include a high-class comedy. New music will he played by the popular Vita Bros.’ orchestra.