AMUSEMENTS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17098, 22 February 1916, Page 9

AMUSEMENTS.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. There are many phases of the great war, and these give the makers of moving picture film opportunities to produce- records of varied interest. The scope afforded in this direction is demonstrated by a special series shown in His .Majesty's Theatre, last night, entitled " War in the Air." It illustrated the fascinating work of men operating seaplanes. A Russian Sep-' plane, was shown smarting out to make a reconnaissance of a city on the shores of Turkish territory. It received its signal from a, man-of-war, raced along the surface of the water, rose in the air, and hovered over tho city, which, by means of admirable photographs, was shown below, with its 'buildings and gardens, spires and minnarets. The seaplane was seen at its work, from spying out the land to dropping bombs, and, finally, there was n tunning picture of one seaplane chasing another in the air. The series never flagged in interest, and was highly educational in character. The usual "Gazette," also, had some very good' items. Special mention might be made of a picture representing the march of a Russian army through the snow towards the Danube. The moonlight effects of this picture, were .exceptionally beautiful. Tho scenic piece illustrated the attractions of Cliamounix, in France, and there was an amusing series of outline cartoons. The second part of the programme was occupied by a film version of the American drama, "Tho Governor's Lady," a story of love, politics and riches, in which' the principal character was taken by the well-known American actress, Miss Edith Wynne Mathicson. The programme will he repeated tonight.

GLOBE THEATRE. There was no lack of sensation and excitement in a new film presented at the Globe Theatre yesterday bearing the title, " A Mile a Minute." It was one of the famous " Hazards of Helen "' scries, and portrayed several daring feats' by the steel-nerved young photo-play-actress, Miss Helen Holmes. The picture showed how two railroad crooks endeavoured to smuggle a trunk containing valuables, hut were tracked and hunted down by Helen, a telegraph operator. She jumped aboard the fast-moving train, but- the thieves uncoupled the train in the centre. However, by a daring leap she landed on to the part which was her objective. The crooks held up the engine crew and threw them off the train, but in turn they were held up by Helen and eventually* were taken prisoners. The picture work and railway scenes wore excellent. There was much to admire in the views of wild mountaineer life shown in a Reliance drama entitled "The Cass-Janey Feud." The comedy element of the programme was also entertaining. In this section the film subjects were "Two Old Tars." 'a Keystone production, and "Dimples and tli!.> Ring." a smart Yitagraph sketch. The "Australian Gazette" contained many interesting and instructive pictures. The same programme will be shown to-day.

GRAND THEATRE. Tlie principal film in the new programme shown at the Grand Theatre yesterday was a melodrama entitled •"The Coal King.'' It was a Neptune' Company production and occupied the major portion of the programme. The: theme of the story has long been a favourite one with authors of melodramas. The wile of a miner who had been* 'killed in the colliery stole* the Cbal King's baby boy and replaced him with her own child. Years later the stolen, boy obtained work in the mine and by strength of character and ability betcame manager. The miner's boy became a wastrel, and to prevent his mother from denouncing him, as .she' had threatened owing to his evil ways, he endeavoured to murder her. Shewas saved by the man she had brought' up as Iter own son and then confessed that she had changed the ohildren. The wastrel paid the penalty of his crimes and the Ooal Xing was happy in the knowledge that his fine,, young manager was his own son. A Charles Chaplin.film entitled "Charlie's "Elopement," provided much amusement, and there was also a capital " Warwick Chronicle" of topical events, in which wore shown some splendid slutting scenes in Switzerland. The programme will be repeated to-day. QUEEN'S THEATRE. Yesterday the Queen's Theatre showed its first programme since it became; an independent theatre, and the lures reflected great credit on the selectors. The principal film was entitled "The Dollar Mark," featuring the well-known player, Mr Robert Warwick, ill a sensational drama of thrilling interest. The story showed how l the owner of some mines refused the offer of a scheming capitalist who some time later attempted to break the bank' where the mine-owner deposited. A. love interest ran through.- the story, which was well acted and staged. Incidental to the plot were several thrilling; scenes, the picture of floods bearing down mighty trees and houses, with, the hero and heroine floating down the' raging -waters on a raft being exciting! enough to satisfy the most ardent sensationalist. The picture was very well, received at all sessions. The inimitablewriter of American slang, George Ade provided a picture entitled "High Fah rutin Tillie and Her Plain Parents," which was excellent in humour and. moral. The latest " Warwick Chronicle " detailed many interesting and! up-to-date topical items, mainly dealing with the war. The saina ip'icturos will be shown to-day.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. Tho famous motion picture actress, Mis& Mary Pickforc!', appeared in her latest characterisation, " Rags,'' at Everybody's Theatre yesterday, and attracted overflowing houses. In the picture Miss Pickford plays two parts, first, tho beloved of a bank manager and the cashier, whom sho marries, and afterwards the daughter of the unhappy union. In her latter role as "Rags,'' tho name given her by her drunken father, Miss Pickford is seen to great advantage, and' her acting carried with it that conviction that iias made her famous in the motion picture world. The usual lovo story runs through the picture, being developed amid splendid scenes with a naturalness that was the feature of the film. Tu •'Rags'' Miss Pickford is given opportunity for a novel and forceful piece of characterisation, and sho has carried it off with flying colours. The picture, which occupied almost the whole of the programme, never flagged in interest, and was very heartily appreciated. The " Gaumoiit Graphic" dealt mainly with war items, featuring different units of the Belgian Army and also including big pun making in New York. The programme will be repeated today.

SYDENHAM PICTURES. The chief picture on the new programme shown at the Empire Theatre yesterday was a drama entitled "The Governor's Lady." The story is one of humble American home life, in which a miner and bis wife are happy-until lie strikes it rich and moves east to the fast life of the bug cities. There he. is enthralled by the'prospect of political power and "fame, and is gradually

drawn awav from his wife until all he thinks of is divorce so that he can marry the daughter of a political friend. The heroic devotion of Ins wife wins in the end. and the picture has a happy termination. A very amusing and extremely clever series of cartoons was included in "Cartoons on a Yacht," and they wore thoroughly eijj. joved by patrons. "War in the Air gave a brief glimpse , of seaplanes and aeroplanes at the Dardanelles, and the " Rathe Gazette was, as usual, interesting and instructive. The same pictures will be shown tonight. _______——