WEST'S PICTURES.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIII, Issue 115, 13 May 1909, Page 5

WEST'S PICTURES.

AND THE ORCHESTRA

West's Picture combination opened a three nights season at the Town .Hall last evening, when a fairly full house put in an appearance to welcome the company. The show comprises the usual moving picture outtit, supplemented by a really good orchestra, who play with acceptance first-class music—an accompaniment to living picturedom which is as delightful as it is uncommon. The orchestral bill, is filled by four musicians, piano, cornet, violin, and clarionet. Our old friend Mr T. Stokes is director, and the audience last night have to thank him for some enjoyable music, included being Adrian Hope's latest waltz, "Silver Fern." The cinematograph is an extra large machine, with full-sized projectors, the result being a picture which entirely covers the screen. Flicker is at a minimum, and every picture shown is entirely new to Blenheim. There were some fine scenic # pictures shown last night, such as a trip up the River Ganges, giving one a realistic idea of the temples and devotees along the river front. Another film which was loudly applauded on its yvay across the screen was the scenic view of St. Petersburg—a fine picture. Trick pictures there were in abundance, of which ; perhaps, the best were the "Elixir of Dreams," which depicts the dreams of an artist whilst under the influence of haschis or some other potent drug of the East; "The Magic Eggs and what came out of them" ; and the "Trick Matches," which could do anything but light a man's ■pipe. The usual quantum of funny ones were shown to amuse the youngsters, and they also were funny enough to move the adult portion of the audience. Of this nature were the "Joined Pigtails" (a study in Chinese) and a runaway picture of the usual soi't. Some fine dramatic stories were shown, such as the "Tale of an Arrest," in which a gendarme was hurt. His wife recognises an old lover, and gives him money and a file. He escapes, and the husband, finding the file and recognising it as his own, charges the wife with the offence. She confesses, and pleads for forgiveness. At this noint the gendarmarie enter and hand a paper to the husband, who discovers by it that he has been promoted to the rank of Brigadier for getting hurt whilst on duty. Everything is forgiven, and happiness reigns supreme. Another good dramatic picture was the tale.of a Zulu raid upon a Boer caravan. Taken •altogether the pictures are good and well presented; they are of full size and .easily Keen from any part of the haTl: and the orchestra itself is worth hearing. The management have extended the coupon system to the theatre, and last night every member of the audience was presented with a coupon on leaving the hall. This coupon entitles the holder to admission at a reduced rate for the concluding nights of the season. An entire change of programme is promised, for this evening, <when the company will, show again. _, ;