BRITISH PICTURES.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLV, Issue 58, 9 March 1911, Page 5

BRITISH PICTURES.

"Blenheim would be a dull place without Adams Bros" pictures," was the remark of an old gentleman who pays a weekly visit to the Town Hall. A similar observation has been heard several times. These pictures provide a great deal of amusement, teach many useful lessons, and bring the public in touch with the peoples, cities, and scenery of many lands. The popularity of the entertainment shows no diminution, for the special programme presented last evening was loudly applauded by an audience that packed all parts of the big building. An instance of how far people will come to see a goou picture show was seeli last night, for among the audience were discerned many, country people, whose townships do not possess a population to warrant a visit of these pictures. Taken all round the pictures were an excellent lot, and were screened with that degree of perfection characteristic of the management, and their operators, whoss business it is to specialise m the cinematographic art. Tims time the "star" film is entitled "Lieutenant Rose, R.N," a young n_aval commander, whose ship is visited by Ling Hox>, a Chinese pirate, .in.the capacity of a laundryman: His identity is'discovered, and he is roughly ejected from the ship into the water. Upon reaching land, he, with the aid of some of his Subordinates, concocts a plan of revenge, and when Lieutenant Rose is escorting some ladies home from the ship he and his companions are captured and taken to the pirates' stronghold, where they are tightly bound to some pillars. Ling Hoo explains to the lieutenant how the inrush of water into the room will electrically fire a mine and destroy his own ship. However, the lieutenant's favorite dog. which has followed him, bears a message to the ship, and soon after the captives are set free. Once on board ship, the order is given to man the guns, and in the space of a few minutes the stronghold is a mass of ruins. This picture appealed to the audience greatly, the representations of the sea and the storming of the stronghold, being both realistic and beautiful. One of the most admirable features in the picture business is the finish and quality attained in dramatic pictures. Pride* of place in this department must go to- "Her Father's Pride," in which the pride-'of a father leads hinv and ■ his wife to the poor house, from which they are rescued 'by their disowned daughter. Charming love stories were incorporated in the showing of the films named "Her Uncle's Will," and "Love's Stratagem,' 1 while "A Call of the Heart" traced a story of great interest, showing as it does, how a little child changes the heart and life of a curmudgeon. The "Pathe Gazette" contained illustrations of the most notable happenings in all parts of the world, keeping those who saw it au courant with' everything that was most in the public eye. One of the most interesting films exhibited was the one depicting the manoeuvres of the Danish Dragoons,, while "Makino- Christmas. Crackers" was another film worthy of mention. The usual budget of comics helped to jmqke up r>n excellent programme, which should not be missed. Tim company show at Picton io-mght, and Blenheim on Friclnv and Saturday nights, with a matinee on Saturday afternoon.