ENTERTAINMENTS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9625, 27 September 1911, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

HARVARD'S CHANGE TO-NIGHT. A "STAR" -PICTURE. What is described as the picture of <l*s year, "A Dixie Mother," is tho underlined item for Hayward's complete change to-night. Many picture-goors still have vivid and pleasing recollections of ,rlis Mother." The Dixie ono is bv the same 'firm, the immensely popular VitagrapJi.' "A Dixio Mother" is reported to have won all hearts, both in England and-j America, and when shown last week in Wellington proved an instantaneous success, and was the most talked about picture in the city. The N.Z. Times thus refers thereto '.-"Probably no photo-play has yet made such a decided hit as the Vit-aeraph Company's charming picturestory "A Dixio Mother." The plot is associated with tho disastrous civil war which raged in America from 100 l to IBM. During those four years many were the tragic) lovo episodes, and romantic incidents which happened. Tho hatred between North and South was so deeply-rooted that even many years after tho capitulation of the latter then was a spirit of bitter among those who had lost their loved ones .in tho terrible struggle. In the theme of "A Dixio Mother l-his feeling of undying bitterness is brought into conflict with the tender regard of the parents for their son, who, after lighting bravely for tho South, marries a beautiful daughter of tho North. The remembrances of their other eon who was ruthlessly shot down in the front of their magnificent southern homestead keeps alive tho parents hatred of the Northerners, l'inally the tenderesfc emotions overcome the_ parents, and they seal the peace by kissing their sweet baby grandchild. The reunion of tho family is completely touching. In the early phases of the plot the . "Blues aif' eeen invading the mansion, and searching for the proud old father, who though wounded sorely, is safely hidden, and survives the war. Two other fine dramatics are titled "The Ends of tho Earth" for the Awakening of a Woman's Heart), and "An Indian Maid's Lesson" (Essanuyl. Franco, Egypt, and Spain will bo exploited for scenic pictures. A .quartette of fun-makers will also be included. Haywards' Concert 'Orchestra will contribute a new programme of bright selections.

FULLERS' PICTURES. The current programme at His Majesty's comprises an attractivo -series, and the educative industrial films ast night again met with the appreciation of tho audience. Tho insight into she great South African enterprise presented m "The Homo of tho Cullinan Diamond, is something unique, and the various phases of mining operations in tho Premier fields are followed with tho closest interest. "Tho Ironworks of Donefsky Bassein" demonstrate that Russian film-mak-ors aro abreast of the times. The smelting of tho ore, the puddling, rolling P and re-heating, are operations that absorb the attention of the laymen, The pyrotechnical display created by tho Bessemer eteol converters is vividly shown, and the method of heating ingots weighing several tons approaches tho wonderful. Tho pathetic Indian drama, "The Love of Summer Morn," found a warm placo in tho hearts of the spectators. The enactment throughout is life-like, and tho situations aro occasionaliy very telling. "Tho Gowpunclicr" is a'storv'of love and activity admirably arranged, and "Her Brother's Photograph" ranks among the best picturo dramas. Tho funny play, "Foolshead as a Waiter," caused a whirlwind of merriment, and tho other comics were well in the running for popularity, "Jim Crow'' ia an incident centreing round the Grand Prirc d'Autcuil, and introducing tho drugging of a racehorse and tho death of its rider. The variety turn of "Miss Etna" is an attractivo subject, and "Tho Australian Gazette" is a feature that deserves porpctuation.

ROYAL COMIC OPERA COMPANY. "OUR MISS GIBBS."' "Our Miss Gibbs" will bo presented by Mr J. C. Williamson's Royal Comic Opera Company at the Opera House on Tuesday and Wednesday next, at 10. minutes to 8. England, America and Australia have taken "Our Miss Gibbs" to its collective bosom with a joy that was unrestrained. A new piece is over an attraction. When it is a London gaiety success of the first rank the incertive to attend is very strong, and when tho Royal Comic Opera Company is entrusted with the production all the dements of triumph are present, _ A hypercritical person .-might find it difficult to determine accurately the reason of tho prodigious success of "Our Miss Gibbs," but no one is called upon to bo critical _ or conscientious in respect of a wholly irresponsible, light-hearted, and refreshingly merry -performance. "Is it good fun-" That is the simple question n quiring answer, : and tho reply, it would eceni, is emphatically in the affirmative. The construction is clever, tho book claimed to be the best of modern attempts in this direction, while the characterisation, situations and incidents aro of that delightfully improbable character sacred to musical. comedy. It is said that tho mounting and staging are really fine, and the succession of stago pictures, harmonics of colours and effective lighting, together with a superabundance of handsome and expensive costumes aro something that, even the firm of J._C. Williamson, Ltd., have nover before given to a play of this description. There are two remarkably fine sots. Garrod's Store in the first act and tho Court of Honor at tho FrancoBritish Exhibition in tho second act "Miss Gibb3 M will bo played by Miss Blanche Brown, the delightful little lady who has enshrined herself in iho hearts <jf tho Australian' publio to an astonishing degree. Miss Browne is gifted in a largo measure with that indefinable quality known as charm. A graceful dancer, a pretty singer, and a most fascinating actress. 'There is little doubt- that tho company is a strong' one. It includes such sterling artists as Messrs Holland, Andrew Higginson, Fred Leslie, C. R. Bantock, and Bertie Wright, a famous .English comedian, who will mako.his first appearanco here in the part of 'Timothy Gibbs." Misses Connie Milne, Nellie Wilson, Fitzmaurice Gill, Nellie Calviri, Ivy Schilling. The season will be for two nights/ and tho box plan opens at Coles' Piano Depot,on Friday. A special train will leave Feilding and way stations oil Wednesday evening at 6.45, rt turning from Palmerston after tho performance at 11.20.