IMPERIAL PICTURES.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVIII, Issue XLVIII, 31 March 1915, Page 7

IMPERIAL PICTURES.

"A SON OF FRANCE." Lyric Theatre patrons are promised a treat to-night <as regards war pictures, the star being "A Son of France, a drama over 2000 ft in length, aild dxcel-r ling "The Bells of Rheims" ill war interest, 'Real ilitidehts are introduced, and Olle of the cinema men engaged in taking the scenes lost his life. The -plot is as follows: General Fontaine is convalescing at Rheims. 'On, the approach oi the enemy, news of German-atrocities reach the family, and they decide to escape foy underground passages. The little son is missing, and the general remains hidden while another and daughter search for the child. The Germans discover the child, and determine to force him into confessing his father's whereabouts. Like a true son of France the lad refuses despite brutal treatment. The Runs finally decide to shoot the„ "•brat." Concealed, the mother and daughter are horrified spectators. Dick Forbes, a British war correspondent, has I been attracted Iby the movement around . the house, and learns of what is passing. When the German officer is about to shoot the child, Dick fires his revolver and the (bully drops dead. Forbes sends the boy to the British lines for help. In response to calls for "Hollweg -from the other Germans, Forbes disguises himself in coat and helment of the dead German, and passes as a brother officer ■\C*ith the drunken Germans. He manages to convey his identity to the family and ; bids them wait- for rescue. The German soldiers-finally discover the presence of the family in the tunnel and decide to burn them out. A German officer, the least drunken of the r oystering crew, gets suspicious about Hollwegg's disappearance, and- with his companions makes a determined effort to get the family from the tunnel. Just as matters are becoming critical the Highlanders dash up and wipe out the enemy and rescue the prisoners. On the boy's story becoming known, the -soldiers give the plucky youngster three hearty cheers. The supporting pictures are all of great interest and are certain to please the most critical. Patrons are , requested to watch for announcements of the great- exclusive film, "The Count of Monte <Christo," taken from Dumas world-famous romance. This entrancing drama is over 6000 ft in length,' and has created a furore wherever shown.

THE COURT CARDS. TO-NIGHT. Musical costume comedy as. dealt by this quaintly-named and elaborate:.;/ ga.rbed company possesses freshness ana I innovations that stamp it with a distinctiveness of which the Court Cards themselves are proud. The conception of a.. musical and', humorous entertainment provided by . artists arrayed as picture cards is in- itself quite, novel, but _the novelty extends further than its effect on the eye., for the three kings, two quells, two loiaves, <ind joker, "wiio comprise the trumps in this hand of enWinment, all aim at introducing new ideas and. original material into the two and., a half-hours of mirth and melody which they, nightly -provide. To-night will -witness the first de4l of this. entertaining ipack. At the rise of the curtaina witty and tuneful opening chorus shuffles the cards, and then, singly, in threes, fours, or as a whole pack they are dealt as occasion demands, and provide a feast of mirth and melody that has earned ' them the highest encomiums elsewhete. Lovers of good vocal and instrumental music should, not miss the artistic vocalisation, of Miss Matide, and Messrs' Mannering and Graystone, -the-slcftful violin work of Miss Mitchell, and the excellent toale, —reminiscent of that star feature of The Troubadour. Smiles and laughter are provoked by dainty Miss Maud- Fane and by those two fun-makers, Edgar Warwick and Geotge Tilchen'er, while AftJrotaeAvho fails to ib© convulsed. tliß concerted ef forts in "Big Time Shopping" and "The Village tatibir in Oi-atbrio," which are included' in tb-rtight's progratnme rtiust be entirely wanting in 'a sense ;of humour. To-night will be the only, opportunitv of hearing, this programme and it's artistic sce'ria, "A Drojvof, Hollands, for a complete change is made nightlyThe box plan is'at Jackson's, where seats for the whole season are no.w being reserved.