AMUSEMENTS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLIX, Issue XLIX, 5 January 1916, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS

PERMANENT PICTURED

Last evening there was again a large audience at the Empire Theatre, -when the principal attraction was "John Halifax, Gentleman," w T hich. was much enjoyed by all present. To-night there will be a complete change of programme, headed by a Vitagraph . star feature entitled "Enemies." This is the story of Captain Waverley, who has vowed vengeance on the betrayer of his dead sister. He recognises in Sargent, a lawyer, the man for whom he has searched, and plans to take him as mate on a voyage. The seamen are treated in the old-fashioned rough manner on this boat, and the captain has opportunities of commencing his vengeance. At last in a brawl Sargent is fatally hurt, and Waver k<y then reveals his identity. In the moonlight the captain sees his enemy now dead. A fine supporting series will be screened, including a most interesting Topical Budget, a Vitagraph comedy. and other items. Motueka will be visited to-night, when "Defenders of the Empire" will be screened. PEOPLE'S PICTURES. SCHOOIT'OF MUSIGT. "THE JUNGLE." The special programme presented by the People's Pictures last night drew a packed house. The judicious admixture of di - ama and comedy that composes the programme was received with fervour by the large audience present. The star attraction is a very captivating picture dramatisation of Upton Sinclair's popular and exciting story "The Jungle." The fidelity with which some of the scenes in the book are reproduced is a fresh revelation of what can be accomplished by the art of kinematography. The acting is j of the highest class, and altogether the production does full justice to one of the cleverest and most successful novels of recent times. "The Jungle" needs little introduction to the literature loving public or theatre goers of the world. Probably the most widely read and discussed writing of modern days, ind equally as successful as a stage production, "The Jungle," has been presented in either of the two forms to many millions of people the world over. \ir Sinclair's book enjoys the unpreceiented distinction of having ibeen :ranslated and printed in seventeen different languages and in each has had a record sale. ' More than ten millions of •eaders are accredited to it in the United States alone. to the decided opposition of those- interested in the 'busiless which is so vividly described in 'The Jungle," considerable difficulties ind obstacles were encountered before a :orr&ct atmosphere and detail of the stockyards and beef oacking plant could Je presented, but by the purchase of nachinery, the leasing of the yards, etc., he producers have bsen exceptionally successful and a picture in wide departure is the result. "The Jungle" ;ells a most ". remarkable and unusual story, profuse with dramatic possibilities if the higher value, and the appreciation )f such dramatic opportunities has led he All Star Feature Corporation, the* >roducers,\ to secure an exceptionally trong cast of prominent Broadway play;rs. George 2!Cash, former star of "The iamblers," "Officer 666," and more ■ecently of the New York production if "Panthea," appears in the all powerful role of Jurgis, a part which permits jf ample opportunities for him to disjlav the dramatic ability for which he s famed.- The supporting films are of a *aricd character, and comprise comedies, jrar topicals, and the latest Eclair Jourlal. The orchestral selections have 'been specially selected to accompany this programme by Signor J. Vitetta. Richmond xill be visited on Thursday, Wakefield bn Friday, when "The. Jungle" programme •\v-"\ be screened in its .cmtiret.y.