AMUSEMENTS

Nelson Evening Mail, 30 May 1916, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS

PERM AXENT PICTURES.

The Empire Theatre was well attend-ed-last- evening, when- a fine selection of pictures was screened. To-night's change of programme is headed by* a beautiful Lubin star drama, the story of Carlotta Valondi. an Italian opera singer. "Angelo. also a singer, loves her, but she refuses him and marries John Converse, "a- young muuster. Knowing her husband's fondness for her favourite song, Carlotta has a record made of "The Last Sose of-Summer." All. goes ■well fo r a while, but Carlotta does not fit into the life of the rectory. She shocks' the parishioners, .and John is angry with her. She leaves home, but returns. Now come a series of mis- ' * between husband and wife. He" isled) to beHeve that she has gone to Angelo* and takes steps towards getting a "divorce. Years pas?, and Carlotta has returned to the stage, but her heart is broken. John thinks often of his wife, and the record of her voice lies in bis desk. He reads that she i? returning to Italy. The day before she sails she goes back to the rectory for - laet -look at- her old home. She steal? into the porch, ■ and her attention :s arrested by the strains of a song. Johr is playing it. and on the desk befor< him lies a- faded rose. Carlotta enters and all bitterness and past un.happ:nes are forgotten. A splendid smpportinr proirramme has been arranged, includvn: a drama. "Under the Fiddler's Elm. and a Topical Budget. "Oarlie the Tramp" will be screened at 10 p.m. THEATRE, ROYAL. PEOPLE'S PICTURES. A fnil house at the Theatre Royal last nieht witnessed the excellent programme now showing. The principal feature, "The Trumpet Call,' George B Sims's latest London success, is supported by the 10th episode of the master serial photo play, "The Black Box, ' and others equally good, comprising scenics, comedies, etc. The programme will be screened to-night for the last time. , . t* .. The management of the Peoples. Pictures have pleasure in announcing that Augustus Thomas's great American play, "Arizona," will be screened tomorrow night. Superlative among the master plays of Augustus Thomas, and as such, acclaimed by dramatic scholars and the great masses of the theatre-go-ing public, "Arizona," not "wild and ■woolly," Tugged and elemental, is the nature of the story. And so pungent is it of the local colour of the Aiapiava Vallev, that the story seems more like one of real life than the creation' of a brain. Fort Grant, a frontier amy post, and a neighbouring cattle ranch are the storm centres of the story Round 'them is woven a plot that allows the introduction of characters of vital power and interest. Consummately as Augustus Thomas staged- his plav for the real stage, he has been strikinaly more successful in reproducing "Arifiona" for the screen. Deft and

true, firm and accurate are bis nortraittires of Arizona's high lights of t-agic and tense feeling; low lights of laughter, hilariously amusing. The main climax formed under Mr Thomas's direction, is terrific. A flash of flame from Toiry's six-shooter signals the death of the man -who threatened dishonour to •women well beloved. An essentially human plav is " " Arizona.". The climaxes are skilfullv built with carefiily veiled surorises which, when they come, bring real thrills to the most blase.. Having a mxlitarv background; there are moments when the flaic comes into the story with a wave of - Datriotism. Humourous/ as well Ps hiffhlv dramatic, behind each tear there lurks a" laueh. Arizona will 1?e sunuorte** by- the latest Eclair journal" and a Keystone comedy. Reserves at .Jackson's until 1 p.m.- .Wednesday, from 2 "p.m. at Theatre Royal, or by 'phone. .