ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9691, 20 June 1917, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

battle of the ancre. The grand work done by our bravo boys at tho front, the great risks they run, hud incidentally -the- very - serious risks that the kinematograph operators are prepared to take in pursuit of their business, were brought very vividly home to tho great, audiences at tho Town. Hall yesterday afternoon and evening, by tho official war pictures of tho Battle of the Ancre taken in September last. The ‘‘tanks” are shown lumbering along to the tiring line and also actually engaged in the fighting, flattening down the enemy’s barbedwire entanglements like a heavy roller passing over so much grass, and belching tiro against tho dismayed Huns. Our brave lads are seen jumping over the parapet of their own trenches for tho great advance, and later taking the onemy trenches. Other pictures show the wounded returning to the field ambulance, German prisoners being brought in, and our victorious troops trophy-laden, covered with mud, battered and battle-scarred but triumphant. Caro has been token to eliminate all gruesome detail; but, even so, the stern realities of war are sufficiently manifest. Great interest was aroused by the pictures of the captured positions, especially that of the famous swamp of the .Ancre; and also in the film portraying the visit of the Dominion’s delegates to the great gun-making works at Home, and illustrating, from start to finish the manufacture of tho monster modern guns. Ur A. K. Newman, who presided, paid a tribute to the work of the y.M.C.A. for tho soldiers, as he saw it in his recent visit Home. There was no waste and all the money sent was put to -good use. The sale of tickets was stopped and large numbex-s turned away. Mr Culford Bell recited “Gxinga Dhin” during an interval. At the matinee this afternoon Miss Nellie Castle will sing a solo, and in the evening Mr H. F. Wood will be the soloist. Major G. L. Sleexnan, 1.G.5., will preside. . The exhibition of the pictures has been entrusted by the Government to tho Y.M.C.A., and the proceeds are to be devoted to the relief of suffering and the provision of comforts for the men in the firing-line. Matinees, as well as evening exhibitions, are announced for to-day and Thursday, and a final matinee for Satui-day afternoon. ENGLISH PIERROTS. The last. performance of present bill takes place to-night, and there will be a complete change to-morrow (Thursday), introdfxcing many novel and original items. The finale, will be a. clever shit on the “Amateur Trials” in a music hall. Season positively closes on Wednesday, 27th. Box plans, for rest of season now open at tho Bristol. EVERYBODY'S. A remarkable study in contrasts is px'ovided in tho two central characters in “The Crab,” the latest Triangle success at. this house.. Frank Keenan, a sour, embittered, “old ugly,” feared and hated by the whole village, and little Thelma Salter, a quaint, winsome child, who. utterly refusing to recognise the grim bitteniess in her guardian's ways, thaws out the heax-t long frozen and cold, and makes' a human being of a xr.an fast becoming a savage recluse. It is a really charming and powerful picture that seems to reach the hearts of the onlookers. The Billie Burke romance nears its end in “The Tell-Tale Envelope.” THE EMPRESS. A World film play of modern life in art and society circles occupies the premier position on the programme at this house. "A Square Deal” tells in satirical vein a story of a modern scheming society matron who cleverly angles for n rich husband for her daughter. A feigned drowning scene and a rescue by the prospective “entch” provides the means of introduction. The story shows how the well-to-do young man is cut adrift from a worthless woman by his oldest friend, who nearly sacrifices his own good name in his effort. Excellent comedy and topical items are shown in addition. THE KING’S. E. H. Sothern, “America's H. B. Irving,” shows that his wide stage experience stands him in good stead in “The Chattel," a powerfully presented Vitagraph play now screening at the King’s.- Peggy Hyland is the beautiful young wife who finds that the man she loves merely regards her as part of the household fnrnitnre. In a series of powerful scenes the play shows how the woman’s wit enables her to win her

husband’s affection, and at the same cime teach, him a lesson in finance. The picture is thoroughly well put on in every respect, and is attracting larger houses each evening. HIS MAJESTY’S. Johnson’s Revue Company played before a crowded audience at Sis Majesty s Theatre last evening. There will be a repetition to-night.. CROWN THEATRE; • A powerful and particularly appealing Vitagrapli drama, "The Chattel,” will be shown at the Crown Theatre to-night. The plot tells of a successful business man who heaps treasures of all kinds at his wife’s feet and expects her to act as his dupe. She runs away, and too late he realises that he wants her, and goes to find her. How he does so, and how he ultimately wins her back is told ‘in the thrilling episodes of this big film.