ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9719, 23 July 1917, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS

’ REOPENS THIS EVENING. This evening at the King's Theatre J. C. Williamson. Ltd., will present for a short season W. Griffith's masterpiece "Intolerance." When this picture was last shown in Wellington it created universal interest, and notwithstanding the fact that several of the clergy raised objections the public and press approved ct it. Matinees will be given daily, commencing to-morrow, in addition to the evening performances. The box plan is now open at the Bristol, where seats can he reserved without extra charge. The story of "Intolerance'' is a good deal like an Oriental rug. There are four separate theines woven in fragmentary episodes in brilliant and sombre colours without any. regular sequences, often seeming disjointed, but in the end blending in a marvellously impressive whole. It deals with the fruits of intolerance to-day, jn medieval Franco, at the time of Christ, and in ancient Babylon. The, author strikes out fearlessly at the idea of would-bo reformers. He attacks great foundations, assails wouldb© reformers, and holds up to - tluv mirror of understanding the effect of mtolerance in various fields. The completeness of his attack and tho comprehensive detail which he crowds into these fourfold stories staggers by its magnitude. ’’THE) AKGYLE CASE.” This great detective drama, one of the best, if not tue very best ever seen ou the legitimate stage, has been transformed into ah equally great and'fascinating,: photo-play, with Mr Robert Warwick, the well-known motion-pic-ture actor, as the hero. Ho is supported by two beautiful and charming actresses, Miss Gazelle Marche and Miss EUen Hammerstein, and , the whole caste is an unusually strong one. The very latest detective methods and - inventions are 6blown in actual operation; and the play illustrates how photography assists not only in ithe commission of crime—the counterfeiting of. bank-notes and such like —but also in the tracking down- and the conviction of the criminal. The “detectaphone” is one of the latest scientific aids to the modern Sherlock Holmes; and this invention plays a large part in the story. Mr W. I. Burns, one of the greatest American detectives, was called in to give “pointers" in regard to the production, and his hints, it is stated, were of great value in imparting the wonderful atmosphere of realism which characterises the play. The plot is of the most complicated; the mystery of the murder of John Argyle remains a mystery right up to the closing scene, and tho rapid unwinding of the chain of events which finally brings the murderer to j ustjoe was followed with the keenest interest by the great audiences which thronged Everybody’s Theatre on Saturday. The topical film, "Our Fighting Forces,” was also greatly admired. This picture shows every arm of the United States armies, and all classes of vessels in her great navy,-from the mosquito fleet ,of “sea-sledge” and motor-launch submarine chasers,! to the submarines, the destroyers, tho 'light cruisers, and the very latest super-Droadnoughta. One of the interesting features of the film is the American idea of a tank. The ever-popular “Pathe Gazette” also shows some noteworthy scenes. Tho programme is to ho screened each evening this. week. • . THE KING’S THEATRE. As a curtain • raiser as it were to the reappearance of the big picture “Intolerance”, at the King’s Theatre today. a brilliant picture play, "The Snarl,” was screened there for the first and only occasion on Saturday.' For the remainder of the week “The Snarl" will be shown at the Crown Theatre as the screen at the King’s will bo monopolised with '‘lntolerance.” ''The Snarl” is a very fine society drama, in which the popular film artiste Miss Barrisoale plays a double role. The plot is a complicated one, full of real. live interest. THE EMPRESS THEATRE. Some exceptionally good filme have •been shown at the Empress Theatre ieccntly. and in keeping with' the high standard cornea the Greater Vitagraph feature drama “Kitty Maekay,” shown ■for the first time on Saturday. The picture, which features Lillian Walker, is right off, the beaten track of modern-day picture dramas. There is a rich vein of humour and fun running through the story, happily relieving the heavier dramatic portions. Kitty Maofcay is a Soots lassie who spends her girlhood days amongst the heather. Her reckless yet innocent escapades severely shook some of her dour and staid townsfolk. On a certain day a squad of military oome to the town where Kitty lives, and Kitty’s roguish eye captures the heart of one of the officers. As it happens, this officer, the son of an English lord, is searching for Kitty to tell her that the time has arrived when she is to go to London to take up her rightful position.as, a lady of title. So tho destinies of the two are linked together. Family complica: tions bring the first big cloud of trouble over Kitty's sunlit horizon. Everything looks black, and it is a . broken-hearted Kitty who returns once again to her native .town. All this is cleared away in the end, however, and Kitty’and her English lord are left happy once more. Lilian Walker is at her best as the inimitably humorous Kitty. Altogether the picture is ono of the finest Vitagraph features seen here for some time. “The Iron Claw,” an enthralling novel serial, is also running at the Empress. ' There are other good films on the programme. MARGUERITE CLARK AT THE ' • . QUEEN’S. There is only one Marguerite Clark, Someone has said it was impossible for Nature to have made two. No player in photo-plays has won the hearts of all classes with such unanimity and in so short a time. Each of Miss Clark's pictures seems to outdo her last, and her piquant beauty, her annealing femininity. and her exquisite charm have made her name a household one. Her latest success, “The Fortunes of Fifi,” will be presented at the Queen’s Theatre, Cuba street, for a brief season, commencing this morning. In "The Fortunes of Fifi,’’ Miss Clark plays the role of a mischievous, whimsical little French actress, which gives her all the opportunities that any star could demand to display her talents. Though Miss Clark has played almost every conceivable character on the screen, she has never appeared in the role of an actress until