AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16282, 15 January 1915, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS.

KING EDWARD THEATRE. An excellent new programme of pictures was screened at the King Edward Theatre yesterday, and there were large attendances at all sessions. The principal picture was entitled "The Girl at the Lock." Harold Bond, a young artists, through the aid of John Fair, a millionaire, has gained distinction, and has become engaged to hie patron's daughter, Geraldine. One day, while proceeding home in a motor boat, he encounters Elaine Strange, daughter of a deaf and dumb lockkeeper. He engages her os a model for a picture entitled " The Girl at the Lock," much to the annoyance of her father, and of Steve Hart, a young boatman to whom she is engaged to be married. When the painting is finished Elaine is invited to see it, but Steve and her father lock her in her room. She escapee, and encounters Geraldine, who, in jealous rage, cuts the picture into ribbons. This act causes Bond to break the engagement, but later, out of gratitude to his patron, he consents to be re-engaged. On the day of the -wedding Elaine goes to the church, and, seeing the man she hae learned to lore come out the husband of another woman, falls dead on the steps. Her father, in a frenzy of grief, bears her to the boat and rows away. The PathoGaiette contains some excellent war pictures. The struggle for the Yser is graphically shown, and a good idea is given of the sufferings of the exiles on their flight from Furnes. "Andy Learns to Swiin" and "He Loved the Ladies" are good comics, and "New York Police Department Carnival" is both interesting and instructive. The programme will be repeated to-day. FULLER'S PICTURES. Some excellent films are included in the current programme now showing at the King's Theatre, which was well patronised at each session yesterday. Ooraedy,, pathos, and interesting incidents in the big European centres are graphically featured. The same programme will be repeated this afternoon and evening. HAYWARD'S PICTURES. The series of moving pictures current at the Octagon Theatre afforded excellent entertainment for another lar.ge audience last night. The chief drama. "King in Name Alone," depicts the petty intrigues which surround the monarch of a small kingdom. The plot has been well thought out, and the attention of the spectator never flags. There are many interesting supporting pictures. The programme will be repeated tonight and to-morrow. QUEEN'S THEATRE The new series of pictures shown at the Queen's Theatre yesterday contains several excellent numbers. The most noteworthy is "The Devil's Dansant," a two-part drama dealing with society life in New York. The title is the nickname given to a oafe dansant in the city. A district attorney, searching for evidence to raid the place, is astonished to find his wife a frequent visitor. He cautions her, and forbids her to enter the place again, but she disregards him, and is introduced to the gambling saloon, where she loses all her money. Ultimately a raid is made. The attorney's wife is on the premises, but the husband shields her by stating that she was there to oollect evidence on hie behalf. There is a good exposition of tango dancing, and the scenes at the cafe are splendidly staged. "The Investment" is also a g-ood drama, with a humorous element, dealing, as it does, with the love affair of an old couplo. The "Aus-, tralian Gazette" is an interesting one, containing items in connection with the Shackleton South Pole expedition, the visit of Duke Kahanamoku, and other events in connection with swimming and pquaties, a collision in Sydney Harbour, troops in training, etc. The comic element is represented by "Wifflce Puts Up for Parliament." "The Widor' and the Twins" is a drama of a popular order, right winning the day and securing the affection and hand of the widow from a reckless, spendthrift brother. The same pictures will be shown to-day. PLAZA PICTURES. "Trilby" is attracting largo houses to the Plaza Picture Pa.lace nightly, and even in the daytime the attendance, is large. The management eerta-inly deserves good support from the public for its enterprise in bringing such a fine photo-play before its patrons. Sir Herbert Tree's name is well known to many of our people, and this is an opportunity that rarely presents itself of seeing the great actor performing in a role of which ho has made a special study. The supporting pictures were changed yesterday, and chief among the new films is a most amusing comedy, entitled 'At Three O'Clock," the of which is on these lines: Ford eterling is disappointed in love, and, in consequence, resolves to end his days. He finds his pluck or will power insufficient, however, and finally calls in the aid of tho Suioido Club to assist him to accomplish his purpose. The time for his demise is fixed at 3 o'clock, and all the necessary arrangements arc made; but. just as the hired assassin is about to strike, tho victim'ssweethoart makes an opportune appearance on the scone. Sterling has a talk with the girl, as a result of which his prospects in life arp improved, and the "hero," who had previously made strenuous efforts to bring about self-destruction, now exercises all his powers to keep himself alive. The situations make for mirth, and tho comedy is one that excites hearty laughter. A comic, entitled "A First-class Oook," tolls how the new cook and an arriving guest are mistaken one for the other, with ludicrous results. The vipws of Egypt are of moro than usual interest at tho present time, and the ;var budget has a number of views of occurrences at and near the front, which are well worth witnessing. "Trilby" and the supporting pictures will be shown Eor the remainder of the week.