AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16315, 23 February 1915, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS.

THE COURT CARDS. Tho large audience which dotted tbo elements last evening to vwit Hid Majesty'a 'ihcatro iveru well rtpnid. The onlortujniniiit ixmiprised iiiubt (it tiiv items piitteiiied by the company on liieir opening night, but was none, the less enjoyable on tluit a<:rouiit. Kvcry item win digitally rendered and found warm favour wiUi the audience, tin/ comical diLtiea uompnaixl in " itagtiuie Shopping" and " A ljioj> of Hollands" being received with outburst of applause. Seveial items vvtn. given by request, and tiiinilur requests have been received by the management for the final performance tonight, when tho bright and sparkling operetta "Powder and l-Vtohes" will be staged. A bumper house in anticipated.

THE DAWSON RECITALS. Mr Peter Dawso;:'s second vooul recital, which WO.S to have taken place last evening, was unavoidably postponed. Mr Dawßon, it uceiiis, acted contrary to tho advico of his medical man in appearing on Saturday evenirur. i> nd wis wholly unable to keep faith with the publx lust evening partly lor that reason. It is, however, definitely announced that ho will give his second concert this evening in tho Garrison Hall.

FULLERS' PICTURES. Tho new set of films placed before tho public yesterday at the King's Theatro fully maintains the traditidbs of this popular picture theatre. War u'Lins of the most recent events, stirring drumafl ami enjoyable comedies arc the component parts ot the series, and it was accorded a good reception by Urgo audiences. Tno leading drama, which is ent.tlixl "Tho Riddle ol the Groen Umbrella," is a dctectivo etory, with Alias Alice Joyce, the popular Kalein actress, in tho role of a ''sleuth," and is full of'the most tenso situations. Ilelmar, an eccentric old professor, is distinguished by the fact that ho is everywhere accompanied by a green umbrella, and by the less mil>ortaiit fact that no has a bcautilul daughter. Two young professors named Lloyd and Reynolds, aro rivals for the hand of Doiothy, but Htimar discovers that Keynokh hue misappropriated largo sums from tho colitis funds and orders the latter to ret'irn tlio money' within 24 hours. On the tallowing day Reynolds iwisons Helmar in a inoit mysterious manner, and a lady detect! v» iiam«i Madelyn Mac, u> placed in charg- o; Uie ,■:«'.■. i''roin the lirst siie suspects Reynolds, who has managed, by means of tiic green to iastcw the crime upou I.ioyd. Aided by two of the moot recent invoriUona for the detection of criminals, she secures evidence of Reynolds s "iiilt and, disguised as a chamber maul, enters his room, but is captured by her quarry who threatens to give a nypodermio injection that will deprive her of her mwnofv. Ju=it hl * 1S iibout to uarr3 l out his threat the girl snatches up a vial from tho table, daehes it in tho man s face, and poisons him witli the deadly, fumes of raoinus. 'The Everlasting irianglo is tho significant and i»inted titlo oi a pathetic clraiiKi, a new 1-athe Gazette, and a war film entitled "Tho tight for the Coast," both contain some Btnking pictures from the front, while some excellent comedy subjecte complete a pleasing series. The same pictures will be shown to-dey.

HAYWARD'S PICTURES. The new scries of picture* shown at the Octagon Theatro last evening more than maintains the reputation of this hotfeo of amusement for ttio high quality arid attractiveness of ite programmes, ihe p:o----turea attracted, as usual, a largo audience, which waxed enthusiastic not only over the general excellence of the eobject*, but also shewed no little appreciation of the delightful programme of incidental music by the well-controlled orchestra. The chief picture in the new series is tho representation ol -.Vlr Barnes, ot iSow \ork," a light romance of absorbing interest, which achieved a remarkable measure of popularity somo years ago, and which stul holds its own amid a mass of more recent fiction. Tho attractiveness of the picture is -Increased by the capable acting of a strong company of artists, Leaded by Mr Maunco Costello in the title role. Throughout 5000 feet of film the remarkable adventures ot Mr Barnes, experienced in pursuit of tao heart and hand of Enid Anstruthcr, holds a close grip on tho attention. Exciting events follow one another rapidly, the scene of action changing frequently irom Gore™, to France, and from Egypt to Monte Carlo When it is said that tho story has losu little or none at all by its reproduction on the screen, it will readily bo understood by those who have enjoyed tho reading ci tho book, that the p.cturo is one ot exceptional merit. The war pictures in the new series aro of an extremely interesting nature. A film entitled "The Fight ior tbv Coast," include among others, views of tho Belgian tishing fleet held up at Boulogne, dog transports proececimg through ruined towns to the firing-line, British troops moviDg through the snowclad country around Yyres, and other vJJir views. "Beautiful California" is a clwrming ecenic study, ar.d the comedies include "Two's Company," and "Dash. Love, and Flash." The programme will bo repeated to-night.

QUEEN'S THEATRE. The usual change of programme drew large attendances to each session at the Queen's Theatre yesterday. The star item is a Vita, production entitled "Shadows of the Past." Antoinette, a very beautiful girl, is secretary to a young politician named Haddon, candidate for the position of governor. He ialls in love with her, and she consents to marry him after his election is over. A rival politician. Mark Stetson, visiting Haddon's chambers, meets Antoinette, who recoils from him in horror and alarm, aa ho ie the possessor of a secret ehe wishes to hide from the wcrld. Some years before Antoinette- and her friends, Mr and Mrs Brandon, have beeomo entangled in some smuggling schemes by Stetson, who, to eave himself has 'scoured their arrest and imprisonment. After their release they make every endeavour to retrieve their past by exemplary conduct. Antoinette's fears are confirmed by Stetson's subsequent conduct. Ho visits Brandon, and forces him by threats of exposure, to assist in a scheme for Haddon's political ruin. During a dinner given to Haddon, Mrs Brandon is to induce- him to go with her to a famous cafe, telling him Antoinette is there with Stetson. Brandon is to discover his wife, and thus ruin the candidate's chance of election. The scheme, however, fails through the courage and resource of Antoinette, who, lured to Stetson's apartments, escapes through a clever ruse, and arrives at the cafe in time to join Haddon and Mrs Brandon before Brandon appears. Stetson and his female- accomplice, who follow Antoinette in a motor csu , , crash into an engine at a level crossing and are instantaneously killed. This plot is worked out amidst a sumptuous, but somewhat vulgar and ostonatious display of misapplied wealth, and tiu beautiful rooms and costumes charm the eye, but the plot is unadulterated villianry from beginning to end, and as such it has few redeeming qualities. The supporting items afford a pleasing contrast. :ind include a capital view of the French fishing fleut held up at Boulogne, views of the trenches under winter conditions in Belgium, and a comprehensive, list of items provided by the Topical Budget. The β-imo series will bo screened to-day.

PLAZA PICTURES. . The new programme shown at the Plaza Pietiuo Theatre yesterday consists almost wholly of one huge drama. It is Sir A. Conan Doyle's detective- story "A Study in Scarlet," put into picture form. Those who know this fascinating story will realise that it is well adapted for such treatment, and the Samuelson Film Manufacturing , Cbmpanj- has certainly made the most of the possibilities in this case. The story opens with the picture of a long oarayan straggling , its way across the desolate alkali waste that lies between the Sierra Novadas and the Great Salt Lake. It is Brigham Young, the notorious Mormon prophet, leading his followers to a land of promise, where, unmolested, they may live according to the dictates of their creed. In its wanderings tho oaTavan finds a lost and dying party of pioneers and saves from ;f.niong them one John Ferrier and a little baby girl, on tho understanding that they accept tho Mormon creed. In the next, stago of tho story the little girl is now a grown woman, Luey Ferrier, and she loves and is loved by ;i golddiggor named Jefferson Hope. Lucy is compelled to enter into a polygamous marriage, and llo]>e j s frant-r efforts to save her result only in her early (loath. Over her body Hope, takes a solemn vow that he will be n.ve.ng'vl on the two Mormons to wlfnm Luoy was offered in marriage. Thn third section shows Hope, now an old cnhimn in London, finding the opportunity of executing his vow. and brings on tho scene the immorf:i] Sherlix-k Holmes. By accident Hope finds his prey and murders them both 'on suorwdm!.? nights. Ifolmns is called in to assist Scotland Yard, pieces together one liWle clue after another, and finally, with tho aid of his brigade of street arabs, effects the dramatic arrest, of Jefl'erson Hope. Dentil overtakes the old mi'.n while he is being examined at tho police atation. Somo idea

of the detail with wbieh this -wonderful story has been elaborated in the picture may be gained from the fact that it ia 6000 ft in length. It has not been shown before anywhere in Australasia, The photography is of a very .high order, ami the acting is the work of jrreat performers, who know how to work subtly upon the feelings without ros'jrt. to violent or to too obvious methods. The tension of watching this somewhat painful tragedy is relieved by a bright iittlo comedy, entitled "The Baby Did It." 'Hie latest pictures from the war compifjte the programme, wiiich. will bv shown again as usual to-day.

KING EDWARD THEATRE. The new programme presented at the King Edward Theatro yesterday comprised some very fine subjects, which were appreciated by a large audience last night. Chief among the number was a pictorial dramatisation of "Mr Barnes, -jf New York," with Maurice Coscello as Mr Barnoe. Years ago, and oven now, the books of tho author of this story (Mr A C. Ounter) aro among the most popuar sellers of the day, and that fact. enhanced the cost to the Vitagraph Company when it secured tho Hole rights to produce in picture form thij novel in question. ]<lach inch of tlio 5000 ft of drama, which embodies incidents in Egypt, Monto Carlo, Corsica, and France, is crammed full of sensational and exciting , scenes, and the plot of Iho novel is faithfully adhered to, the acting and production are on a splendid scale, and "Mr Barnes of New York" easily ran-ks as cue of the best feature filme yet presented in DnnediiL In addition to this entertaining picture, a Keystone- comedy, entitled "Dash Love, and Splash," fairly sent tho audience into convulsions, while "Two's Company" also called a threat deal of merriment, 'iho other pictures were: "Beautiful California" aEd "Gaumont War Graphic" The pro gramme will be shown again to-day.

GRAND THEATRE. "Tho Silent Valley," a fine drama of life in Western America, was the main item of tho new programme shown at the Grand Theatre yeeterday. The principal character is adopted as a child by a kind-heaxtod family, but provee of a very undisciplined nature, all controlling efforts of his fosterparents being unavailing. Ho gets into all kinds of mischief, and canses great trouble to his guardians, who cannot succeed ia chocking his niisdcmeammrs. He grows up without any alteration in his dispositi»n, and years afterwards is again shown, the terror of Silont Valley, a mining village which he has made his home. He wields a despotic sway over its inhabitants, and 13 tacitly accorded the position of an uncrowned king, whose will none may dispute. One. night he attends t. theatrical performance, and acts in a boorish manner, interrapting in an unseemly way and spoiling the sequence of tho play. A giri at last comes on the stage, and he falls in k.ve with her at eight. Pursuing his usual methods, h<? instantly claims her, and would marry her at once, willy-niUy. Ho carries her away, und declares his love, only to be repulsed. The girl in enraged at his insolent appropriation of her, and refuses to listen to his suit Realising that bhtster is of no use, he changes his tactics, and, assuming a more humble air, explains that tho rongh-and-ready method which he has employed is the only way ho knows of making love. She then relents, and l«v«-«g the town engaged to her masterful wooer, having made a promise to come back. She returns in the springtime, and the two are wedded. "With the British Forces at the Front" is a fine war picture, and other films are: "Her Trip to New York" (a good comedy), "A Triangle Marriage," and " Learning How." Tho programme will be repeated to-day.

CONCERT AT SOUTH DUNEDIN. A treat is in store for the public of South Dunedin to-morrow evening, when the leading artists of Dunedin are assisting- the committee to raise funds to "rebuild the Catholic parish school. Thii bits been in existence for over 40 years, and it has now bc?n decided to rebuild it in brick. £1000 is required for the first wing. The committee is to be complimented upon having secured such splendid talent for this concert, which will provide one of the few remaining opportunities of hearing that veilknown artist Mr W. W. Crawford, who is shortly leaving Dunedin. The high class entertainment, combined with its worthy object, ensures , a largo attendance.

PRIXOBSS THEATRE The firm of Brennan-Fuller annonnce the re-opening for some considerable time of the Princess Theatre on Monday. This "'ill bo {rood news to lovers of good vaudeville and tho public generally! The bill for the opening week will b<? of a very special ordeij—in fact, an all star one. Included in it will be that incomparable artist who 15 months ago won tho whole of his audiences by sheer ability, Mr Henri French. Genius manifests 'itself in many forms. This must r.o the impression of thoswwho saw Henri Fronch perform at- tho King's Theatre. In the course of a few minutes, while he- is on the stage, he goes through a catalogue of acts that would take 10 other persons, each specially gifted to perform, for ™eh one of the tnoks has taken weeks of hard rehearsing to perfect. M. French is an assiduous actor, and .he never trins anything in nublio that ho has not thoroughly mastered beforehand. Hβ has toured tho world under, engagement to vaudeville managers, and has been half uay round with shows of his own. He took his own company through tho United States Cuba. Uruguay, the Argentine, and Australia. Other great acts will be associated with him. particulars of which will be given later. The box plan is now,open.