AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16348, 3 April 1915, Page 12

AMUSEMENTS.

PRINCESS THEATRE. The vaudeville entertainment on exhibition at the Princess Theatro attracted a largo audience on Thursday evening, and the various performers wero admirably received. The sarao artists v."i 11 appear again this evening, and as tho programme is a thoroughly enjoyable one, it should not bo missed.

II an dell Jackson Concert Company. Something- epccial is promised for this theatre on Monday evening, when the chief item will bo a series of items presented by the Randell Jackson English Concert Company. This combination, which presents a refined and high-class entertainment, has appeared in several of the'northern towns, and in every case lias created a most favourable impression, and has been noticed eulogistically by the press. Tho company is composed of livo talented performers, all of whom are exceptionally versatile and artistic. Vooally, the combination is particularly well equipped, while the comic element is present in adequate proportions. Another performer will be James Teddy, "who i is described as the champion jumper of the world, and whoso feats are said to be little short' of marvellorus. In addition to these performers there will also be several other artists almost equally adept in the matter of entertaining, and the whole programme should be a most worthy one. HAYWARD'S PICTURES.

mi? was a ar F e audience at the Octagon Theatre on Ihursday night, when the current series of films was screened to the pleasure of thoso present. Again, yesterday, a programmo slightly altered to suit the religious character of u u T as on i?yed by large audiences both at tho matinee and evening performances. Excellent musical accompaniment was a feature. " The Little Grey Lady ' programme will be shown at the afternoon matinee at 2.30 to-day, and for the last time t to-night. For Monday's matinee a .special programme will be submitted. During the holiday the box tilan will be at tho Octagon, and seats may be reserved! per 'phono 3091. Captain Alvaeez. A sensational picture-drama by the Yitagraph Company will head the bill for Monday evening, entitled " Captain Alvarez," produced in six parts. The amazing adventures depicted provide continuous thrills for tho _ onlookers. An idea of the all-round merit of tho film may be gleaned from the fact that it was selected from hundreds of films offering as the season's chief attraction at New York's exclusive theatre. The production is on a lavish scale, and the photography is splendid, while the acting leaves nothing to be desired, the cast including Miss Edith Story in the role of Bonita. Tho story concerns the stirring adventures of a young American, who, sent to the Argentine _ upon a business visit, is eo impressed with the wrongs and suffering of the people that he joins the revolutionary forces, where his dashing exploits provide material for much exciting work. Many of the scenes are of great interest. One in particular is the burning of a bridge, bv which Alvarez stops the rebel pursuit of this force. Another is his dashing gallop across a narrow footbridge spanning a great chasm in his escape from his captorsHow he assisted to depose the tyrant and at the same time won the love of a southern maid is splendidly portrayed upon the screen. -During the week's season this picture, which is 6000 ft in length, should prove a big draw. A further budget of war news and a good comedy will be shown.

. FULLER'S PICTURES. The programme shown at- the King's Theatre on Thursday afforded pleasure to large audiences at each of the sessions. A special series of films was shown at the theatre yesterday. They were all in accord with the character of the day, and were evidently much appreciated by patrons. The programme of pictures, current during the week wijl be screened for the last time to-day. "The Adventuees op Kathleen."

■ "The Adventures of Kathleen" picture has created, popularity throughout the country, both on aocount of the press publicity and more. especially on account of the merit of the story. The management of the King's Theatre has been extremely fortunate in securing the whole of this most elaborate and fascinating series, which is in 13' parts, although every f>art is a complete story in itself. Tho opening instalment on Monday will no doubt be the means of attracting a large audience. Tho Picture World, in describing "The Adventures of Kathleen," makes a comment to the effect that- "all other serials are in the kindergarten class" as compared to this serial, which features Kathleen Williams, "the girl without fear." . ,

QUEEN'S THEATRE. The new films at the Queen's Theatre on Thursday included the fCalem Company's comedy-drama "The Girl and the Explorer." Carlton, a young explorer, on his return to America is besieged- by pressmen for an account of his adventures. . Beldon, a wealthy magazine publisher, tells his daughter Millicent that he would give £2000 for the rights of Carlton's story. Millicent decides to secure the explorer's manuscript. She obtains a position as housemaid in Carlton's house, and watches an opportunity of stealing the story. Carlton falls in love with the new housemaid, and when the. papers report that the publisher's daughter has mysteriously disappeared he realises who the new girl is. Ultimately Carlton pleads his love, and Millicent accepts his proposal on condition that he will give her father the rights of his narrative, which Carlton promptly agrees to. The father andi the detectives are endeavouring to force the door of the house while the young couple are being wedded by means of the telephone. Among the supiporting films are "Nature's Celebrities" (showing the peculiarities of the chameleon and the Indian oobra. "The Courtship of the Cooks" (Edison comedy) and an instructive picture showing the methods adopted in America raise a sunken yacht. The Australian Gazette contains some interesting pictures, such as Toy Dog Club of New South Wales holding a reception, a..monster acquatic carnival on the Derwent, and Dulce Kahanamoku winning the 100 yards swimming championship of Victoria in record time.

Yesterday the programme at this theatre was modified by the omission of two comedies and the star drama, and b* - thp substitution of a lengthy dramatisation of tho story of Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress,*" Both the pilgrimage of Christian himself and tlv later ipilgrimage of his wife and family were included in the picture, and. necessarily, the incidents had to bo very much condensed. Many of the scenes in the wonderful allegory "do not lend themselves to expression in the material forms of theatrical equipment, but tho effort to dramatiso the story was made not without success, and tho picture was greatly enjoyed by large audiences. To-day Thursday's programme will be resumed. "Dottgh and Dtnamitb." "Dough and Dynamite" is described as the •n Keystone comedy yet produced, and will be the star feature on a strong programme to be screened at tho New Queen's Theatre on Monday. "Dough and Dynanite enables Charles Chaplin to perpetrate some new original jokes, and his bakino- and waiting specialities are stated by the management to oaiifc patrons endless fun and hearty roars of laughter. Oha/plin is a waiter m a restaurant, and ho takes tho place of tho cook, who goes on strike. His funnv antics with tho dough and baker's oven are described as boing highly diverting, and his sudden rise m the world through the strikers placing a plug of dynamite in the dough causes the audience to scream with delight. Splendid supporting subjects will also be screened.

PLAZA THEATRE. A powerful drama, entitled " Who Killed George Graves? ' was the principal item of the new programme screened at the Plaza .theatre on Thursday. It illustrated a remarkable story of a murderer •who managed to get on the jury which was to decide as to the guilt or otherwise of the man. who was falsely accused of the crime. OW Sout.Oi contracts an unfortunate marriage with a dissolute scoundrel, George Graves and, anxious to be rid of him, she arranges to pay him a large sum of money if ho will consent to offer no opposition to her divorce. Ho agrees and the money is handed over. Bill Sykes, a clever burglar who hides his identity under a mask of respectability, hears of the bargain, and is determined to rob Graves of the money He makes a burglarious attempt, but is caught in the act by the man whom he is seeking to rob. A struggle ensues, and Graves is killed. John Borne, a lover of Olga, is involved in a mesh of circumstantial evidence, and is finally arrested arid accused of the crime Believing that Olga has killed her husband in a fit of hatred, he makes no defence. 'Sykes manages to get on the jury, and he does his very best to persuade his colleagues to bring in a verdict of guilty. Ho succeeds, and Borne is about to bo sentenced to. death when a sudden illriess of Sykes and a death-bed nee clear things up. In " Broncho Billy and the Greaser " is depicted tho story of how Broncho Billy, tho mail carrier ejects a "greaser" from tho post office for pushmg a girl out of his way. Tho half-breed is angTy and swears revenge. Broncho then goes home, and on his way loses tho mail-bag. Ho does not notice his loss, but tho girl ho protected finds tho

an i_ w^en ?h© approaches Broncho's snack she sees . his enemy prowling about. Hxnv she outwits the half-breed an<J ea>cs Broncho . makes a most sensational story. Other pictures are " Thynne Knows Hi 9 Business," "Extravagant Molly," "Burnfj?lll caches," " The Day of Rest," and the iopieal Journal. This programme will bo repeated to-day. There were good attendances at the Plaza yesterday, when tho fino picture of "The Rosary" was popularly received'. The story is ever fresh, and the charm of tho picture is as strong to-day as when it was first shown in Duncdin. In accordance with requests the picture will be screened again to-day. "The Vulture's Cla.w." On Monday the first screening of the production "The Vulture's Claw" will take place. The fact that tho famous Cines Company axe the producers is said to be a guarantee that nothing has ■ been left undone that could add to tho attraction of tho picture. Tho caro with which the same company produced such works as " Quo Vadis" and "Antony and Cleopatra" should bo a recommendation to the picture on circuit. The story is full of strong situations, hut the most attractive part of the picture is the almost superhuman intelligence of a beautiful dog.

KING EDWARD THEATRE. The popularity of the King Upward -Lheatre appears to bo now thoroughly established. Tho management is showing a good type of picture, produced by the most reputable and well-known companies, and Patrons have not been slow to appreciate this fact. The new pictures installed on Thursday comprised a nicely varied series, headed by an attractive A.K. drama, "Leech of Industry." Tho story unfolded is. well calculated to retain the unwavering attention xtt ?P® c ' a t cirs -. Ivan Dalmagne and James Wright aro in competition for a Government contract. Rolf Powell, a spendthrift, in desperate need of money, is aware of tho competition between his brother-in-law and Wright. Ho finds the latter quite ready to make an offer for a copy of Ivan's tender, which ho knows is reposing in his safe. By skilfully playing on the jealousy existing between certain members of the two families, Powell eventually succeeds in securing tho tender. Ivan hoars of tho plot, but arrives just too late. Realising that the only way to checkmate Wright is to reach • the headquarters of the Government before him, ho takes the midnight train. Early in tho morning the train dashes into a motor car at a level crossing, and Ivan identifies as Wright's the dead body lying pinned under tho wreckage. -The Root of Evil" is a good supporting drama by the A.B. Company, containing plenty of excitement and The chief comedy is a Reliance film entitled "Joko on Yellentown." . The story is concerned with a clergyman who, whilo journeying to a town to preach, loses hi 6 vestments. These are found by two cowboys, who proceed to perpetrate the "joke on Yellentown." The new Pathe Gazette is replete with extremely interesting war scenes. They include, among many others, of the Czar and Czaritza attending celebrations in honour of a. victory in South Poland, soldiers on the plains of Flanders, conference of the Kings of Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, tho_ life of interned .Tack .Lars, and -scenes_ in the trenches, among tho aviators, and in the Expeditionary Force camps.

The pictures were enjoyed by large audiences all day Thursday. A number of special films suitable to the occasion were included m the programme yesterday. The series will bo screened for the last time to-day.

GRAND THEATRE. . The Tbet o' Hearts. ihe leading film on the new programme Grand Theatre on Thursday was rlmm Hearts,'' a Gold Seal serial drama, in which Miss Cleo Madison and Mr Larkm play the principal roles Inere are_ls instalments in the series, each ot which is a complete story in'itself The present part, which is the pfologue, provides an attractive plot, and the scenes are harmonised in such a style that the pictures run along smoothly to the close. Briefly this is the story: Seneca Trine, a financial magnate, married a pretty girl, but his i • j' 8 ? not the happiest, as his wife retained her love for her old, sweetheart, Wellington Law. Through Trine's knavery .Law is ruined and commits suicide. Persisting in his revenge the old man sends the trey o _ hearts, which always gives warnin°" of coming evil, to Law's son, and is. assisted by his two daughters, Rose and Judith. The latter,, with the help of a number of halfbreeds in Canada, plans to carry out her father's wishes, and Law is left to die, tied hand and foot, in a forest fire. The-youno-man, however, 6ucceeds in escaping, and later on saves Judith from, a watery grave.' As. a consequence,., in place of hatred/, for the man -Judith finds...herself; inijoveriwith him. There, arc splendid scenes of the San Gabriel River in California, with a boat and. its occupant being swept down the rapids. In addition to this fine drama there are the following Double Event, Nat Gould's celebrated ■ racing story; "A Wall, Between," a Sterling cpmedy; and a scenic showing views in tho Island of Skye, as. well as a number of instructive pictures of bird life. Yesterday tho programme, which had been somewhat altered to make it more in keeping with the character of the,day, was shown to large and appreciative audiences. The ordinary programme, as shown on Thursday, will be resumed to-day, and patrons are requested to note that the doors will be open at 10.30 a.m., and that the pictures will be. shown right on from that hour . without any interval.

"THE BABES IN THE WOOD." The pantomime "The Babes in the Wood" is the bill of fare that the George Willoughby, Limited, management are offering to playgoers of Dunedin for" seven nights at His Majesty's Theatre, starting tonight. It is a production of unusual merit, and will be presented on a scale of licence and completeness, with every attention to the minutest detail. It has been remarked that the. production (for which Mr Lester Brown is responsible). represents the last word in superior extravaganza; scenic, spectacular, and melodious surprises following one another with a swiftness hitherto unapproached in the annals of pantomime. Miss Daisy Jerome, whose fame as a livewire comedienne, .of marked individuality has become world-wide, will enact the role of the principal girl "Maid Marian," and Miss Ruby Davies will characterise the role of Principal Boy "Robin Hood," and the " Dame " of the Panto will be Dan Thomas, who has already portrayed this type of character on no fewer than six different occasions at'Drury Lane Theatre, London. The supporting cast (which is lengthy) includes some of the best known artists in pantomime work, and embraces the names of Ted Stanley and Bert Le Blanc, who will appear as the two Robbers, Weary Willie and Tired Tim; Bert Barton, as Simple Simon; and Billy Watson, as Baron Hardup; Lola Hunt, has an excellent character to portray in Will Scarlett (the second boy), and Miss Elsie Sloane and Miss Holly Leslie, in the characters. of The Spirit of "Good" and "Evil" respectively. The parts of the " Babes " are . taken by two exceptionally clever children—namely, littlo Averil M'Kellar and baby Lily Skinner. The choruses and ballets are said to be brilliant, and the costumes are both gorgeous and unique, and were designed by that exceptionally clever artist D. H. Souter, of Bulletin fame. The scenic studies are a revelation, and are from the author's (Mr Alf. J. Lawrence) original models, and executed by John S. Mann. There are 42 new vocal numbers, all of which have been arranged by Mr F. WynneJones, who will also conduct the orchestra. The-special vaudeville acts will embrace such world stars.as: Josephine Gassman and her Pics; the Now York Comedy Four; Marcel and Fallon ;_Hanlon, Dean and Hanlon ; also animal impersonators and acrobats. The company arrived in Dunedin yesterday by special train. The complete pantomime embraces 200 people, including the orchestra and the production will be a replica of Sydney's most up-to-date and successful panto. The box plans for to-night and Monday's performances are at Mr Jacobs's shop, also early door day sale tickets. Intending patrons living at a distance may reserve seats by postapplications may be made to the Bristol Piano Co. on Tuesday, with postal note and stamped addressed envelope. A matinee will be held on Monday at 2 p.m., when children will be admitted at half-price to all parts except the pit. The performance will start at 7.45 p.m. punctually.