AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16545, 19 November 1915, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS

PRINCESS THEATRE. Thero was a fair attendance at tho Prinoess Theatre last night. The current programme contains some very interesting and amusing items. Delevale and Gilbert, tho patter comedians, keep up a continual ripple of laughter throughout the whole of their extensive occupation of the 6tage, and Rowley and Tointon (dancers), Ted Russell, and others have found much favour. The principal turn, however, is presented by Herbert Brooks, the great mystifier, whose work is exceedingly clover. Balancing Stevens is in his last week. A special matinee will be given on Saturday afternoon, and no doubt a large number of people will take advantage of tho opportunity Cif seeing 'Herbert Brooks's feats. HAYWARD'S PICTURES. The Octagon Theatre was again largely patronised last night, when the long drama "'The Escape" was repeated. It is well worth seeing. The Australian racing carnival is illustrated by various scenes on the Flemington•racecourse before the contest for the Melbourne Cup, and the big race itself is seen from start to finish. The programme will be screened again this evening. QUEEN'S THEATRE. "The Silent Plea," which forms the chief attraction at the Queen's Theatre for the latter part of the ourrcnt week, is an interesting story of the troubles and afflictions that beset a young widow, who is left penniless. She has two children to support, and struggles on until she has to part with them owing to their being placed in an orphanage. Away from tne good influence of a mother, they eventually become incorrigibles, and return to her. The widow appeals to an old friend for assistance. He is a senator, and the widow's story has such an effect upon him that in the Senate he makes a most eloquent and impassioned speech in favour of a Widows' Pension Bill, and is instrumental in getting it passed into law. This affords some relief to the widow, who finally becomes the happy wife of the senator. "Gertie" is a most amusing trick sketch, drawn by Winsor M'Coy, a prominent American cartoonist, in which >s grotesquely portrayed tho pranks of a huge prehistoric reptile. the of Number One," a Kalem drama, is one of those exciting depictions that find favouT with so many. A gang of desperadoes engage in oil sorts of unlawful and criminal deeds, JLnd are at one period of their existence foiled 'by the courage and heroism of Helen, who is in charge of the telegraph office. The gang, however, is still at large, and proceeds with, its nefarious methods, until pounced upon by tho police, and arrested after a desperate fight. Some very fine pictures of Egyptian travel are witnessed in " On tho Nile," and from this film a very fair impression is gained of Oriental character and methods. A strikingly good number of the Pathe Gazette, in which war pictures predominate, and. a good Gaumont Graphic complete the series. PLAZA PICTURES. The adventures of Hazel Wilmot form the theme for the Kinema plot in " A Kinema Girl's Romance," which was screened at the Plaza Theatre yesterday afternoon for the first time, in conjunction with a number of other interesting items, all of which were received with warm approval by large attendances. Being suddenly reduced from wealth to penury through stock market manipulations, Hazel's stepmother urges her to keep her change of fortune a secret, and to accept the offer of marriage made by Sir Hubert Loftus. But Hazel has given her heart to a young man seeking fortune in Canada, and decides while waiting for him to earn her own living. She secures a position as kinema actress, and spme -A the scenes in the studio give a most interesting idea of the kineo enterprise. Meanwhile Sir Hubert discovers that there is a chance of Hazel recovering her lost fortune, and adopts all the wiles and intrigues of a vindictive and unscrupulous villain to force her to marry him, be'ng aided and abetted in his designs by another actress who is very jealous of Hazel's rapid rise to popularity as a kinema actress. She lures _ Hazel to her Apartments, and just when Sir Hubert is forcing his vile attentions on Hazel her Canadian lover arrives to give the baronet the kind of rough-and-ready justice which appeals to the average audience. All ends happily for the lovers. Other interesting items include the Warwick Chronicle, the Eclair Journal, "The Great Pyramid" (scenic), a most diverting. comedy "The Kaiser Captures Pimple," and the second episode of "Lucille Love." The same items will be screened at to-day's sessions. KING EDWARD THEATRE. The political life of America, allied to the imaginative intellect of the motion picture dramatist, is responsible for the chief film attraction at the King Edward Theatre just now. '"The Secret Code" is the title of this subject, and it deals with the sensational attempt of a foreign agent named Pasca to obtain possession of the United States secret code, and to top this performance with the theft of the key book. In order to effect his purpose he drugged Mrs Holden and a man "named Clinton, two secret service agents, but in neither case was the key to be found, and so he daringly attacked Manning, who was also an agent, and thus brought about his own downfall. Instead of getting what he wanted from Manning he is captured by two sleuths who have been on his track, and the extent of his villainy is exposed, this leading to his immediate arrest. " Susie's Suitors" is a most edifying and amusing comedy, in which the bad effects likely to result from a sudden accession of wealth are thrown into relief. Sue is happy in Jed's love until she falls heir to a lot of money, and then she begins to look rather higher. A number of eligible suitors are ranged around the heiress by her mother, and Jed is scorned. Sue has an uncle, a prison warder who has taken rather a fancy to Jed, and he confides his suspicion to mother and daughter that tho young cavaliers are nothing more than gaol birds. To prove it uncle dons his warden's uniform and blows his whistle. In a flash all the suitors fall into lino, and, from force of habit, perform a lock step. Sue learns a lesson, and repentantly returns to her true lover. " Mary_ Jane Entertains," " Life in a Bulgarian Village," and a new Australian Gazette are three highly entertaining films that complete the series. GRAND THEATRE. Tho latest programme at the Grand Theatre is a distinct feature in moving pictures. " Our British Navy" heads a good bill, and forms a fine example of what can be accomplished in the way of film production. From an educational standpoint the picture has much to commend it, and in that respect, it might be viewed with advantage by classes from the schools in and around - the city and by the Navy League. Seldom it is that such a splendid picture of patriotic import is exhibited in Dunedin. The training of the sailors, from tho start to the finish of their career, is an exceed-

ingly good section of the film, and the scenes of the battleships are such as to awaken the deepest admiration for BritaJn's. power an the mighty deep. A strong supporting programme makes up a most enjoyable entertainment. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. Some line views of scenes more or less familiar to residents of Otago aro included in the new programme at Everybody's Theatre. The cinematographic artist has paid particular attention to the Southern Lakes district, and the views of localities in and around Quoeiwtown are quite refreshing, and, as is only natural, have added interest for those who have visited the spots thrown on the screen. The proprietary is to bo complimented on its enterprise hi E resenting "ecenjes" taken in a. land which as received more than an ordinary share of Nature's beauties. The leading dramatic is entitled "A Gentleman from Mississippi." The story revolves round the adventures in Washington of a newly-elected senator from Mississippi. Bill Langdon recjuires some persuasion, however, before he can be prevailed upon ho accept nomination as a senator —in' fact, he bluntly tells the deputation which waits on him, "I won't be a senator—l am an honest man." Arrived at Washington, the bluff gentleman from the Southern States looks an easy mark for the members of the trust interest who hope to got his assistance to help them in their nefarious schemes. Langdon, however, puts up a strenuous fight against all forms of. graft, and, with the assistance of Bud Haines,. a young newspaper correspondent, safely evades all the intrigues which are evolved to draw him from the straight path. The play is most artistically staged, and Tom Wise, who is buiilt on massive lines, gives a really fine impersonation of tho senator. Other good films are included in the programme, which is of all-round interest.