AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16675, 22 April 1916, Page 12

AMUSEMENTS.

PRINCESS THEATRE. On Thursday evening tihe Princcss Theatre •was well filled in all parts, and tho various itojrus comprising a -well-selected programme gave general satisfaction. Yesterday afternoon and evening tho xnombers of th© company had an opportunity of showing thoir versatility, and in a somewhat unaccustomed rolo they displayed their powers to much advantage. Practically every item was in keeping with the character of the day, and tho many sacred items that found a place in tho bill received adequate treatment. In tho first part of tho entertainment several of tho individual members of the company appeared, while the second portion was supplied by members of the Victor Prinoe_ Revue Company, many of whom mado admirable soloists. The entertainment partook very largely of tho character of a sacred concert, and, as such, it proved thoroughly enjoyable, enoores being demanded of practically every performer. Tho usual matinee and evening performances •will be given, to-day, -while a special raatine© is being arranged for Monday. Big changes in the personnel of the oon- . tributors to the variety side of the entertainment are announced for Monday night. The predominant now attraction, -will bo tho first appearance of Charles and Anna G locker, described as oomedy water juggling specialists, whose act introduces something novel, miles away from tho juggling exhibitions _ exposed hero on other occasions, and amusing as -well as amazing. Almost as important. an addition to the company will bo the Harrison-Stuart duo of Ethiopian entertainers, in " Ebony Servants." When it is announced that four of tho biggest successes of this week will bo retained—Do Baker's Models, Armitage and Hine, Alf Holt, and Flavin and Thompson—there should be no need of further assurance of tho unique strength of tho vaudeville side of the new bill. By special request, tho Victor Prince Revueical Comedy Co:rnany -will stage their first and (in most snoots) most popular comedy revue, " The Midnight Club," ill which _Mr Prince and his clever coterie of comedians havo the greatest Opportunities. HAYWARIXS THEATRE. There were excellent attendances at the Octagon Theatre on Thursday and yesterday, when a specially selected aeries of films, supporting tho big production "Her Triumph," in which the famous dancer Gaby Deslys takes a prominent part, afforded good entertainment to those in quest of amusement suitable to the holiday occasion. j The big picture, with Thursday's auxiliary items, will be repeated to-day. (I QUEEN'S THEATRE. A programme of pictures pleasing in many respects and maintaining a fairly high standard throughout was introduced at the Queen's Theatre on Thursday afternoon. The principal film of tho series was [ a comedy drawn on quite unusual lines, and having about it an air of freshness and originality that raises it to a very high level of merit. The title role of this picture which is entitled "Mrs Black is Back," filled by an accomplished actress named May Irwin, whose personality pervades tho whole film, lending it much of its piquant charm. The story is founded upon a oommon piece of feminine deception, the practice of which is regarded as no very serious offence, but which in the case under notice is followed by the most unlooked-for results. Mrs Dangerfield, a widow of close on 40 years, contracts her second marriaga with Professor Blaok, who lays the flattering but spurious unction to bis 60ul that his "young wife" has not yet reached 30 years. At this important juncture Jack Dangerfield, Mrs Black's son by her first marriage, returns from England, and after practising the most ludicrous deceptions, the relationship of the pair has to be acknowledged to the doting husband. This excellent vehicle of comedy is made the most of, and a highly diverting' film results. "The Wardrobe Woman" is a picture with a very human element in its composition. It is a tale of theatrical life, and tho earnest solicitudo which the good-hearted "wardrobe" woman shows in regard •to one of the chorus girls, whom sho has made the special subject of her care, is not a little affecting. A new Path© Gazette is full of interesting war matter, and is a really admirable film. The same pictures will _be shown again to-day and in tho evening. Special sessions were held yesterday, when an appropriate programme was a source of pleasure to people on pleasure bent. PLAZA THEATRE. As usual a new programme was presented at tho Plaza Theatre on Thursday. A lengthy film, depicting a story of very considerable interest, pretty well occupied the time allotted to the programme. "John Glayde's Honour" is the title of the story, and it sketched oharacter in a powerful ■ manner. John Glaydo is a man of scrupulous honour, but so immersed in business that his wife gets the unshaken idea that , he. is indifferent to her. Even when she is on the point of for Europe to visit some aristocratio friends in Paris, Glayde is 60 tied up with business affairs . that he neglects to see her off; satisfying himself by sending her flowers by a messenger. Muriel' feels. and resents this, and ; when she gets in the whirl of Parisian society is filled with bitterness, and in a fit frame of mind to commit indiscretion thai, under different circumstances, would be abhorrent to her. Trevor Lerode, _an artist with aristocratio connections, paints Muriel's picture, and matters are getting dangerous when Glayde gets a hint of what is going on. Immersed in big speculations

as ho is, he fit once proceeds to Paris, and offers to purchase the portrait from Lerode, but Lerode refuses to part with it. A violent quarrel ensues, which is interrupted by Lady Lerode, and Muriel, frightened by tho intensity of her husband's passion, simulates tondeniess and succeeds in restoring him to a calmer frame of njind. The saruo picture and the supporting items will bo screened this afternoon and tonight. There was a largo attendance at tho Plaza Theatre last veriing, tho attraction being tho splendid characterisation of the name part in " John' Glayde's Honour" by Aubrey Smith. It will be shown this afternoon, and finally to-night. The mueli-talked of features by the Metro firm have been scoured by tho Plaza management. Regarding these tho Bioscope says:—"Tho Metro pictures shown approach very nearly one's ideal of the 'perfect film.' They aro without a ehadow of doubt, tho most remarkable and tho most dstinctivo pictures wo have been called on to review." The first of these, " The Sccond in Command," will bo presented on Monday. Tho leading characters are sustained by Francis X. Bushman and Margurito Snow. This film gained first honours at the lato Panama Exhibition, and tho actors were entertained at a banauct in tho evening by the director of tne Exposition. KING EDWARD THEATRE. At the King Edward Theatre there wore on Thursday presented several new pictures that have special claims to consideration. Gno is "The Easterbrook Case," a Broadway Star drama., in which aro featured most of the best of the Vitagraph screon artists. Howard Easterbrook and Paul Sturpera quarrel over a woman, and there is a fijfht. That night Sturgess is seen to enter Ensterbrook's room, revolver in hand, and a servant is an eye-witness of a mysterious hand app_.:.nng from behind a curtain and stabbine EasteirTarook. Sturgess is arrested, but later certain information comes to the police which clears him of any guilt, and ho is released, and marries happily. " Tho Groat Detective " is an amusing comedy, in which one Hinky Dink seeks to emulate tho deeds of the detective force. In his efforts ho falls foul of a Mrs Scrapps, and narrowly escapes a beating <i.t that irato lady's hands. Ho follows up the supposed murder of Mr Scrapp, and again encounters tho formidable Mrs Scrapp. whom he belierves to bo the murderess. Miss Scrap*) comes to tho rescue, and on tho strength of a promise of marriage stands Hinky's friend._ Finally .vLrs Sorapp. finding there is matrimony in tho air for her elderly daughter, relents towards Hinky, and bestows her blessing on tho loving couple. There is another equally good oomedy, "Mother's Busy Week," and an excellent number of the Australian Gazette inoluded in the programme, which_ undoubtedly presents considerable attractions, and will bo pleasing to patrons. Yesterday the programme was also appreciated. A pleasing feature of tho series was "Tho Power of a Hymn," -which had an appeal for all. Scenic, educational, and topical subjects comprised the remainder of the series. GRAND THEATRE. The programme of well-chosen pictures that is being placed before lovers of good pictorial films was keenly enjoyed on Thursday by substantial holiday audienccs. The principal pictures, "The Black Box" and "The Rogues of London,'' with a number of appropriate and varied items, were again watched with pleasure yesterday. The programme will be submitted again to-day. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. The principal picture at Everybody's Theatre lor toe latter part of the week is "The One Between," or "A Woman's Revenge/' It is highly imaginative, and not a little sensational. The woman is Nelly, a comely representative of womanhood, who is a cabaret dancer, and who is put to base purposes to lure wealth from ian American gentleman. She is presented to the American—Stanton Crosby—-aa a famous Russiap dancer by some of the "Black Mask" gang, to which an individual named "the Bladk Rat," apparently Nelly's husband, is attached. Nelly's feelings towards "the Black Rat" seem somewhat uncertain. She exhibits certain affectionate tendencies, and then recoils from the man. Her meeting with Crosby opens a new life to her, and, not very well knowing it, sho is attracted towards the American, who, with all the failings of mankind, is not what can correctly be described as a bad man. Crosby, on his side, is attracted by Nolly, but whether it is a pure or a base lovo at the outset seems doubtful. It, however, turns pure in tho end. Nelly leaves the gang, her dancing haunts, and everything, and goes to America with Crosby. "Hie Black Rat" follows, and, to make a long story short, murders Crosby just as he is making preparations to wed Nelly. Nelly sees & finish of tho tragedy, witnesses the assassin, and devotes her entire energies to tracking him. This she succeeds in doing, with the aid of an old masculine friend, and finally has the satisfaction of seeing i "the Black Rat" handed over to the officers of the law to answer a charge of murder. The drama is supported by "The Smuggler's Daughter" and "Mabel at the ; Wheel. 1 ' Some change was made in the programme yesterday to meet tho requirements of .Good Friday. EMPIRE THEATRE. A new programme was presented at the Empire Theatre on Thursday afternoon, in the presence of a'large audience. Among the pictures presented were some very fine subjects, those worthy of special mention being "Parson of Pine Mountains," "Deep Sea Fishing," "The Silence of Jasper Holt," and "The Wood Violet." The firstmentioned' is a story of a man who was caught by Parsons ill-treating a horse, and was urged by the witness to bo more patient with the animal. Tho remonstrance was unheeded, and the cruel one proceeded to continue his treatment of the horse, when Parsons, talcing tho law into his own hands, the man down, and thereby taught 'him a lesson on the need of displaying a better sense of humane spirit towards animals. "Deep Sea Fishing" is a very instructive film, and shows the trying' time of trawlers while engaged in the fishing industry in the North Sea. Heavy seas swashing the deeks of tho trawlers are depicted inua most realistic manner—in fact, that is a feature of the film. "The Silence of Jasper Holt" is a pathetic story in a way. It shows how Jasper Holt is derided by his fiancee because ho has not enlisted. Ho refrains from making the explanation that ho had pledged his word to his mother to care for his crippled sister. He eventually arranges for tho proper care and attention for his sister, and forthwith enlists. When his sweetheart learns the truth she expresses regret for her hasty judgment of her lover, and they become reconciled. "The Wood Violet" is a very pretty drama, and tells how a young girl of the woods, after marrying a wealthy man of a neighbouring eitv. pines for the scehes of her childhood. This is noticed by her husband, who at once builds her a in the woods, and sho goes back to tho life of her youth. The seenic effects are splendid. The other films screened were: "Lady Baffles and Det-ctivo Duck," "OVl_ Mother Gray," and "Nosey Parker." This programme, with tho exception of tho three pictures latterly referred to. was screened yesterday and "was much enioved. The theatre will be open again to-day at the usual hours. FREDERIC COLEMAN. On. Saturday evening, at the Burns Hall, a distinguished international journalist, Mr Frederic Coleman, will commence a series of lectures, entitled " With tho Allies 'in Franco and Flandere." Mr Coleman is an old campaigner and war correspondent and as a member of the Royal Automobile'dub Corps h'e was attached to the Headquarters • Staff and was an actual eye-witness of many of the Titanic struggles that have taken place on tho western front. Mr Coleman received the following letter from the famous cavalry leader, Major-general do Lisle: —"My Dear Coleman, —From tho becrinning of tho camnaign to tfoe time I was transferred to another division my cavalry never west into action without your car moving backwards and forwards from the Brine line to my headquarters, and I hope you will make it oloar to your audiences that you did not view the fighting from a position miles in" the rear, as is necessarily the caso with correspondents. Whatever life may bring you, you will/ always admit that you never spent a more wonderful time than the months you spent in tho front lino ■ with my Is# Cavalry Division." The lectures will be illustrated by some_ realistic pictures taken by Mr Coleman himself, as official photographer to the British Headquarters Staff. Mr Coleman's car was hit by German shells on six occasions, and he himself ivas wounded. Other lectures, will be given an the following Wednesday and Thursday evenings. Tho plans will bo opened at thb Bristol Piano Company's premises on Wednesday morning. Mr W. Ma ben, accountant in the office >f the town clerk, Timarut has received ■apid promotion since he joined the New Zealand Forces a few months ago (says ;ho Herald). Going into camp ae a private le was soon promoted to be a corporal, and leforo he left Now Zealand as a member )f the staff of tho hospital sb. : p Maheno, ie was made a sergeant. On Tuesday Serjeant Maben received word of his pronotion to tlie roJik of adjutant.