FULLERS’ PICTURES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2983, 17 May 1911, Page 77

FULLERS’ PICTURES.

Another distinct success was added oa the 15th to the long and ever-g.rowing iist of these achieved by Messrs Fuller in their popular cinematograph entertainments at the Princess Theatre. There was an absoenoe of soenio films from the eeri©3, but with that exception all varieties of subjects were well represented, the programme being particularly strong in comio studies. Pathe Gazette No. 103 deals vividly with many most interesting recent events. Amongst these are motor-racing at Brooklands, tihe Duke of Connaught's inspection of the Coldstream Guards (whose appearance won hearty applause), the young Prince of Wales's farewell to Dartmouth (when he made his first public speech), Paris fashions in hair„ the results of th? Viareggio cyclone, and the French cyclopcdestrian race. A most extraordinary film showed the growth and development of many well known plants in their earliest stages. The actual speed of the prooesa depicted was increased 12,000 times, so that the audience could see mustard, Bcarlet runners, lawn grass, cress, cucumbers, paraley, and other plants pushing through tho ground, rising, spreading out, and developing in all directions before their eyes. One most interesting section of the film showed fern plants drooping and dying, choked by germinating peas. " Gamblers of the West," by the Essanay Company, tells of a strong resourceful young man who saves* a father from the consequences of his passion for gambling, and incidentally wins the heart of his daughter. "The Tramp Cyclist" is not only extremely clever on his machine, but plays so many comical tricks on passers-by that he keeps the audience in roars of laughter. The story of "Fisher Folks" concerns a fisher lad who marries to spite the coquette who teaseu him. Her (subsequent efforts to make mischief in the homo are frustrated by tho arrival of a little stranger, who binds husband and wife together again. "Fate's Turning" is another story of a dishonourable man, who shows very little regard for the feelings of the girls to whom ho becomes engaged. Tho Six Brampton Girls" give a really marvellous aorobatk exhibition of tumbling, balancing, a»-

somersaults. More than one of the fiima last night was greeted with laughter which was simply uproarious. One of these depicted the doings of a wonderfully-tramed panther, wihose visits to various apartments and shops causes extreme confusion and consternation. Another which had an almost equally good reception „ showedvhe result of the efforts of one "gumptious to produce "Romeo and Juliet with the aid of a few amateurs trained by himself, "Neighbouring Kingdoms" is an amusing old-time tale of a prince and princess who are to be forced to marry. Before they meet they determine to hate one another. but when,at length they are unwillingly brought together they find they have _already fallen in love in the disguises they had assumed in order to escape the marriage. "Tommy gets a Trumpet introduces many of those bewildering and always acceptable illusions which the.picturemakers contrive to produce Tommys trumpet has the power of blowing .away anything against which he directs it, so that the crowds who rush towards, him are immediately swept back, the hurled at him return as promptly through the windows from whence they come, and apparently he has no difficulty in lifting off SToeiling of a room and letting, down with a oradh the party that ls _ holding an entertainment on the floor acoye. The charm of appropriate musio is added throughout the whole entertainment. ALIIAWBRA THEATRE The-e was a very big attendance at the Alhambra Theatre on the loth, whe.ua fresh bill was submitted to patrons, and several artists made a first appearance. The new programme is one of uniform merit, and white there are no "star" turns, there are none which are not entertaining or amusing, and the bill should draw good houses for the rest of the week. Tiw-ee very clever juvenile performers who made a first appearance wero the Elliott Sisters, 3ne of whom is a very diminutive maid, who speedily won her way into the hearts of the audienoe. Maud Fanning, who also -nade her initial bow to D-unedin audiences. Is described) as Australia's foremost coon ~Vnper6onat»r, and she does no* belie the Sscription. She is assisted by three little tfbildreav and throws a tremendous amount tl energy into her work, the result being «ha 4 there is a very taking swing and about her singing which earned \ot her unstinted applause, which was renewed when she concluded her performance dth an impromptu haka. Another new\smer was Arthur Elliott, who proved himself a clever comedian with a pleasing voice and a good flow of "patter." His turn in the second half was even better than his contribution to the first part, and stamps him as a comedian of merit who 6houkl be a valuable acauisition to the company. Unfortunately the merit o.f his turn in the first half was considerably discounted by the use of an expression which ■was attributed to him by at least a section of the audience, and which could merit nothing but condemnation. The comedian, however, denies having mad© use of the expression in question. A tuneful balladist in the person .of Lucy Lavinia is also a newcomer, and she made a very good impression by her song, ' Ave you leokinjr for a girl like me?" The redoubtable Harry Sadler, who seems to improve as each week goes by, appealed in a. fresh budget of comicalities, the best of which was undoubtedly a burlesque entitled "The Sentry," while diaries Heath gave a pleasing rendition of "Eileen Alannah" and was even more successful with " The deathless airmy." Farrell and Gaffney appeared in a new -turn, in which Farrc£l, the "one-legged comedian," gave a marvellously clever exhibition of dancing. He ■was ably assisted in his turn by Gaffney,

who also appeared in the first part. Thie Staig troupe of cyclists appeared again in - their sensatiocial performance on an upraised platform which revolves rapidly in one direction while the cyclists ride in the other direction. The Gibson Girls appeared to advantage in song and danoo. while Elaine Verroll, Lilian Loftus, and Nellio Seairle all helped to the success of the entertainment.