H4YWARDS PICTURES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3018, 17 January 1912, Page 85

H4YWARDS PICTURES.

The fine series of moving pictures presented at Burns Hall during last week drew good houses from ths time of their first exhibition to the last presentation on Friday evening. The new programme presented on Saturday was in no way inferior to its predecessor, and the enthusiasm with which the whole programme was greeted at both the matinee and evening performances was in every way deserved. The scenic element was more predominant than usual, no fewer than three of tho films being of this class. This is accounted for by the fact that the second series of the magnificent "Coronation Durbar" pictures was not to hand, but is to bo presented for tlie first time to-night, its place being taken by a beautiful series of views about tho town of St. Helier, in Jersey. The two regular ones —" Rambles Through Derbyshire " and the " Niagara Falls"— are line pictures, the last-named being particularly impressive. At first tho size and grandeur of the falls do not stride the imagination, the views being taken from some distance away, but by closer views the volume and force of tho water becomes apparent, and towards the close of the picture, when the mighty flood leaps into the boiling pool and becomes lost in a dense volume of spray, tho effect is magnificent. There is also a good view of tho rapids and a full presentation of tho famous Horseshoe Falls. "Electric Spark and Electric Machines" is a scientific number presupposing a little elementary knowledge of the subject, but it is of considerable merit and r»'> little interest, the experiments being of such a nature as to enable any boy of average intelligence to conduct them for himself. There are three dramatic studies—one being historical. The latter appeals to a Dunedin audience, inasmuch as it is entitled "Robert Bruce," and deals with tho heroic struggle for Scottish independence. The dramatic films arc " Tho Sheriff " and a Wild West scene, while tho third is called " A Colonial Sketch," the scene being presumably Canada. " Robert Bruce" is full of merit, and, though not always convincing, is in the main a fine piece of work. It deals with the nation's choice of the hero uftor the execution of Wallace, and the death of tho "Comyn," the treachery of Lome, the imprisonment of the Queen, and tho enforced hiding of the hero in tho days of his adversity. Tho main figure in the plot is the faithful hound bv whose moans Bruce sends a note of encouragement to his wife in her imprisonment. Lornc enters on the scene at the moment of delivery, and, by means of the dog, tracks the hero to his place of concealment. The approaching band is observed, and, Bruce having placed his men in ambush, the dog immediately follows the indication of tho certain proximity of his master, and. mad t'» roach him, breaks away from his leash, thereby causing Lome and his followers to rush precipitately into the trap. The story ends with the attack on Lome's fortress and the liberation of the Queen. There are three comic pictures. "Bill and his Bear" introduces the picture-lover to further extravagances on the part of old favourites. '' Tho Miser and the Thieves," the first picture on tho programme, created great amusement, and shows some sonso of poetical justice, while the third (" A Sporting Offer") is distinctly novel, though it would have been better had the audience as well as the actors been loft to share the denouement with which it closes. The music all through is good and nicelyadapted, the pieces for " Robert Bruce" being specially arranged by Mrs Reggiardo.