ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 16889, 14 November 1911, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

•>—;— ; PULLERS 1 PICTURES, The first change of Fullers’ Pictures for the week attracted a crowded house to the Zealandla Hall Inst night, when a most entertaining programme was presented. The first picture deals with a travel subject. “The Trade of the Arabs,” and it was followed with close attention. “Out of the Shadow.” Is .a society’ drama that is made attractive by pretty scenes, dainty dresses and charming acting. The plot of the story Is the old one of the temporary estrangement between husband and wife; when the latter becomes a damply dismal companion'grieving over the I6ss of her dead baby. Another charmer comes into the field and boldly poaches the affection that the erring husband is too impatient to preserve for his wife. The latter wakes up to a proper appreciation of the way things are drifting, takes once more a keen interest in pretty frocks, and brings her husband to heel in short order, Incidentally scoring a truly satisfying triumph over the interloper. "The Switchman’s Tower” is notable for ’ admirably . clear photography. The herolsit) of the switchman in turning a crowded picnic train on to the main line where his little girl is playing is well pictured. “A Rebellious Blossom” is a distinctly pretty comedy, well prod need and cleverly acted. "The Two Jumping Brothers” is a short film showing the prowess of a couple of celebrated acrobats. The turn Is well worth seeing even in a moving picture. "The Interrupted Game” is a really laughable comedy In which some good work Is presented by the actors concerned. The second' part of the entertainment was introduced by a representation of "How Burgess Swam the Channel,” In which the famous athlete is shown in action in a riiost realistic manner. In fact, the picture iis an excellent one. "The Victorian Racing Carnival,” Includes the Derby and Melbourne Cup races, - and Pathe Frere’s have treated the subject in a very ar : tlstlc manner. The Cup was only decided the day before the mall left and It is rather a smart piece of work to have the race screened in Invercargill six evenings afterwards. A powerful dramatic study is met with In “The Special Messenger.’’ a story of the American Civil War, and It contains some highly sensational .scenes, chief of which is one where the hero leaps his horse from 1 a bridge into a swiftly-racing stream below in order to escape his Federal pursuers, who have cut him off from both ends of the erection. The dive Is a skilful and thrilling one and adds' materially to the Interest of a picture replete with life and adventure. “Australian Gazette No. 61” presents foot-racing by ladles, some buck-jumping Incidents, and a number of scenes of events of recent happening, most of which have been already heard of by wire. A pretty tale is unfolded in “The Rose of Kentucky,” and not the least Interesting portion is that where a tobacco planter takes the heroine over his holding and incidentally an Idea Is afforded of how the weed is cultivated. Two humorous creations, "Foolshead Somnambulist’ ’and "Tontollnl Stops Everything.” are both laughter provokers and the latter also depends for some of its merits on clever trick cinematography. EATVABS'S PICTURES. There was a very good house at the Lyceum Hall for “change night,” the stalls being about half full, and the gallery well tenanted. The programme Is a good all-round one, and has the virtue of being well varied. The first part consists of a series of interesting films which Include two scenlcs. one drama, two comedies, a coloured fairy tale, and the Melbourne Cup picture. The second half Is entirely given up to a grand picture “Our Army,” All of the films mentioned are well chosen and throughout their course, the audience showed frequent signs of approval. The Melbourne Cup of 1911 was run only 12 days before It was shown plctorially In Invercargill, a circumstance which goes to show the enterprise that is being Introduced into the picture business nowadays. It must have come as a revelar Hon to those who had never seen the great race at Flcmington to see the enormous crowds that assembled on that course last Tuesday week. The picture is a splendid one and, quite apart from the interest which Us subject lends, it is plctorially a fine production.' The other films In the first part are all well up to the standard maintained at the Lyceum. To tlie series of pictures dealing with the various branches of that great organisation the British Army must special mention be glvdn. Hero may be seen the engineers speedily erecting a pontoon bridge over which Infantry, cavalry and artillery pass : a short time after the work has been taken In hand. The balloon section of the Engineers at work Is another interesting subject and shows the daring things that these men are called upon to do. Military manoeuvres on a big scale show how modern troops are handled when - going Into action. Specially interesting are the various feats of horsemanship and other events Included In the programme of a big military tournament, all of which go to convoy some Idea of the training which the British soldier is called upon to perform. The series concludes with sports and exhibitions of gymnastics , by the boys of the Duke of York’s School. Altogether the programme is a strong all round one.