ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 17470, 26 March 1915, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

POPULAR PICTURE PALACE. A bright and attractive new programme was introduced before a crowded and enthusiastic audience at the Popular Picture Palace last night. and was heartily appreciated as was made abundantly manifest by the applause and laughter which punctuated it. The most salient feature of the series was the ninth instalment of "Lucille Love,” in which the fascinating heroine goes through a range of adventures unexampled in tlie earlier stages of the story. It has been pointed out that it is possible to follow the story from any point by virtue of the very complete synopsis which prefaces each instalment, and the fact that they are not in touch with the events of (lie story should not deter any intending patrons. The particular instalment now current is richly endowed Willi tlie clement of adventure, and the heroine is carried forward a long way towards the solution of the difficult set her in the first instalment, namely, tho recovery of tlie papers involving her father’s honour. "The Billionaire” is a comedy which is alone worthy of a visit. The audience last night gave ample testimony of their appreciation, and the picture promises to be popular during its currency. The drama "Fate Fashions a Letter” is tlie story of a detective who sets out to track down a notorious criminal. His wife writes to him telling him ttiat all is well, that a draft is to be paid to her on Thursday, and that she intends to bank it at once to avoid danger. When lie is taking tho letter fijom tlie postal clerk the detective inadvertently brings it into contact with a gas (lame which set it alight, and all that is left of it is a few words tlie combined effect of which is to summon the detective home with all urgency. He returns at once to find that his own home is being robbed by tlie very criminal for whom he is seeking. The programme also includes another laughable comedy entitled "Mr Dippy Dipped,” and an extensive budget of topical war pictures. This series will be screened this afternoon and evening. FULLERS’ PICTURES. A picture of great interest, well taken, and excellently mounted, is "Lily of Tho Valley.” which was the principal item of the new programme shown for the first time at tlie Zealandia Hall last evening. The theme is based on (tie kindly effort of a young man to save the girl tie loves from distressing intelligence, accompanied by financial misfortune, and while he does not succeed in his attempt, the girl is so touched by his action that she falls in love with firm on tlie spot. Lily Kemble, an orphan girl, receives £(000 as her late father’s legacy. Her guardian. Maynard, sends tier to live with his sister in the country. Hugh Graham, a young city lawyer, anil a, friend of Maynard, goes to the country to take temporary charge of a school which is attended by Lily. Hugh falls in love witli ills pretty pupil, and the attraction is mutual, but at the end of the summer Hugh returns to tlie city. Maynard then informs him that lie lias lost Lily’s fortune in speculation. Hugh decided to make good the deficiency, but Maynard writes to ids sister confessing the truth. Maynard expires suddenly, and Hugh goes to see the dead man's sister and to hand over Lily’s legacy. Tlie young lawyer pretends that he has brought Lily’s money, but the news of Maynard’s defalcations lias already been received. Hugh's kindness in endeavouring to hide the dead man's dishonesty completely wins Lily's heart, and siie gleefully accepts his proposal of marriage. All ends happily with wedding hells. Another excellent drama is “The Horse Thief,” by tlie Vitagrapli Company. With a bunch of other cowboys, Jack Raynor is travelling the range on a fence-repair-ing expedition, an old quarrel breaks out between Jack and another cowboy. During tlie tight. Banks, a foreigner, approaches tlie group, and seeing the cowboy’s fresh mounts, lakes Jack's horse, leaves his own exhausted animal in its place, and resumes his journey at full speed. Catching siftht of the fugitive in the distance, all give chase, and the man is stopped witli a lariat in a very effective manner. The boys find the sheriff i K awav, and the spirit of the wilder West still being extant, the cry of "Lvnch the horse thief’ goes up. Fortunately for him, Sally, the sheriffs daughter, arrives on the spot in time to prevent the lynching. The frightened man, explains that he was in urgent need of a doctor and that wan why he had taken such desperate measures. She also learns the reason of his haste, and convincing the boys a doctor l ls net-ded at once, all dash off to town. The physician is escorted to Banks’s cabin just in time to welcome an addition to the Banks family. In partial atonement for their error and hasty action the boys take up a collection among themselves, and present it to the happy father. The remaining pictures are "Under Burning Skies,” a drama, "Bully Boy, a series of exceedingly clever cartoons, ’Lizrie the T ife Saver.” and a screaming Keystone comedv "His Talented Wife.” The whole programme was much enjoyed by the large audience that witnessed it. It will lie repeated to-rilght. THE LYCEUM. Tlie story of “The Reader of Minds," which is the chief feature of the new programme Introduced at the Lyceum Theatre last night, Is a fascinating one. Lieutenant Esmond, a young American officer invents a wireless apparatus which is able to destroy hostile warships Secret agents of foreign governments try to secure tho plans, but are unsuccessful, until they enlist the services of an old German Inventor who has perfected a machine capable of reading the thoughts of any person with whom U is brought in contact. The lieuton-

ant accepts an invitation to visit the secret agent, at his hotel, where the mind-reading machine discovers and records his secret. When the details of the invention arc found to be in the possession of the foreign government, tho young lieutenant immediately is placed under arrest. Utterly unable to explain the mystery, and equally helpless to prove his innocence, ho is dismissed from the United States service. Not long after, Xismond’s sweetheart, who is employed as telephonic operator in a large hotel, chances upon a clue to the mind-reading instrument. They go tother to the Gorman inventor's house where they secure the proof whicli re instates Esmond in the army and defeats the plans of the foreign government. Tho picture is well supported by "Tho Ghost of Mother Eve,” a poignant drama "She Married for Love,” and “Cursed by Ids Beauty,” two excellent comedies, besides a topical budget dealing with ten phases of tho war. This attractive series will he screened again this evening. "THE BABES IN THE WOODS.” At the Municipal Theatre, eoinineneing on Wednesday next, the 31st inst., the firm of George Willoughby, Ltd., will present to Invercargill amusement lovers their record-breaking pantomime "Tho Babes in the Wood,” including llic inimitable Daisy Jerome. The specialities Include the world's following star acts ;—Josephine Gassman and her famous pioaninnies; Marcel and Fallon (America's great "Fox-Trot" specialists): the New York Comedy Four (harmonious comedians); Hanlon, Dean and Hanlon (the world’s greatest hand balancers). Of the cast of the, pantomime, nothing too great could be said, for it includes the names of artists that are household words with all classes of playgoers; heading the list is the name of Miss Daisy Jerome, who is deservedly dubbed "The 10,000 Volt, Live-wire comedienne." She is a performer with a world-wide reputation, and is one of the most expensive artists ever imported to Australia: she will enact the role of the principal girl ".Maid Marian,” and also features in a special sccna, entitled “Jerome Land," in which she will present many new vocal items. As "Robin Hood" (tho principal hoy) Miss Ruby Davies,has a character lhat she is ideally suited for. and one in which she has ample scope to portray her versatility. Dan Thomas, who enacts the role of the "Dame” is a comedian stamped 1 Set., and bears the Hall-mark of six consecutive successful "Dames” at Drury Lane Theatre; this recommendation alone proves his ability as a mirth provoker. Tho supporting artists are of all-round excellence. Mr I,ester Brown the producer. has arranged some gorgeous spectacular features in "The Babes in tho Wood." notable among them being; —"The March of the Allies." "The Escalade.” and the dual international military scenes. "The Rock, 1815" and "The Hock, 1915." The box plans are now open at The Bristol. T’atrons living at a distance may reserve seats by post; applications at (tic Bristol accompanied by postal note will receive prompt attention. A matinee will lie given on Thursday afternoon starting at 2 p.m. Children will lax admitted to all parts at half price, The company (whicli is Ihc largest that lias ever visited Invercargill. numbering 200 people) carry their own orchestra Of IS picked musicians, and they will all he brought by special train, arriving early on Wednesday. The season is for two nights only and Thursday matinee. Hooked scats are ss.