ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 17484, 27 July 1915, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

J “THOU SHALT NOT KILL.” r ■ -A- masterpiece in th way-ef dramaetic productions was shown at the Zealandia ] Hall last night in a film produced by I D. AV. Griffith, entitled “Thou Shalt Not I Kill,” or “The Avenging Conscience.” i The plot is based on Edgar Allen Poe's . great story “The Tell-tale Heart,” and I on the poem “Annabel Lee," and a successful effort Is made to show how man's conscience, that greatest aid to the righteousness of the world, works upon evildoers. The story in its production approaches the melodramatic at times, but the marvellous acting lifts it to a i high plane, and th© ending is a wonderi ful climax in which love emerges tri--5 umphant after what has seemed to lie i a hopeless outlook. The principal chari after is Henry B. Walthall, who. as the j nephew of a rich old man, shows a high j dramatic power in his acting. The story i is of an old man who jealously guards 1 the affection of his nephew, and steps J in between him and his sweetheart, a i pari taken by .Miss Blanche Sweet, a j beautiful girl, who soon wins the sympathy of all who sec the film. The nephew broods over the fact that his uncle has separated him, and in an intensely dramatic scene he murders the old man. His guilty conscience haunts; him, and the effect of this is shown in the realistic manner, until he finally confesses his guilt, and endeavours to evade justice by hanging himself. The sweetheart also ends her life, and in this the film gets rather melodramatic, it is out of this apparently hopeless set of circumstances that the dramatist shows his power, for the whole story is shown 1 to have been a dream, and the happy ending comes when the uncle relents of his harshness, and the happy couple are united. The supporting films are “The Gaumont Graphic.” showing some topical war scenes, while an amusing series of cartoons depicts the Kaiser and the Crown Prince crushed in their effort to gain world power. “On the Borders of a Lake,” a coloured scenic, adds to the general value of the programme.

POPT'LAR PICTURE PALACE. At the Popular Picture Palace last night a new programme was introduced before a thoroughly satisfied and large audience. The principal drama is a powerful play produced by the Universal Company, and entitled '‘An Example.” it being one of the innumerable variations based on the old theme of “the eternal triangle.” The story concerns the daughter of a former sheriff who is married to a miner, and in it is absence at work she allows her affections to be led astray by another man. This illicit love-making is discovered by the wife's father, who has been the victim of a similar experience in his- youth, and determines that his daughter’s happiness shall not be blasted in the same manner. Seeing her privately, lie tells her the painful story of his own life—how his wife left him, and how he discovered the bodies of both in a desert some time later with only his child left alive—how he had tended her until she grew up and got married, and. finally, how her happiness was now threatened hv the intervention of a third party. The recital of these incidents brought home to his daughter a full sense of her guilt, and a realisation of the grave risk she had run, and from thenceforward she determined to be all that a wife should be. “Almost .a Scandal" is a comedy featuring the popular humourist, Billie Ritchie, and showing how he won a wife in defiance of the two stalwart upholders of the law. “A Race with Death" is another excellent drama, and a scenic film, entitled "Tipperary,” torms a verv interesting subject. "fastidious Fanny" and a new Eclair Journal complete an admirable series that will ho screened again this evening. THE L VC HUM. Patriot!- sentiment looms large in the Splendid budget of new pictures introduced at the Lyceum Theatre last evening. The principal drama is a study of a young man, an old man, and the j threats and blandishments of an adventuress. It is entitled "The Hear of His Past,” the lady relying, upon previous • villainv she has practised upon a young ] man to secure a valuable necklace in the : possession of a susceptible old gentleman with whom he has found a comfort- 1 able berth after escaping from prison, '• to which he had been consigned owing 1 to the lady s trickery. All is in vain, 1 however, for I In- entry of the old gentle- ‘ man's beautiful grand-daughter into the ' course of tiffairs so alters the smooth '■ current of the lady’s way that eveiitu- i

ally she betrays herself in the excitement of the moment, and finds herself handed oyer to the care of the police. The young man has almost succumbed to her threats of exposure as a convict, but the old gentleman proves that he has a heart of gold, and the future of a happy couple is assured. A fine series of pictures takes one on a visit to the troops in Egypt.. The scenes in camp are splendid, and familiar faces may readily be discerned, while a fine idea is given of the men’s doings and surroundings. This is a picture that should appeal to everyone, and nobody should fail to see it. A good instalment of the Topical Budget is also shown. The comedies are: "Fixing Their Dads” (Vitagraph), and "Hogan’s Romance Upset” (Keystone), both provocative of much laughter. The house was deservedly well patronised last night. The same series will be shown this evening. SEND-OFF AT LOCHIEL. Prior to their departure for the front, Messrs D. McLachlan, H. Rizzie, and Arthur Diack were entertained at a social and dance in the Lochiel Hall on Friday evening last. The weather was all that could be desired. The hall was comfortably filled, and dancing was indulged in with merriment until the early morning. After an excellent supper, provided by the ladies of the district, had been handed round, the chairman. Mr Andrew Baird, in a few wellchosen introductory remarks defining the object of the function, called upon Mr John Irwin to perform the most important function of the evening. He said that it gave him great pleasure to accede to the request. Mr Irwin said that the three gentlemen they were farewelling that evening would be a credit to any regiment. Mr McLachlan had for four years been chairman of the local dairy factory, and he had also been chairman of the hall committee. Mr Rizzi had always lent a willing hand in supplying music for dances. Mr Irwin then called upon Mr McLachlan to accept a pair of binoculars, a safety razor, and a wristlet watch, and to Messrs Rizzie and Diack each a safety razor and wristlet watch. Each of the three gentlemen, on rising to respond, was greeted with musical honours. Mr McLachlan in returning thanks said he fully appreciated the spirit that prompted the people to honour them. Although he was going to the front, his interests would still bo in Lochiel, and he would, if spared, return again. Mr Diack, in a neat speech, thanked them for their handsome gift, and said he would look upon it as a souvenir from the Lochiel residents. Mr Rizzie briefly returned thanks for their token of esteem. The eatables supplied by the ladies were all that could be desired. Songs were rendered in excellent style by Messrs J. Strachan and E. King. Mr D. Watson made a capable M.C., and Messrs D. Maitland, J. Chrystal, McGregor. M. McConachie. and Kidder supplied the dance music. The committee of management deserves credit for the success of the function. ■