ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 17654, 11 February 1916, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

POPULAR PICTURE PALACE. If any doubt ever existed as to the popularity of Mary Pickford, it was easily dispelled last night, when the house was filled to its utmost capacity at an early hour, to once more greet thh* dainty and charming little lady, Never has she been seen to greater advantage than in the present magnificent offering “Behind ihe Scenes." She has a personality distinctly her own and a most winning expression. In the part of Dolly Lane, she is seen ns a soubrette in a comedy company. Site marries a young man named Steve Hunter and goes to live on a farm. The country life begins to pail and she longs for the excitement of the footlights. After a Quarrel with Ste\e she leaves him, and accepts an engagement. Steve follows her to the city and after the play goes with his friend to her dressing room; and finds the manager hidden behind a screen. He misjudges Dolly and leaves, but his friend learns that the manager had locked the door and forced his attentions up on her. Dolly finds that her place is with Steve and leaves the stage for the farm. The acting throughout was excellent and the photography perfect, .some beautiful rural scenes being introduced. Another splendid production was “The Family Divided," by the Essanay Co., in three parts, featuring Edna Mayo, a powerful rival to Mary Pickford, and it was interesting to compare the two charming actresses. The story is a strong one. with a good moral pointing out the foolishness of arriving at conclusions too hastily. It ia a play that leaves a \pleasant feeling, that it likely to stay with one for some considerable time. “The Tale of a Lyre,” was a high-class comedy by the Essanay comedians, full of ludicrous situations, and taken amidst beautiful surroundings. “The Evolution of Kaiser Bill,” is a humorous cartoon, whilst the Warwick Chronicle, and "The French Victory in Champagne” were of intense interest. The programme is a splendid one, and should continue to draw large houses. GRAND THEATRE. EXCELLENT PICTURES. 1 esterday’s all new programme of films at the popular Grand Theatre is good and natrons wore quick to recognise and applaud the fact. There was not a weak link in the long chain of pictures presented. Such meritorious fare is the secret of the splendid attendances at this house. No less than three dramas of star quality were shown. Chief of place was Kaiem’s powerful 4000 ft. drama “The First Commandment,” which is in every way a fine convincing production. The staging is elaborate, while'the acting is admirable, and the story told of a millionaire’s rise and fall in the fight for wealth is gripping in the extreme. “Chinese Vengeance," a melodrama of the highly sensational class which deals with the plots and counter-plot of a Chinese black-hand gang, contains more excitement and thrilling episodes to the square inch than any film the writer hap seen. The action moves at lightning speed. A drama of particular merit, subtle and absorbing, is “Under Oath,” which deals with conspiracies set afloat by ti secret society, out of which arises what is known as “the Mystery of the Grand Hotel.” Acting and mounting were alike excellent. One of the best, and certainly the quaintest comedies seen here was “Jack Spratt’s Parrot." The parrot in particular is a performer' of extraordinary ability, and his cute behaviour created peals of merry laughter. Another refreshingly funny comedy was “Babley’s Baby.” An excellent number of the Australian Gazette, to which were attached some particularly clover and amusing cartoons, completed a programme which is calculated not only to attract large attendances but to please them. MONDAY—“MY OLD DUTCH.” The highest premium yet paid for the dominion rights of a film drama (not excluding “Quo Vadis") was paid for “My Old Dutch,” which will be Monday's attraction at the Grand. The money was well spent, for the picture,has proved a gold mine of wealth. Crowds are turned away from the theatres in which it shows. All northern newspaper critics agree that it is far ahead of all other dramas and that the acting of Albert Chevalier and Florence Turner is the best ever seen upon a screen. Applications for reserved seats are already being made. MISS DOROTHEA SPINNEY. “ THE TROJAN WOMEN” TO-NIGHT. Miss Dorothea Spinney, the talented tragedienne who has delighted two Invercargill audiences, will give her third recital of Greek drama at the Y.M.C.A. to-night. Euripides has again been chosen, the play for to-night being bis famous tragedy “The Trojan Women.” The dialogue of the piece sets forth the sorrows and unhappy prospects of the Trojans, and in the hands of Miss Spinney tho characters appear to live on the simple stage, and tor the while mundane things are placed in oblivion.. Miss Spinney has that power, the power to make the audience forget, and of very few artists can it be truthfully said. The story of the tribulations of the people of Troy are familiar to a great many, and to-night’s play should attract a large attendance.