ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 17657, 15 February 1916, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

GRAND THEATRE. GREAT SUCCESS OF “JIT OLD DUTCH.” An overcrowded sea of faces with pleasure plainly marked on every countenance attended the popular Grand Theatre last evening, when that magnificent film drama “My Old Dutch,” scored a triumphant success. Everybody seemed delighted; albeit, there was many a wet eye hiding behind a handkerchief. The London Ideal Film Co. have scored hugely, for no other firm has ever succeeded in presenting the fascinating coster folk of London's mighty East End with anything like the life-like fidelity shown in this great picture. Chevalier, the remarkable man who first gave world-wide prominence to the coster by means of his world-famed songs, now adds further laurels to his wreath of fame by his wonderful impersonation of the principal character in the play, which play, by the way, is written up from verses of his most notable song, “My Old Dutch.” Chevalier’s performance is absolutely flawless and so life-like that one completely loses the personality of the actor in the character assumed, until one is compelled to think he is looking at poor old “Joe Spudds” in person. Miss Florence Turner does splendid work as “My Old Dutch,” and after viewing her performance, the performance of Chevalier and the other members of a London cast who are all excellent, one can join with a northern contemporary in asserting that "the acting is the best ever shown upon a screen.” • The sweet charm of the intensely human story lies in its simplicity, It is the mangniflcent interpretation of it that raises the film to the rank of an outstanding masterpiece. There are many glimpses of castor domestic life, daily avocations, and merry making at 'Appy Ampstead on a bank holiday. The coster character has been keenly appreciated by the playwright, and the whole-souled devotion of Joo for his wife and the faithfulness of his old pal. ’Erb are pathetic. The story relates how Joe, and Sal first meet. Their courting is happy and brief, and then they are wedded in the old Shoreditch Church. They afterwards adjourn to the theatre to witness a melodrama of the bloodcurdling type keenly relished by the costers. Chevalier and Miss Turner afford much amusement in the demonstrative manner in which they follow the course of the play from a front seat among the “gods.” This little feature of tlie subject is a clever bit of work by both principals. The young couple's first ’.orn dies, but as time passes another child appears, and their joy is in-err/.-sed by the news that Sal has inherited ffiOOO. Joe and Sal settle the money on their son, so that lie shall be brought up a “gentleman.” The son is sent away and eventually is launched into the world an educated young “blood.” He dissipates his fortune, but decides to commence life afresh on the goldfields in a distant land. Poverty overtakes Joe and Sal and they are sent to the workhouse. The son strikes a fortune, returns and rescues his parents from the work-house. The screening was enhanced by the singing of “My Old Dutch,” hy Mr Charles X’iorce, who gave a most sympathetic rendering of the beautiful song and received a demonstrative encore. The supporting pictures include “Trapped by Flames." the 1 Sth edition of "A .Million Dollar .Mystery,” a capital comedy. “Never Again," and a Pathc Gazette of great interest. POPULAR PICTURE PALACE. A -MERITORIOUS SERIES. Although wintry weather conditions prevailed bust night, the warm and cosy Popular Picture Palace was filled when a new programme of pictures, characterised by the excellence of each, was introduced. Pride of place is customarily given lo the principal drama, hut though that picture on the Popular programme is a superior example of pictorial production, yet the picture which moused the greatest interest, and commanded the greatest amount of applause, was a topical picture of undobted educational value, entitled “Russia’s .Mighty Army." It is a class of picture that has a special appeal just now, when daily news of Russian successes are being sent across the cables. The opening views of the film depict the assembling of thousands of troops in a square in some big city, preparatory to receiving the blessings of the priests, a function always performed before going to bailie. The fine troops of the Czar make a bravo showing as they march In, twenty abreast, and. as they form up. they instil a spirit of confidence in the .strength of our Eastern ally, their physique and confidence making an indelible impression on the mind. A review nf the troops by the commanding officers is then shown, after which they set out on their march to the scene of active operations, ready to acquit themselves according to the military traditions of their country. They arc seen pitching their camp for the night, breaking up in the morning, and continuing their march along the rain-sodden roads. All brandies pass before the camera and then the soldiers are seen entrenched, ready for an attack. The artillery is seen in action, large bodies of infantry arc seen proceeding through a dense wood, while behind the lines the work of the rooks is vividly portrayed. The picture is an entertainment on its own. .and is, really worth witnessing. The chief dramatic: attract ion .also has relation to the war. this time on the Austro-1 tnlian front, and besides showing views of troops on the march and in action, there is ti stiong story running through the film. Eeda is a remarkably beautiful Italian girl of poor parentage, who, in spite of the ardent pleadings of many young admirers, treats them all with .scorn. Great rivalry exists between Marc and Tonio. An Austrian painter, struck with Ipt beau I y, offers to paint her portrait and till* two fall in love, but have to meet clandesl inely. owing to the vigilant kept by Lena's parents. For a long time she is kept from seeing the Austrian, and at last she forms a plan to elope with him. Hearing of his intended departure, she asks Marc to take her for a sledge drive, ami .she also bids Tonio to meet her in the woods. Roth are elated, hut on meeting, they quarrel and I,eda drives over the snow in the sledge, overtaking the Austrian. Two years elapse and war breaks out between the

two countries. Lcda, who is not happy, meets LVUstro. secretary at the Italian Kmbassy, and both fall in love, arousing (he jealousy of Leda’s husband, who is instructed to delay D’Ustro’s departure for his own country. Leda secures a passport for Italy, but, remaining on tho frontier, she is of great service to her native land by giving information of the Austrian movements. After many exciting episides she is detected and is shot, but dies happy knowing that she has caused a victory for the soldiers of Italy.' The scenes in the snow-capped mountains are really beautiful and. together jvilh the cleverness of the principal characters, has much to do with tlie success of the film. The remainder of the scries is equally good.