ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 17662, 21 February 1916, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

POPP'D A K PICTGKE PALACE. A RECORD PROGRAMME. The management announce for to-day's change ''Hie longest and strongest programme on record,” which contains no less than three big star features. "Wildfire, " the first of tho-e, is a five-act drama by flic World Film Corporation, in which Lillian Kussell, the noted American beauty and talented actress, is seen in the leading part, and is strongly supported by Air Lionel Barrymore and a specially strong cast. A private .screening of this picture was given on Saturday morning, and "Wildfire" is lively to surpass any World Film previously shown. The photography is perfect, and the acting and mounting alike both bear the hall mark of perfection. Kobert Barrington, who i ( travelling, has just taken rooms in a holed, but has neglected to register his name. He gets into conversation with one Garrison, a gambler, who induces him to play. He is lleeced and in a quarrel he is shot, and liis death is made to appear as a case of suicide. The play then centres round Garrison, the gambler, and Henrietta Barrington (Lillian Kussell), and works up to a very sensational climax. "The. Education of Air Pipp" is a light comedy in five acts, taken from the wellknown pen asd ink drawings by Oh as. Dana Gibson. It tells of a Pittsburg family whoso members are trying to break into society through the million dollars obtained by their father’s selling his iron business to the Steel Trust. The mother in her ambition engages a bogus French nobleman to teach herself and daughters the French language. He is in reality a notorious crook. The story is full of nice light comedy, with a pretty romance, combined with splendid acting and beautiful stage effects. “The Murdock Trial" is a powerful drama in three acts, featuring popular Florence Turner. "Alyra’s Aiistake” is a Sterling comedy, chock full of quick comedy of the slap-stick variety, with a laugh in qvory foot of it. The latest Warwick Chronicle completes a programme that it will he hard to beat. No picture will bo screened twice, so patrons will get exceptional value for the price of admissios.

GRAND THEATRE. “YANKEE FROM THE WEST.” Opie Rede's big magnetic heart story, “The Yankee from the West,” will be shown for the first time at the popular Grand Theatre this afternoon. The filmed drama is from the famous Majestic Studios. The story disclosed is one of those strong tales of a man’s fall from an honoured position to crime and degradation, and his ultimate restoration and regeneration through the faith and unswerving love of a good woman. So tense is the play and so quickly does its action move that there is no place for a dull moment. The popular American actor, Wallace Reid, is featured in the leading part and there is a very strong cast in support. Mounting and scenery are upon a complete scale and a sensational feature in the “hold up” by robbers of the Limited Express. As one swallow does not mean summer so one good picture does not necessarily mean a good programme for which reason the management will screen in addition to the “star” seven picked subjects, all especially selected and boasting individual merit. These include “The Underground River,” the 19th exciting spisode of that big sensational serial, “A -Million Dollar Mystery.” This adventure is said to be one of the most popular of the long scries. Still another drama, and one that possesses much merit is Edison’s fine play, "When Conscience Sleeps,” which contains many powerful dramatic passages. As usual at this house the question of variety has received particular attention. “The Royal Naval Division” is a very long and most interesting defence topical, “An Oasis in Sahara” (Pathe scenic), “The Honeymooners” (comedy), "Housekeeping Under Cover” (World Film comedy), and the latest “Pathe Gazette.” Such a splendid list cannot fail to draw big attendances.

THE “WITHIN THE LAW” COMPANY. The visit of the popular "Within the Law” Company, headed by Miss Hilda Dorrington, will this year bo strictly limited to two nights and two exceptionally popular J. C. Williamson plays will be staged, on Wednesday night the thrilling spy play “The Man “Who Stayed at Home,” and on Thursday night “Get-Rich-Quick Wallingford,” the brilliant comedy written by George M. Cohan, the well-known American playwright. In "The Man Who Stayed at Home,” the first production, the chief traitor is an Englishman, son of a German mother. He is employed at the British Admiralty, his mother, the keeper of the "Private Hotel,” the German governess, naturalised for twenty years, tho “Dutch” waiter, those are the people that lie has to unmask, people actuated iiy no sordid motive, hut by a loyal love of the Fatherland. A hundred thousand troops are to be carried over the North Sea, and a German submarine is waiting for the transports. Tile wireless is in constant use, tho flashlight of the electric torch lias its part. Again and again, tlio man with the eyeglass who stays at home fools the cunning schemers by his foolishness, until at last it really seems as though they really must see through him. So perfect is his assumption of empty-headedness, however, that lie wins all along the line. The box plans are now available at The Bristol, where seats arc obtainable without extra charge, and day sales are obtainable at Welsh's, opposite Theatre.