ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 17782, 11 July 1916, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

POPULAR PICTURE PALACE'. There was a very large attendance last night when the big feature, "Pennington’s Choice,” aroused the greatest enthusiasm. The picture has been beautifully produced, and every foot of it just pulsates with life and vigour, and goes with a snap from start to finish. The interest is so well sustained that there is not one dull moment. Francis X. Bushman, as the hero, gives an artistic: impersonation, and gives several displays of his abilities as an athlete. A decidedly interesting feature is the scene in which Bushman has a boxing bout, with James Jeffries, ex-champion pugilist of the world. Later when he engages in a rough and tumble with two halfbreds, the audience was worked to the highest pitch, and brought forth vigorous and enthusiastic applause. Miss Beverley Bayne is charming os the heroine, and gives some remarkable examples of high diving. The scenery throughout is grand, and the acting of the entire cast is as near perfection as one could wish. “The Rajah’s King” is a tense drama, dealing with Kipling’s theory “East is East and West is West.” “The Fable of Sister Mae” is another of those humorous comedy stories by Geo. Ade, whilst views of Italy and the Eclair Journal finish off a record programme. ALBION THEATRE. REMARKABLE MOTION PICTURES. The up-to-date Albion Theatre scored a big success yesterday with a five picture programme, every film shown being a gem. At the head of the great list attends Triangle's latest triumph “The Edge of the Abyss,” a drama of high society most elaborately produced and right capitally acted. The new film star, Mary Boland, made a lasting impression as the emotional heroine; Frank Mills added to his laurels as her husband, and Willard Mack, os a burglar, was responsible for some of the most forceful acting in an altogether strong play. Alma Clayton, a "butterfly,” is engaged to Webster, a gilded youth, but being ambitious discards him and marries Burroughs, a distinguished criminal lawyer. Through stress of business Burroughs is unable to pay his wife all those little attentions so dear to a woman’s lieart, and the discarded lover reappears and endeavours to induce her to leave her home. As she Is standing on the edge of the abyss, contemplating the inevitable stop, a burglar whom her husband has befriended enters the house with fetonous intent, but finding that he is in the home of his former benefactor relinquishes ills plans. Whilst hiding he overhears Webster pleading with the young wife to fly with him. He confronts them, shows the girl the error of it ail and succeeds in saving her. Webster ’phones for the police but the wife in turn saves the burglar and wipes off her obligation. The story is sound and solid with a big slice of humanity in it. Nothing so beautiful as the scenic film has been previously seen here. The stereoscopic effects are charming and the later sections which are coloured are quite delightful. This picture alone is worth more than the price of admission. Mr and Mrs Sydney Drew and a strong cast present "Too Clever by Half,” one of those refined comedies which are seen all too seldom on the screen. The refinement and polish of this production is highly commendable. Bud Fisher drew and presented "Mutt and .luff,” one of those famous cartoons at which lie is facile priuceps. The effort was distinctly above, the ordinary film of its type and it created no end of merriment. G RAND THEATRE. AN ASTOUNDING COM EDA'. Triangle’s latest evolution in massive motion fun building, "Dizzy Heights and Daring Hearts,” was let loose yesterday at the popular Grand with wonderful results both as to laughter and amaze. This most recent of Mack Sennott’s mirth monarebs not only produces uncontrollable laughter but all the while one is asking the quite unanswerable question "How on earth is it done?” Most astonishing and of course ludicrous incidents occur in—not one but several — aeroplanes at high altitude and in full flight. The principal comedian Chester Conklin is thrown out of an aeroplane and after whirling round and round like a spinning wheel at top speed he lands on his head in a barrel of water, shattering the cask to smithereens. High chimneys are blown up, bombs are scattered far and wide, and motor cars, trains and all manner of contrivances are on forced duty in this latest laughter compeller. As regard plot and action it out-melodramas all melodramas. There is no "beg pardon" about the characters—the villain is a villain, the heroine is a heroine, and the hero a ■wonderful chap. For ingenuity, photography, fun-producing effects and astonishing episodes "Dizzy Heights and Daring Hearts'’ outdistances all competitors so far seen here. The star is but one one of many really excellent films. Nothing could very well be better than Vitagraph’s powerful and splendidly acted feature drama "The Gods Redeem,” a magnificent 'play in which Maurice Costello, Lcaii Baird and others show to great advantage. Many tine views shown of the shell-shattered city of "Vpres” were much appreciated. Sydney and Mrs Drew extracted yells of laughter per medium of the clever eimody "For Love of a Girl.” The latest Topical Budget completed a rare evening’s enjoyment. Large attendances will not be lacking while such films hold the screen.