ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 17785, 14 July 1916, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

POPULAR PICTURE PALACE. Quality and quantity have boon well considered in the excellent programme screened for the first time yesterday. There are two large productions, namely "The Family Cupboard,” a World Film's production in five parts, and “The Unwelcome Mrs Hatch," a problem drama in forty parts and 5000 feet in length, by the Famous Players. It would be difficult to say which is the better picture of, the two. as both arc really superb pictures, each built upon a difficult and powerful theme, and the acting in each is something that is seldom seen upon the screen. Suffice it to say that the large audience last night sat out the lengthy programme with the deepest interest, in which time was lost count of. Space will not permit of an outline of the story of either picture, but the management are to he complimented on securing two such powerful plays and on the same programme. There arc some excellent supporting subjects, “The Dublin Riots” arousing special interet. “The Sea Waif” is a pathetic drama, and “The Knight of Her Dreams" is a real tip top comedy, produced on a lavish scale. The “Latest Eclair Journal” is full of war news, and tops off a programme that should draw further crowded houses. GRAND THEATRE. “STINGAREE’S" POPULARITY INCREASES. The second of Horning's famous “Stingaree" bushranging stories delighted a large house at, the popular Grand last evening and the unqualified success of the really interesting series Is assured. The current exploit is “A Voice in the Wilderness,” a complete drama in two acts. It is a fine number splendidly produced and convincingly acted. The settings range from elaborate concert halls to will scenes in the Australian bush. At the concert there is a dramatic meeting between “Stingaree” and the English sweetheart of his boyhood days. She saves his life by extracting the bullets from an officers revolver, so that after an exciting chase through the bush the outlaw escapes to his hut in the mountains. Horming’s narrative is faithfully followed and absurd exaggeration is never indulged in. The him is a big favourite with patrons and next Thursday’s story will be awaited with interest. The management is catering on a liberal scale, for eight excellent films support the star. Bathe's “Wonders of the Deep" was interesting and so were “Naval Sports at Alalta." A drama of rare merit “Meg o' file (Miffs won file warm approval of everybody present. The story was sound axid solid and the manner in which it was acted left nothing to be described. The scenery included several fine sea scenes and the e.xponent of “Meg” fitted the character to perfection. Vltagraph’s hig 2-rcel comedy "The Shabbies” caused roars and yells of laughter and was a firm favourite witli patrons. The Australian Gazette turned out to be one of the best numbers shown here. Snapshots of the “British Fleet" were eagerly scanned, and the “Bully Boy” cartoon scored many laughs. Last but not least must be mentioned a big 1000 ft. film of “The Dublin Biots." No pen lecture—and there have been many—could hope to convey as the film does the results of ttie recent outbreak in Ireland s fair capital. Keen interest was manifested in the picture. Such a good and wellvaried programme is sure of large houses. ALBION THEATRE. WORLD’S FILM MASTERPIECE. The World's Film Corporation has not previously turned out any film on quite so extensive and complete a scale as the startling sensational society drama “The Devil’s Toy,” in five memorable acts which drew splendid attendances to the luxurious Albion Theatre yesterday. The whole production is upon the grand scales. In the ballroom scenes the ladies are gorgeously gowned, the mise cn scene is rich in the extreme and the exterior settings are numerous and beautiful. The story is gripping and it is acted by a very long cast with conspicuous power. A dele Blood, the new leading woman, made a great impression. Bountifully endowed by nature with good looks Miss Blood also possesses dramatic power of a high order. She will always he a welcome visitor to Invercargill. The producer must be complimented upon the admirable manner in which the story is presented. An unsuccessful and impecunious artist sells his soul to the de\ il in return for fortune, fame and love. To gain fortune Satan compels him to murder his uncle. Fame is attained b> stealing tiie work of a genius and passing it off as ids own. Love never comes his way for the. sweetheart of tiie man lie robbed vows vengeance and getting him in her toils brings about ins ruin. The supporting subjects are highly meritorious and most enjoyable. Pregnant with interest are “Tiie Dublin Riots, shown oh a very big scale. Despite all the word pictures that have been drawn regarding the destruction of "Sackville street," the finest street in the world, even those intimate with the city of Dublin can have gained but a slight idea of the real destruction that lias been wrought—at any rate. That is a considered verdict after seeing the 1000 ft of film shown last night. “Paris from the Air,” unfolded remarkable views of tiie French capital. "In the Italian Tyrol” is a beautiful scenic, and the "Topical Budget” is a good one. Much merriment was caused by Vltagraph’s capital comedy "Ghosts and Flypaper, Such huge standard pictures a.re sure to attract hig attendances.