ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 17905, 22 December 1916, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

POPULAR PICTURE PALACE. The first of the new Ivan productions, "Her Surrender,” was screened last night, and was received by the large -nt with marked expressions of approval. The picture has been . bo;>iiuiuliy produced, and Introduces some most delightful garden scenes that were a joy to witness, apart from the strong and most unusual plot, which is •distinctly original. The characters are all well placed, and each one gives an artistic and forceful portrayal. Miss Anna Nilsson is charming at all times, and gives a most natural impersonation of the kind-hearted young philanthrophlst, who passes under the trying ordeal of receiving an infusion of blood , from another body. How this operation acts upon the young lady’s temperament is the basis of the story, and gives rise to the great problem “Can love be transfused.” This, the first of the “Ivan” productions is a decided success, and they should become as popular as the famous Metros at this house. “The Mysteries of Myra” is intensely interesting. and threatens to outdo all prevl- I ous serials, in originality of construe- ! tlon and cleverly conceived situations. The programme will b,e screened again to-nisht, and to-morrow night (Saturday) the performance will commence at 6.30 sharp. ALBION THEATRE. -INCORRIGIBLE DUKANK." There were capital attendances at the luxurious Albion Theatre throughout yesterday and the pictures submitted were greatly admired. The Famous Players Company provided the star dramatic attraction entitled “Incorrigible; ■Dukane." a play in five acts, which re- | p-oduces in film form G; C. Shedd's widely read American story of the same | title. ” John Barrymore plays lead. The ! story deals with a ne’er-do-well son o! nn e •eruetlc business magnate who, disapproving of the young fellow’s indolence, hands him a modest 200 dollar. | and sends him out to work on sorm ; construction works with, instructions t> • try and malm a man of himself. Afte: jneny vicissitudes, many of a humoui , ous character, the lad wins his spur;, : and a bounle sweetheart into the bar- j j

pain. There is a stirring fight between dishonest workmen and a band of rancners, and a dynamite explosion, in which a clever and very handsome dog e\ves the situation. Supporting fllrps i IntSjde “Housekeeping,” a very divert- : ing c . Comedy; "Cadanabbia —Italy,” a ! charming scene series by Cines of j Rome; “The Rooster’s Nightmare,” distinctly a clever humorous cartoon; a capital number of “The Topical Budget,” and last but not least the official war subject; "With the British and Indian Troops at Arras.” This programme will be withdrawn after tonight’s exhibition to make way for the ' great picture “The Birth of a Nation," | the first screening of which takes place to-rnorrow afternoon at 2 o’clock. GRAND THEATRE. “STINGAREE” SCORES AGAIN, The redoubtable “Stlngaree,” King of the Australian Bush, the monocled outlaw' with a price on his head, rescuer ..of ladies in distress, and altogether a , fascinating chap, reappeared at the. ! popular “Grand” last evening to the unmistakeable delight of his admirers, who rallied in great force to welcome i their favourite. The present dramatic I adventure, “The Moth and the Star,” is 1 the second last of the very excellent I Hornung stories. It is a gripping numiber replete with exciting situations. At ' the opening “Stingaree” is in prison ; but he very quickly escapes by overpowering an expert criminologist Who visits his cell. After regaining his liberty love proves his undoing. He visits his sweetheart, the police strike the scent, and after a stirring hunt he finds himself once more in captivity. Next Thursday’s “Stingaree” story termin--1 ates the run of this most popular of serials. There is a great Triangle Keystone comedy on this programme enj titled “The Love Riot,” and it might just as Aptly be termed “The Laugh Riot,” for riotous laughter follows its screening. It is not only one of the funniest, it is also one of the cleverest farce comedies seen here. It merited and met with a great reception. Henry 18. Walthall, in a thrilling drama, “The Mirror,” made a pronounced hit. Another good dramatic play. “Two Little Dromios,” was thoroughly enjoyed. Other meritorious films on an altogether high-quality list were “Australian Gazette.” “Inlaying Lacquer Furniture with 'Mother o’ Pearl." an interesting industrial shown in Pathe-color; "War Cartoons” clever and amusing, and the official war topical “Scenes at British Headquarters.” During the interval a new patriotic song, “New Zealand’s Sons Fall In,” written and composed by Mr F. J. Moloney,” and sung by Mr N. J. Brokenshire, met with a flattering reception. At Saturday’s Santa Claus matinee 500 toys will be distributed amongst the children. On Monday Mary Pickford. the Ouecn of the Screen, api pears in her tremendous Alaskan feature, “Little Pal.” FASCINATING PICTURE SPECTACLE “THE BIRTH OF A NATION.” The box plans for the entire season of that wonderful film spectacle, “The Birth of a Nation,” opened yesterday at The Bristol, and judging by the great interest manifested for some time past, a record will be established in the number of seats booked. The season will commence at the Albion Theatre to-morrow afternoon at 2 sharp, and the second screening will be at 7 p.m., and will be under the direction of J. C. Williamson, Ltd. Anybody doubtful of D. W. Griffith’s genius of film production, in the widest sense of the term, will no longer remain sceptical after sitting through tlie marvellous three hours during which “The Birth of a Nation” is reeled off. Film making is not wholly a science, not wholly an art, not wholly a craft: it Is all three, a glorious industrial trinity of three In one and one in three. But the scoffer is silenced in t’-t- '-ear of woe, 1916. and were the Greeks of old to waken, some of their > ouid add a nintli muse—Bio, the muse of the movie. Some unthinking per ons have a hazy idea that a film produces itself, that the actors simply rush around and make faces while a men Ha-»s photographs. “The Birth Of a Nation” should dispel all such ideas. ••'or i ho could imagine that sucli scenes as are enacted in this marI vellous picture, could take place withi out one strong directing brain must be !so unthinking as to be little removed from imbecility. The. battles are appalling in the master-likeness of their handling, and it is easy to believe that O. W. Griffith must have worked them by means of u network of ’phones extendi i ' every direction. But even more wonderful than the battle pictures are ttiose half-dozen showing the riots and street fighting. Not one life was lost in obtaining this film, but when you see the surging masses in the narrow streets dealing out blows right and left with waddies and clubbed rifles, until finally a body of some hundreds of liorsprnen dash through the crowds at a gallop, one fully expects to hear that a ‘ ore of regrettable fatalities had taken place. The horsemen gallop I through Knocking men down on alt side" and leaving their prostrate bodies \ for the rear rank to trample. It is a j rc - ' pilous rdo"e of work. The musical director, chief operator, and the staff o- ••• ■ ■r'v men with 57 cases of appliances used in the presentation of this ’ — o u’ nrr j,. P fn-ni'dit. Henry B Walthall makes the hit of his career in this picture Exhibitions will lie given on Monday and Tuesday afternoon and night, and children will be admitted to j matinees at half-price. j