ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 17732, 9 August 1917, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

ALBION THEATRE. Last night the favourite Albion was again full to overflowing to witness the great Vitagraph drama, “The Combat,” featuring the beautiful star, Anita Stewart. This is a great emotional role for the girl who has become “America’s Darling.” The cast is strong and the photography splendid, especially the great snow scenes. Also good supports, including Keystone corned}’, “Her Cave Man.” POPULAR PICTURE PALACE. There was a capital attendance last night when a most interesting and amusing programme was presented. “The Pursuing Vengeance” is a fascinating detective drama that gripped the attention from the start. ‘The House of Terrible Scandals” is a hilarious Fox comedy, in two parts, with BUlje Ritchie us chief mirth producer. “A Studio Stampede” is another very laughable comedy, cleverly produced and presented. The same bill will be shown to-night. GRAND THEATRE. “INTOLERANCE” OPENS NEXT MONDAY. That stupendous picture spectacle “Intolerance” will commence on Monday evening next at the Grand Theatre, for three nights. It is safe to say that those who have seen this marvellous spectacle never comprehended that the genius of man could reach such heights, for everything in this colossal spectacle reaches pinnacles undreamt of before by picture patrons. To use the words of one of the critics ;—‘The tremendous and sweeping beauty, and the crashing climax of the Babylonian phase, were breath snatching in their compulsion, stamping Griffith a veritable Aladdin of the films. The “Birth of a Nation” showed his genius for handling huge armies of auxiliaries, but even that spectacle scarce prepared its spectators for this colossal and grandiose epic of Babylon in the last prodigal days of Belshazzar, fast in the toils of that fair and fell Delilah—Luxury'- ■ • ■ The reconstruction of the city of Babylon (from authentic records we are credibly informed) is a magical achievement with its great walls 300 ft. high and big enough on top for two chariots; its temples and its great banquetting hall giving a vista one mile in length. It is colossal and when we gee these spacious streets and this lofty hall seething with the moving thousands that Griffith marshals, the effort is immensely gripping. Never was there such a mimic battle. In vivid contrast to this is the great banquet that follows—a scene of prodigal splendour and license, in the spectator must steel himself to a display of voluptuous nudity.” The season of “Intolerance” here will be limited to three nights. Popular prices will be charged, while the box plans are at the Bristol Piano Company, where seats may be booked without extra charge. There will be matinees on Tuesday and Wednesday, in addition to the evening performances. The matinees in the centres have-proved popular for mothers and children who otherwise could pot attend. These will positively be the only opportunities of seeing ‘lntolerance” here.