ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 17733, 10 August 1917, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

POPULAR PICTURE PALACE. Another splendid attendance last night greeted the excellent programme, which contains “The Pursuing Vengeance,” a powerful mystery drama, and two highly hilarious comedies. At the matinee to-morrow at 1.30 the usual change will be made; when the star feature will be a Metro wonderplay in five parts, ‘The Power of Decision," in whkh Frances Nelson, greatest of emotional stars, has the finest role of her screen career. She has to make a decision —to decide whether she would follow the “right road,” or “the wrong road.” There was a pistol shot—a tragedy—and the road was made plain to her. Some unusual supporting pictures complete a strong bill-of-fare. ALBION THEATRE. “The Combat” is proving a powerful attraction at the Albion. To-day is the last opportunity of seeing this great Vitagraph drama. The picture is a striking one, and sustains the interest of spectators right to the end. Anita Stewart is the star artist. To-morrow (Saturday) at 1.30, will be screened a double star programme, including Mary Pickford in “The Foundling,” where she works, scrubs, and laughs her way through a heap of trouble to where happiness and love await her. Charlie Chaplin will also appear in “The Face on the Bar-room Floor.” This is a screamer, and should not be missed. GRAND THEATRE. “INTOLERANCE” ON MONDAY. That most stupendous of all film spectacles, “Intolerance,” the picture that dips far into the ancient past and brings it in line with a strong modern story, and which has excited admiration and awe all over the dominion will be shown here for a short season commencing on Monday, and again on Tuesday and Wednesday next in the Grand Theatre under the direction of J. C. Williamson, Ltd. . It has been truly said, and it cannot be denied, that “Intolerance” is the last word in the way of moving pictures because of its wonderfully universal theme, its colossal dimensions and the tremendous success it has achieved everywhere. What picture or in fact any production could run for 25 performances in Auckland, and Wellington, 24 in Christchurch and 25 in Dunedin ? These facts alone prbve that “Intolerance” is something far ahead of anything we have yet seen, or to use the words of a metropolitan journal, “ever likely to see again.” “Intolerance” show£ the fall of Babylon, including the gorgeous feast of Belshazzar after his first victory over Cyrus, the crucifixion of our Saviour, the massacre of St. Bartholomew in medieval Paris, and the thrilling motor and train race for life which is one of the big scenes in the modern story so cleverly interwoven with the theme. The Evening Star of Dunedin, speaking of ‘lntolerance,” said : —“The tremendous nad sweeping beauty, and the crashing climax of the Babylonian phase, were breath snatching in their compulsion, stamping Griffith (the producer who also made the “Birth of a Nation”) a veritable Aladdin of the films. Even the “Birth of a Nation” 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.” And throughout the dominion the chorus of praise for “Intolerance” goes on. , “Intolerance” will be shown here only on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, with special matinees on Tuesday and Wednesday. Popular prices, 1/-, 2/-, and 2/6 will be charged here, while the box plan is at the Bristol, where seats can be reserved without any extra charge.