THE THEATRES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 114, 19 June 1914, Page 9

THE THEATRES.

GLOBE PICTURES. A new programme was introduced at the Globe Theatre yesterday, the star film of which is entitled "Wolves of the Underworld." It is an American drama, dealing with the pursuit of vengeance against a police officer by a criminal. A poor East Side Jew is set •upon and robbed by a gang, of hooligans, or rather thieves, who are disturbed in their nefarious task by the approach of a police officer. The policeman takes the Jew to the station, and - reports the case to the superintendent. The matter is not allowed to drop, for the leader of the gang is arrested and xeeeives a substantial term of imprisonment. He vows an undying vengeance against the officer who has been instrumental in securing his apprehension. The Jew, in gratitude, so opens his heart aa "to bestow a golden bracelet on the policeman's daughter. Some years pass, and the criminal, having served his term of imprisonment, for the purposes of the story becomes a powerful politieian, and he uses his' influence to wreak vengeance* on the man who bad made him smart in the past. He arranges to have a gambling den raided, and then gets false witnesses to swear that the officer took bribes for protection. The plot works well, and an innocent man is discharged from the force. He can obtain no other employment, and is on the point of being turned out of house and home through his inability to pay the rent. The daughter, in desperation, goes to the landlord to plead their case, and to her astonishment, finds him to be the old Jew rescued by her parent years before. Even in her poverty she has not parted with the golden bracelet, and by this token she is recognised by the old Israelite. The feeling of gratitude is still strong, and all the troubles of the officer and family are soon at an end. Supporting films are: "Saved "from Court-martial," a good war drama; *' He who Laughs Last ' ' (comic); '' Two Gay Dogs" (comic); and the latest "Gaumont Graphic.'' SYDENHAM PICTURES. Despite the unkindly elements there was a good attendance at the Sydenham Theatre last evening, when the second change of pictures for the week was made. On a well-varied programme pride of place is taken by a Vitagraph drama, '' The Wreck.'' The story revolves about a railway president, his friend, and their respective sons, who are a distinct contrast to each other. The president, impressed with the ability of his son's friend, makes an opening for him in his railway business. Meantime his own son, a ne'er-do-well, gets into serious trouble, and appeals for help to his step-mother, a young and attractive woman. To help him she enlists the aid of the son of her husband's friend. The president, seeing the two in each other's company so much, becomes madly jealous, and in a rage murders the young man. Then comes the big incident in the story. The president and his son are travelling in an express train, the driver of which is intoxicated. A disastrous head-on col-

lision occurs with a runaway engine down the track, and when the bodies are extricated from the wreckage the railway magnate finds that his son is among the dead —divine punishment for his own crime. Other pictures are '' The Pathe Gazette, '' Montana State Fair,'' "Mexican War Pictures," "Algeria's Acrobats," and "Mabel's Bear Escape," the last-named being a fair screamer. The same programme will be shown again to-night. HIS MAJESTY'S. The week is drawing to an end, and but two more nights remain for picture patrons to see a good programme at His Majesty's Theatre. The series this time consists of a set of pictures in every way fulfilling the requirements of the most discerning critic. Top of the list is "For His Master," a drama which quite apart from it photography and setting, possesses great value for the moral lesson it serves to teach. Though it deals with the haunts of Western cowboys, gamblers, etc., no part is so blood-curdling as to offend even the most tender susceptibilities. JT either is it lacking in excitement. In ,?£*' ii: J ust strikes the happy medium. For His Master" is supported by a fine array of pictures, dramatic, comic, scenic and topical, as represented respectively by "The Eternal Duel," Betty m the Lion's Den," "Paris, Garden of Plants," and the "Gaumont Graphic' There are other films, too, well worth seeing. The programme will of course, be shown to-night once more and also at to-morrow afternoon's matinee. THE COLOSSEUM. The Vitagraph Company, whose name is a by-word in the moving picture

world, as the producers of good films, supply the main item on this week's programme at the Colosseum. Good wine needs no bush, and to say that "The Wreck" is a Vitagraph drama should convey enough to any picture patron as to what he might expect from the star film. "The Wreck" was a very costly picture to produce, the actual sum expended 4 being somewhere in the neighbourhood of £lo,ooo,.but in it ,the company have succeeded in main- ! taining the high standard of workmanship which have set in the past. They have chosen a very suitable plot, in the course of which some thrilling incidents are portrayed. Other pictures on the programme are "The Pathe Gazette,'' which contains its usual up-to-date budget of happenings elsewhere than in our own Dominion, "Mabel's Bear Escape" (comic), "Courting Betty's Beau" (comic), and "Montana State Fair" (topical). To-morrow evening the programme will be shown for the last time but there will be a matinee in the afternoon. OPERA HOUSE. A bright and attractive programme of vaudeville is this week presented by the Brennan-Fuller management at the Opera House. • Little wonder then that the audiences have attained such satisfactory dimensions. Of all the artists appearing Miss Muriel Andrews, perhaps, has won the greatest favour, her repertoire of violin selections being varied and acceptable. In Miss Rube Dent, pianist, she has a very capable partner. Dare and Norwood, athletes, perform various feats of strength, and in addition show to advantage in some graceful balancing acts. Entertainment of another type, but no less enjoyable, is provided by Vincent, Arthur and Oliver, vocalists, and also Mr Jack Vincent, baritone. For humour patrons can rely on Billy Watson, and if then they crave for more, Dennis Carney will fill all wants in this class. . Other artists deservedly popular are the Waldrons, Lyons and Cullum, and Carlton Max. A special matinee performance will be given to-morrow afternoon. OLYMPIA RINK. Seeing is believing, and anyone who is not yet a skater should hie himself to the Olympia Rink; there he will learn how it is possible to find amusement of the most enjoyable kind, no matter how unkindly the elements outside. The rink drew large crowds all yesterday, and it will be open at the usual hours today. "THE THREE MUSKETEERS." Next Monday night, at His Majesty's Theatre, will witness the screening of the biggest and, it is stated, quite one of the best films ever shown in Christchurch. This is "The Three Musketeers," adapted from the great Alexandre Dumas's famed romance, and to be shown as a complete entertainment in 10,000 ft of pictures. Concerning its presentation at Sydney, the "Sun" said:—" 'The Three Musketeers,' which is in six reels, occupies the whole .of the programme, and depicts the thrilling adventures of d'Artagnan and the Musketeers. Every detail of the I scenery and costuming is perfectly cari ried out, which gives to the whole a splendid historical as well as romantic interest. The characters are admirably played by picked actors and actresses, eminently capable of interpreting the irrepressible character of the Musketeers and the jealousy and intrigue of the scheming Milady. The role of d'Artagnan was excellently played, as were those of Milady and Richelieu, while a clever and most humorous piece of acting was that of Monsieur Bonacieux, who is acquitted of treason to become a spy of Cardinal Richelieu's. This photo-play will appeal to all classes on account of its varied features of humour, romance, and stirring adventure." A special feature will be made of the music, which is to be rendered by Hayward's orchestra. Box plans are now open at the Dresden, ! where seats may be reserved for any j night of the season.