THE THEATRES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 221, 22 October 1914, Page 9

THE THEATRES.

r \ HIS MAJESTY'S. A career of romance and sensation is depicted in the film "The Life of General Villa," which figures as the foremost attraction at His Majesty's Theatre nightly. The leader of the Mexican revolutionaries had many exciting experiences, commencing with a brief period in gaol through his attempt to kill a man responsible for the death of his sister. Villa escapes and is elected leader of a band of outlaws. Then follow a succession of successful military engagements until Villa finally marches with his forces triumphr antly through Mexico City. The*' Gaumont Graphie," containing latest war news and other interesting.films, completes the programme, which will be screened again to-night. ■ i GLOBE THEATRE. The current programme was presented for the last time yesterday evening before a large and appreciative audience. To-day the star attraction of the new programme is " The Mystery of the Silver Skull,' * a thrilling Vitagraph- drama, containing an abundance of exciting episodes. Another very popular film is '' Mabel's Stormy Love Affairs,'' a Keystone farce, while the series is completed by "The Gaumont Graphic" (topical), '' The Colonel's Adopted-* Daughter' ' (drama), and "Uncle's Namesakes" (comedy). SYDENHAM PICTURES. The current programme at the Sydenham Picture Theatre was presented finally last evening. To-night a new series is to be shown, with "Old Reliable," the powerful Vitagraph drama, as the star attraction. Supporting pictures will comprise "The Pathe Gazette" (topical), "On the Banks of the Dahl" (scenic), "The Parent Strain" (drama), "Izzy the Operator" (comedy), and "Mack Av It Again" (Keystone farce). jr COLOSSEUM. "Old Eeliable," the feature drama of the current programme at the Colosseum, is an attractive study which continues to please large audiences nightly. The supporting numbers have been happily chosen, making a welli balanced and highly satisfactory proj gramme generally. "Especially entertaining is a .Keystone farce entitled "Mack at it again.' The programme iwill be presented again this evening. alhambraTpictures. Another good audience attended at the Theatre Royal last night to witness the excellent pictorial dramatisation of Coiian Doyle's famous novel, "The House of Temperley." It makes a fine drama, full of interest and emotion, and tells the story of an old and aristocratic family brought into difficulties by the gambling propensities of its sons. Sir Charles Temperley, the head of the house, is caught in the meshes of one Hawker, a gentlemanly card-sharp-er. He becomes involved in debt and the sale of Temperley House is threatened. Ethel Houghton, an orphaned heiress who is Lady Temperley's ward, falls in love with Captain Jack Temperley, who arrives home on furlough, and

he reciprocates the affection though he- (<■' will not declare it for fear, that he shall be thought to desire her fortune more than herself. Notice is given to the ' . Temperleys that unless the sum of £3OOO, is forthcoming the house will.be sold, _ ~. and in despair-Lady Temperley implores the girl to marry her son, Sir Charles, : v in Order to save the family. {She con-., ~ sents at" last, but she learns that Jack ,-; Temperley loves her when he is about' - to rejoin his regiment. Meanwhile, Sir r Charles Temperley having taken an....f oath not to gamble with cards, ■ '. or dice, agrees to arranging a fight be- . -• - tween two "unknowns," one of whom is the butler of the family, an ex-pugil- - . ist, and puts a heavy stake on Ms man, hoping to retreive the family fortunes. ' But his enemies are determined to bring Temperley down, and the butler is r t spirited away, and the hour, of the great 'fight draws near without any appearance of the Temperley champion,- but ■at the last moment Captain Jack Tem- . " perley steps into the ring and does bat-., v tie with the professional pugilist, and wins after a heavy struggle. Ethel Houghton appears at the-end «f the fight, and in the scene that follows Sir • .<■ Charles learns of the love between the ' girl and his younger brother, and decides to remove himself as an obstacle to their happiness. He therefore forces a quarrel with the notorious Hawker, _* m there is a duel, and Hawker, firing before the signal, shoots his man dead. It can be guessed from this outline of the plot that the picture,ovhich is excellently acted and presented, is full of stirring incident. There are other sup-«-porting films—a couple of comedies, a, scenic showing views in the Gulf, of Kapallo, and some interesting pictures of English regiments in review and at manoeuvres.