TO-DAY'S PICTURE SHOWS

Sun (Christchurch), Volume II, Issue 592, 3 January 1916, Page 8

TO-DAY'S PICTURE SHOWS

"OUR BRITISH NAVY." One of the most interesting pictures shown in Christchurch for some years is that which Mr Charles McMabon presented at the Theatre Royal on Saturday evening. The picture is entitled "Our British Navy," and includes hundreds of scenes of life in the senior service. The first part of the series deals with the nautical education of a raw country boy, from the moment he steps on the deck of the training ship until he becomes a fully qualified seaman in the Grand Fleet. All stages of the training of a "handy man" are shown, the whole series being of the most engrossing interest. At such a time as this pictures of the fleet in being must be more than usually attractive, and Mr McMahon's film will be found to fulfil all expectations. Every class of vessel in the Navy, from submarines to superDreadnoughts, are shown in the most minute detail. The pictures of destroyers travelling at the rate of over 30 knots an hour, and of the great guns of a battleship firing, are exceedingly instructive, and not a little exciting. New Zealanders, who very rarely have the privilege of seeing a fighting ship of the first class, have really little idea of the tremendous might of a modern battleship, but a very good idea of what these monsters are capable of can be had from the picture now being shown at the Theatre Royal. It is most fascinating to sec the huge guns swung outboard and then fired, to be followed by the discharge and explosion of a Whitehead torpedo. From the educational point of view, no belter picture than "Our British Navy" has been seen here for many a day. h\ the first part of the programme several other films of more than usual merit are

shown. First Of all must be mentioned a Chaplin comedy, entitled "Charlie at the Seaside." Admirers of this whimsical actor need no description of the picture. They know from the mere mention of his name that a treat is in store for them. "Artful? Not 'Alf'-'-is a delightful farce, illustrative of the adventures of a waiter who went to a distant town and at the same time allowed his sweetheart to think thai he had enlisted. "The Means and the End" is an engrossing drama. On Saturday evening the Theatre Royal was packed to. the doors, and judging by the interest displayed "Our Navy" will attract similar attention throughout its season.

RUPERT OF HENTZAU. A special holiday programme of dramatic, comic, topical, and interesting pictures will be shown tonight at His Majesty's Theatre. The London Film Company's star feature, "Rupert of Hentzau," is an adaptation of Anthony Hope's stirring sequel to "Tiie Prisoner of Zenda." The picture is complete in itself, and may be followed by those who have not seen the former picture, whilst to those to whom "The Prisoner of Zenda" is familial it will prove a strong attraction. The story commences from a point where Rupert of Hentzau holds the King's life and the Queen's honour in his hands. Rudolf Rassendyll again comes to the rescue, and fate plays many tricks to all concerned, leading up to a startling and dramatic conclusion. Henry Ainley, Jane Gail, Charles Rock, and Gerald Ames are again in the principal roles. There are excellent supporting pictures, including Mr and Mrs Sydney Drew in a clever comedy entitled "The Story of a Glove," as well as the latest Pathe Gazette and a beautiful coloured scenic of a Dutch town.

EVERYBODY'S. "The Evil Eye," a splendid drama reminiscent of Du Maurier's "Trilby," is the star drama at Everybody's this week. It is a play dealing with a hypnotic influence and a father's love. Dr Sevani is a medical man possessed of great hypnotic

power, which he uses for his own evil ends. Mr Roberts is a millionaire, and the father of Ella, a charming girl with many admirers, and one acceptable lover, Alan Granger, a young lawyer. At the birthday celebrations of the girl, a new admirer, who is I)r Sevani, is admitted, and desires an interview with the millionaire. He reminds the father that when he was poor he (Dr Sevani) restored Ella's reason, free of charge. He now wished to claim his fee, which was the hand of the girl. There is a stormy scene between Roberts and Sevani, and Ella enters the room in time to hear some of the words. The hypnotist lixes her with his ga7.e, and proves that she is under his influence. The father determines to struggle against the evil eye of Sevani, and refuses to give his daughter in marriage.. That night, after the interview, Roberts falls asleep at his table. Ella, acting under some mystic influence, goes to her father and picks up a paper-knife. In the morning the millionaire is found dead, and Ella is under suspicion. The circumstantial evidence against her is very complete, and she is subjected to third degree police methods, but she knows nothing. Iler liance, Granger, believes in her innocence, and takes a prominent part in undoing the tangled thread. The play is very powerful and interesting all through, and the plot is of more than ordinary depth, and the denouement surprising. The supporting pictures are good, and comprise "Through the Dales of Derbyshire," scenic, "Peter's Picnic," comedy, "Gaumont Graphic," topical, and "Spades are Trumps," comedy. SYDENHAM PICTURES. A well-selected holiday programme will be screened at the Sydenham Pictures to-night, the feature Film being the London Film Company's masterpiece, "Rupert of Hentzau." This play is a continuation of Anthony Hope's story, "The Prisoner of Zenda," which was screened at the Sydenham Theatre last week. The principals arc the same in both plays, and "Rupert of Hentzau" should prove a great attraction to those who saw "The Prisoner of Zenda," though it is a complete and powerful drama in itself. "The Story of a Glove" is a Vitagraph comedy, which will prove a great attraction in itself when it is known that Mr and Mrs Sydney Drew have the leading roles. A varied set of supporting pictures will also be screened.

GLOBE THEATRE. Sensationalism is the keynote in "The Borrowed Hydroplane," the fifteenth instalment of '"The Million Dollar Mystery," which was screenied at the Globe Theatre for the first | time to-day. The photography of Ihe various episodes is exceptionally clear, and the scenery is very vivid and realistic. In "The Borrowed Hydroplane" the capture of Florence is shown, after which her escape from a motor launch, and rescue by a hydroplane, is portrayed in a highly sensational manner. The supporting series are very good, and comprise "Love, Speed, and Thrills," a Keystone comedy, featuring Chester Calkin, whose antics are really most laughable; "In Spite of Him," a splendid drama, featuring Ethel Clayton; the latest "Australian Gazette,' 5 which portrays some very interesting topical incidents; and "Their First Quarrel," a screamingly funny Vitagraph comedy, featuring Sydney Drew, the clever and popular comedian. GRAND THEATRE. "High Treason," a Universal feature, is the star picture at the Grarid Theatre in the new programme presented to-day. It is staged and photographed in splendid style, and Ihe roles have been assigned to capable actors. It is a story of French military life. A young officer, the son of a general, has a weakness ft)r gambling. Jeffrey Le Brand is his rival in love, and there is bitter feeling between the two. The son of the general, Jules, has a stormy interview with his father, who reproves him for his hard gambling. The mother protects the son as far as possible, and gives him money. Later on the general is given some secret papers, and told to guard (hem with his life. Jules is the victimc of a conspiracy, and becomes involved in a big debt, and is tempted to steal the documents of State to save himself from exposure. He enters his father's room and takes the papers, but in doing so the general is awakened and inflicts a wound on the left arm of the Ihie'f before he is knocked senseless. Jules pays his gambling debts, and later goes to see the lady of his affections, only to find her engaged to Jeffrey. In despair he attempts his life with a dagger, but is prevented from killing himself by Jeffrey. fn the struggle the latter is wounded in the left arm, and is accused by the general of high treason. The denouement is striking, the guilty man receiving his dues, and Jeffrey being released after having come very near death. The "Salisbury Wild Life" instalment is very good this week, some remarkable views having been obtained of wild animals being captured. A comedy and a topical film complete the programme.