AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 June 1916, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS.

"THE DERBY WINNER." Few photoplays have attained as much popularity as the London Film Company's live-reel production of "The Derby Winner," which film forms the star attraction of the new hill at the Empire Picture Palace to-day. Cecil Raleigh and Sir Augustus Harris's play was the biggest success ever achieved at Drury Lane, and in picture form it should attract crowded houses. The play has all the elements ot a successful drama, and in the five reels there is not one moment in which some exiting scene is not on the screen. The well-known New Zealand actress, Miss Eve Balfour, has been entrusted with the leading part, and press critics praise her work highly in "The Derby Winner." Splendid spectacular scenes are shown, among which roay be mentioned the race for the English Derby The opening scenes are set in India's sunny clime, where, at the time, a lieutenant in the British Army, Lord Desborough, falls in love with Vivian D'Arville, whom he afterwards discovered to be married. Later he meets Lady Muriel, and thej' are marjried. Actuated by jealous motives, Major Mostyn, with the aid of Vivian D'Arville, brings Desborough to ruin. The one thing that can save him is for Clipstonevto win the English Derby. Aware of this, Mostyn forces Clipstone into the sale ring, but is outbid, for. the horse by one of Desborough's friends. The manner in which the fortunes of the Desboroughs' are' restored is only mie of the many exciting scenes with which the story abounds. Supplementary films irclude "The Adventures of Sally," a "jungle" comedy w'rich features the wonderful humanlike chimpanzees which have so recently come into photoplay prominence; "Pathe's Firing Line Gazette" and a war special entitled "A Brilliant French Victory in Champagne."

THEATRE ROYAI. PICTURES. To-day at the Theatre Royal, picturegoers will have the last opportunity of witnessing the current series of film at this popular house. The star film is a three-reel Vitagraph Broadway Feature drama, unique in theme and absolutely amazing in its intense compelling qualities. Under the title of "The Scar" it shows, in spite of the terrifying accumulation of evidence against him, Morton is saved from the death penalty by a witness recognising, on the victim's hand, a peculiar scar. It is not so much the story, but the way It is enacted, that makes "The Sear" such a pronounced success. The popular artists, Harry Morey, Gladden James, and Estelle Mardo, have never been seen in anything finer and the staging and photographic effects are par excellenoe. But this is by no means Ihe only feature on the bill. Sweet Vivian Rich is featured in a. story of poetry and pathos entitled "Hearts in Shadow." whilst "The Romance of a Handkerchief" is made thoroughly delightful by the clever acting of Maurice Costello, Leah Baird, Betty Young and other favorites. Followers of ths serial drama "The Trey o' Hearts" found the seventh instalment of this interesting story better than usual, and the topical films were also good. This programme will he shown at the matinee this afternoon in addition to the 8 .o'clock screening.

MARGUERITE CLARK IN "THE GOOSE GIRL." On Monday and Tuesday next the management of the Theatre Royal will present Miss Marguerite Clark, supported by the full strength of the Famous 'Players Company, in the sweet, romantic comeda-drama, "The Goose Girl." The story is brimful of pathetic situations, relieved with touches of the most delicious comedy, the great charm of which is only excelled by the magnificent acting of Mias Clark in the name part. Another outatanaing feature of."The Goose Girl" is .the perfect beauty of its scenic surroundings. In some of the scenes a- veritable fairyland is revealed. The "Famous Players" have never produced anything better. It contains such a wealth of incident and speed of action that the spectator's interest is fully sustained throughout. The Australian press state that Marguerite Chirk achieves her greatest success in this charming plav, investing the role of "The Goose Girl" with all the fascination of her own sweet personality.

THE ROYAL STROLLERS. The Royal Strollers, who make their appearance in the Theatre Royal on Wednesday next, under the direction of Messrs J. and X. Tait, come with a strong reputation, and during their recent Australian tour the Press favored them with most eulogistic notices and were unanimous in stating that they were the most satisfying company of entertainers'that bad visited the country for many years. Mr. Sydney James, who is "Chief Stroller," and his company are well known throughout England and in South Africa. On their arrival in Australia they commenced the tour in Adelaide. They opened in Auckland on March Reporting on their first appearance in Adelaide the. Register said: "Adelaide has received a brilliant addition to its available entertainments by the arrival of Mr. Sydney James' company of Royal Strollers; the seating accommodation was crowded to its utmost capacity, and it is no exaggeration to assert that no more marked enthusiasm than that which prevailed has been aroused among an audience of its kind in Adelaide for many a day. From first to last the entertainment was refined, clever and diverting, and an outstanding feature of the performance was the remarkable versatility of the artists than whom a more-evenly balanced and individually talented troupe would be hard to find." All the members of the company have met with praise, and wherever they have been the Strollers have met with the same success. Time will only allow of a brief visit to New Plymouth, as the company leave for the East at an early date, and only a limited number of towns in New Zealand can be visited. The management announce popular prices, and the box plan of reserved seats will be opened at Collier's this morning.