ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 December 1924, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THE PEOPLE'S. FAMILY NIGHT TO-NIGHT. Betty Balfour’s latest comedy-drama “Mord Em’ly,” which opened last night at the People’s Theatre, tells a delightful story of a bright little Cockney girl, who lives with her mother in the shadows of tlie Walworth Road. Brimful of harmless devilry, she capers around the slums, and it is not at all surprising, when she is pressed into the service of three staid old maids. The story is full of delightful humour, tender sentiment and touches of pathos. Other films include “Where is My Wandering Boy This Evening?” a burlesque comedy starring Ben Turpin, a dancing novelty “The Waltz," which also includes slow motion. Interesting scenes .of the scouts Imperial jamboree at Wembley Stadium are also shown in the gazette. The programme screens again this evening. To-night’s admission prices are: Stalls 9d, dress circle Is 3d. Children 6d. Tom Mix and Tony, his wonderful horse, will appear in William Fox’s big western special, ••The Heart Buster,” at both sessions tomorrow at the People’s.

EMPIRE THEATRE. NELLIE BRAMLEY CO. TO-NIGHT. The above popular combination will open their return season of three nights at the Empire Theatre to-night with Eugene Walter’s powerful dramatic success “Paid in Full.” The play, which is wonderfully well thought out and replete with dramatic incident, tells most graphically and convincingly the story of a beautiful, charming woman of great force of character, married to a cur of a fellow, Joe Brooks, who having abused a position of trust as an employee in the great Latin-American steamship line tries to save himself by inducing his wife to compromise her*self with Captain Caleb Williams, the multi-millionaire head of the company. Miss. Nellie Bramley gives a magnificent character study in the role of Emma Brooks, a role which gives the fullest scope for her great histrionic powers. Though the part might in other hands lend itself to the melo-dramatic touch, there is with her no ranting, no straining after effect. She simply is the fascinating little wife that she is called upon to impersonate, bearing rather than sharing her husband’s burdens, and throughout ena’ets the part with a charm and grace, a restraint and power that are most convincing. A great

piece of character acting is given by Mr. George Bryant, as Captain Williams. He makes the stern, old sailor live before the audience in wonderfully realistic fashion. The box plan for to-night’s performance will be at Collier’s all day from 9 a.in. to 5 p.m.

EVERYBODY’S. “LILIES OF THE FIELD.” Conway Tearle and Corinne Griffiths, have the leading parts in “Lilies of the Field.” which opened last night at Everybody’s. It shows how motherlove, and the unselfish love of a man for a woman, redeem two lives from unutterable misery. It i<s a searching portrayal of the lives lived by the ultra, fashionable set of New York, and the gorgeous gowns and gems makes it a picture of uncommon glitter and brilliance. The interest really lies in the lives of two people who are not at -heart of the set they were born to. Mildred Harker (Corinne Griffiths) lovee her husband, but he is tied to her only by their three-year-okl girl, and spends a great deal of his time with a showy and unscrupulous “lily,” who toils not, neither does she spin. Conway Tearle as the man who wins in the end has a strong part. It is a big cast, and the scenes of revelry and dissipation are daringly presented, while the pathos of the mother-heart, and the injustice of the divorced wife’s positioti co<mbine to make the film one of the most deeply moving emotional pictures ever screened. The supports are excellent. The programme screens again to-night and at both sessions to-morrow. Seats may be reserved at Collier’s.