AMUSEMENTS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CV, Issue 16080, 29 September 1916, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

THE LYCEUM. A rollicking Kc,ysfcone comedy was a great attraction at tho Lyceum last night. It was entitled I, A Boathpuse Blunder," and protrayod happenings which almost sent the audience iuto hysterics. Many of these were marvellously well "faked,"'and incidentally somo clever natatorial work was seen. -The new Gaumont Graphic is a delightful one, containing as it does some wa.r scones of marked excellence as w r efl as a variety of other happenings of general interest. A charming scenio was seen in one entitled "The Lake of riioune," the scenes on both land and water being delightful. The major attraction, however, was the great Blue Itibbon 'Vit'agraph drama, entitled "The Sins of the Mothers." This takes up the whole of the second half of the programme. It dea.ls with the, vice of gambling and points a most effective lesson in a manner which compels attention. The particular gambling dealt with is that in which women indulge, and tlie resultant effects on their lives arc vividly portrayed. High society women are depicted at cards and in. the opening scene the husband of one of them shoots himself because of his inability to persuade his beautiful and oxtravagant wife to cease gambling. They have a pretty little daughter and in order to save her ■from the gambling evil her widowed mother keeps her in. a convent for some years. Then she takes her out into tho world, and though at first she resists all temptations the hereditary taint in her: blood gets the better of her and she becomes an inveterate gambler;" she loves it better than _her life and declares that she cannot live without the excitement of it. She is fortunate in that she gets a most considerate husband' who docs all that is humanly .possiblo to save her from herself, but she breaks his life and brings bitter remorse into tho life of her mother, who now sees tho folly of her wa L v T s. • Tho groat favourites Anita Stewart and Earlo "Williams, who work so splendidly together, are the bright particular stars, and Julia Swayne Gordon and other equally good artists are in'the cast. The acting and photography throughout are perfect.

I THE-GRAND. I Inclement weather proved an easily j surmounted obstacle to numerous picI tr.ro goers who patronised the Grand | Theatre last evening, attracted there by t)ie promise of a bill of ,fare above I the ordinary. This promise was in no ■ way. over-estmated, as the programme submitted was one that called for , special commendation. 'lt was an exceptionally good programme, the star film being a production of unusual | merit. In addition to this a Metro- ' Drew comedy, bubbling over with merriment, supplied the indispensable | comody clement. The chief film was I entitled "The Nature Man," and was a film that differed from the" ordinary | stereotyped drama. It was a highly educational subject that. revealed the latent instinct in man to discover for himself, the necessities of life which in the ordinary course of life he does not need to_ seek. Adventure was - judiciously interwoven. The production of the film is a triumph of cinematography and reflects the greatest credit on the producers. The scenes were elaborately sat out, the scenery being of a most' beautiful nature, mountain, forest and stream. The story narrates how a young man, JoeKnowles, undertakes to live the iifo practicnlly of a savage in tho woods. He has to feed and clothe himself unaided by any civilised methods: His adventures were many and he had a hard struggle for aii existence. He learned the habits of the prehistoric man and discovered for liimsef the means of producing fire bv friction. He made tho necessaryweapons for defence against tho denizens of the woods. To obtain food he devises snares and traps with which to nitch what he wants. In addtion to thid after his civilised apparel has become too dilapidated he makes \ garments out of the skins of animals! 3 It was a film well worth seeing oni account of its interest and instructiveness. The films supporting the star wore much appreciated. Many happenings of interest in connection with the Avar were found in tho latest Gazette. The" Sidney Drew comedy was a splendid number and drew spontaneous lauehter from the most staid. Delightful music was supplied by the Grand Trio.

"SEVEN SISTERS."

The large audience .at the Theatre Royal last evening were given a genuine treat by tho unreeling of a splendid selection of films. Miss Marguerite Clark, m the leading role of a delightfu'ly refreshing comedy drama, "The Seven Sisters," was splendid. She achieved great popularity in those two splendid Famous Players productions, "Gretna Green," and Harold Macgrath's entertaining story, "The Goose Girl," but as Mici in "Seven Sisters" sho gives her best, cleverest, and most pleasing impersonation to date. The production is 5500 feet in length, and it is an admirable art achievement in every -way. "The Seven Sisters" is the cleanest, brightest, and most sparkling and altogether delightful screen creation since "Gretna Groen," in which Marguerite Clark captivated tho hearts of a l .] who saw this delightful production. The story was a most entertaining one with a wealth of humour pervading it. Mici, one of the seven sisters is a convent boarder, but on ao'ount of her prcde>nction for love assignations, rono ladders, and surreptitious visits .to-ballrooms when the convents sTccds she is requested to leave. Her lover, a dashing young Untenant, makes a compact that he will marry her, but by the laws of the country her elder sisters (three in nnraboiA must marry before her. The lieutenant, and his ladv love have -a merry and lively time in match-making and some extremely amusing incidents arise as a result nf their marital machinat'ons. Finally their task is competed and a most eniovablc story is'conohirlcd by the wedclinjr of four blushing _brides. The supporting films worn oarvtnl numbers, in particular an official film showin«r. the indispensable work of the R A.M.C., at the Front. Tin Royal OreVstral Quartette provided an enjoyable programme of music.