AMUSEMENTS

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 4 February 1913, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS

THOMPSON-PAYNE PICTURES.

"THE LAST HURDLK." Lust night saw nnothor largo audioiut at the T.-P. Electric Theatre to witness the second screening nf the curront programme. "The Last Hurdlo" again j>roved a- popular drama. The plot is excellent and is intertwined with a pretty lovo story. Jhe supporting dramas included Ihe Doctor of Silver Gnlch, by the Lubin Co., "The Whiskey limners" (Solig), "Laurel Wre-ath ol I' a-ino" (Kssan'ay), and "The Diamond Kobbe.rv," by the Yitagraph Company. "A Reconstructed Kobol" was also shown. It was a Solig production ol' considerable merit, being a story ol two flags in the I",S.A. Conflicting attitudes assumed by rival parties end in a small civil war, in the c'uirse of which the colonel is rescued by a. party of the other Hag, and in a series of ensuing events, lowers his flag and clasps the other leader's hand in .friendship. Other pictures ol note were: "The I-'art of Her Life-," "Vaniman's Airship Disaster," Kailway Carriage Construction," "Santo Claude," "Emma's Kiss" and "When Jack Ci>mes Homo." For Wednesday's change two specials are advertised in "G:iptain Midnight," a story of Australian bushranging, and in "Vanquished," a, 8000 ft Nordisk melodrama.

INTERNATIONAL PICTURES

"THE BLACK CAT." • The Town Hall wa-y well filled last evening when the current programme was screened fop the second time. "The Black Cat, the Apache" is 3000 feet in length, by the Vita-scope 'Co. it relates an intense story of human emotion, describing a. long struggle between love and passion for the -mastery of a good man's mind. The Melies exclusive Western drama, "Sheriff Pro Tein," will afford a full i measure of excitement. "His Auto I Maiden Trip," an exclusive A.M. comedy, is an amusing farce, and depicts the trials of an amateur motorist, who !' thinks he has run over a- tramp. "Happy Forgetfuln-ess" is a. capital Cines drama. The comedy section on the programme includes "Who's Who?" "Reward of Perseverance," , and "Woman Haters." "William's V Weekly" and "Warwick Chronicle" comprise the topical -section. On ' Wednesday "Martin Cluiz/.lowit," a g-rea.t Edison dramatic feature, adapted from Charles Dickens' famous novol, will ho screened. All the wellknown characters are pre.sen ted just as the author portrayed them. This remarkable -.subject should be witnessed by all lovers of photo-play drama.

"GET RICH QUICK WALLIXGFORD."

The large number of inquiries which 'have been made in* reference to tho box office arrangements for the. com-

' ' n S production of "Get Rich Quick Wallingford," tho great laughing success to bo staged by J. C. Williamson's Company for the first time at the Town Hall on Monday night next, indicates the keen interest which is being taken in the event. The opening performance of "Get Rich Quick Wallingford" in Sydney was, it is stated, oine that Aviil live in the memory of those who were present. The auditorium of tho Criterion Theatre was taxed to its utmost capacity, and from the moment-that Mr Fred Niblo made hi* appearance on the stage, accompanied by his Japanese servant, and a ferocious looking bull-dog, tilio enthusiasm began. At tho end of each act tho new artists wero called before the curtain again and again, and at the final fall of the curtain an extraordinary demonstration took placo, ending im a demand for a speecli from Mr Niblo, and the popular comedian ultimately came before tihe curtain and 1 thanked the audience on beihalf of himscilf and the other members of the company for the appreciative manner in which they had greeted the piece, and for the welcome they had extended to tho artists. On the final night of the season which lasted for over thirteen weeks, a record house, it is stated attended to say good-byo to • "Get Rich Quick Wallingford," and i the curtain wa.s lowered with the stage ■ literally covered with floral and other

trn>ute.s, Mr Fred Niblo plays Walling ford in such way, it is said, that he completely wins over the audience to the side -of the .suave "softsawder" and "-silver tongued" swindler. Wo have never had on the Sydney stage, ■said a critic, such a polished ..specimen of the professional robber, wjio chloroforms his victims with counterfeit courtesy, and simulated sincerity, while he is "taking them down" for their rash. The humour right through the piece is said to be wholesome and free from vulgarity, or ..suggestivenes,s. I'lie cast of "Get Rich Quick Walling--I'ord" includes Messrs Fred Niblo, Harry Corson Clarke, .James H. Manning, E. Perio Jiusli, Cyril French, Edwin Lester, Lowden Adams, Fred Cambourne, Robert W'liyte, Arthur Glynn, David Jefferson, Henry Matsiimoto, George Whitehead, H. FT. Wallace, ,Syd Smith, John DeLacey, Robert Greig; also the Misse* Beatrie Hollo way, Margaret Dale-owen, Maud \\ ingfii'ld, Rosalind Smeaton, Marian Dunn, and ,Enid Bennett. Onlv ono performance can be given of "Get Rich Quick W'allingford," for which the plans will bo opened at the Dresden on Friday next at o : <rlit o'clock.