AMUSEMENTS

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11752, 31 January 1918, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS

PARAMOUNT THEATRE. A FOUR-tf.EATUR.rc CHANGE. The popular "Paramount Theatre was crowded last evening by a most enthusiastic audience. A film that caused quite a commotion was "Man and Beast," a production in which lions, leopards, sheep, pigs, an elephant, and a chimpanzee disport thonirielves as freely as the human members oi tho cast. In this production the animal features are an entertaining and entirely natural part of the story. The- beasts perform their parts in a well-trained, though no doubt carefully manipulated manner, in "Alan and Beast." Animals make good screen performers. 'Balzac was prone to trace a considerable analogy between animals and tho human tribe, not always in a complimentary way to the latter. Certainly there" are some tilings in which man may learn from tho beasts, particularly in the matter of posing. There is an admirable complicity and directness about tlitem; they do not suffer fiom sclfconscioiisncss; neither do they threaten to shoot their cuffs or make a clash for ''the powder puff; They radiate a simple joy in being what they are, and exhibit no envious crowding towards 'i'->'> spotlight. The elephant in this number rescues a man from drowning in a slimy pool, carries a young woman to a clandestine meeting with her lover, and later brings her homo a lost child from the jungle. The chimpanzee has a lesser part to play, hut does it acceptably. The lions and leopards gfoovido exciting moments, and the- domestic beasts fill in the pastoral scenes in a pleasing tray. Wbiio the stellar honours go to the animals in this production, the human members of the east are proficient. Eileen Sedgwick adds to her popularity in the part of Gretol. Park Jones plays the hero, and the other rolos are taken by Kingslcy .Benedict, Harry Clifton, L. M. 'Wells and Mrs Whitting. Another splendid feature was the five-act Pallas film "Intrigue," in which Leonore Ulricli was starred. It was a fine melodrama of the Secret Service relating to the prosent war. Owing to being wrongly addressed to Carterton instead of Master ton ,the film of the Melbourne Chip did not arrive last evening in time for screening, but will bo here for screening to-night (Thursday) and Friday.

OPERA HOUSE PICTURES.

A BRILLIANT PROGRAMME

To say that the large crowd at the Opera House last night were thoroughly delighted is to say the least of it. The programme presented was an all-round excellent one. Judging from the opening chapter of "The Girl and the Game," wdth its unlimited incidents of k sensation, it may be said that this serial promises .-to be the most possible and thrilling film novel yet brought before tho public. A largo audience showed signs of delight ind approval with'the'many daring''acts performed by that fearless cinemastar, Helen Holmes, who will no doubt become tho greatest favourite of all serial heroines. Another big success of the evening was the Triangle super-feature "The Flame of the Yukon,'' starring Dorothy Dalton. The play takes place an the period of '9B, when the gold-mad crowds stampede for the "diggings." "Black Jack" Hovey is the proprietor of tho Midas, and the "flame" is his trump card. One night the "Stranger" comes to the place, his belt bulging with money. Hovey picks tho "flame" to trim him. - When she comes to the ' stranger, inviting him to join lier in a dance, he is fascinated, bui, refuses, fu spite of her callous intentions, the stranger attracts her . and wins her sympathy. Finding he is broke, she determines to find a way to help him. Another interesting story of tlv.* "Do Children Count?" series, featuring 'pretty little Mary MeA lister, is also included in the programme, which will lie shown again, this evening.

THE COSY THEATRE.

TIIUKE-STAU PROGRAMME

A melodrama of more than usual strength, which lias for 'ts central. figure a remarkable! child- actress, will bo found in "The Little Duchess," the world-film piny commencing to-night. Gorntdino 3s a ■litftilo , orphan who has Jived with her English mother in a New A'ork tenement. With a little hoy friend she runs nwa.y and joins a circus, and this escapade is made tho menus of introducing some vivid and original touches into the story. She is traced down by the agents of Karl Carnimore and goes In live with. 'him ,ns she. is proved to, he his! grandchild. The grouchy old man learns a new view of. life from Ids lovable little new relation, and incidentally the dark tragedy that had overshadowed the Carnimore family is brought: to an end through a surprise discovery made by Ceraldinc The supporting cast includes Pinna Neshit and James Davis, the latter making a most satisfactory villain. Nothing too much can he made of the acting of Madge Evans in this film. She is wonderful, and no less. Rome excellent English settings and remarkable photogriiphy make the film stand out among recent releases. Another chapter, the second last, of "The iron Claw" is also lo he shown, and next wool; is'io tn>" "Who is the Laughing Mask." Another interesting serial slory thai is becoming most popular is "The Secret Kingdom," the second chapter' of which commences to-nighr. The adventures which pack this episode full of thrills and heart, interest are threaded through encli episode of this superb serial, which niake "The Secret, Kingdom" a clean, wholesome romance serial, which will attract largo crowds to see it all the way to the last episode. Tho latest Gazette, completes the bill,