ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 931, 26 September 1910, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THE JOHNSON-KETCHELL PICTURES. ' There was a vory large attendance at the Opera House on Saturday evening, when the kinematographic picture of-the Jack .Johnson-Stanley Ketchell fight, which took place at Colma (California) a few months ago, was shown by the Messrs. MacMahon. Whether or, not the apparatus is finer or the photographic conditions are more favourable in' California- than Australia, this picture is. the best pictured representation of a great boxing encounter that has been seou in _ Wellington. As is now quite conventional, tho men are shown in action, in their training quarters. The disparity in physique is 'most striking, ana before one witnesses the fight it looks, the best of good' things for the clover black giantj who has since, beaten Jeffries in what was a: farcical set-to.' As is usual with Johnson, he allows Ketchell-the "coming-on" mood, and the clever Yankee shows a fine degree of virility in attack. In; clinches Johnson gives his opponent his weight as much as he can, and ,so clearly has the picture been taken that one can' see the liglitning action of _Johnson's left jabs. The .magnificent: Boxing of. Ketchell would alone:make* the picture interesting to all lovers; of the: sport, and his manner of standing up to Johnson's smashes fires the house with intense admiration for the white man's pluck and endurance. Ketchell •is . astonishingly smart on his feet, and his long reach, is a fine asset. One'of his tactics consists, in his taking an occasional Ipap at- his opponent, delivering a full, swing with all the weight; of the body behind it, and then ducking low to avoid the vengeful response. . This sort-of thing: rattled Johnson, .who was obviously nonplussed with 'the novel method of attack. . Then Johnson inflicts,a woundon 'Ketchell's left, cheek, and .thereafter makes pretty, play,., in hitting tho. gory spot .again .and -again/ -Ketchell, instead of hitting,: responds to this treatment like :' a , thoroughbred—ho dances a:tattoo,;feints .quickly, and lands, the negro a terrific blow. . Johnson . goes down on his knees,, rolls: over,, and is apparently, "down and out." ■ When',the. referee has counted eight he leaps suddenly to his feet, , and . hurls himself. at Kot-cliell,.who,-;on the,point of victory, is floored. with, a terrifio, blow, .' and .counted out, -. There is.-no waste time m this film. All. superfluities /liaye .been cut out, and,'one is practically in the ring with the fighters 'right' through,'- , -Apart from the boxing picture, there: is a programme .of bright and interest-' ing pictures, which serve to amuse l and instruct. include/,,"Tlie Energetic ''Advertiser"A. War-time. Sweetheart, " "Bring Me Some lee,". "King or the Ring,'' and "The Pay . Car.'' The programme will ; be repeated this evening; . . .., ..

THEATRE ROYAL.^ Mr. Nat. Clifford, the clover London comedian, who scored such a Kit upon his arrival from England the other,day, reappeared at.'the, Theatre: Royal' list ; night j and met with a splendid recep-, .ton .irora a crowded house. His songj ion,- You, You!" v,'itli some merry business across- the footlights,' evoked great enthusiasm.His -Dartmoor 'convict item was a masterly turn of quite, another sort. . In this; as well as in his 'serio-comic sketch,; "Mr;' Poverty," and' his ' original • burlesque, "The .Grand' Hotel,"' h'e -was 'thoroughly successful; To-night's- prograinmb, "frith the'' exception of these-.coiitriljutibUs. by Mri- Cliffordy will be an , entirely now one. Master M Cormick, who scored with his s °ng,. i" in the recent ama'T. •tour -tiials, '.wiH make his professional debut'/to-n.ight. '.'--':/./■ HIS MAJESTY'S. " Tho Adolph Beek picturos " at His Majesty's have interested the public to a remarkable,degree, and proved againa. potent "draw" . on. Saturday.. .This' drama of real life naturally is the star, attraction _of the programme, but in,cluded besides are ; mauy fine animated views, covering a wide range:- of : 'subjects. ; Among them may.be named:— .'On Panther Creek" ; a 'nd ",The' Range Riders," dramas.of ; th'o wild,, and' spaeio.us West .'of; Americaand'.' .f'Pathe's ,Animated'.G!azette," which .'interestingly .pictures notable events ■ in the-world's centres of civilisation/ /The comic, films on view, at His Majesty's this week are - exceptionally good. . THE KING'S THEATRE. . Matinee and' evening performances at the King s Theatre on .Saturday both attracted full audiences. . In a programme of: merit, a- conspicuous item, is the. picture, ,'!A 'Regatta ,on. .the, Me-/ kong, ; .the. portrayal, of'a, great, watercarnival .amid scenery .of tropical duxu-, nance. For. the. .rest) , the range,of pic-, .tures ;showri .carries . the; onlooker ■ farand, .wide ;over,- the .world, ; and iiitroduces hiri to an alrnost emtarrassirig wealfch changing' Tho; strain that might;:arise.-is,-' however,: pleasantly:.obviated by the ■ introduction', of comic ■piotures that, never fail of .inducing'free and happy laughter, .-; ...- ■. . ■ ' STAR, PIOTURES. Saturday evening, .at' St. Thomas's mil,; Newtown, the -' management ■ of the Star Pictures presented the week's -programme for. the last time, to a .wellfilled. house. • , To-night - a' ,- complete 1 change ,of programme is 'announced, which; will be. in keeping '-with those previously displayed ut -this ; favourite place of amusement.- y /.;•>" > ;; --n OLYMPIA RINK. All,, three .sessions,.at the - Olympia Skating, Rink- on' Saturday.-were . .well I attended by the. public.;! The rink-'will I'.be open aS usual ..to-day. Ono of - the .attractions at - the evening' session'is the, music played .by : the orchestra in attendance, ■ ■ . "SNOWBALL " The .' Mountebanks -..will produce the' 3-act. comed.v "Snowball" to-night and to-morrow night, on the new stage at the Town Hall in the Concert Chamber. The improvements made by the City Council, to the stage are excellent, arid will, prove a • great - acquisition :to the. Concert Chamber,' being ' now adequate: for. .-.any .dramatic performance/ The club is playing for. the' Girls' Realm Guild who are. in need : of funds. The public, 1 in attending. what promises to he a first-class performance, will at tho samo time assist a most ; worthy cause. ,