PICTURE SHOWS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1499, 23 July 1912, Page 8

PICTURE SHOWS.

FULLERS' PICTURES. Artistic merit and variety are characteristic features- of the new - picture pro-, gramme which was screened at. Fullers' Skating Kink for the first time last evening. One of the best of the series is the natural history subject, "Studies in A(|iiiitic Life," depicting >enJs and soalion.s, water-hens-, and penguins at home in their natural element. The striking feature of this film is the glimpse afforded by tho camera, of seals, water-hens, and "penguins pursuing their natural prey under water. The reals and sealiens are first- si.>en diving from the rocks into the water and gambolling about on llio surface. Then the camera lons follows a veal as it swims lazily about pin suing the fish • beneath (lie surfaco of tho water. The ungainly penguin appeared as a different creature altogether in its explorations under the surface, and darts about the dentils with the grace and agility of a fish. The star film of the evening's programme; entitled "Mo an' Hill." is a touching epitome of life. Tho story is of a lifelong friendship and affection between two men, "Sam an' Bill," their journey through life, their romances, trials, and vicissitudes. It opens with the early schooldays of the two—then small boys— and their little sweethearts. Budding manhood finds the two a-courring-their quondam school sweethearts, whom they marry. To "Bill" is born a boy, and to "Sam" a girl. These two grow up, and when their mothers are called to their rest, fall in love, "Sain" and ' Bill", approving, of course. Then conies war: "Bill" junior joins the 'colours and is killed in action. The shock of the news unhinges the eirl's mind, and sho drowns herself in the river-only "Me an Bill" aro left, to comfort each other in old age. This pathetic romance is excellently produced; and canably acted. In After Tears" is the title'of a domes-tic-drnmn, the plot of the sto'rv developing from a wife's desertion of her home, and tho loss of her little girl. Yuus ater the husband, whom the tragedy of Ins domestic life has niado absent-mind-ed and neglectful, is stricken down bv a nervous shock, and is, unknown to either, nursed by his long-lost daughter, now a grown woman. • Discoverv follows as a matter of course, and belated happiness brightens the-finale of the plav. . Other good items include "The Valley of tho Danube," "Under Mexican Skies'," "Paying the Price," and. "Tho Yarn of tile Nancy Bell." The series will bo repeated this evening.

THE NEW THEATRE. "The World Against Her," the titlo of the new picture shown at tho Now Theatre yesterday has no connection with tho well-known drama of that name. It is even more highly-coloured and exciting, and as the players employed are capable it is a dramatic picture*of an emotional character which-will appeal to the many. I Ins picture was fully described iu yesterday s issue. The other items on 'tho programme are also of au interesting character. In addition to ■ "The World Against Her, winch will bo shown at all sessions to-day. and to-night, a new selection of supporting subjects will bo introduced, the American Diograph Company will bo represented by an impressive, up-to-dato drama, "One is Business and tho Other Crime." An interesting travel study is Sacred City of the Ganges." The ccmic clement is well maintained bv "Bobby the Judge" and "Tho Burglar Helped."

THE KING'S THEATRE. Tho new programme at tho King's Picture Theatre, screened for the first time last evening, is in all respects worthy of the host ol its predecessors, ' combining topical subjects of local, interest, comedy, drama, and scenery in an artistic and varied entertainment. The principal items of note in the scenes include an excellent dramatic study entitled "The Sergeant's Daughter;" a clever comedy sketch, "Whittles and His Portrait" (with Mons. Prince in, the title role); scenes from Gisborne of the stranded liner "Star of Canada j" "The Inspection of the New Zealand Canadian Cadet Contingent by His Excellency the Governor" (a series of interesting kinemalographic snapshots taken at Trentham); and an interesting ■snapshot of tho new Prime Minister (the Hon. W. ]>\ Massey). In the drama "The Sergeant's Daughter," the story is told of a young German jvho, during his period of military service, falls in love with the daughter of his sergeant. At the expiry of his service he secretly marries the giri, but the social gulf between them creates difficulties. The father of the young man parts from his son, and the young couple are driven into sore straits when their money is done. Later, the father is struck down by paralysis, and, the young man having meanwhile left his wife and child and gone to America, his sister finds a positiou for her as nurse to the paralytic. This development, of course, shapes tho course of events to a happy ending. The drama is well staged, and most capably acted. "The Star of Canada" pictures show the big cargo boat lying close in-shore, with her noso buried in the beach and her stern tilled lip. Tho little tug "Hipi" is also shown, and various scenes connected with the discharging and lightering of the cargo, the pumping and diving operations, are also screened. Tho last scen'o of all shows the vessel as sho now lies, deserted by the crew., Among the supporting items arc an excellent series of snapshots from the London Zoo; nn Itala photo-play entitled "The Plot That Failed"—a very fine study. Tho new programme will bo screened again this evening.

THE ADELPHI. Last evening a completes change of. pictures was presented at. tho Adelphi Picture, Theatre in Willis Street. The theatre was'well filled, and patrons showed their appreciation of tho new numbers. Owing to thy late arrival of the Sydney loot, at Auckland, the management were unablo to include tho latest Pa tho Gazette in last evening's programme, but t.ho Australian Patho Gazette provided a oap ; tal substitute. "A Pie Worth While" is an excellent drama of cowboy Hfo out in the AVest. The film depicts the adventures of o. cowboy, who has been entrusted with a large sum of money, and two discharged cowboys. The last-mentioned make unsuccessful attempts to spcur* the money, and cventunllv they are escorted away by tho sheriff anil a po?. ; e. A very fine.coloured picture is one entitled "Wild Birds at Home." In this film the camera operator l.as been fortunate in obtaining somo quite good v'ews of wild ducks, and their colours .aro displayed to perfection. A detective drama, which created a great deal of interest was "Charlie Colms am' the Knave, of Spades." The character, Charlie Colms, an amateur detective Hears of a baud of thieves styled the "Pack of Cards." Their leader is aptly named the Knave of Spades and against the guile and cunning Colms pits his courage and brains. The picture explains in a rcrics of capital scenes, the hairbreadth escapes of jColms from pi tf alls, arranged by the wily leade.-, and nov; eventually Colms triumphs against those enemies of law and order, and sees their dramatic arrest, Many scenes in the picture recall to memory the "Spider,," in the "Silver King." An excellent comic, brimful of laughter, is the film, "An Exchange of Coats," while "The Jam Cupboard," depicts the enjoyable time little Willie has among the jam-pots. A number of other pictures are shown, iiicludintr a fine scenic, entitled "Hindu and Chiiv:.yc Pejoieiugs."

STAR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. Tho principal attraction at tho Star Theatre, Newtown, is tho Nordisk picture "A Victim of the -Mormon?," which was screened in Newtown for the first time last night. Tho plot of (lie story is tolerably well-known, the principal characters lieing an alleged Mormon elder of prepossessing appearance and a girl. It is ft picture which has given offence to the Mormon community, and, at the instauce of their church, its public exhibition was stopped in the United States. The pursuit of the Mormon man. as shown in tlje film, is, full of exciting situations. Whilst on a steamer hound for America the wireless operator finds out that tho "wanted persons" are on board, and during his attempt to inform the police by wireless of his "find," the alleged Mormon comes upon the scene and hinds and gags.tho operator. On arrival in America, tho police are still on the trail, and after some very exciting incidents, tho girl is rescued during a highly dramatic scene. A T.ubin drama of note is "A Pie Worth While."' "A Western Kimona" is an ?. and A. comedy, and "Japanese Landscape" i« a capital scenic. The. pvocvamiue contain'- other pictures, and will be repealed (his evening.