PICTURE SHOWS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1683, 25 February 1913, Page 6

PICTURE SHOWS.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. That charming old play, "Sweet Nell of Old Drury" was screened at His Majesty's' Theatro last night, and met a reception which leaves no doubt whatever as to the popularity of the piece. Tho story is too well known to need repetition,, but attention may bo drawn to the very excellent picture of tho old Stuart-period romance which tho Messrs. Fuller have screened. The picture is wonderfully complete, and absolutely nothing could have been spared to niako the film one of the very highest order. A fine new drama entitled "Tho Good-for-Nothing" also is on tho programme. The tale is that Dick Evans, a farmer's son, is a failure in town, and returns to the farm in Western America. In the country he falls in love with the postmaster's daughter, but is refused the girl because he is "good for nothing." The local newspaper 19 for sale, and he buys it. In this lino he is a success, and he becomes a power in the town. He gets back on the postmaster by advocating a change in the post office—a new postmaster. He opposes his father for the Mayoralty of the town. The old people capitulate, and Dick compromises. "Sunshine" is tho sad story of a brother who suffered the extreme penalty for murdering the betrayer of his sister. In prison'the young fellow refused to Teveal his motive, and the picture 6hows the. Rev. Father O'Brien's visit to, the cell and the condemned man telling his heart-breaking story. Among the'other items shown wero "A" Feathered Comrade," ' "The Gaumont Graphic," "Wonders of Harmonic Design," and "His Father's Choice." . \ '■•' NEW THEATRE. At-Messrs. MacMahon and Donnelly's New Theatre, in Manners Street, yesterday a new programme of moving pictures was submitted. . The chief attraction was a Nordisk drama, "The Man Without a Conscience."- Briefly told, the story is ono in which a man and his wife, while visiting a cafe, are enraptured by tho music ' of an orchestra. The woman is apparently attracted by tho leader of tho band, and in turn ho is. attracted to her. A clandestine appointment follows, and subsequently they decide to elope to Paris. The conductor presently deserts his dupe, but a ballet girltakes compassion on tho deserted one and obtains an engagement for her on the stage. A wealthy count falls in love and takes her to supper at a cafe. While she is there 6he meets tho conductor, and ignores ?him. Whilst again visiting the cafe with the count, tho woman encounters her husband. There is a scene, but eventually all ends' happily. Other pictures were "Lieut. * Daring and' his Photographic Pigeon," "Through 'Greece," a beautiful scenic, and "A Husband's Conscience. THE KING'S THEATRE. "The Money-lender" is the principal picture in' tho King's T/ieatre bill tl is week. It is an exciting drama, and contains plots which are as deep as plots can sink. Tho mounting of tue piece is gorgeous, and for this alone the picture is worth seeing. The story traces'the'ways to enrichment employed by an unscrupulous money-lender. A young man writes to the money-lender for u loan, of 30,000 francs, which amount the would-be borrower has lost at cards. The request is refused, because'the lender has already advanced a large sum on the chance of tho young fellow becoming heir !o bis wealthy uncle. The lender then plots to get the young man into his power. He instructs a woman accomplice to induce tho young man to buy a diamond necklace on credit for 50,000 francs, and pawn it for 30,000 francs. The woman succeeds in her effort.' A. few days later the nephew is informed that nis uncle has died suddenly, and he is congratulated on having become heir to so great ,v fortune.- Disappointment is at hand, in tho shape of news that the uncle bequeathed his estate to his. god-child, on the condition that she married a certain suitor within a year. The money-lender schemes to prevent the marriage, so as to in tho end have the fortune left to the relatives. The suitor'goes to a .'caside' resort for a while, and is followed by the lender's ■ accomplices. The woman endeavours to get him in her toils, and tho man places a diamond neckloco in his box, and then informs the police that he suspects tho suitor. The' suit or laughs at the idea, of/his being ;a thief,' and allows the police'to seaTch his room.' The' necklace is found, and, despite all efforts, the suitoro receives a sentence of 6ix months' imprisonment. His sweetheart remains true,,but to keep her mind occupied she joins a hospital nursing staff. In the hospital she nurses tho very man who put the necklace in herJoyir s box, and on his death-bed he vrites a onto to her, • confessing his deed. The suitor is released,, and the money-lender • and. his accomplices are arrested. / Other pictures on the programme are: "Tho Australian Gazette, . "Tho Face or the Voice," "Manufacturing Combs," "The Mother of the Ranch," "French Army Gymnastics," "Tom Donovan's Division," . "Bunny at the Derby," and VThe Pathe Gazette." j EMPRESS"THEATRE. Yesterday was "change day" at the Empress Theatre, and the feature was a modern drama,', "The Oath of Stephen Huller." The story is a sequel to "The Unwritten Law," at the termination of .lyhich young Stephen Huller takes an oath in the prison "cell (as ho bids farewell to- his father) that he will never marry. Stephen, now a man, rescues a defenceless girl, and for the timo being forgets his oath. It is a case of love at first sight, and Stephen does not hesitate to break his sworn word—he marries the girl. The inevitable villain subsequently, appears on the scene, and causes unhappiness in the Huller home. Agood climax follows. Included in the programme were other capitaf pictures, the principal being "The Gaumont Graphic, which gives the latest topical happenings in England, "The Bite/of a Snake," "Funnionss, Boat Builder," a good comic, and "An Adventure in Autumn Woods." • Miss _J[argarot Cochrane, of the Normal School, Wellington, was declared tho winner of the school children's essay com.petition, recently held under the auspices of the' Empress Theatre management The subject was "Christopher Columbus." SHORTTS' PICTURES.' A complete change was screened at Shortts* Theatre yesterday, the chief item being a drama entitled "From Country to Town." Pathes' "Australian Gazette' contains many interesting views of recent happenings in tho Commonwealth. "On the Way to. Montserrat" is a capital scenic item, and "Maid, Man, and Moustache" ia a .clever comio number. Other pictures shown included: "The Thunderbolt," "The Thrilling Rescue of Uncle Mun," and "Beltina's Substitute." Tho above pictures will bo repeated until further notice.