ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1799, 11 July 1913, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

$ EMPRESS THEATRE. "Olaf—An Atom," is the title of tho feature item on the programme screened ot the EmpresS Theatre yesterday. Tho film is by the A.B. Company, and portrays an incident in the jife of a desolate, penniless, wanderer. The photography .is good, the acting is good, and the general theme interesting, but, still,' the picture is not very attractive. In spite of modern democratic cant, and no matter how 1 socialistic their ideas may be, most people would rather look at a picture that represents a drama in high life than one woven round poverty. One is just as tragic as the other, but it remains a fact that scandal in the "upper circles of society" is "more appreciated" than the "hctoic deeds" of the povertystricken. In this respect moving pictures are like plays. .Nobody wants to be a tramp or poverty-stricken;" most would like to be of high social rank and wealthy. Thus it happens that this pictuieNwill not be so popular as other pictures, of equal or of less merit, representing "wealthy people" that have been screened at the Empress Theatre. Otherwise the picture is excellent, and unlike most picture dramas, it ends as in all probability it would were it enacted in real life. The tramp is forgotten by those he has helped At the risk of his life, and is left to wander into the darkness. The supporting items are also good, "and include an excellent Edison drama and a couple of amusing comic sketches. THEATRE ROYAL. The last two nights of the popular comedy costume company—The Crimson Ramblers—who have been appearing for some weeks' at the Theatre Royal, are announced. .The company concludes on Saturday night, The present bill will be repeated this evening. THE DANDIES. Ed. Braiisconilic's comedy costume company—The 'Dandies—are again appearing in the Concert Chamber, after a brief absence in the South Island. The company Kill continue to appear nightly until further notice. v HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. The screening of Charles Dickens's "Pickwick Papers" continues a big attraction at His Majesty's Theatre, and the most is made of the many humorous positions with which the "Papers" abound. "Saunters Through Old Rome" is an unusual scenic picture, whilst "The Honour System." "The Healer," and "Tho Lager Beer Industry" are all films well worth seeing. Special attention is di;awn by the management to tho matinee performance set down for to-morrow. KING'S THEATRE. "Tho Man in the White Cloak" is tho "star" attraction at the King's Theatre just now.. Tho picture is a decidedly popular one. "Shooting the Rapids" and "Sago Growing" are two pictures of definite educational value. Other supporting films on the programme, which will b repeated to-uiglvt. are "One Romance," "Calamity • Anne's Trust," and "Parcel Post Johnny." ORGAN REGIT AT,. A meagre but enthusiastic nudience gathered in the Town Hall last evening to. hear arecilal by- Mr. J. Mnughaii Harnett, late Citv Organist, who is at present on a visit from Auckland. The programme consisted of several popular items, including the "Faust" Fantasie, which has always been well received by Wellington audiences. Other ilems were a toeeata from tlie* "Suite Gothique" (lioellinann), "I,e Cygne" (Sainl-Saens). "Clair de Lane (Kay-Klerl), "Menuet" (Boecherini). "Finale from 2nd Symphony" (Widor). and Bendel's ever-pleas-ing "Doniroschen." Three pretty miniatures of Mr. Burnett's—cantilene, an intermezzo, and seherziun—were also introduced. The Orpheus Quartet sang several songs in a pleasing manner.