ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 165, 7 April 1919, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

THE KING'S THBATE-B. In 'Teck's Bad Girl," tho feature film of tho new programme at tho King r Theatre, Mabel- Norinand ie seen in 11 part that affords her* an opportunity of presenting ft character study that sieves to emphasise, in a wholly delightful fashion, tho fact that her true metier is, and probably always will be, comedy. But it must not be concluded that ''Feck's Bad Girl" is a picture of the farcical order. It is not: it consists one-half of tho very best of comedy in ltd true sense, while tho remoin:ng half is devoted to the unfolding of a rather sensational bank robbery plot, and to (he telling of a distinctly original and pleasant love story. Tho evolution ot the "bad girl" of the village, whose youthful pranks are the cause ot 11 "run" on the only bank, nud of the calliiih out of tho village fire brigade (which has a somewhat disastrous sequel), makes a very "live" story, whicli jiij creases in interest when "Pecks girl has attained the position of a beautifu - ly-gowned ntodel in a fashionable modiste's establishment, and eventually acquires a youthful and good-looking husband. The picture provides some capital fun.' in which thoso present shured to the full. The supporting pictures are oil excellent, and comprise the littli episode of "The Scarlet Runner," "A Lesson to Somebody" (comedy), the latest Gazettes, and a strikingly beautmil scenic subject, in which are depicted many of England's must famous castles. M>. H. V. Wourt contributed two vocal items in a manner wholly acceptable to Uie audience. These comprised "\\aiti.ig" and "Take a Pair of Sparkling Eyes;" for the rendering of tho latter item tho singer was recalled. The musical portion of tho programme was provided bv the King's orchestra, and :w work wns uniformly good, and cameo, weil-nieritcd applause. Tosti's "GoodBle" and selections from •'Vir.eland (J-mck), "Three Little Maids" (Hitbons), and "Nightbirdf (Strauss) are among the items comprising this week's musical programme. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. Grace Darinond and Baric Williams take tho leading parts in the attractive. Vitagraph feature, "The Seal of Silence, whicu is being screened this week at Even-body's Theatre. Tho story is an appealing one, and is dealt- with in a. sympathetic style. The plot centres round a frivolous wife, and lias a sensational introduction. She leaves her nusbanil to bo revenged ou him, nud never reveals the fact that he was the father of her child. The runaway wife dies, and the female assistant of tho doctor who attended the sick woman knows the Ktci-et, and promises to keep silent respecting the existence of the child, and takes the little one to live with her. The doctor's suspicion becomes arousqd as the attendant can give no explanation of the child, and ye,t ho cannot help, loving the littlo one. Tho dark cloud of suspicion stands between the woman and the man she loves, but the story, which is full of dramatic .situations, works, out satisfactorily. Tt is a rapid moving, convincing story, and the settings are excellent The supporting films include "Tlie House of Hat , ;," "West Ynrks and Royal Kents," and the l'athe Gazette. EMPRESS THEATIiE. The new programme screened at tho T-nraress Theatre on Saturday contained I 11: ash material of general excellence, '".'.he Cast-Off" is the titlo of the feature for the current .week, and it is thoroughly in keeping with- the pictures previously shown at the popular Willis Street theatre. After a'long absence from Wellington, in fact the Dominion, "The Cast-Off" reintroduces Bessie Barriscale, an actress of great ability and exceptional charm and beauty. She it is who lakes the name-part, her supports boing •I'ick Livingston and Howard Hickman, who each do■ sreat credit to their rospoetira roles. Tho plot lias'no very great merit in itself, but it serve:-: a.- a U:-!s:s on which to build a story. of intense heart-interest, revwili.Mg the' greatness of a woman's forgiving spirit. It tells of a girl who, put to work as a servant in an exclusive boarclinghoiise, is denounced bv the man who pretvmls to be fond of her. Years afterwards, when by a fortunate turn of fate, she has risen to eminence as an actress, she again encounters the mail who betrayed her. Throughout all tho long years sho has burned for rnven?e, and at last it would seem as if her dunce had come. Her uie.i is to lure the man away from his ■wjfo and then throw him over, just as he had done to her. When she is commencing to put the scheme into, execution a. friend of all concerned interferes, nnd points out to the actress the harm sho would do to the Vaby of the man and woman whoso domestic relations she has determined to sevev. Her heart tlien becomes softened, and she drops the plan for Retting even. At the same time she acknowledges ,icr love to the philosopher and friend she has met, and Ihe result is that all nitrties live happily ever after. The remaining items of tftvi programme are of .in attractive character. "A Gariie Gambler" is a screamingly funny Keystone production, and the Tom'cai film contains a budget of Hie latest scenes from Europe and tho limtetl States. The programme will bo repeated this tifternocii and throughout tile. week. PROFESSOR BARRADEN. Professor Barraden concluded a succissful season at the Grand' Opera House on Saturday evening, wh«n his numerous exploits in tho domain of hypnotism caused miicli wonder and more hearty \i lighter. One of the most daring tests of the professor was to placo one of his subjects under hypnotic influence, and then give him the suggestion that he was mentally deficient, and subsequently to restore him to sanity. Owing to the disorganisation of shipping caused by the influenza epidemic in Australia, Professor Barruden will open a return season in the Grand Opera House on Saturday evening next, when a now programme will be presented. |