ENTERTAINMENTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 1391, 27 April 1915, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS.

“WITHIN THK LAW.”

TO-NIGHT

There is nothing quite novel in the idea of an innocent girl sent to prison, devoting herself to revenge on the man who placed her there, nor is there anything fresh in detective stories and the methods of the New York police force, the third degree and all the rest of it. But, to combine the two ideas as Bayard Vellier does in his unusual drama, “Within the Law,” to tashiou a girl who has brains and brains enough to work out her revenge in perilous path and yet “within the law,” so that the most adroit detective cannot ensnare her—that is to make the basis of a play at once unusual and thrilling. There are many tine scenes in the play, and the most sensational is that In which the attempted robbery and the murder are represented. All the elements of successful drama are present, the playwright has been alert to preserve that tenseness in his dialogues and in the moving of his creatures, without which no detective drama, no ordinary melodrama even, can be thoroughly successful, A most unusual weapon is the Maxim Silencer, used in the murder scene of the drama, which was brought to Australasia by Mr K. W. Morrison, the J. C. Williamson producer. Is not allowed to be sold as it is wellknown it would constitute a

danger against mankind, only through special permission from the New York police ccnld Mr Morrison bring this dangerous weapon away with him. The present company were all selected and rehearsed by Mr Morrison who produced the piece tor the New Zealand tour ul last year under the J. C. Williamson management, irom whom the present firm have secured the sole touring rights of their recent successes, and who intend visiting the New Zealand towns from time to time with the very best dramas. “Within the Law” has been a lucky card lor the exploiting of their enterprise, record business was done on recent Australian tour, aud great successes have already been recorded the first few weeks of the New Zealand tour. “Within the Law” will be staged at Foxton to-nigbt, and the box plan is now available, where seats may be reserved without extra charge.

ROYAL PICTURES. To-night at the Royal “For King and Country,” the great patriotic drama will be screened. This is a very tine film, and from a patriotic standpoint one of the best ever thrown on a picture screen. It was very enthnsiasticly received by last night’s audience. To-morrow night “ A Dash for Liberty,” a detective drama by the Nordisk Company, that specialise in this class of drama. It is a rival of the great Zigomar series, and abounds in breathless situations, and is throughout of intense interest.

FULLER’S PICTURES

“A MILLION BID.”

The management have great pleasure in announcing that unparalleled success, “A Million Bid,” will be shown to-morrow and Thursday evenings at the Town Hall. No words can faithfully describe this masterpiece of dramatic art or convey its intensity. Mrs Beigradin, a proud society woman, is anxious to secure a wealthy match for her daughter, Agnes. Her ambition has launched her into such extravagance that she has brought financial ruin upon her husband, and during one of her receptions, while occupied with his accounts, her husband is overtaken with death. Dr. Loriug Brent, a friend, who Is in love with Agnes, finds after going through accounts that there is no more of their fortune left than will suffice the mother and daughter for a year, and offers them a home, asking the mother to consent to bis marriage with Agnes, but she pleads with them to wait twelve months. She then outers on a desperate resolve. After causing an estrangement arranges a voyage to Eng* land. She calls to her aid a noble man, whom she has formerly assisted by obtaining for him a rich American wife, she succeeds and Geoffrey Mar,she, a millionaire, is introduced, her mother succeeding in forcing Agnes to consent to marry him. The honeymoon is arranged as a trip on Marshe’s yacht. The boat collides with another in a fog, Marshe hurries below to warn his guests and while there a heavy electrolier crashes ou him, cutting a deep wound in his head. Agnes endeavours with the aid of the skipper, to drag bis body to the deck, but their efforts fail and he is left for dead. Agnes returns lo America, meets and marries her former lover. Brent becomes prominent as a brain specialist. At length a patient arrives for treatment at Dr. Brent’s hands who has no remembrance of his past. He meets Agnes without the slightest recognition, hut Agnes sees that it is Marshe returned. At the operation he passes away leaving Agues with all the bitter events ot the past intensified, but her happy existence unbroken. Supported by ; “Temples of Nikko,” scenic; and “September Morn,’’ comic. Bookings at Mrs Teviotdale’s.