ENTERTAINMENTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1624, 14 October 1916, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS.

“OUR PICTURES.” A GIGANTIC PROGRAMME. The local management of “Our Pictures” is nothing if not original and up-to-date, and the latest scheme to promote the popularity of the people’s own picture theatre is 1 lie* screening of two programmes, or rather, the best of two complete programmes, at one time —something never before attempted in any theatre in New Zealand. The world famous Metro Film Company head the list with a 5,000 ft. star drama, “My Madonna,” featuring (lie invincible actress Olga Petrova, a picture that has met with phenomenal success wherever shown, and at the initial screening last night the picture easily upheld its reputation, .'mother star item, by the World Film Company, is “Bought,” a daringly original drama of passion and hatred, ending in idyllic love. The story is us follows: Horace Frambers, sin impecunious literary man, receives the following 1 offer; Helen Talbot, (he daughter of a rich financier, has trusted her lover, not wisely, but, too well. She is about to become a mother. Her lover went down on (lie Titanic. If Framhers will marry Helen Talbot and stive her mime, he will receive 10,000 dollars and a position in Mr Talbot's office. Framhers marries Helen, and the child dies. Talbot gradually trusts and likes Framhers, hut Helen despises her “bought” husband, and intrigues with other men. Framhers resigns Ids position, and pays her hack her 10,000 dollars, deserts her, and tells her to get a divorce. Talbot's business is failing, and I'Tambers helps him to recover it. Then Framhers returns to Ids room to die, as he thinks, but when he recovers from his illness he finds Helen by his side. She loves him, and they are made happy by a happiness (hat has not been “bought.” The supporting pictures constitute absolutely the best programme yet screened.

MONDAY AND TUESDAY,

“JIM THE PENMAN.”

On Monday and Tuesday a new programme that promises to be of more (ban ordinary interest will he screened at the Town Hall. The principal attraction is a live-reel Famous Players adaptation of Sir Charles L. Young’s sterling drama, “Jim the Penman,” with (he eminent dramatic actor John Mason in the title role. The drama has been one of (he foremost dramatic successes of the stage. The unqualified triumph which it scored throughout, the world was a tribute to its dramatic power and thrilling realism. Its portrayal on the screen has echoed with even louder voice that success. The story is evolved from the actual life and career of the notorious forger who lived a double life. To his friends and in business and society he was James Walston, io his confederates and to the police he was “Jim the Penman,” whose nefarious proceedings were alarming I lie business world of two continents, for iiis forgeries were wonderfully successful and almost undetectable. There came a lime when Walston wished to withdraw from ids old life of crime and begin anew, but the net was closing around him. Mow he evaded Ids wouhl-he captors and Ids linal struggle will) his partner in crime, leading up to the powerful climax, makes one of the most intense stories yet shown on the screen. As “Jim the Penman,” Mr John Mason, the eminent American actin', is said to give a remarkable vigorous and artistic characterisation, and is ably supported by a most capable company. As well as the feature film, there will be a clever comedy, “Beautiful Thoughts,” in which Mr and Mrs Sidney Drew are seen to great advantage. The Pathe Gazette and an English scenic complete the programme.