ENTERTAINMENTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1653, 21 December 1916, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS.

“OUR PICTURES.”

“THE SINS OF THE MOTHERS.”

The current programme at the Town Hall pictures is headed by a. splendid Vitagrapli success, “The Sins of the Mothers,*’ a tilm which possesses elements that impress and entertain, and in addition point a tine moral. It is absolutely true to life, and unfortunately its counterpart may be found in many a home to-day. It deals with the evils of gambling by medium of cards, dice, roulette wheels and horse-racing, and drives its lesson home with sledge-hammer force. Anita Stewart, the popular actress, assumes the leading role, and she is afforded an opportunity of showing her true merit as an artist. She receives splendid support from popular Earle Williams, Julia tSwayne Gordon, and a cast without a weak' member. The initial screening of this Vitagrapli masterpiece took place at the Town Hall last night, and was much enjoyed by the audience. The supporting items include a shriekingly funny Keystone comedy, “A Bath-house Blunder,” in which the “Water Queen's” diving and the work of “Reggie"’ were remarkable features. This programme will be repealed to-night.

FRIDAY AND SATURDAY. A programme 1 of exceptional meril will he screened at Ihe Town Hall on Friday and Saturday evenings, and is to he specially noted as containing the first of a series of remarkable stories of “Slingaree,” dealing with the old bushranging days in Australia. The first of this series is entitled “An Enemy of Mankind.” Irving Randolph pleads in vain with his younger brother, Robert, in his effort to get the boy to cease his extravagance. Retted and pampered by their mother, Robert continues in his profligate habits. The boy engages Mrs Kell on in a violent flirtation. In spite of Kelton's warning, his wife continues to meet Robert. Eater, the husband finds the two lunching together in a gay restaurant. Irving appears upon the scene in time to save Robert from Kellon’s anger. The elder brother, however, thereby diverts the husband’s anger to himself. All London soon learns the story which has been distorted so as to make Irving (he culprit. The young man linds himself ostracised. Even Ethel Porter, his sweetheart, turns from him in contempt. Fate decides that some time later Kelt on should be killed by Irving accidentally, and perceiving an opportunity to wrest from his brother the control of the Randolph estates, Robert denounces his brother as a deliberate murderer. Despite the promptings of his own conscience, Irving heeds a friend's advice, and Hees. .Months later Australia is terrorised by a bandit, who calls himself “Slingaree,” and his partner, Hawke.