AMUSEMENTS.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 219, 30 October 1916, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

THREE STARS. A WONDER PICTURE. "THE BIRTH OF A NATION'.-' On Wednesday sharp, the Three Stars Theatre Taihape, will be the scene of the presentation of what is described by world-famed critics as the most true and wonderful motion picture, '' The Birth of a Nation." The firm of J. C. Williamson, Ltd., after a considerable period of negotiation, secured the rights to present this picture under their banner, and the public will be able to form their own estimate at the price paid by the above firm when it is known that every theatrical and picture firm made high bids for the rights of screening t.uis mighty spectacle. It would take up 1.00 much space in these columns to describe the entire story of the play, but it will enable to describe in each issue one or two of the thousands of incidents with which this powerful photoplay abounds. The opening develops with the grandeur and rapidity of a thunderstorm. Built on the story of "The Clansman/' the incidents cov;r the strenuous period in American history between 1861 and 1965. The pictures show how the struggle began, and depict with almost ferocious realism the awful happenings of that dreadful time when brothers and fathers fought in opposing armies, and lifelong friendships were quenched in the blood of the battlefield.

Something quite new in the way of battle scenes is achieved in the tumultuous trench fighting, which persents the greatest spectacular episodes of the drama. The wild fury of the charge, the confusion, and the smoke of the battle combined to make the scenes as complete as may be, and to cause the spectator to hold his breath with suppressed excitement. These scenes provide a genuine thrill. Another sensational thrill is the raid on the South Carolina town and the sacking of the Camerons.' home by a guerilla band of negroes and whites.

Next to the battle scenes comes the finely-reconstructed tragedy of the shooting of President Lincoln in Ford 's theatre on the night of Aril 15, IS(>5. Several tender love stories form a feature of the plot of D. W. Griffiths masterpiece. The music of the piece has been specially composed. In New York the prices' of admission ranged from 9s down; at Drury Lane, London, the prices are from 10/6 down, and in Sydney and other cities the prices were from G/- down, but so as to enable everybody to witness this picture the popular prices here will range from 2s down. There will be no extra charge for booking. The box plan will open at Three Stars on Tuesday from 2 p.m. till 5 p.m.

"EVERYBODY'S" PICTURES As usual another crowded house greeted the new programme at the Town Hall on Saturday, when one of the greatest .programmes ever present ed at "Everybody's" was shown. Owing to unforseseen circumstances the film of "Within the Law" did not arrive, but this will be shown next Saturday. Saturday's programme contained a particularly powerful five-act drama in the "Pace in the Moonlight" featuring Robert Warwick. The comedy element was stronger than ever. and it must have pleased the management to hear the uproarious laughter that greeted the presentation of the exceedingly funny comedy, "The Cowboy Millionaire." The other comedy, "A Night in the Show," is easily Charlie Chaplin's best to date. Other pictures in support combined to make a programme that will rank easily with the best ever submitted to a Taihape audience, and if the management of "Everybody's" continue to cater along these lines they will continue to enjoy big audiences. Saturday's programme will be shown again to-night, when no doubt there will be another large attendance.

UTIKU SMOKE CONCERT. A fare-well social to Mr. and Mrs E. E. Ingpen was held at Utiku on Saturday evening last in the card-room, and took the form of a smoke concert. The gathering was arranged by the railway employees and the townspeople combined. The Rev. W. F. Stent was in the chair and forty or fifty people were present. The usual toasts were made anc duly .honoured, and various songs and recitations were interspersed among the speeches. At nine o'clock a number of ladies entered, and the presentations were made by the chairman on behalf of the people. To. Mrs. Ingpen a portmanteau, and to Mr. Ingpen a case of pipes and a portmanteau. A very sociable evening was spent and many very excellent speeches were made, and the whole affair was a credit to the organisers. It was also an evidence of the respect in which the guests were held.