ENTERTAINMENTS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 274, 10 April 1911, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS

BIOGBAPH PICTURES. V Another crowded house was recorded nt the Theatre Royal on Saturday night, the attraction being the new collectiou of films, which probably rank as 'the (inest all-round selection the management has so far secured. The programme includes two '"stars" amongst star pictures. The first is a thrilling western romance, "The Engineer's Sweetheart." The engineer, Dare, falls in lovo with Xora, the daughter of a wayside stationmaster, who returns his affection. A gang of train robbers hear that valuable booty is on a certain train, of which Dare is the driver. Their preparations to wreck the train are seen by Nora through a telescope. She secures a horse, and after a mad and exciting gallop reaches the scene just in time to save the train from destruction. All the gang are captured except the leader, who dashes into the bush. After an exciting chase he is eventually brought to bay nt the point of Xora's pistol. The other star attraction is "Convict 078," introducing the beautiful and well-known hymn, "Lead, Kindly Light." The scene opens in court, where an old-timer swears vengeance against the judge. The prisoner is next seen at hard labor, where he brutally assaults another prisoner, his ugly disposition gaining him solitary confinement. He escapes, and, l>v violent, measures, secures » change of clothes. Then he proceeds to the lionie of the judge, whom he surprises, gags and binds to a chair. Just as he is about to stab his helpless captive, the judge's daughter, in the adjoining room, commences to sing "Lead, Kindly Light." The singing brings back memories of bvone days, and softens the convict's heart. Tie releases his intended rictim just as the police and warders, hot on bis track, arrive. The last scene shows the broken-down convict led away by his captors. The effect of the picture in realistically enhanced by Miss Guilford sweetly singins; three verses of the line old hymn, to the tune of "Sandon." The remainder of the programme is well in keeping with the star pictures, and, as to-night is the last occasion 011 which this programme will be screened, a crowded house is assured. This collection will be shown at Waitara on Tuesday night, and a complete change will be screened at the theatre oil Wednesday night.