ENTERTAINMENTS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 53, 24 August 1911, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS

SAUNDERS' PICTURES. The new series of pictures shown at the Whiteley Hall last night drew a large audience, who enthusiastically welcomed each of the exceptionally fine Alms. The world's greatest written tragedy, "Hamlet," stirringly played and magnificently pictured, gave in vivid movement the vital points of the masterpiece. The creators of this beautiful record have gone further than the stage for backgrounds to the players, for the tragedy of Ophelia's death is pictured by a noble river, swift running between wooded banks. Quotations from the immortal play intersprinklo the pictorial movement, and so some of the beauty of Shakespeare's inimitable art irradiates the action. Then there is seen in rich profusion the undying glories of Rome, the great triumphs of ancient architecture, the silent book written by the old masters of the world. It is impossible in watching the modern crowd moving over Tiber's bridges to be unmoved at the thought that here lived and shone and died a people greater than the world has since seen. In lighter vein—"The Family Bear," a remarkable pictorial explanation of how a bear cub may be trained to play as harmlessly with children as a retriever pup. The stirring Red Indian drama, "Big Elk's Turn Down," is of the wildly romantic type, wherein one sees a huge Indian pleading (with the necessary wampum belt, buffalo robe and other presents) for the hand of a white settler's daughter. She "turns him down," and, of course, he and his braves raid the cabin, capture the girl and take her to an Indian village of the "really and truly" type, with tribal "totems,"'floating scalps, dignified "braves" and all the rest of it. While Big Elk is away chasing buffalos the Indians tie the girl to a stake, and begin to roast her. Big Elk returns to rescue her. While he sleeps on guard, the girl discovers a bowie knife stowed away in her stocking, and cuts a hole in the tent and escapes to a canoe without paddles. Thereafter a chase, the inevitable rescue by the girl's father and lover—and wedding bells. The "Runaway Engine" is an American railroad drama, full of heroism, with very'TealistioTrimmings and a brav« and beautiful girl. Sufficient that the girl saves the president's special train and marries his son, who is masquerading as an engineman. "Betty Becomes a Maid" tells how far comedy reasons, the lovely young lady of the house (who is a remarkably adept actress) turns waiting maid in her father's house and captures a guest who is intended for her elder sister. There is a specially humorous contretemps in the kitchen, the whole of the players managing to-becomo more floury than even the finest potato. The programme altogether has a sweet savor, and the prevailing Pathe Oazette, the comedy of the bass viol with the man inside, and other gay and picturesque items afford splendid diversion. The excellent orchestra is careful to choose items which fit each succeeding picture.

ROYAL PICTURES AND ORCHESTRA,

The new programme presented at the Theatre Royal last night was welt received by a good audience, and the different pictures evoked hearty applause. Drama predominated, and the comic ele'it was well represented. "Marabout Shooting" in Abyssinia is a prettily colored film, showing' the hunting of this beautiful bird, arid the plucking and preparing of its feathers for export. "A Bridegroom's Dilemma" is a film showing the awkward position of a bridegroom on his wedding morn. Pathe's Australian Gazette illustrates all the topical events df the week, and includes the great Arnst-Barry boat race on the Paramatta on August 5 for the world's championship. "Inherited Taint" is a powerful drama by the American Vitagraph Company. "Trying to Grow," "A Masterpiece," "That Old Cannon," are ft few among the many comics. On Saturday evening next the Royal Pictures and Orchestra will be under the patronage of the Palmerston North, Napier and New Plymouth Boys' High Schools.