ENTERTAINMENTS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 156, 30 December 1911, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS

EMPIRE PICTURES. "THE PRICE OF BEAUTY." The change of programme at the new Empire Theatre, Devon street, to-night will include the stirring drama in high life. "The Price of Beauty," which is a very lengthy spool. The plot shows that a rich and beautiful widow has just received a letter from her daughter Lizzie, who is at college, saying that she is returning home, and that she has become engaged to one Count Leopold. She arrives home in due course, and the next day the Count calls on her mother. He is much impressed by her beauty, and she likewise with him. A dinner is given by her to announce the engagement of her daughter, and during one of the dances his fiancee's mother offers him a flower. He bends to allow her to adjust it in his buttonhole, and while she is doing this he kisses her. At the precise moment Lizzie is looking for him, and witnesses her lover's unfaithfulness. She is heartbroken, and decides to leave home, which she docs after making a vain attempt to take her mother's life. She obtains a position as companion to an old lady of good standing. The Count marries the mother, and after two year,s of married life he tires of her. While at breakfast one morning she receives an invitation for herself and husband to attend an evening at which a famous Italian tenor is to sing. The Count does not wish to attend these functions, so he packs up and goes abroad. The Countess goes to the evening, and the singer becomes impressed by her beauty. Events follow quickly, and it is announced in the newspapers that the Italian tenor has eloped with the beautiful Countess. During their travels the Countess meets another admirer while the singer had left her for a moment. He returns to find her being embraced by her latest conquest, is much enraged at her conduct, and leaves her. Through all this she becomes mortally, and requests her daughter and husband to be brought to her. A telegram brings them both to the bedside, hut no recognition takes place between Lizzie and the Count, and after sorrowfully reviewing the mortal remains of his wife the Count fights a duel with the Italian singer, for his honor's sake, but the latter being a better marksman shoots the Count, thus showing the "Price of Beauty." A full programme of star dramatic, humori%s and scenic views in keeping \witti the holiday season will also be screened. The programme will be repeated on Monday and Tuesday evenings. Waitara readers are reminded that the celebrated "Zigomar" picture will be on exhibition there this evening.