ENTERTAINMENTS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 185, 3 February 1912, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS

. EMPIRE THEATRE. "THE BATTLE." Last night there was shown at the Empire Theatre a picture of a battlev which in perfection of detail and in wonderful reality left nothing to be desired. The spectator was taken on to the battlefield and there saw enacted ' every phase of one of the battles of the American Civil War. The method of display is most dramatic, for the creators of this great picture story have woven into it the love of an officer boy for a girl, and throughout sudden glimpses of the girl, who is a superb a/tress, arc given that add heart interest and wholesomeness. The story- tells how the battle suddenly Tages round a. little home.' i There are soldiers everywhere in profusion, but not the soldiers of the parade ground. Soldiers war wqrn and dishevelled, most of them obviously trained men, and all going about their work with such a vim that it becomes impossible to realise that this stirring battle has been arranged merely for the purposes of a picture show:.--The*pictures tell the story of a panic-stricken officer boy who "funks," doubles to the rear, sneaks back to his girL and cowers in terror in her house. It shows how she spurns him for his cowardice, beats him, thrusts him forth and makes him. face his man's work. The battle rages. Men fall in the way that men really do fall who are suddenly struck.dead. The effects are marvellous. There is a reality about the way the rival.forces hold* the trenches, the way they fall, the instant - filling up of the gaps, the smash rif the shells, and the galloping guns which wheel into action and "let go." There are the sweating gunners, working like fiends, the officers' urging the men on, terrified riderless horses galloping to the v rear and the grisly heaps of slain be-" tween the two opposing' forces. The ' ■ general, has been hard hit and is carried into the house. He directs his' officers from his bed, The officer boy has "taken hold." i His courage has come back to him. His men have guns but no ammunition, so he makes tracks for the Army service camp,- through many dangers, to get some waggon loads The driver is shot. Any number of others are also shot. He jumps, aboard an ammunition waggon' and drives the powder to his men. Result victory, It cheers the general up a lot when he is | told that the youngster has saved the- . day. It cheers the girl up, too, and she | forgets she has been spoon-feeding, the ' general with broth, Wd rushes'the iboy. ' Perhaps its against the regulations for a youth to snatch a girl into his arms at headquarters and in tne presence of his > superior—and the film ends here anyhow. ■ Altogether for movement, life, and death, ' as well as most appealing naturalness, • the record is unique, and it 'would he a !• very sluggish soul who would' not be i stirred. The other pictures are of the ' highest excellence. This afternoon and y B to-night the battle picture will be again 1 shown, as' also will the' local seaside re-' cords. Otherwise the programme will be '■ entirely new, and there is promise of • some splendid subjects.

"THE SPECKLED BAND." "*, What is described as the moßt important dramatic happening of the new year will be the one and onlv appearance her« t . of J. C. Williamson's Dramatic Company in Canon Doyle's thrilling masterpiece, "The Speckled Band," at the Theatre ■Royal on Friday next, February 9th. The box plan for the performance will be opened-at Collier's ou Tuesday next at 9 a.m.. and as this attraction is being looked forward to with amen avidity by theatregoers, the wisdom flf booking, seats will no doubt commend itself. It is not often that such an agspregation of high class artists of widely different talents is available to interpret it. In "The Speckled Band" the author has completed the most thrilling, alluring and fascinating play that has emanated from his creative brain. The company, ' which is precisely the same as appeared in the successful Melbourne and Sydney productions, includes artists of such distinction' as Messrs. William Desmond, Leslie Victor, J. B. Atholwood, Winter Hall, Fred Cambourne, Boys Irwin, George Chalmers, J. W. Lloyd, and Gaston Mervale, and i the Misses Dorothy Dix (a beautiful, cultured and aocom- < plished actress, who has'been specially engaged from the Lyric Theatre, London, will be making her, first appearance in New Plymouth), Alma Phillips, Florence Gleeson, and Susie Vaughan. The brush of Mr. Leslie Board has been used to decorate \sie appropriate scenic settings, and Mr. Fred Quintrell will conduct an . efficient orchestra.