ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 148, 11 November 1912, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THEATRE ROYAL PICTURES Judging by the makers 1 names, tonight's change of programme at the Theatre Royal will prove the most brilliant selection ever shown at this house. Feature films are included by Vitagraph (2), A.B. (2), Essanay, Edison, Lubin and Cines. Sweet little Mary Pickford appears again in the Biograph film, "A Lodging for the Night," and two old favorites in the persons of Arthur Johnson and i'lorence Lawrence take the principal parts in the Lubin comedy, "The Maniac." The Essanay Co. are represented with a Western drama, "The Lucky Card," and the Vitagraph offerings include a powerful drama, "Forgotten," and a highly-amusing comedy, "The I First Woman Jury." The scenic portion is represented with views of "BerI g.n" and "Souvenir of Italian Lakes," and there are the usual comic items. EMPIRE PICTURES. The Empire Picture Palace is enjoying very marked popularity, and packed houses greet every change of programme. That of Saturday night contained many interesting features. The star film of the evening was a unique Kalem drama, "Fighting Dervishes of the Desert," the main features of which have been previously described. Suffice it to say that it fully come up to expectations. There is in the East, the unchanging, unfathomable East, "A veil past which we cannot see," and this was brought home to the audience in the picture under review. Undoubtedly much of its power of attraction lay in the mysticism of the shining Orient, where Jove and hate blaze into being with the suddenness and feroity of a bush-fire.' Interest was also sustained by a series of stirring incidents, the scene being laid in the-land of the Pharaohs. The "Fighting Dervishes" divided honors with a feature film, "Diek Turpin and the Gunpowder Plot." The title speaks for itself, every foot of the picture enthralling the rapt attention of the audience. An American comedy drama, "Man's Genesis," disclosed some unusual situations, and withal was a capital subject. The Lubin Company was again to the fore with a first-rate dramatic subject, "Her Uncle's Consent." In "German Gymnastics" those present were afforded an exceptionally interesting and instructive film, while on the scenic side the audience found much,to admire in "The Alb Valley of St. Blasien." "Trout Fishing in Surrey" and a quartette of the best comics "added variety to a good all-round programme, BARTON'S SHOW. Barton's Show is opening in New Plymouth on December 2nd. The show this year is brighter than ever, artists direct - from the greatest circus entertainers in England and America having been engaged. It is the intention of the management to "do" the Dominion annually.