ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 208, 22 January 1913, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS.

'•TMIi Dltl/M.MKII (iIKL OF YICKSIHJUC." From thu i»i)int of view of picture t-n----l-crtainnieiits the new change of programme ushered in sit the Theatre Royal last night, would be hard to beat. 'lt includes several sterling photo-plays, but the palm must go to "The Drummer Girl of Yickslmrg." Those who are interested in the great American Civil Will - will find that this superb Kalcrri drama combines a faint smattering of real history and iictio.i in a way that will appeal. From the weird point of view of the picture promoters, this very peculiar war seems to abound in incidents that lend themselves in a peculiar war jto fiction. Sometimes families were divided, and mot on the field of battle fighting father against son, In-other against brother. In this instance the incident is that of a young southern girl who, with patriotic fire burning brightly in her eyes, takes the place of her brother, who has been killed in action. Under the hottest (ire the girl proves that she is no coward, and, like her brother, is willing to lay down her life for her principle's. She is eventually captured . by the enemy, but returns to her friends in an exchange of prisoners. While being exchanged, she meets and falls ir love with a young Southern officer, .whom she ultimately- marries. The ["Drummer Girl" is not without good company, for the. Kaloni Company is also represented bv another feature film in the shape of "The Heart of John Grimm"—a delightful film story, produced in co-operation with the New York Tribune fresh air fund. The Lubin house is also to the fore with "A Romance of the Coast," which is a stimulating and invigorating portrayal of life on a rough fishing coast. "The Siren's Call to Duty" is a cleverly-conceived Am■hrosio s'torv, dealing with a strike -n a factory "centre. On the scenic and educational side there are the Eclair Topical Journal, "Large and Small Warm Lakes," and ("Training Elephants tin India." A number of comics were also screened.

EMPIRE PICTURE PALACE. For a genuinely attractive motion picture programme' the new selection to be screened to-night would be hard to excel. Travel pictures of "Scutari," that -war-infested centre, are to be unreeled; also "The International Boat Race," and a sweetlv pretty flower study, "Poppies." Popular'dramatic tastes are catered for with an intensely interesting picture, "Robin Hood Outlawed," being the life of Robert, Earl of Huntingdon and Ins merry men. Not alone is this picture in the "feature" section as the Kalem producers are represented with a thrilling photo-play, "The Prisoner of the Harem," showing the abduction of a young American girl, and the stirring adventures of a yong man-of-warsman who succeedsin her rescue. Edison is all prominent with "A Dangerous Lesson," an honest heart to heart sort of story of young married life, which will strike a responsive chord in more than one breast. A particularly humorous quartette of comedy pictures completes the programme. Special orchestral selections will be played by the Empire orchestra.