ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 233, 20 February 1913, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS.

KMPHiE PICTURES. When wo say that the new programme' unreeled at the Empire Picture Palace to a large and appreciative audience last night is quite up to the high standard of excellence set and maintained by the. management, picture patrons can see that they will he missing a treat iPtliey fail to view it on either of tile two remaining' occasions on which it will be shown—l.e., to-night and to-morrow night. The dramas all grip with a vivid intensity. The Essanay Company show a, Western drama, "A Woman of Arizona," which shows the depths to which human kind can descend. A Western desperado, after having been helped by a settler, turns round and deliberately wounds and robs the hand that had succoured him. He isultimately brought tobook by the wife of his victim. "More Precious Than (iold" is an Edison drama in which is depicted a crook broker's office, where a wild cat mining proposition is launched on an unsuspecting public. One of the partners, however, proves to have a spark of honor left, which is fanned by his love for a stenographer, flow he rises above temptation and ultimately foils his partner and works the minehonestly makes an interesting story, which lends itself readily to the cinematograph. ''Outwitted by Horse and Lariat." a Solax production and "The Village Yixen," a Kalein release, are the, other sustaining dramas. The comics are all of high interest and mirth producing, being headed by an Edison comedy, which is both interesting' and amusing, entitled "Helping John." It gives, one a vivid idea of the American bulling and bearing methods in share broking. A well-known broker gets an order to sidl 30(10 shares in a, certain claim so as to lower the price. He does so regretfully. His wife not being a business woman discovers this and thinks he is compelled to sell them. She - having private means at once goes to a broker to buy the shares her husband is selling. The broker recognises her and thinks something crooked is on the move. As a result the shares go up with a bound to the husband's consternation. The wife, however, clears 150,000 dollars, and her husband's look of amazement on discovering this takes some beating. Needless to say she is put wise to all Iris business deals in future. The scenics are good. The sea and sky effects in some twilight views of the Turkish sea coast baffling description, whilst the Cossacks of the Urals are seen at some manouevres. which include a marvellous display of horsemanship that appears incredible.

THEATRE ROYAL PICTURES. Another big dramatic star will lie shown on the new programme at the Royal to-night entitled 'Falsely Accused" with Miss Asta Nielson in the title role. A loving sister, to protect her brother .who is a cheat and gambler, hides him from arrest, and to obtain money to enable him to leave the country she secretes her diamonds which she sells. Her lover who cannot understand her moods follows her and denounces her to her parents as having another lover; but when the parents and lover see that she was, saving her brother they are filled with remorse, and the storv ends happily with reconciliation with her lover. "The Red Barrier" is a lengthy dramatic portrayal by the popular Yitagraph Company, and the same makers a/re responsible for a unique animal study "Rumps" in which little Kenneth Casey figures prominently. There are. n number of interesting topical and scenic pictures, and a very funnv selection of comedies. Owing to the theatre being engaged Saturday night this programme will only be shown to-i;ig'it and to-morrow night.

'•'GET EICIT QI'TCK WALLTNC TORD." At eight o'clock this morning the plans will be opened at Collier's for the .'ir-t and only production here by J. C. Williamson's Company, which happens at the Theatre Royal on Saturday night next, of "Get Rich Quick Wallingford." the, sensationally successful comedy whieh.is attracting record audiences everywhere. The new comedy wittily and incisively outlines the modus operandi of bogus company promoting, and the storv'involves the mirth-compelling methods of two "crooks." who put into stage practice that which "in camera" they have carefully planned and elaborated. It was not till after much searching in the Fnitert States that Mr. J. C. Williamson was fortunate enough to come across the artists who, in his opinion, would adequately do justice to the parts of Tiufns Wallingford and Blackie Daw, and then he had to compromise with the managements under whom they were appearing, but his enterprise and judgment have been rewarded, as both Sydney and Melbourne critics have declared that Mr. Fred Xiblo (Wallingford 1 and Mr. Harry Corson Clarke (Blackie Daw) are lw-> of the cleverest. mc»i artistic and brerai <st i'median- who '..-.•> rvu 1 appeared in Australia. The following was a portion of a criticisim which appeared in theNew Zealand Times recently:—'Thisvery bright coinedv quite unlike anything we have had before, is naturally drawing big audiences wherever it is being staged, and putting Mr J. C. Williamson's managers in glad spirits. On Saturday evening the audience was most appreciative and demonstrative. To say there is not a dull moment in this play is to put the position weakly. There is. in fact, hardly a moment without a witty epigram or a vastly amusing situation. Mr. Xiblo is a revelation in rapidity of speech and action, a fine actor in a specially fine part. He is well backed up by Mr. Corson-Clarke, his brother "crook," who must be accorded a large share of credit for the complete success of the, piece. 'Mr. E. Perie Bush suits his part .is to the manner born. This young Wellingtoniari has made a most promising beginning in a profession demanding talent and intelligence. The various types of American citizens represented by different members of the company are fine studies. Indeed, there is, in this production, such a general completeness and np-to-date-n'ess that it must succeed. It goes with a "ban«" from a bright start to •, most artistic finish. It would be a pity for anybody who can appreciate first-class stage workto miss seeing 'Get Rich Quick Wallingford.' Most of those who see it once will certainly go again."