ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 220, 17 March 1914, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

EMPIRIC PICTURES. "IX THE BISHOP'S CAKRIAGE." Seekers after a good evening's entertainment would jo well to note that to-riight is the last occasion that the telling photo-play, "In the Bishop's Carriage" featuring Miss Mary Pickford, will he shown in Now Plymouth. "In the Bishop's Carriage" cannot be described as a love story. There are two scenes in it, though, where the affection of the girl, whose life has been such a rough one, comes to the surface. The first, where Nance, after her successful debut 011 the stage, is surprised in her room by the entrance of Dorgan, as she is contemplating the bouquet thrown to her by an admirer, will stir the heart. The escaped convict, demanding that Nance return to him, is in turn surprised by the entrance of lbermuller. Nance flies to him for protection. It is the awakening of the good in a heart that has been trained to evil. The second is where lbermuller and Nance, on the waterfront, watch the departure of a tramp steamer bound for India, bearing on board Dorgan. If the love element is lacking, its absence is atoned for by the presence of the note of suspense—in continuity. Thrilling, situations abound; situations legitimately thrilling, made so by the art of the author and the skill of the director, and the fine acting of the players. The interest is established in the first scene, where Nance is beaten by the matron. Her escape and pursuit by the police and the finding of shelter and protection in the rooms of Dorgan, mark the beginning of a train nf adventures the number of which precludes description. It is just one after another. One scene deserves special mention. Nance, visiting the star actress, has seen jewels. The force of habit is too strong. She fights against her inclination to steal—and fails. No sooner has she taken them, however, than she repents, and rushes to the room of Obermuller. She throws them on his doslc. "I stole them," she confesses; and then pleads, "Why, can't you keep temptation out of my way?'' The action of the theatrical man will recall the nobility of the fine old bishop, when the gendarmes brought in Jean Valjean.