ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 79, 22 August 1914, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS.

EMPIRE PICTURE PALAOfi. To-night a bright new programme of the latest :in (photoplays will be ipresented. Antoiig the many star items k Cinoa' powerful dramatic siulcceSß, 'The Forest-dwellers." Paifcrons are assured of seeing a film -witihl a "go" in it from start tu finish. . The Ambrosio Company send a really wonderful film, in wbidi u, beautiful dog is "'Hie Canine Hero." Two excellent- sccnfos are included: , Bathe's colored scenic, "Tbe' Raman Campagna," and' , Gsramoi)jt'» elegant' scenic, "In Daupliiny," certainly two charming iilms. "The Ring" is a Bhotrt and sweet drama by the Majestic Company. "The Schemers," and "Taming Tierri-bV Ted," arc (two side-epKtting comedies. "Pafch-e's Gazdtte" w also included. Seats may bo reserved Iby 'phone. THEATRE ROYAL TO-NIGHT. - " OFFIOKR 666." This evening, at the Theatro Royal, Mr Fred Niblo and the full strength of the J. C Williamson Conupany will appear in tliie deliglh-WuMy funny iancecomedy, "Ofl'icer 606." Tlias play, like its merry predecessor, has met -with unIwnmded success wWerev-er it has been produced. In Wellington it attracted very p large audiences, common impression being that tfye comedy >s the most laughable one in Mr Nubia's extemive repertoire. The story suggests many laughs. When a man finds « burster liosing as (himself, and is actually engaged -to help (the said burglar to pack uiji the stolen property, and when .tlhc police arrive is denounced by the lightfingered gentleman as a fhit'f in disown house, and in the end is all/awed to escape in tllie uniform of Officer 66ft at a tiimn when the fcoufie is full of police searching high and low for him, one 'may expect some very amusing development and complications. According to press criticism, "Officer 666" does not disaipipoinit any of the -expecta-trans, handled as it is Iby that artisitio and clever comedian, Mr Fired Niblo, and his able associates. "Officer 666" will 'bring the New Plymouth to a close. Tide company will appear in tlie game play at EMiam on Monday evening. ; I. | L1../I j«!*i "THE FORTUNE-HUNTER." Mr Fred Niblo made a name foa- himself in "Get-Ridhi-Quick-Wallingfond,"— at is, as far'aa New Plymouth is concerned. It was onlv 'beoanise of the general upset due to tWe wot that (the Theatre Royal was not packed last night with a crowd clamorous for more of him. lie is fch« hero in "Ufc yorhme-Huwtei'," a riharacteristic', American comedy, iii which he has the pant of a breezy young American ne'er-do-well, a victim of circumstances, 'but who, nevertheless, sees lots of life and infuses that quality into every word and act of his Character of Nat Duncan. There is something in tlie tang df. an American comedy, as./written' by lllr Wraehell Smith,- tliat appeals to every lover, of humor and student, of. human- nature. There is in "Tire Vor-itune-Hunter" a -telling vein of sentimont, bu,t it never becomes mti-mftin, existing <as it does' in the midst- of a story and a- presentation -Ml' of «iap and vimil, and quaiwtness witlhul. The story of Nat Duncan ia unique. Failing at all else, he is advised to marry for money, and how he manage lit is told in a "remarkable story, which -would be ludicrous in- the -hands of mediocre talent. Spurning a millionairess, he turns (to a young gM friend (Betty) of slender means, marries her, and' she becomes a millionaire also as a (result of tfer faitiherV successful invention. Mr Niiblo is compellingly bright and natural as Nat Dunuan, and gets 'every ounce of humor and sentiment out of the part. He fools most admirably as the drug-store assistant, and the scene in which he served a couple of giggling girls with soda for tflic first time a s/Teami. Equally fine was Ms work in the scenes with old' Graham and' his daughter. An indifferent "Betty" would uve spoiled tlhe iplay, but Miss Cohan gave a perfect character study of the slattern, whose life of drudgery reaches its most ucult& point when she is> invited to a party, and lias mot a dress to go in. Her acting in the latei; scenes, where she develops feelings towards Nat, were tinged with a gentle patJios very delicately conveyed. Mr Robert Grieg, unctuoii's and breezy, with an infectious laugh, was quite a smcccra as Kellogg, millionaire, -wti-o ipait Nn,t up to the 'niawy-for-mon«y game. Tii-.-r-j *,rere many other fine charges, >vi-;l played. i "The Fortune-Hunter?' was- capitally staged in every detail, anl mention must, bfc made of'the min-sh'ower at the curtain's fall.