ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 170, 4 January 1915, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

EMPIRE PICTURES. "England's Menace," the star drama on Saturday's new programme at the Empire is one of the most remarkable films presented for some time and should be seen by everyone Tho ruler of a foreign power is making secret plans to invade England. Of his advisers, only the Chancellor protests against the outrageous scheme. His military and naval leaders are anxious to obey his commands. One of the chief spies of this foreign power secures a place at butler in the house of Lord 'Talbot, secretary to the British Prime Minister. He uses his opportunities to copy important papers which Lord Talbot has charge of —papers which refer to the movement of British ships and soldiers. Lord Talbot's two children have an amateur wireless, outfit, which the spy uses to receive messages from his Government. He burns a sheet of paper on which he has decoded a message. The children find the burned fragment, which has remained intact, and though they -make nothing of the message, the ink of which is still visible on the burnt paper, they copy it off together with the numbers which represent the letters. The date fixed for the invasion arrives. The spy puts off his butlorPs livery and leaves Lord Talbot's house, going for the last time to the wireless outfit to receive his final message from his Government. But the two children are already in the little wireless house. Though he tries to baulk them, the children get away on their motor-cycle, and carry the portentous news to their father and the Prime Minister at Downing street. The British Government acts at once. Orders are issued with swift decision. The fleets get up steam; the troops begin to march. By a clever use of the enemy's code, the Prime Minister sends out a wireless message which sends back the enemy's ships and transports; the danger is passed. The British Government breathes a sigh of relief and the English people go placidly about their daily business without realising how narrowly a dangerous menace has has been averted. The programme can only be seen to-night which is the last screening. Ring 365 for reserves.