AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 270, 24 April 1915, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

THE EMPIRE THEATRE. |

ROYAL PICTURES. The new programme of Royal Pictures to-day includes a drama of intrigue and retribution, entitled, "The Reader of Minds." The plot is an unusually fascinating one. The second instalment of Edison's "Dolly of the Daisies" series is continued this week in "The Ghost of Mother Eve,'' which is full of pleasant surprises, the third instalment will follow next week. Keystone contribute a comedy, entitled, "Cursed by his Beauty." Other films are, "She married for Love," a sad comedy, "The Lesson," A.B. drama, "Topical Budget," a splendid Edison, and "Tough Luck Smith," comedy.

A change of programme will be screen- j ed at the Empire Theatre this evening. ( The chief picture in the chosen hill is , entitled "The Battle of the Sexes." \ Frank Andrews, a successful business ' man, who has always found pride and joy in the company of his wife and • daughter, suddenly finds himself enthralled by the advances of a gay young I woman, who lives, in {he same apart- ' ment house. So marked an influence I does she lave on him that lie at last forgets his home £ies. The story is i advanced through many scenes enacted | with the accompanying notes of New j York's night life, and the denouement comes when the faithful wife discovers the truth. At this time her mind nearly loses balance, while Jane, the ; daughter, crazed by the grief of her \ mother, determines to take part in the ! tragedy. With revolver in hand she goes to the apartment of the woman, ; but her mission fails. The father, coming in, finds his daughter being made love to by the sweetheart of the woman, and realises his sins. When he confronts his daughter and says, "You, I my daughter, what are you doing here?" the daughter answers, "My father, what I are you doing here?" The realisation Is I brought home to the father's mind that | the law of moral ethics that governs a woman's life necessarily governs that of a man as well. He reforms and together with his daughter goes back to his home. The bill will include, also, "An Absent-minded (comedy), i 'Tiom Christiana to Bergen" (Norwegian sefnic), "Taken by Storm" (Vitagraph comedy), and a war gazette. Seats fihould be- reserved. Ring 'Phone 365.

JOSEPH BLASCHECK. Madame Melba telephoned to Mr. Joseph Blasclieck tlie other afternoon aii'l told him that she had promised to seil two Belgian flags at a patriotic concert in Melbourne that evening. She ad'l'd that she wanted those present to be put, in a proper mood before she started the auction, so would Mr. Blasclieck come down and recite "The Day," which poem, she thought, could not fail to rouse the sympathy and enthusiasm of the audience. He gladly acceded to Madame Melba's request. He committed it to memory in a couple of hours, and that evening delivered this powerful poem with electrical effect. A remarkable demonstration followed, and when the prima donna stepped on the platform and added her own stirring appeal, the, bidding was brisk and lively. .€l2O was realised for the flags. Mr. Biascheck will recite "The liny" at his entertainment in the Theatre Royal next Wednesday night. The box plan opens at Hoffmann's this morning, where day sale tickets can also be obtained.