ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 296, 24 May 1915, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS.

EMPIRE PICTURES. ; Last Saturday night the Empire, as usual, was packed, large numbers having to be turned away. The new series includes a variety of subjects—dramatic, conuV, scenic and topical—and provides a capital evening's entertainment. The feature film is a thrilling four-reel version of Edward Peple's celebrated com-edy-drama "The Spitfire," in which the leading role is played by Carlyle Blackwell. The other parts are filled by competent artists, so that the acting "leaves nothing to be desired. The play itself provides an attractive plot, and the scenes are harmonised in swell a style that the picture runs along smoothly to the grand climax. The. story, as told on the screen, has for its hero Bruce Aforson, a young American, who when returning from his travels in Egypt, is robbed of some valuable jewels in a London hotel. He chases trie thieves to the yacht "'Spitfire" at Calais. The thieves have taken command of the yacht under a forged order, and the yacht if( just about to sail, but Morson manages to get :>board, and promptly falls in love with Valda Girard, the daughter of the owner, who lias been left behind. The thieves toll Valda her father is a smuggler, show her the jewels they have stolen, and convince her tliev are guarding them for her father, and that Morson is a Customs officer, spying upon her in order to bt'tray (Sirard. Valda indignantly turns upon Morson and compels him to work his passage to New York. On the voyage "Morson undergoes many ordeals, and is accused of the theft of his own property. The burning 0 f the yacht and tile heroic rescue of Valda b'v Morson are two scenes which form the prelude to an exciting finale, graphically detailed. The supporting pictures include a Vitagraph comedy in which the. popular artist John Bunny appears as a private in tlie army. There are also a. vharmin™ nature study entitled "Sea Anemones.-' a Reliance drama, "JJiiier's Peril," and an interesting topical, "The Fight for the ( oast. Po-night is the last screening of this programme. To-morrow Vita" graph present "David (Wrick's Romance."