ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 August 1915, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS.

empire Pictures. A pictorial version of Hugh Conway's great story, "Called Back," heads the new programme to be presented at the ■ Empire Theatre to-day at 2.30 and again at S to-night. The production is said to be a very tine one, and is by th« 'London Film Company. 'The mounting, dressing and scenic effects are said to be excellent, and when the picture was recently released in England it achieved- an instantaneous success. Other fine films on the programme will • be "The Superfluous Baby" (comedy), "The Trossachs and Lake Katrine" (scenic), "The Heart of Sonny Jim" (Vitagraph comedy-drama)', "Mushroom Growing" (Gaumont interest), and Gaumont's 'War Gazette.

ROYAL PICTURES. To-day at 2,30 and again at S o'clock to-night" tlie management present a new collection of photo-plays. i'A Keystone comedy Loads the list, and it U well worth seeing. It is a two-reel film entitled '.'The Home Breakers." Some ol the situations are ridiculously funny, and quite out of the ordinary. The central figures in "The Home Breaker-.'' arc those two vHI-known Keystone favorites, Messrs "Ambrose" and "Walrm.'' More they have ample scope to display their respective abilities as mirth producers. Mr. "Ambrose" figures -as a bank director, who indulges in a flirtation with the wife of his clerk, Mr. "Walrus." The director's wife, cjii the other hand, is attracted h.f "Walrus," and the fun is associated with the many and varied complications which ensue. The climax comes whefi the director and Mrs. Walrus take refuge in a bank safe, and the janitor locks the door. The two decide to elope. Meantime Walrm, who lias had some financial trouble, decides to rob the bank. Tie goes to the strongroom door, and with the aid of a powerful explosive blows It open; Judge h!s surprise when, instead of finding the required money, he discovers his wife an'l the director of the bank almost suffocated within. Included amongst the Hipporting films is an exeeptionaiTy fine Vitagrauh drama, entitled "In Her Mother's Footsteps," "The Allies' Chorus" (animated,cartoons). "Topical Budgel" (containing war news). "The False and the True" (a dramatic love study) and two good comedies.

SCOTTISH COMEDIAN'S!. The fascinating "Runty" whom all playgsers learnt to love during the string-Hulling season throughout New Zealand last year is to be produced !»■!■» on Monday next for the first time in New Plymouth., ami is to have a successor in "A S rape* 0' the Pen," a elmrni ing comedy of .Scottish farm life vhVi is to go on at the Theatre. Royal ci the Tuesday. The new play is described by the Sydney l\iily Telegraph as fur more than a scrape, it being an exquisitely curved cameo of a little roiinuii'iity. In speaking of the play the crii.ii said: "There are many passages that tug at the heart str'ngs. Sometimes tears are very near the surface, but the balance Is very cleverly kept on the right side." Included in the east for Ne-.v Zealand's production of "A S.rape 0' the Pen" arc no less than five artistes new to the Dominion, who have been specially brought out to play their original part. They include Miss Margaret Noble (an actress who has been w'th Mr, Moll'att ever since his lecturing days), Miss Mattie McLellan (who plays the heroine), Miss Gertie Henderson (an English lady amongst ft lot of Scotch people), Mr. Robert Kurdie (who portrays the wayward son) and Mr. Alee Hunter (the rugged manager of Honeyneiife Farm)? Both Mr. and Mrs. Moffatt are playing their original parts of Mattha and Leezie Tnglis respectively. The box plan Is now open at Hoffmann's. "Hunty Pulls the Strings," the opening production, will Ur-'ng forward the original "Bunty" company, who were so successful last year when New Plymouth had to be ommitted from the, tour of New Zealand, but, by waiting, playgoers here will sec both productions on c»n> secutive nights.