AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 January 1916, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS.

THEATRE ROYAL (PICTURES. There will be a complete change of programme at this popular house of entertainment this evening, when the star feature will be a strong dramatic pictures by the Broadway Film Co., entitled "From Headquarters." The principal artists appearing in the film are Earle Williams and Anita Stewart, both well and favorably known to all pic-ture-goers. The story proceeds along linen of great interest amid scenes of thrilling adventure, such as the secret service man unknowingly seeking his own daughter for assault with intent to kill. How she unconsciously reveals the truth, further investigation is stopped, and the man she stabs makes amends and protects her good name is portrayed in a masterly manner as the film proceeds. There are several firstrate supporting films, including tho latest European Gazette, containing war news and interesting cartoons, and two humoifous comedies, '"Don't Jump at Conclusions" and "Mixing it Up." Added to the change of programme to-night will be the second episode of the interesting serial picture, "The Master Key." THE LEADING ACTOR K "THE MASTER KEY."

Robert Leonard, who is directing and acting the principal character of John Dore in the new Trans-Atlantic filmserial, "The Master Key," is splendidly fitted both by temperament and training for the task. For the past two years he has been playing leads with the Rex Company, first with Margaret Fischer, then with Hazel Buekham, and more recently with Ella Hall, who. is playing opposite him in "The Master Key" in the role of Ruth Gallon. Mr. Leonard, who is affectionately known as "Bob," is an all-round athlete, having played professional baseball in the United States shortly after leaving college. Then lie served for a while as linotype compositor and general printer. The lure of the comic-opera stage then drew him behind the footlights, and it was in the capacity of a chorus-man that he made his first trip to the Pacific Coast. It was natural that one of Bob's diversified talents should find his "metier" in motion pictures. That lie has chosen wisely is emphasised by great demands manifested for pictures in which Bob Leonard and Ella Hall appear. Bob, directs all his own pictures, and he brings to his task a rare intelligence and finesse that distinguishes them as superior to most film-creations. His manysided fund of experience enables him to pass instantly upon any disputed point of technique, and his judgment is always unerring. The second episode of "The Master Key" will be screened at the Theatre Royal to-night, and for the following two nights, also at a matinee on Saturday afternoon.

EMPIRE PICTURE PALACE, To-night at 8 o'clock a new programme of photo-plays will 'be presented at the Empire Picture Palace. The feature drama is a two-reel Lubin release entitled "A House of Cards." In this thoroughly unusual play a deck of cards is compared to a life, and as the cards are shuffled and dealt the various hands dissolve into the action on the screen. Each deal symbolises the scene following. Thus the career of John Allen finds a parallel in a game of poker. At first he stands "ace high" in the esteem of his companions, but the picture reveals many dramatic changes in a quaint manner. For sheer originality of treatment this is by all odds a noteworthy production. No picture enthusiast should miss it. Another prominent item of this new programme will be a two-reel Vitagraph comedy entitled "Janet of the Chorus." .This is described as the story that rocked Broadway with merriment. It has to do with a chorus girl, a young man about town, and his uncle, who is a woman-hater. The fun is fast and furious, and the story takes many strange twists and turns, causing mu'cli hilarity. Supporting films include: "The Convers&n of Smiling Tom," a Selig drama of the Western prairie; the latest "Topical War Budget" and "The Smoking Out of Bella Butts," a comedy surprise packet. This programme will be shown to-night and to-morrow.

NEPTUNE'S DAUGHTER COMING. It is probablo tliat everyone, whether specially interested in pictures or not, will welcome the announcement that the wonderful photo-play, "Neptune's Daughter," the first and only one in which Annetto Jycllerman has ever appeared, will be seen here shortly at the Theatre Royal. This is the first opportunity given to lis to see the famous Australian girl since she gained a world-wide reputation, and (lie play is said to give her great opportunities to display not only .her marvellous aquatic feats, but also to reveal herself as a fine actress, a fascinating dancer, and an espert swordswoman. In this picture drama, which takes over two hours .to produce, Miss Kellerman has any number of hairbreadth escapes and wildly exciting adventures, the most notable being a terrific struggle with an assassin at the bottom of the sea. This great fight under the waves, with the startled fish darting to and fro, is only one of numerous novel scenes.