AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 January 1916, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS.

A -MILLION DOLLAR MYSTERY-AT THE -EMPIRE TO-DAY. "The Million Dollar Mystery' will he advanced another stage at the Empire Picture Palace to-day, commencing at the matinee, and repeated again to-night at 8 o'clock. This is the third episode in this highly exciting serial photo-play and under the title of "A Leap in tile J)ark,'' portrays further sensatit 1 hap- ■ pollings and introduces new characters that are destined to play an important part in the story before the closing chapters appear. The adventures of the hero and heroine with the "Black Hundred'' are excitingly presented, and leavo the spectator anxiously awaiting the next instalment. The programme also includes one of the popular moving-car-toon type of films. This is a fairly long one by the Edison Co., entitled "Cartoons in the Hotel," which provides something new and novel. "The Departure of New Zealand's Sixth Reinforcements" is a topical film and one which at the present moment is full of interest. The march of the troops through the streets and the embarkation are clearly depicted. Capital comedy will be provided by Mabel Normand, the Keystone Girl," in a series entitled "Mabel Won and Lost," also a Vitagraph special, "Chiefly Concerning Males." Among other pictures arc: "A Mother's Justice" (a pathetic drama), "Pathe's War Gazette,'' and a delightful series of views of San Reno.

THEATRE BOYAL PICTURES. MATINEE TO-DAY. The last screenings of the brilliant Broadway ''feature," ''From Headquarters," will be given at the matinee and night performances to-day. The exciting Trans-Atlantic serial, "The Master Key," will also be shown at both performances for the last occasion to-day. It would be indeed difficult to secure a better selection of pictures than the present programme, and picture patrons who have so far not viewed this collection should not miss this last opportunity. On Monday night a complete change of programme will be submitted, headed by the gorgeous Famous Players' emotional drama, ''The Dancing Girl," said to be one of the greatest film successes that has ever been presented in America. "The Dancing Girl" might have been written for tlie camera, so full of action and picturesqueness in every scene, the colorful exteriors of the rocky coast of the Isle of Endellion contrasting with the rich interiors of the elegant home of the profligate Duke of Guiseberry, under whose patronage the dancing girl lives for a time; and there is the dramatic comparison of the grave life of the Quakers on the lonely island with the gay life of London society and the bright Bohemia of the singers and artists, with whom the Quaker girl, Drusilla, at the zenith of her fame, having come to dance before the Duke's own family, declares to her amazed and angry old Quaker father, who comes in search of her, that she wants to be "the topmost rose on the topmost branch, and live in the sunshine,' 'and is crushed by the terrible wrath of a father's curse. Tottering for a moment beneath her father's scourging censure, she faints and falls the length of the grand staircase, and awakens to consciousness knowing at last the havoc she has made of her life and the shame she is to her people. This is followed by the splendid scene in which occurs the meeting of the penitent Drusilla with the nobleman whom her extravagance has ruined on the lonely coast of Endillion, where both have come to seek death, and where they decide instead to rebuild their shattered lives and to share, a newer and purer life. The supporting items include a lively comic, "A Day at San Diego Fair," a powerful drama "featuring King Baggot entitled "The City of Terrible Night," and a colored scenic picture of "Little Winterburn." The prices of admission will remain as usual.