AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 January 1916, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS.

ANNETEE KELLERMAW €OIIIXO. Almost evcryoiio. whether a picture enthusiast or iiot,. will ho glad to learn that Annette Kellerraan, the beautiful Australian, will be seen here very shortly in the wonderful photoplay, •Neptune's ■Daughter." With her are coining a company of 200 actors, to say nothing of the hundreds of supernumeraries required tor this stupendous production. This is one way of stating that a gigantic film, which requires over a thousand artists in its production is coming. Although Miss Kellcrman does not com" to us in flesh and blood, yet she will he seen in all her remarkable brauty of form and will display those marvellous aquatic feats which have gained her a universal reputation. ''Xoptunc's Daughter," which will be shown at the Theatro Royal here, has broken all picture records in America and Australia and is doing so in New Zealand. It sounds almost unbelievable that a picture-play could pack a Broadway Theatre for 300 nights, but this is the actual ■ record of ''Xepttme's Daughter" at the Ulohe Theatre, New York.

THEATRE ROYAL PICTURES. To-night at 8 o'clock, at the Theatre Royal, what is described as a magnificent programme will he screened, the headline being a masitorplay by the Famous Players Film Co., entitled "The Dancing Girl." This film, which is in five reels, abounds in tense, subtle acting and colorful scenes, a play fascinating in its swiftly moving plot development, and containing a great fundamental human element that makes one pause and think. It tells the greatest story of a woman's vaunting ambition ever filmed —a woman ■whose soul eventually tastes tho dregs of despair and remorse. From the quiet and happy home of her Quaker parents she steals away, intent on becoming famous as a footlight queen, the itppmost rose on the topmost branch must be reached, even at the sacrifice of all that a woman holds sacred. It is in this upward climb that the producers have succeeded in presenting many vivid and impressive scenes, tho gay life of London society and the bright Bohemia of the singers and artists hi the elegant home of the profligate Duke of Ouisehcrry, under whose patronage the dancing girt lives for a time, afford a splendid dramatic comparison to the grave life of the Quakers. Events move swiftly, and the dancing girl, finally awakening to consciousness, and realising the havoc she. has made of her life and the shame she is to her people, seeks to end her mis-spent days on the lonely coast of Endillon. where, for the same purpose, the nobleman whom her extravagance had ruined, had also gone. In a tense finale, the penitent pair are seen to decide to rebuild their shattered lives and 'to share a newer aud purer being. This is one of the biggest film successes yet secured for Xew Plymouth. The supporting items include several good comedies, colored scenic views and a two-reel fenture drama, starring King Baggot, entitled "The City of Terrible Xight." Admission charges remain as usual.

EMPIRE PICTURE PALACE. Record attendances wore registered at bolh performances at the Empire Picture Palace on Saturday. A further instalment of the big serial drama "The Million Dollar Mystery'' was the main 'attraction. The picture public are now enthusiastically following closely the different episodes of this unusual photoplay and the current number, "A Leap in the Dark," is exciting enough to satisfy anyone. Its many stirring incidents photographed, amid gorgeous settings, become more interesting as th» story proceeds. Reports having come that an ocean steamer has brought ashore a stranger rescued at sea from a wrecked balloon with £";000 'in his possession, Norton sets out to find him. What ho learns leads him to a warehouse. Frincess Olga, disguised as Florence, interviews the captain of the ship and learns of Norton's activity. The scene thor shifts to a reception in the Astorbilt's magnificent ballroom, then to the bar-room of a low saloon, then back to the lonely warehouse where several members of the ''Black Hundred" are gathered befoTc an open safe. It is here in the black darkness of the warehouse, in some thrilling action, they are trapped like rats. Only one, Brainc, escapes, leaving the onlooker anxiously awaiting the next instalment. The popularity of the films of the movingcartoon type was clearly exemplified by the laughter evoked by "Cartoons in the Hotel," an Edison production of merit. Among the pictures are "A Mother's Justice," a pathetic drama; ''Departure of the Gth New Zealand Reinforcements," and "Pathe War Gazette," and a delightful series of scenic, views of San Heiio. The music by a capable orchestra was a special feature of the entertainment, which will be repeated tonight for the last time.