AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 January 1916, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS.

EMPIRE THEATBE. The change of programme at the Empire Theatre last night proved most popular and entertaining. The "piece dc resistance" was the Vitagraph Company's 3000 ft photo-play, "The Evil Men Do," a trenchant and fascinating story of love and life in the upper circles of the great United States. The film first tells the story of a schoolboy and schoolgirl love idyll. The hoy, however, becomes a prosperous hanker and allows himself to be trapped into a marriage with an adventuress. He bitterly repents his folly, and when he has thoroughly learnt his lesson, the course of true love at length runs smooth again; and, in the old, approved fashion, "they both live happily ever after." "In Picturesque Liguria," a series of beautifully colored landscapes was screened. ' "A Cute Little Bear," "A Ten Cent Adventure," and "Shocking Stockings,' 'provided in varied forms the ever-welcoms comic element; the (Pathe Gazette presented a well-filled topical budget of photo news of many places and peoples; while both instruction and entertainment combined were afforded by one of the Edison Company's clever, well-thought-out animated art films. The music by a capable orchestra added greatly to the enjoyment of the evening. The same programme will be finally, screened tonight.

THEATRE ROYAL PICTURES. A remarkably vivid representation of Henry Arthur Jones' famous story, '"The Dancing Girl," formed the principal item of tlie new programme shown at the Theatre Royal last night. The film, which is by the Famous Players Company, faithfully reproduces the story in five acts, and exercises a fascination over the spectators, compelling unwavering attention throughout. It is indeed an elaborate production, one that sweeps one away by its speedy action and brilliance of plot. 'The principal characters of the play are a Quaker girl, who sets out to become a "footlight queen" at any cost, and a, profligate count, whose one ambition appears to be to do evil. There is a wholesome moral in the story showing how a Nemesis inevitably overtakes, the pair, who gamble with life in such a daring manner. The staging and photography add in no small measure to the success of a really remarkable production, which every picture enthusiast should make a point of seeing. For the lover of the sensational in drama a special picture is included in this series, entitled "The City of Terrible Night." This film features the popular Irish actor, "King Baggot," who as a "young blood of leisure" exclaims, "Oh, for a night of adventure!" and sets out in search of same. The picture reveals that he got his adventure and plenty of it, which . supplies sufficient sensationalism to appease the largest appetite. The supporting programme, which will be repeated to-night for the last time, includes some delightful scenic views in natural colors, and several good comedies.