AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 January 1916, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS.

THEATRE ROYAL PICTURES. Excellent as 1 have been the many programmes shown from week to week at the Theatre Royal since pictures first '.started in Xew Plymouth, it is doubtful if there has ever been a better one than that introduced last night. The new films include dramatic and comedy items of the best type, and also topical subjects of much interest. There was a lar<'o audience in attendance, and judging by the merits of the pictures displayed, record business should eventuate at both performances to-day, when the series will receive its final screenings. The "Master Key," that thrilling, serial drama, was advanced another stage and this, the 4th episode pleased the serialites beyond words. Also dramatic in character was the film entitled "A Knight of the Trails," as also was "His Obligation," tioth two-act American productions of rare merit. The comedies are two in number, "Bertie's Holiday," and "Only a Messenger Boy." The latter has a neat little plot based on 'the doings of the messenger boy in quest of a missing lady. The inimitable Keystone comedian, Ford Stirling, as the messenger boy is here in his clement and supplies many ludicrous and laughable situations. Many good war views were included in the latest "Topical Budget," chief among which are German Prisoners, Military Preparations in Roumania, and Khaki Day in London. An entirely new programme will be shown on Monday.

.MARY PICKFORD'S MASTERPIECE. The announcement of the appearance of Mary Pickford at the Theatre Royal here on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday next, will Jbe received with delight by the picture-loving public of New Plymouth. This celebrated little film-fav-orite will be seen in a star production from the studios of the Famous Players Company, entitled "Fanchon, the Cricket." This picture is a very remarkable and unusual one, and has attracted much favorable notice wherever it has been screened. "Sweet Little Mary" gives a fine portrayal, of the name part. She invests the character with a considerable degree of originality and scores 'a decided success. The story describes how the ragged grand-daughter of a witch,the object of the scorn of all the villagers, goes through life to the stage I when romance takes hold of her mind. The effect it has and the wonderful transformation in her disposition i'b effects are incidents that are well brought out. The closing scenes show the triumph she exercises over the envious village belles and the successful winning of the man she loves.

AN AUSTRALIAN VENUS. Since the dawn of civilisation the female form has been regarded as the most beautiful of the Creator's works, and, in the natural course of evolution, the changes in the form have necessitated some standard of perfection by which to judge. For ages the old Greek statues of Venus have been regarded as the most perfect portrayal of woman, and in modern times have come to be used to determine the proper proportions of the ideal female figure. To boast a form like unto Venus is something few women can do, but there is one woman whose proportions are, almost identical with those of 'the famous statue, and who is known the world over as the "perfect woman/' She is Annette Kellerman, the famous swim,mer, who first saw the light of day in Melbourne about twenty-eight years ago, and whose wonderful aquatic feats have gained her world-wide recognition, while her name is now regarded as the synonym for physical perfection. Miss Kellerman will appear for three nights at the Theatre Royal, New Plymouth, commencing on Monday. February 7, when her superb physical beauty and marvellous aquatic ability will be displayed in the great picture-play, "Neptune's Daughter."

EMPIRE PICTURE PALACE. Moving-picture, patrons should not miss seeing to-day's new programme at the Empire. The star item is the fifth episode of the famous photoplay, "The Million Dollar Mystery," and is entitled "A't> the Bottom of the Sea." In this episode the conspirators are again hoodwinked, events working up to a very sensational climax. Another specially good item is ''The Midnight, Limited," which depicts the plucky action of a girl in bringing to book a brace of train thieves. The supporting programme is a good selection, comprising a "Gaumont War Oazette" of exceptional interest, and a scenic film of views about Teheran, the capital of Persia. The clement of humour necessary to the programme is given by two of the well-known Vitagraph Co.'s comedies, "The Homecoming of Henry" and "Flashlight Flowers," 'lhe latter being a recital of the hardships incidental to being a photographer. On the whole the programme is a good one, and should not be missed. The music, by a first-class orchestra, will be a feature of the entertainment.