AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 February 1916, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS.

THEATRE ROYAL PICTURES, The change of programme at the Theatre Royal last night is one of the beat presented by the management for some weeks. There are pictures to satisfy all tastes. The star attraction is entitled "The Evil Eye," and it is a line dramatic study dealing with love, hypnotism and mystery, hi many respects the picture resembles Du Maurier's "Trilby," and the work of Robert Hall in ''The Evil Eye" can be compared very favorably with that of Sir Herbert Tree as Svengali in "Trilby." The story concerns a clever doctor, who at the same time was a powerful hypnotist, and he succeeded in saving a young girl's life by a skilful operation on the brain. On recovery the patient at times seemed possessed of queer fancies, and she would behave in a mysterious manner, although prior to the operation she was usually of a sunny, happy nature. Subsequently the doctor claimed the girl as his wife, to which the father objected. The latter was murdered, and a knife was discovered in the girl's dressingcase. Subsequent enquiries showed that the doctor had the power of directing the girl's actions from a distance, and many thrilling incidents follow, during the course of which the acting of the principals is exceptionally good. The play has a happy ending, and the closing scenes are of great beauty, and have to to be seen to be appreciated. The supporting films are numerous and excellent, chief among which is the seventh episode of the serial drama, "The Master Key." This instalment, which carries on the thrilling plot another stage, also takes the onlooker over the Pa-nama-Pacific Exposition, making the item doubly interesting. Pleasurable items also are "Pathe Australian Gazette," "The Dales of Derbyshire" (scenic), "'The'Call of the City" (Edison drama) and "Spades are Trumps" (Vitagi'aph comedy). The same series will be .repeated to-night, commencing at a quarter to eight. EMPIRE PICTURE PALACE, Another excellent production by the famous Lubin Company, entitled "When the Light Came in," occupies pride of place in the new programme presented at the Empire Picture Palace last night. The story unfolded is full of tender and pathetic incidents, which hold the unwavering attention of the spectator. The death of Julia's mother causes her to postpone her marriage to Tom, and entirely changes the course of her life. She goes into deep mourning and resists Tom's attempts to rouse her from her dolorous state. Quite naturally, yet unconsciously, he is awakened to appreciation of May's lightness of heart and girlish appeal. She is Julia's friend, and with Tom is anxious to oring Julia back to her old self. Small reason is it tiiat May and Tom are thrown move and more together, and Tom finds in the girl the spirit of spring itself. When the time set for the wedding approaches again, May is helping Julia, and Tom, coming suddenly upgn the former, finds her sobbing brokenly over his photograph. His emotions get the better of him, and he embraces her. Julia enters the room. Explanations are forth- | coming, and Julia upbraids them for not telling her of their love. She sends them away to work their own hapniness. Julia falls on her bed stupeiieu with grief. Tom and May marry, and from her home across the street watches through the shutters.- She orders her servant to close every blind—the light has gone from her life for all time. The passing of time brings with it the death of Tom, and May is left alone with her little boy. Day by day she droops, and Julia gloats over her decline. The child calls Julia for help and leads her to his mother. Julia finds her onetime rival dead. A neighbor asks Julia if she will care for the child until after the funeral and she consents. At night, in her bed, she is joined by the child, who says he is lonely, and nestles against her. Next morning she is preparing him for his departure to the orphanage, when the child complains of the darkness and opens wide the shutters, flooding the room with sunlight. Something sweeps through Julia and a change takes place within her. She will not relinquish the boy, when the neighbors come, but says: "The light has come in: I want him to stav with me always." Other films are:'"The Girl from the East" (drama), "Pathe Australian Gazette" (topical;. "Father Love" and "Matilda's Fling" (comedies). The same programme will be repealed tonight for the last time.