AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 February 1916, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS.

EMPIRE PICTURE PALACE. Contained in the new programme to lie shown at the Empire Picture Palace at both afternoon and evenin" performances to-day there arc two films which vie with each other for first place. First, there is the eighth episode of the sensational serial drama, "The Million Dollar Mystery,',' under the.title of "The Wiles of'a Woman." In this powerful number the conspirators try to prevent Norton from interfering with their ne,fario«s scheme, but Norton with great ingenuity checkmates their plans. The countess then endeavors to estrange Florence and Norton, who have become secretly engaged. How her plan succeeds is graphically depicted in a most dramatic manner, and leaves tUe onlooker eagerly awaiting the next instalment. The second film is a sparkling Keystone comedy, in two parts, entitled "A Lover's Loit Control," which features that great film monarch, Syd. Chaplin, in some of his most o"iginal laughter specialties. The supporting films contain several rare items. "Billie's Heiress'' is a farcical comedy in which Billy Reeves, the acrobatic knock-about comedian, lias a congenial part. "Pathe Gazette*' contain a budget of recent happenings in tile war zone and at home. "Strength" is a powerful Vitagraph jlrama and "Birds at Home" is a unique nature study. The orchestral music will be a feature of the entertainment. THEATRE ROYAL PICTURES. VjOTr of action characterises the two principle pictures now showing at the Theatre Royal. The chief attraction is the ideal "feature" drama, "The •■Er',l Eye," a story somewhat after the style of Du Maurier's "Trilby.'' The theme deals with the subtle influence a doctor exerts over a young lady whom he d<sires to marry, although she dislikes him. The situations are tense, and the story is possessed of a* very human interest, .which ensures its popularity. Star No. 2 is the seventh instalment of "The Master Key," the Trans.-Atlantic serial drama. This episode is very thrilling, and contains rapid action, in addition to giving the onlooker several fine glimpses of the Panama-Pacific Exposition, which the producers have used as a background for part of this, chapter. "The Topical Budget" affords some fine views from the war area, and gives many notable happenings of the day in England and on the Continent. An ingenious comedy by the Vitagraph Co., "Spades are Trumps," proves immensely humorous. ■ Pleasing items also are: "Through the Dales of Derbyshire" (scenic), and "Peter's Picnic" (Urban trick comedy). This fine programme will be shown at the matinee this afternoon, and repeated for the last time tonight. On Monday the Famous Players' rollicking comedy, "The Man on'the Box," will be shown. " THE MAN ON THE BOX." At the Theatre Royal on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday next picturegoers are ju for a real treat in the presentation, in film form, of Harold MeGrath's romantic novel, "The Man on the Box." Of course, almost everybody has read Harold McGrath's famous story. "The Puppet King" was the book which brought the author into prominence, but it was "The Man on the Rox" which made him famous. And if the book is good, what of-the play? It may be safely said that nothing has been lost in dramatisation. The story, in fact, lends itself splendidly to pictorial reproduction. Lieut. Bob Warburton, a fancy-free, adventuresome spirit, having won distinction and honorable wounds in the service of his country, returns home on furlough. Devilment prompts a little adventure, which brings in its train ail kinds of unexpected developments. Warburton takes the place of the coachman, and plans to drive his sisters home from a ball; but the plans slightly miscarry, for the man on the box, mistaking the usher's call, sets off on a wild midnight career through the city with ladies who are not his sisters. This production ranks amongst the most delightful comedydramas yet presented here. MAY WIRTH IN AMERICA. Writing in the Los Angeles Record of September 17, 1012, Estclle Lawton Lindsay, the well-known authoress, says: "May Wirth is the latest woman to do things that the world had solemnly declared no woman could do. May is the star equestrienne in th P Barnnm' and Bailey circus. She is 1(1 and pretty. She is built like a brick wall and slie draws a salary that must give the opponents of woman's independence a pain under their ribs when they think of it." The writer describes liow she interviewed May in the dressing tent of the flarnum and Bailey circus, and says: "May Wirth stood stolidly, pulling her high-priced legs -nto a 'pair of pink tights. Turning suddenly to avoid a tornado of dogs, I lost mv balance and caught at her to steady 'myself. Her flesh was like iron under silk. My face must have betrayed mv astonishment, for the girl said carelessly, 'That is what my profession does, gives health and strength. I began riding when I was seven. Now Ido things no woman ever did before the the history of th 0 circus business, and some tilings that only three or four men can ito. For instance. I do a forward-somersault on the hack of n running horse. \o woman ever did that before, and verv few men. Since I came to America' from Australia I have learned a more diffi. cult feat still. In circus parlance it is called the "back across." Xow and again one likes to improve, you sec. This act consists of turning a somersault from the front of one running horse to the hindquarters of another in the rear. Don't tell me that women cannot do anything they wisli and that they will work to do."

Wirth's Circus opens in Xe W p] v . mouth on Friday next, February 25. '