AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 March 1916, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS.

EMPIRE" PICTURE PALACE. A well-asaorted selection of exceptionally meritorious photo-plays, topical and scenic subjects comprised the change of programme at' the Empire Picture Palace last evening. Tile most important item on th e bill is the Vitagraph Company's two-reel drama, "The Awaitening." In tlih play the cast is headed by'two popular performers, Anita Stewart and Earle Williams. The plot deals mainly with the experiences- of Dr. Thane, a wealthy young surgeon, who is engaged to a typical society "butterfly." She is a girl of shallow disposition, and is quite unsympathetic towards her fiance's ambitions, preferring, on the other hand, the frivolous acquaintances which her. social standing brings her in contact with. Thane devotes his energies to alleviating the sufferings of the poor residing jn the City slums. There lie meets Jo, a beautiful girl, who >e attracted by the young doctor and his good deeds. Thane be-•'nc-i stricken with nn infectious mal.ly, and Jo goes to nurse him, while,nis lkneee excuses her absence on the plea of fear of risk to herself through contagion. When Thane is nursed back to good health again he realises the true worth of Jo, with whom he offers to share his name and fortune. "How the French Coast is Guarded" is a decidedly remarkable film, which Includes views from the seat of a hydroplane while it is scouting along the coast of France. As usual .the "Pathe Gazette" is distinctly interestinc*. A word of praise is also due to "The Land of the BuUmhes" (Pathe scenic), "Following the Scent" (Vita, comedy) and "Wife—the Weaker Vessel" (comedy). This fine programme will be repeated for tlie last time tonight. .... MARY PICKFORD'S RIVAL. Dainty, irresistible Marguerite Clarke, who is now regarded in America as Mary Pickford's most serious rival, will be featured next week at the Theatre Royal, Xew Plymouth, in the Famous Players' five-reel filmisation of Mar.v Gnrmaine's dainty story, "Wildflowcr." This beautiful woodland romance, revealing a tender tale of sweet maidenly innocence and eternal youth, is one of the most successful productions by the Famous Players Co., under Lasky's direction. The Famous Players Co. is noted for the high quality of its films, it being a La sky command that only "big and good" pictures must, leave the studio. Most of the world's best, and certainly all of America's, best artists are in these studios, inoluding the two most talented and popular actresses of to-day, Mary Pickford and Marguerite Clark, the tetter of whom will be seen at her best, it to said, in "Wildflower," which will be shown at the Theatre Royal on Monday, Tuesday- and Wednesday next. ,