AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 March 1916, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS.

EMPIRE PICTURE PALACE. To-night an entirely new programme will be presented at the Empire Picture Palace. It embraces the widest'possible variety of subjects, ail «f which have been carefully chosen, and bear the hall-nj-ifk of "feature films.'' The story of "The Living Wage," a romance in two reels, by the Domino Co., tells ef a millionaire who is asked hy the minister of hif, church for assistance in the case of a girt who was receiving six dollars a week. The millionaire avers that it j is sufficient for anyone to live upon. In older to prove it lie undertakes to live on that amount per week for a month. He rents one of his own tenements and starts on his self-imposed task. lie meets a Ruth Vail, who is living in the same tenement, and his adventures start, it is a delightful story, and the end is particularly good. Another twoact drama is "Four Grains of Rice." A superb cast of Vitagraph players combine to make this a true feature in every respect. The story is of rival Chinese organisations and the abduction of a beautiful woman: .It is very stirring, with a thrilling finale. The ''Topical Budget" contains interesting war views, some direct from the frent, whilst ''John Bull's Sketch-book" depicts cartoondrawings of rare interest and cleverness, Another of these popular cartoon films will be seen in "The Victorious Jockey," a set of very ludicrous drawings. Foreign travel will be supplied by "Views • f Rustenberg," a scenic review by the Cines Co. "Do'well's Duels" and "One Busy Day"; (World film) are the comedies', and the fun is fast and furious The indefatigable efforts of the comedians are here supported by every conceivable triek and illusion known to the picture art. Altogether it is a splendid programme. THEATRE ROYAL PICTURES. Pictures at the Theatre Royal will resume to-morrow night, when an entirely new programme will be presented'. There will be two big attractions. The tentli episode of that thrilling serial drama. "The Master Key," is eagerly awaited by the many picture-goers following up this interesting story, but in addition there is included a three-reel drama entitled "The First Commandment," This is the first of a remarkable set of ten features which have lately been produced by the Kalcm Company, and which are based upon the Commandments. The ; complete set will be shown in New Plymouth. The story of "The First Commandment" shows throughout many powerfiilly-aeted situations: how a.giant of the financial world, who lived only for the worship of the god of gold, is eventually ruined in the battle of competition, and is taken to the home of his eon, whom lie had east aside in the race for wealth. As he sits beside his children in the church' on Sunday, happier than he lias, been for years, lie realises the significance of the preacher's text, "Thou shalt have none other gods but Me." The stars are Tom Moore and Marguerite Courtot, two of the screen's most gifted exponents, who appear at their best. The supporting items will include "Pathe Gazette" ; (topical), "Hoobley's Baby" (Vitagraph comedy, featuring Mr. and Mrs, Sydney Drew), "A Study of Frogs"/(natural history), "Tack Spratt's Parrot" (a clever comedy) and "A Good Business Deal" (Flying A drama). This programme will be shown on Friday night and at both performances on Saturday.

MARGUERITE CLARKE IX "WILDFLOWER." At the Theatre Royal next Monday, sfew Plymouth picture-goers will be introduced to. a new "star" that has loomed upon tlitf photo-play horizon, in tho person of Miss Marguerite Clark. This dainty little lady has quickly won favor, and already in America she is looked upon as Mary Pickford's only rival. The charm and manner of her personality is said to be quite irresistible, and whether

on stage or serpen she is bound to quickly win the hearts of her audience. The initial production in which Miss Clarkwill appear in New Plymouth is a fivereel. Famous Players' masterplay, .'entitled "Wildflower." This is a beautiful woodland romance, a tender story of sweet and powerful innocence, in which Letty (Marguerite Clark), an unsophisticated child of nature, is wooeil and won by a -society scamp, whe takes her to the city. After a mock marriage, the scamp's brother, whe is a real ami) takes a hand, and the story develops quickly and keeps the onl»#ker in a state of excitement and suspense right until the closing scenes, where the drooping little wildflower revives and blooms happily in the garden of faithful love. "Wildtiower'' will be shown for three nights.

*MY OLD DUTCH." "My Old Dutch," a feature film by the London Film Company, which promises to be of more than ordinary interest, will be screened for the first time at the Empire Theatre next Monday, March 13. The picture has been specially written by Arthur Shirely, around Albert Chevalier's famous coster songs, and Chevalier himself, whose wonderful acting in the "The Middleman" will be remembered, will play "Joe Spud, the coster." Of his work, an English exchange writes:—"Never on the screen, and possibly never on the stage, has such a perfect and convincing piece of acting been seen. ... Chevalier had the large audience moved to laughter or tears as he willed." Miss Florence Turner will be seen as "Sal my old Dutch,'' and is said to give a delightful impersonation of the heroine of Chevalier's song. 1 The story tells of the meeting of ,Toe and Sal at 'Ampstead, down by the .Welsh 'Arp, and Whit Monday! Costers in great force; pearlies everywhere; singing and dancing and laughing, everything merry and bright. The costers arp there in force, and so are their "donahs," and a fine jolly old time it is. But one happy couple has left the giddy throng. Joe and Sal are homewardbound. Scenes are shown of their courtship and proposal of marriage, together with the preparation for the wedding. Then Joe and Sal are man and wife at last.

A year passes. 'A little baby blesses the humble homestead. One day the little one turns ill. The doctor is culled i, but there is no hope. Joe passes from the room and chokes down his sobs. Sal conies in. They embrace, and are comforted in their own love for the first sorrow that has stolen across their little home. More time passes, and one day as .Toe is hawking his goods round the town 'Erb stops him and whispers something in his ear. He hands his mock to his pal and runs home. Another child has been born to comfort the hearts of the simple pair. The baby grows to childhood. There is something of refinement in Sal's face that haunts one. from the start, and we are not over-surprised to see 'Erb run in one day with a newspaper, which indicates that Sal has inherited £SOOO from a branch .of ■ her family of higher social standing, What terrifin excitement there is in the coster household when the news is brought! What a time they give the lawyer, all ispeaking together! 'But what a heart they show behind. their uncouth exterior. Will they take the money and spend it? Not at all. "Every penny of that 'ere money," says Joe and Sal, "is going to be spent to turn our nipper into a gentleman."

The picture traces the. young hopeful with private tutors through his college life and among the flash set of "London bloods,' and keeps a fine artistic balance. The truth is made known to >Toe and his wife and of their boy's behaviour. "You have broken your mother's heart," .Toe exclaims, "and I could curse the day you were born." But Sal just kisses and pats the lad. "I am done with being a gentleman," he says; "I am going to try and be a man." Clradually the poverty of .Toe and Sai increases. Only one friend remains, 'Erb; he bestows what comfort 'he can. Sickness brings the

hospital and eventually the warklisuae. The son is at the goldfields and fortune is smiling upon him. He lias written home to his parents, but they never received 'his letter. He returns to find th« old home deserted, his parents heavens knows where. How fate, plice# him en the rbad as to their whereabouts. and what he does to arrange their happiness, is magnificently told. Tile story is too fine and hip to l)e crystalised into ji handful of words. It, stands out in its interest, 'humor, sincerity and quality as the best drama of its kind ever shown.