AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 March 1916, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS.

EMPIRE PICTURE PALACE. An entirely new programme of photoplays will be presented to-night at the Empire Picture Palace. ''O'Garry of the Boyal Mounted," a 3000 ft vitagrapU Broadway "star feature," is the outstanding item. The lending parts are portrayed by Edith Storey and Ned Finley, two very popular players. The story deals with many incidents of adventure and romance in the lives of two miners and a woman who loved ene of them, but married the other. The scenes are laid in the picturesque heart of the Canadian "Rockies," and there are some remarkably fine views of mountain grandeur. It is a vivid record of life out in the wilds, where life itself is held but a cheap thing, but love a priceless gem of the world. Supporting the "star" films are: "In the Dark Continent," an interesting travelogue; "Pathe Gazette," topical; "Sally's Busy Day," a comedy-drama by the jungle Film C«.; "The Taming of Rita," Vitagraph <!ainedy; and "Finn "and Haddie," a screaming farce by Lubin players.

THEATRE ROYAL PICTURES. The new picture programme to be I shown at the Theatre Royal to-»ight is headed by a drama produced in the studios of the Reliance Company, entitled "Queen of the Band." Tllis picture is a series of quickly-moving events, which are remarkable for the strong dramatic acting displayed. Not for a moment does the story flag, and the climax is of an unusual character. The plot centres round the theft of a large and valuable diamond by a gang of thieves, and the manner of its recovery lends additional power to the story. The popular Vitagraph players will be seen in .a pleasing domestic drama entitled "Elsa's Brother." Here is a really splendid story of masculine effort and woman's tenderness, replete with adventures and romance. Another prominent film will be the eleventh episode of that thrilling serial drama, "The Master Key.'' This instalment is brimful of excitement. Wilkerson, securing the treasure chest, fails to find the important papers. lie comes across an Indian idol and easts it aside as worthless. Herein lies the secret, What becomes of the idol? The story now becomes most rapid. Don't miss this number. Other films include: "20,000 German Prisoners," an authentic war film; "Topical War Budget"; "The Highwayman," a Wallie Van eomedy; and "Green Apples, 1 ' a Beauty comedy.

ELINOR GLYN'S "THREE WEEKS."

No picture drama previously «!iown in New Zealand has been looked forward to with such curiosity as lias "Three Weeks." In-the first place, the boek with the same title gained much notoriety. though the author, Elinw Glyn, admitted that to some it would be "but a sensual record of passion." Then the picture version, which has been passed by the Board of Censors as free from anything offensive, achieved remarkable success when screened in Auckland, and the season had to be several times extended. All the circumstances considered, the New Plymouth season, which commences at the Theatre Royal next Monday, should prove a record one, for the general excellence of the film is beyond doubt—beautiful scenery, gorgeous dressing and superb acting. ' In order to sustain interest, the plot of the book has been altered in the dramatisation. A villain is introduced to add more of the dramatic element, but the play still recounts the love story «f Sonia, Queen o* Sevoria, and her brief sojourn in what the author lias written down as Paradise. Miss Madeline Traverse, who was selected for the part of the erring queen on. account of her physical beauty am! artistic attainments, had a difficult taskto play leading lady in this passionate Slavonic romance, hut everyone who sees the picture must credit her with having performed that task ably and well. She is supported by a Strang caste, and had the picture been a failure instead of the unprecedented success ii has been, it would not have been due to the acting. The box plan for "Three Weeks'" will open at Collier's to-morrow (Friday) morning.