AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 March 1916, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS.

EMPIRE PICTURE PALACE.. Record audiences attended the Empire Picture Palace on Saturday to witness the new programme of photoplays. From an artistic point of view, the most successful feature is "Sonny Jim and the Valentine." It is a' story of a quaint old maid, who lived in a world of lavender and old lace. Knowing nothing about mutual affection, she contents herself with loving the little schoolboys wlio buy raspberry sticks and brandy balls in her shop. Tlie story which is enacted in the shop is very pretty and original. The new episode of the "Million Dollar Mystery" provides, plenty of excitement.. It tells of <he effort's of a blackmailing gang to obtain possession •of a box-of" securities. This study, is very cleverly worked out, and right* to the end of tlie picture exciting incidents have beeni introduced by the producer. "The Steeple-, jack's Revenge" is one of those at'oricß we read iit.books, sec on, films,, and happily nevoj; hear of in everyday life. Two men love one girl. This is, of course, the first stop,to -, an exciting time. The "hero" is,tracked by the villain, and a desperate Struggle on the dizzy heights of a chimney stack results in the schemer being deposited upon the earth below, a distance of over 100 ft. While, all. this is going on the young lady "is being quietly and peacefully- drowned out in the bay, as the result of the "other fellow's" villainy. Of course, the hero swims and saves her, and evcrbody is pleased except the chap who fell 100 ft on to very hard ground. A realistic idea of the destruction caused by the Germans in December last, is given by a capital series of views of Scarborough, while the "Pathe War Gazette" and I "Labor Day in Wellington" are of topical interest. The same programme will be repeated to-night and to-morrqw night.

MARGUERITE CLARK IN "THE • CRUCIBLE" TO-NIGHT. To-night at-the Theatre Royal, New Plymouth picturefgoers will have an opportunity of becoming further acquainted, per medium of the seroen, with America's new "picture idol," Miss Marguerite Clark. This fascinating little lady will appear in the most recent release 0I the Famous Players-Lasky Companjr, entitled "The Crucible," a brilliant adaptation from the story by Mark Lee Luther. Individuality is clearly stamp-, ed on Miss Clark's performance, and, being favored with a degree of charm in personality, it is not difficult to realise why she ranks as one of tlie world's leading film players. "The Crucible," as perhaps the name implies, is the testing 'and purifying and ennobling of a young woman in the crucible or testing-pot of life-in a big city—tried in the fire of temptation, heated by flames of evil companions—until she emerges by the sheer strength of character and brightness and buoyancy of spirit into the pure metal without dross, Marguerite Clark as the tomboy who, through foolishness, and misunderstanding, is punished almost as a criminal, who, with a laugh, faces difficulty, adversity and chooses good rather than evil, because it is better to "play the game," is said to give a remarkable and convincing performance. In fact, the production and acting generally has received tlie highest praise. A good supporting programme, including "Their Night Out," a.' Mr. and Mrs. Sydney Drew comedy, the latest "Gazette," and a scries qf'"John Bull Cartoons" has been selected.