AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 April 1916, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS.

THEATRE ROYAL PICTURES. A dramatic picture play- by David Belasco is the big item of the new programme to be shown at the Theatre Royal to-night. It is called "Tlie Rose of the Rancho," and it features America's premiere comedienne, Miss Bessie Barriscale. David Belasco is noted in the theatrical world for tlie beauty and finish of all his production* either on the stage or. screen. In "The Rose of the Rancho" he has given of his best, Written and produced by himself at the Belasco Theatre, New York, the play was hailed as an artistic and dramatic masterpiece, but when transferred to the screen, with all the romantic beauty o*f the scenery of Southern California to surround the stirring events of ISSO, and as a setting for one of the most delightful love stories ever written, it was instantly acknowledged as the most artistic picture that has yet been screened. The picture is produced by Belasco uni der the auspices of the Lasky Famous Players' Co., and is in five reels. Tlie story is of happenings in the year of 1850, when the Government at Washington decreed that all ranch owners must register their property. The Spanish rancherog of California refused to comply, and a system of claim-jump-ing or seizures developed. Great bands of land-jumpers roamed about, and chief among these was one Kincaid of Nebraska. Kearney, a secret agent; is sent to California to inquire into the landjumping. His arrival at a certain ranch, where a party of land-jumpers have killed the ranchero and his eldest daughter, and are throwing diccKor the possession of the other two girls, is timely. Later, he meets Juanita, the Rose »f the Castro Ranch, and tries to warn her mother that her ranch is in danger of being seized by the ranch-jumpers. But the mother orders him from the place. Then the love interest becomes stronger until Kearney wins Juanita's love and the hatred of Don Luis, to whom she is engaged. In a later scene Kearney arrives at the Castro ranch just in time to meet Kincaid, who <s about to raid it. The amazing dash and vividness of the thing is one of the picture's strong features, and the acting and photography are excellent. Among the supporting pictures "Cute>"s Godmother" is an amusing modern parody of "Cinderella." A Pathe Gazette of unusual interest ia also being filmed, together with a series of beautiful views of the Italian town of Rieti. ' ... : h EMPIRE PICTURE PALACE. Crowded houses were the order at the popular "Empire" on Saturday, both afternoon and evening, when the usual week-end change of pictures was presented. The great comedy film in the new' bill is "Max is Love Sick," which features Max Linder, wlio was one of the first to be called up to fight for France, and who acted in the play while on furlough in Paris. The picture is extremely funny throughout, and shows how Max rescues his sweetheart in a daring manner from an aeroplane. Every foot of this film is full of funny ings. Another number is added to the interesting production. "The Million Dollar Mystery," in the sixteenth episode, which is entitled "Drawn into the Quicksands." The famous Black Hand gang, by resorting to treachery, induces Florence and Susan to visit Atlantic City, and with the utmost devilry plans the separation of tlie girls. Norton, the reporter, discovers their plan, and then follows battle after battle, escape and recapture, ending in Florence falling into a quicksand, from which-she is. rescued by Norton's strength, wit, and ingenuity. A refreshing comedy by the Edison Company is "The Silent Tongue," while the Pathe Gazette, with views of interesting happenings at Home and abroad, and a beautifully colored Pathe scenic of the Dutcli town of Volendam, complete an excellent programme. The musdc, suitable to the various items, is supplied by the Symphony Sextuple, under the conductorship of Mrs. George. The programme will be repeated again to-night. THEATRE ROYAL. A NEW SERIAL DRAMA. "The Trey 0' Hearts," a remarkable serial photoplay by the Trans-Atlantic Company, has been secured by the Theatre Royal management. The first instalment of this great production will be presented on Thursday night next, each being a. complete picture in itself. One instalment will be presented each week-end change, commencing every Thursday. "The Trey 0' Hearts' 'is described as a "ladies' drama." It is crammed with exciting episodes, full of power and animation, coupled with a real heart-throbbing story by Louis J. Vance, a pastmaster of fiction, The beautiful Cleo Madison and George.Larkin occupy the principal roles, and the rest of the caste embraces many players of known merit and recognised popularity. The first instalment of the picture is taken up by a prologue, which gives the motive for all the subsequent exciting and romantic incidents, ao patrons will do well to make sure of seeing the opening chapters to ensure the full enjoyment that this story will provide.