AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 April 1916, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS.

EMPIRE PICTURE PALACE.

The new programme of photoplays .to be shown to-day, both afternoon and evening, at the Empire Picture Palace, ' includes a sensational instalment of [ "The Million Dollar Mystery." This ' is the 17th episode of this thrilling serial and under the title of "A Battle of Wits," it tells in vivid scenes how ' the treachery of the Black Hundred was foiled. In this episode a trap is | set for Norton, who is lured into the j torture chamber. Luck sends Jones the | butler as avenger and rescuer. Swiftly, silently be acts, and once again the tables arc turned. The Vitagraph Company is represented by a thrilling one- '■ reel subject, "Hilda of the Slums," the > story of a little singer in a third class 1 cabaret. Just now, when all eyes are turned upon the situation in the .Balkans, the scenic film "Salonika," is sure to prove an attraction to the public. The views convey some idea of the valuable property entrusted to the defence ' of the Allies, quite apart from the strategic position of the Greek port. An edition of the ever popular "Pathe Gazette" is also full of views of a warlike nature. A charming travel scene shows "The Waters of the North Country," one of the many pretty parts of England. There is much fun and humour in the 'comedy pictures "The Jinx of the Jenks," and "Jimmie on the • Job," and "The Jingle Cure," the latter featuring Napoleon, the famous and very human champanzee. THERATE ROYAL PICTURES. "The Trey o' Hearts," together with a capital supporting programme will be shown at the Theatre Royal to-day, first in the afternoon at 2.30 and again in the evening at 8 o'clock. "The Trey 1 o' Hearts" is the new serial photo-drama which comes with a big reputation. This is the first episode of the film and is entitled "Flower of the Flame." The first reels of this instalment is taken up by the prologue, which gives the motive for all the subsequent exciting, heartrending and romantic incidents. Seneca Trine, middle-aged and powerful in the financial world, had married a girl much younger than hjruself. The girl was forced into the marriage through circumstances rather than through love she felt towards Trine. In fact, she had loved another, Wellington Law. At the opening of the prologue we find Trine's wife the, mother of twin girls, unhappy in thoughts which still haunt her of her old sweetheart, Law. Law, on the other hand, is married to a cool, calculating woman and is the father of a boy. In the course of time Trine begins to suspect the affection that his wife still feels for Law, and with a bitter heart, he undertakeß'a scheme to ruin his wife's sweetheart. At a ball one evening he secures definite proof of his wife's attitude toward him, and his determination to ruin Law crystallizes into definite action, which provides many thrills and heart-rending scenes of fascinating action. Another prominent item of the programme is a story of adventure, love, and intrigue, entitled "The Pawns of Mars." One of the most interesting scenes in this moving drama depicts the explosion of bombs in mid-air by the use of wireless rays. The picture, which is of considerable length, is divided into three main episodes. A rollicking comedy by Edison is entitled, "The Songs of Solomon," and there are several others. A new programme will be shown on Monday. "WITHIN THE LAW" COMPANY. Under the direction of Dramas, Ltd., the popular and talented "Within the Law" Company will appear In the Theatre Royal New Plymouth on Tuesday, May 2nd, and Wednesday, May 3rd, presenting by special arrangement with J. C. Wiliamson, Ltd., the thrilling spy play "The Man Who Stayed at Home" and the famous comedy "Get-Rich-Quiok Wallingford." Miss Hilda Dorrington and Mr. Lionel Walsh will head the company, supported by the Within the Law company, this year including Mr. George Chalmers arid Mr. Fred Coape. In "The Man Who Stayed at Home," Miss Dorrington will appear as Miriam Lee, and Mr. Walsh will play the part of Christopher Brent (the British secret service agent). "The Man Who Stayed at Home," is insulted and "white-feathered" at every turn, and all the time, quite unbeknown to his most intimate frineds he is rendering his country an even greater service than the men in the trenches, as subsequent events in the drama go to prove. 1 In ■ reality he is a Secret Service agent in Britain's employ who is told oil' to run to earth a dangerous nest of German spies, intent on sinking by submarine British transports crossing the English Channel. The original high-powered wireless plant is especially travelled for this production. The whole plot of the drama depends on the working of this outfit,which is installed in the innocent looking "Private Hotel," in a secret fireplace by the German spies, chief among whom is Carl Sanderson, an Englishman, son of a German mother, employed at the British Admiralty, and therefor in a position to obtain useful information for the carrying out of their nefarious scheme which, thanks to Christopher Brent, is discovered and dismantled just in time. How the tables are turned and how Brent uses their own wireless plant to sink by British man 'o war their own submarine, is told in the last exciting act of the ,play. The box plans for the New Plymouth performances will be opened at Collier's at 1(1 o'clock on Thursday morning next, where seats may be reserved without extra charge. THE JULIUS KNIGHT COMPANY. THE GREAT WAR PLAY "UNDER FIRE." J. C. Williamson's popular dramatic organisation, headed by the distinguished actor, Julius Knight, will play a one night's season at the Theatre Royal on Monday week. The production will bo Roi Cooper Megruc's stirring war play, "Under Fire," which has been played with great success in Melbourne, and Sydney, where its protAUy sentiments made a strong appeal .to sympathisers with the Entente Powers. For the first time since t he beginning of the war there- will be staged a play which includes the. representation of actual scenes as enacted in the present great struggle. Over 150 people take part in this production. The plan opens at Collier's next Friday, at 9 a.m.