AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 May 1916, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

"UP FRUJI TIIIO DOTES," A POWERi'L'JLi PHOTOPLAY. As in practically every other walk in life, there are also shams and hypocrites among religious preachers, ami one of these impostors is the principal character of the Mutual "feature" photo-play "Up from the Depths," which was the leading subject of the new programme lit the Theatre Royal last , night. It is Davids, an itinerant revivalist, who faseinatcs Daire Vincent, an unsophisticated country girl. The sequel is the same old story so often enacted in real life. Daire elopes to New York, and after a while is abandoned. The broken-hearted girl, to save her child and herself from starvation, becomes a singer in a disreputable dance hjill. Davids, in the interim, has gained renown and affluence as a social reformer. He weds a beautiful young woman of whom he is passionately fond. In pursuance of a scheme to close the obnoxious dance-hall, Davids induces one of his spies to bring the leading dancer to his house to secure necessary evidence. When the dancer arrives he is amazed to find that she is Daire, the girl he had abandoned. His wife overhears the conversation that ensues, and owing to a weakened heart she falls dead on Jio spot. Davids, now determined to be avenged on Daire. organises a police raid on the dance-hall. During the confusion a half-dazed human derelict fatally wounds Davids, but in liis dying moments he makes reparation by marrying Daire. The production is life-like in many respects, anjj is mounted 011 a lavish scale. The auxiliary films are "Pat.he Gazette" (an up-to-date animated newspaper), "Bothaland" (the campaign against the Germans), "Pressing Business" (Vim comedy), and "The Rea Venture," two reels of thrilling romance, being the third instalment of "The Trey 0' Hearts," serial drama, This programme will he shown at the matinee to-day, and again fo-night for the last time.

EMPIRE PICTURE PALACE. The wide range of subjects covered by this week's programme at the Empire Picture Palace should leave no cause for complaint on the part n'f patrons. The Edison Company presents an excellent drama, "When Conscience Sleeps." Although the story is based oh an old subject, the infatuation of a wealthy married man- for a beautiful actress, the manner of its action presents it in a new form, giving it a touch of pathos peculiarly its own. "The Million Dollar Mystery" advances yet another stage in the nineteenth episode, "The Underground River." The serial is drawing to its close, and two weeks more will see the elucidation of the mystery. Events are developing quickly, and this week's instalment is particularly interesting. A scenic film of great beauty and charm is "An Oasis in the Sahara," from the studios of Messrs. Pathe Freres. The Lubin Company's comedy "Think of the Money" lias in the leading role the wellknown comedian Billy Reeves. "Housekeeping Under Cover," a comedy by the World Film Corporation, is a picture replete with bright situations and quick developments. The Pa+Jie War Gazette and "The Honeymooners," a beauty comedy completes this varied programme.

MARY PICKFORD IX "MISTRESS NELL."

Miss Mary Pickford, the brightest star of the moving picture world, will make a welcome reappearance at the Theatre Royal on Monday night next in a 5000 ft romantic comedy-drama, entitled "Mistress Nell," .produced with lavish splendour by the Famous Players Co., under Daniel Frohman. The picture, which is from the drama by Geo. C. ITazelton. jun., introduces the famous Nell Gwyn in an entirely new story, which will bo seen for the first time in New Plymouth. In this episode of the life of the beautiful, impulsive, big-hearted actress of the days when Charles IT. was King in England, we see Noll save her Royal master from treachery and dishonor. The infamous Duchess of Portsmouth plots to wrest the kingdom from Charles for the King of France, who was then at enmity with England. Nell sees through the plans of the conspirators, and in the guise of a young blade of fashion wins the confidence of the Duchess, and is entrusted with important documents, which, needless to say, are not delivered in France, but to Charles himself. How Nell further outwits the vengeful woman and wins back lior royal lover's heart and trust is dramatically developed in this dashing romance. Miss Mary Pickford is said to he truly excellent as "Mistress Nell," there being fine scope for intense drama as well as exquisite eomedv in the play. Mr. Owen Moore as Charles 11. and a capable company give able support to the star. In the first part of the programme there will be shown the "Pathc Gazette," a powerful Bosworth drama, "The Traitor," and some clever cartoons from "John Bull's Sketch Book." The programme will be shown for three nights.