AMUSEMENTS

Taranaki Daily News, 8 May 1916, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS

MAItY PICKFORD AT THE THKATIiii ROYAL. Commencing to-night, Miss Mary Pickford will make her reappearance at the Theatre Royal in a 5000 ft. plioto drama entitled "Mistress Nell," described as a most beautiful production, by the Famous Players' Co. On Miss Piekford's wonderful charm, versatility, and great talent there is no need to enlarge. She is the undisputed head of her profession today, and has millions of admirers the world over. Of course, some parts suit her style and personality more than others, and in "Mistress Noll" it is stated that Miss Piekford has such a part. It can readily ho imagined that the character of the wilful, hot-headed, but loyalhearted Nell Gwynn?, who, to serve her royal master, dons the uniform of a Cavalier, and struts with the best of the swashbucklers of the period, would suit Miss Piekford splendidly. Although this particular story is entirely new to New Plymouth, Nell Gwynne is a well-known and popular heroine of romance, and it will be interesting to see Miss Piekford in the part., The r.tory has been described as an Excellent one, in whicli the i»i rivory i and wit of pretty Nell save Charles IT. from treachery at home and abroad, and free him at the same time from the toils of the designing Duchess of Portsmouth. A strong cast, includi'sff Jfr. Owen Moore as Charles 11., adds to the merit of the picture, which has bw.i 11 big success wherever shown. The supporting programme consists of the PaUie Gazette; a powerful Bosworth drama, "The Traitor"; and some clever skits from "John Bull's Sketch Book." "Mistress Nell" will be' shown for three nights only.

EMPIRE. PICTURE PALACE. The change of programme at the Empire Picture Palace on Saturday, which was screened both afternoon and evening to capacity business, ushered in a series of iiims which are well up to the high standard of excellence set and maintained by this popular picture house. "The Million Dollar Mystery, 7 ' the thrilling Thanhousor serial drama, which occupies the attention of a very large number of patrons every week, provides some most exciting incidents in the nineteenth episode entitled "The Underground River." The staging of this series is wonderful in the extreme, and the intricate plot of the great drama now appears to be unfolding itself rapidly. Certainly the story becomes more interesting as it progresses. Two more weeks will see the finish of this lengthy picture, the management announcing that next week, episodes 20 and 21 will be screened together, and the following week the 22nd and 23rd instalments, which concludes the series, will be shown. Another good dramatic item of this programme is the Edison Company's production "When Conscience Sleeps," a pathetic domestic subject, illustrating the efforts of a faithful wife to rouse her husband to a correct sense of right and wrong. He becomes fascinated by a beautiful actress, and the wife sets herself to save him and succeeds. Some good war scenes are screened in the latest Pathe Gazette, which carries on the topical side of the entertainment. It embraces recent events in the British Isles and in different corners of the Continent of Europe. Two comedies of a highly amusing character are also included in the bill. One of these is "Housekeeping Under Cover," in which the best comedians of the World's Film Company create a perfect maelstrom of mirth. The other is entitled "Think of the Money." Bill and Jane have" a mutual share in a legacy, on condition that, they marry each other. They are both already wedded, but meet, and each undertakes the task of proposing and making the other refuse. The situation is fast becoming unbearable when word comes that the money is to be equally divided. "An Oasis in the Sahara" (scenic) and "The Honeymooners" (Beauty comedy) complete a fine programme which will be repeated again io-nkV and to-morrow night.