AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 May 1916, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

EMPIRE PICTURE PALACE. "The Millionaire Baby" is the title of what is described as an exceptionally powerful photo-play which forms the star feature of to-night's new programme at the Empire Picture Palace. The Selig Company produced the picture from the story by Anna Katherine Green, and the unfolding necessitates five thousand feet of film. A large cast of the company's most talented artists, together with expensive mountings and settings and a plot of unusual heart interest and holding power are the essentials which are said to have made the picture such a decided drawing card everywhere it has been screened. It is classed as a "Red Seal" feature, which is the highest standard that the Selig Company put on the market. The fact that it is released under the V.L.S.E. banner is a further guarantee of the superiority of the film. The picture bears evidence of excellent direction, while the acting and photography too are of high standard. This story of. a woman who, to keep her husband's love, passed off' another's child as her own, contains that great fundamental human element throughout which seems always to hold an audience. The supporting features include a bright little photocomedy starring captivating Lillian Walker and Billy Quirk. This one reeler appears to have been written with a view of giving Miss Walker an opportunity of showing just how'"dimpling" should be done. It is called "The Dimples and the Ring." The Topical Gazette shows the latest news pictures of war Tloings, and there is also a pretty drama by Lubin players entitled "Jealousy."

LAST NIGHT OF MARY PICKFORD IN "MISTRESS NELL." There was a very large attendance at the Th.-.we Rova'l lust night !.•! witness the second screening of "Mistress Nell," in which the little wonder-work-er, Mary Pickford, is seen to great advantage The beautiful production of the Famous Players' Co. was highly appreciated by all present, not only the acting ami the story coming in for praise, but also the gorgeous scenes and 'settings in which the story is unfolded. Of course, Mary ?id;. f onl is the life and sciil of ihc film, airi is, in fact, very seldom off the screen. Although tliere are grave and even intense .moments, the little lady is mostly in a merry mood, and had the a'udience laughing heartily at her tricks and capers, as she outwitted the traitress Duchess of Portsmouth, or wheedled Charles 11., King of England, into doing her will. In all moods Miss Pickford was delightful, and charmed the audience as easily as she always does. Good judgment has been exercised in selecting the supporting pictures, which include an excellent dramatic offering by the Bosworth Co., "The Traitor," in which various expressions play a prominent part; the latest "Pathe Gazette," and "John Bull's Sketch Book" are also shown. The programme will be screened for the. last time to-night. THE WOLF. Commencing to-morrow (Thursday), the management will present the latest Lubin six-reel feature entitled "The Wolf" from the story by Eugene Walter, who wrote "Paid in Full" and "The Easier Way," etc. The action of '■ the story takes place in the wild and beautiful scenery of the Canadian backwoods. Lules Bienbeau, trapper, was thrown much into the society of one of the few women who lived in those parts. The inevitable happened; they fell in loveand, there being no minister, they married by book and oath. Soon after they were separated. A daughter was born and named Annette. Bienbeau returned to France and married again in the orthodox way. Years went by and Bienbeau died and left his son a fortune and a charge that he should seek out the girl Annette left in Canada years before. The story describes how the son found that the girl, betrayed and deserted by a railway surveyor, had wandered forth in delirium with her baby and been eaten by wolves. The avenging of Annette forms the clima:; of one of the most striking and powerful film plays imaginable.