AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 May 1916, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

LAST NIGHT OF "THE JUGGERNAUT." _ There is a fascinating thrill in witnessing the photoplay of a huge engine and three coaches smash through a rotten spindle-shanked bridge, and dive head on into a river, and that sensation is sustained when the engine's boiler explodes, and the maddened passengers are seen trying to struggle through the broken windows into the water. Yet that is the daring (and expensive) sensation that is witnessed in the picture, entitled "The Juggernaut," shown at the Theatre Boval last evening. It concerns the life story of Phillip Hardin and John Ballard, the former the dissolute son of the president of an American railroad, run for profit rather than safety, and the latter a young man who has fought his way up from humble beginnings. The two'first meet over the dead body of old Ballard, whose waggon has been run down by the President's "special." Afterwards they meet at college, and there Phillip gets into a gambling row, and only escapes being done in death by the timely aid rendered by John Ballard. The two Jove Viola Buskin, and the latter's mother is the cause of John throwing up the sponge in favor of his rival. A year after the marriage the young wife dies in childbirth, leaving a little daughter. Twenty years pass. Phillip has succeeded his father, and John, as district attorney, is fighting the rotten railway corporation. Realising the weakness of his case, Phillip threatens that if he goes on with it, he will reveal that it was John-who murdered a man in the gambling brawl referred to. but even as he gloats,over this point, - 'Hardin receives a letter to the effect that the man was-killed the same night in a later quarrel. His daughter reads the letter, and rejoices in John's innocence. Then comes the sensation. Hardin requires some papers from' his home, and 'phones his daughter to bring them to town. The automobile breaks down, and she has to continue her journey in the express. In the meantime one of Ballard's men, who has obtained employment as-a track walker, discovers one of the bridges to be rotten, and wires Hardin to that effect. He places that wire beside the one from his daughter to say she was travelling in the express. By auto-car and motor boat he makes a wild attempt to reach the spot in time to see it crash through the bridge and dive into the river. Ballard has also heard of the danger, and he, too, rushes to the spot, in time to save the daughter to whom he has become attached through her likeness to her .aotlier. "The Juggcrnaut" is undoubtedly all .that is claimed ; of it and is aptly termed "the blue rib- : bon Vitagraph." The whole production ' succeeds in breaking new ground, and the ' intensely sensational scenes are necessary to the story and not merely put in ' for ejfect. Also on the programme is a screaming comedy in which the great ' favorite, Charles Chaplin, keeps the audi- ' ence in a merry mood. "Caught in a Cabaret" is the title of this picture, «nd ' it is certainly quite the funniest film yet : seen here. There are four other good ; items and the whole, combined with the ! delightful music ,by the symphony orchestra makes a capital evening's entertainment. These films will be shown ' for the last time to-night. EMPIRE PICTURE PALACE. The adventurous spirit' which permeated previous episodes of the Than houser serial "feature" picture-drama "The Million Dollar Mystery," is abundantly evident in current sections of the films now appearing at the Empire Picture Palace. To-night will see the finr.l screening of "The Secret Warning" and "Documents in the Treasure Box," which are episodes twenty and twenty-one respectively. This double numbe; is supported by "Pathe War Gazette," "Cutting Down Expenses" (Lubin comedy) "Think, Mothers!" (Feature drama), ■"Twas the Night Before Xmas" (Edison fantasy) and "Black 'and White Snowball" (Vitagrapli comedy). Commencing to-morrow (Wednesday), the management will present a powerful society drama entitled "The Way of the Transgressor," enacted by Leah Baird and Leo. Delaney, and telling a story of deceit and cunning, of love and desire of wealth. Also on the programme is a Lubin special entitled "The Telegraphist's Peril," a two-reel feature. ALLEN DOONE IN "THE REBEL." At the Theatre Royal on Wednesday and Thursday next there will be presented a five-reel photo-play acted and produced by Australia's most popular Irish romantic actor, Allen Doone. The title of this feature film is "The Rebel," and the stjry of the stirring times of 'P.S, deals with a daring blow for the freedom of Ireland. It deals with the adventures of Jack Blake and Ned McDermott, son of the Squire of Dunlcckney Castle; of Captain Armstrong, of the Wicklow Yeomanry, who pretends to be "in" with the young rebels. He and Jack Blake are in love with Eileen" McDermott, and once the military officer's real character and motives are made clear, the play simply teems with adventures and hair-breadth escapes. Edmt Keeley as Eileen makes a charming heroine, whose "Irish heart is welling" to court the handsome Jack Blake. Of this picturs the Sydney Morning Herald says:—"The play is prolific in exciting scenes, and the plot is highly dramatic. The various incidents were of absorbing interest to a crowded audience, which cheered the hero, sighed with the heroine, and hooted the villain." "The Rebel,". with a strong supporting | programme will be shown for two nights only.

tiate in the country, owing to the distance, but now, since the picture play entitled "Her Triumph" has been written practically around her, wc have the opportunity of witnessing her very best work, done under the critical eye of the camera. A very special feature of "Her 'Triumph" is the dressing. Gowns by the noted houses of Worth and Paquin may be seen, and will doubtless be appreciated by the fair sex of New Plymouth. PAUL DUFAULT COMING.

The announcement that arrangements are now in progress by which Paul Dufault, the famous tenor, will be heard in New Plymouth will cause universal pleasure, for it is doubtful if any male singer has ever attaincdthe-trein'endous popularity acquired by the genial FrenchCanadian. Mr. Dnfauit has received what may be termed, without exaggeration, a royal welcome, both in Dunedin and Christchurch. In Dunedin, where the tour opened, four concerts were given during Easter week, and at every one the entire house was sold out, and many were, unable to gain admission. In Christchurch the same enthusiasm prevailed, and on the closing night nearly 300 people were seated on the stage, anil still the big Theatre Royal was utterly unable to accommodate those wanting to hear this great singer. During his previous tour, Mr. Dufault introduced so many new and delightful songs to us, that his new concert programmes will be looked forward to with great interest. It is to Dufault that Bruno Huhn, Augusta Holmes, and Sydney Homer have become familiar names to music-lovers. Who can forget the enormous impression made by Dufault during his first visit here by his singing of "Invictns"? It is doubtful if any other song has ever rivalled its sudden bound to popularity. The date for the Dufault concert in tliis city will shortly be announced.