AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 May 1916, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS.

«ABV DESLYS AT THE THEATRE ROYAL TO-NIGHT. This is what the movies are doing for you to-night at the Theatre Royal. Bringing before you, as in life, the most celebrated favorite of the footlights, Gaby Deslys, a name familiar in Rome or Rotterdam, in Moscow or Madrid. Her life not only reads, but actually lias been, a very big romance. It is not given to every woman of ordinary birth to captivate a reigning monarch. And this is what this chic little woman did when King Manoel of Portugal fell a victim to her beauty and cleverness. Think of it, the daughter of a Parisian cabman, who all but mounted the throne of Portugal, and who was considered to be one of the main causes of the revolution in that country, and' who, when the hour of danger approached, by iher tact and wonmn's wit helped her royal lover to safety. Since that time, she has become still more famous as a premier danseuse, playing to record houses both on the Continent and the Old Country. As showing Mademoiselle Deslys' undoubted popularity, when a prominent musical director visited the Homeland recently, he endeavored to secure a contract for Australia and New Zealand, giving the highest fee ever paid to any imported artist, but was unsuccessful owing to the fact that Mademoiselle Deslys was booked forward for three years. It was considered unlikely that we would ever see_ this talented artiste in this country, owing to the distance, but now, since the picture play entitled "Her Triumph" has been written practically around her, we 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. "Her Triumph" will only be shown to-night and to-morrow. Full orchestral music will accompany the pictures. The box plan is at Collier's.

l_ EMPIRE PICTURE PALACE. The final chapters of "The Million Dollar Mystery" were screened before a large and appreciative audience at the Empire Picture Palace on Saturday. The spacious building proved too small to accommodate intending patrons both afternoon and evening. The latest instalments of this famous detective story, which is popularly known as the "Tanglewood Tales," are characterised throughout by the same vigor of action as the previous 21 episodes. They have an added recommendation in thai they contain the solution of the mystery surrounding the disappearance of Hargreaves and his hoarded treasures. "The Waterloo of the Conspirators" deals with the discovery of the secret retreat of the "Black Hundred." This is a dimlylit concern, where the conspirators have long propounded schemes of revenge and murder. A raid is made upon tlreir hiding-place, and the members of the gang are finally captured. "The Mystery Solved" tells how Braine and Olga are sent in perpetual banishment to the Siberian mines. Hargreaves is recognised in the disguise of a butler, and after the capture of the gang, consents to return to his home. Thereafter follows the marriage of Florence and Norton, and all is happiness. In conclusion, it may be asid that this story is one of the mot mystifying, and at the same time one of the most interesting of its kind ever conceived. The supporting programme includes a beautiful "Pathecolor" scenic film, entitled, "From the Pearl of the Baltic Sea." A Thanhouser comedy i 3 headed, "Tillie, the Terrible Typiste." The martial air pervades the latest issue of the "Pathe Gazette." The same programme will be presented tonight and to-morrow night.

MARGUERITE CLARK IN "GRETNA GREEN." Miss Marguerite Clark, a picture actress who bids fair to rival the famous Mary Piekford, is the star in "Gretna Green," a five-reel comedy, which will form the big attraction at the Empire Picture Palace for three nights commencing next We<A>esday, May 24. It is a charming repiljcntatioa of the early Victorian era,'and the faithfulness to detail and general artistic effect of the many scenes is remarkable. The picturesque, which is always a strong note in the stories of that period is sufficiently in evidence, without in* any way overshadowing the human interest. As a result the appeal is complete and i irresistible. Marguerite Clark, as the impulsive coquettish, high-spirited wife of the Earl of Bassett, does full justice to the part. At the time of her ma*-* riage she was unaware of the high degree of her husband, and on discovering that by marrying a commoner she will forfeit the fortune left her by her father, she decides upon a divorce, though she loves her husband. Through an intricate series of scenes she and her husband quarrel and despond or love and laugh all the time the divorce papers are being prepared. When called on to sign them, the wilful lady first breaks all the pens, then she tears the deeds in two. Her patient husband places them in position again and signs his name. Incensed at his willingness to be rid of her, she sits down to sign, and then, for the first, time sees the name of her husband shown as the Earl of Basset. She throws the pen away, and shows unrestrainedly her love for him, and delight that, after all, her fortune will be his. "Gretna Green" is. one of the most delightful film comedies ever shown and should attract capacity business throughout its season. PAUL DUFAULT CONCERT.

Paul Dufault, who is widely remembered for his immediate conquest of the Dominion by the charm of his beautiful voice and magnetic personality, will give one concert in Xew Plymouth at the Theatre Royal on Wednesday, May 24. It is unfortunate that more s'njrers do not realise the value of personality, for it is undoubtedly due to the possession of this quality that the announcement "Paul Dufault is coming back" has caused such delighted comment. The famous Canadian has a beautiful voice, which he manages with perfect art, but this alone is not sufficient to explain his tremendous popularity with all classes, exclusive of the particularly musical element. The man in the street is just as unfeigned|y glad to learn of DufaultV return as the musical enthusiast, He enjoys his songs fully as much,, though possibly not along the same lines. Tliis ability' to enthrall the casual enter-tainment-seeker is unquestionably due to the singer's personality, to his power of making his auditor feel everything he sings, even though the language may be a foreign one. Too often, at many concerts, one not only does not understand the language but does not get any impression save that the singer has sung something, the purport of which is all Greek to yon, as it probably is to the sj»ger, though you could not hire him

to admit it. "Such a procedure may be valuable as a vocal exercise, but it should not be done in public. S.nfliicc it to say that it never occurs Avith Paul Dufault; when he sings, he conveys-somc thought, some impression to the auditor; and in that lies his power to draw the people. Mr. Dui'ault will bo assisted here by Miss Pauline Biudlcy, soprano, Miss Florence ttcapini, violinist, and Harold Whittle, pianist. The box plan is now open at Collier's where, booking is-rapidly filling.