AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 May 1916, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

LAST NIGHT OF GABY DESLYS. A REMARKABLE FILM. Gaby Deslys, the famous danseuse, whoge beauty and sylph-like gracefulness have entranced Europe and America, is the heroine in "Her Triumph,'' a photoplay specially written for her, which drew an overflowing attendance hist evening, when it was introduced with the change of programme at the Theatre Royal. The production is a magnificent achievement by the Famous Players' Company, who have staged the subject with a lavishness that seems to excel anything of the kind yet witnessed locally. Gaby Dcslys is e : ; n .bled "to present her great "Da use das Apaches" and her own clever conception, "The Danse Deslys,' assisted in both by Mr. Harry Pilcer, a dancer also of international fame. The first item is performed in a full-sized theatre before a crowded audienee, and after witnessing the dance it is not dillicult to realise the tumultuous ecstasy which Mdlle. Deslys' skill evokes.

"The Danse Deslys"fs given at a fashionable reception before a distinguished .social gathering, and is positively a remarkable exposition of terpsichofean skill. The gowns and headgear worn by Mdlle. Deslys are an amazing spectacle to the gaze of a "mere man," but seen through the eyes of the fair sex they may be described as a veritable enchantment. Mdlle. Deslys also wears a necklet of pearls, which are said to be worth a king s ransom. The dances are not mere interpolations, but are appropriately incidental to the story. Tt is related ill the plot that a famo:;.- dan cusp. Helelie, u in love with Cla ;dc IX'vercaux, who, however, prefers his fiancee Gaby, a bal.let girl—the sole support of her invalid mother and two sisters, one of whom i< blind. Piqued at Gaby's successful rivalry in love Helene refuses to go on the stage utiles? Gaby is discharged. The manager declines to humor Helene, who leavfs the stage in high dudgeon, Gabv, the ''star's" understudy, is selected to fill the vacancy, and she acquits herself with the utmost success. Helene watches the act from a box, and stung with jealousy she fire;: a revnl vr shot, slightly wounding Claude, ■' abv's daneinr» partner. The wonld-b' murderess eludes detection, and to complete her revenge eomands her friend, the disreputable Count Victor, to put Gaby out of the way. The accommodating Count hires two Apaches to enter Gaby's home and kidnap her. The men carry out their plan 111 the d"ad of night, and take Gaby, gagged and bound, to the Count's chateau. Gaby's blind sister is awakened bv an unusual sound in the house, and seizing the telephone calls, Claude to her aid. A hasty search reveals the true situation, and Claude, with .the as- ( sistance of three policemen, breaks into the. Count's chateau in time to rescue Gaby from that now half-drunken worthy, who is promptly handcuffed and taken to the cell-. Gaby is then able to enjoy the undisturbed fame that her talent has won for her. An uncommonly fine supporting programme includes "The Seventh Day" (Edison comcdv), "Patlie Gazette" (toxical), "TTow John C'ame Back" (Vita-Sydney Drew comedy). ".Uiitsiishinn Uav" (Patlie colored scenic), and "The Cultivation of Coffee" (industrial). A distinctive and much appreciated feature of the screening of each film was the well selected and ar-, tisticaily rendered items bv the orchestra under the direction of Mrs. J. J. George. The programme will be finally shown to-night. EMPIRE PICTURE I'ALACB, A thronged attendance was recorded last nisht at the Empire Picture Palace, the chief attraction being the Tlmnhoucr Co.'s exciting serial photoplay, "The Million Dollar Mystery," which terminates in the current program-me with the episode "The Mystery Solved." The dexterity of the author has ensured the interest being sustained right up to the concluding scene. The climax is reached when the gang of conspirators are a rested by ..the police, after which their leaders come to a tragic end, and the hero and heroine are joined in wedding bliss. To-night this great play of mvsterv will be shown for the last time in New Plymouth. "GRETNA GREEN.* ' Marguerite Clark, who stars in the comedy romance "Gretna Green" which forms the main item of. the Empire's new programme for to-morrOw, is considered hv a large bodv of America's picture lovers to have so improved in her latest productions that she now bears comparison with the world-famed Mary Pickford. There is now said to be much difference of opinion as to which' is really the greatest artist of the two. Miss Clark is twenty-einlit years of age. and has had a lengthy experience on' stage and screen. Seme of her greatest successes on the legitimate stage were in "Peter Pan." "Tights o' London." ••Xr»rp. ly Mary Ann." and "Prunella." which hist was said to be one of the most beautiful little plays ever produced in New York. This production firmly establishes her reputation as an artist, and that of its producer,'XViirthrop Ames,as a master of beautiful stagecraft. After this Miss Clark was engaged by the Famous Players in s.uch productions as "The Seven Sisters," "The Goose Girl," and "The Crucible:" The last-named pictin'* /ins been seen in New Plymouth ai.d the other two are due_ here shortly. In "Gretna Green" Miss Clark has, in, the role of Dolly Erskine. a part that allows the fullest scope for her wonderful charm, fascination. and cleverness. There are several suitable pictures in support of the main feature. Seat may be reserved at the Theatre, or by 'phone 3(15. MARY PICKFORD AS "RAGS." Although Mary Pickford has many rivals, and there arc some cinema actresses nearly as clever and charming. > still she remains as the acknowledged "star of stars," in the picture world, and is better known, and, we might say, more truly loved than any of her contemporaries on the screen." .Miss Pickford has presented some remarkable characterisations, "Te.ss of the Storm-Coun-try" standing out perhaps more than others. In the BflOOft Famous Players' film "Rags" to be screened at the Empire Picture Palace commencing Saturday next, the critics agree' that Mary Pickford has surpassed herself, the film being, they declare, better than '"Tess." lii "Rags" Miss Pickford reverts largely to her earlier methods, the methods that gained her world-wide popularity, and the wild hilarity that makes' "HarcmScarem" remembered is seen again in this remarkable portrayal of the little girl-waif of a Western mining camp, who had been nicknamed "Rags." The picture is said to show the wonderful versatility of the famous actress as no other film has done; There will be no advance in prices, and seats may be booked at the Theatre, where the box jlan i 9 so view, or by 'phone 365#

PAUL DUFAULT TO-MORROW. . Paul Dufault, the great French-Cana-dian tenor, will be heard here at the Theatre Royal to-morrow night. That this occasion is a musical event of great importance has evidently been recognised l.y the New Plymouth public, for the advance booking has been very heavy, and a crowded house is assured to welcome the favorite tenor. A splendidly varied programme has been arranged. As on his previous visits, Mr. Dufault will introduce to us many new numbers. Among these are "Sometimes in Rummer," "If You Would Love Me" and a new French song, "Bluets d'Amnnr." Owing to numerous requests, Mr. Dufault will include "An Pays." the French march song, which won such pronounced popularity on hi:s last tour. His programme will close with that most dramatic of songs, "How's My Boy?" Mr. Dufault sang this song at his last eoncert in Christchurch. Commenting; the Evening News of the city says: "The terrible pathos of the mother's pleading wrought the audience to a pitch of emotionalism never seen here before," With Miss Bindley, Mr. Dufarlt will sing i duct entitled '.'The Adieu." Miss IMndlev'fi principal number will be an aria from "Krnani."' She will also sing a group of English ballad*. Miss Florence Keapini, among other violin contributions, will play the fascinating "Tambourin Cliinois" of Kreisler. Harold Whittle will preside at the piano. The box plan is at Collier's where seats may be reserved. '