AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 May 1916, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

"MRS. BLACK IS BACK" AT THE THEATRE ROYAL TO-NIGHT.

Perhaps the most reliable picture-pro-ducing company to-day is the Famous Pl-'-ers' Company, whose films always maintain a high standard. Many of the world's best artists are brought forward in their most successful stage ventures. Such a one is the chief picture in the new programme to be presented to-night at the Theatre Royal. Miss May Irwin, the plump, genial comedienne, is as well known in the U.S.A. as President Wilson or Mary Pickford, and "Mrs. Black is Back" is the most successful of all the comedies in which she was the star. The "Famous Players" have converted the comedy to the film', retaining Miss Irwin in the leading •role, achieving an even greater success, and, of course, in a. much wider field than was the case with the original stage version. The picture moves swiftly from one laughable situation to another as the plot develops, until the tangle is unravelled. After the plump, good-natured widow is married to Professor Black, she discovers that her strict and dignified husband would "never forgive a liar—no matter how small the -lie!" And Mrs. Black had lied—about her age—and about the age of her "little Johnny," the son of her first marriage. When big lusty Johnny arrives, in the latest fashionable London clothes and with a sheaf of "poker" debts and a "best girl," Mrs. Black is hard put to it to reconcile her statement that she was twenty-seven, with her seventeen-year-old son. But, as in all good comedies, everything comes right, but not before, it is claimed, everyone is well nigh exhausted with laughter. The other pictures include "The Crack o' Doom," a two-reel drama being the sixth episode of the serial drama "Trey 0' Hearts," "Topical War Budget," "The Wardrobe Woman," a Vitagraph drama of the footlights, "A Storm in a Tea Cup" (comedy), and "Tiny . Tim's Italian Protege." This programme will be shown to-night, tomorrow night, and Saturday afternoon only. On Saturday night "Mary Pickford" as"Rags" will be presented, in addition to being shown at the Empire. MARGUERITE CLARK IN "GRETNA GREEN."

A BEAUTIFUL PRODUCTION. Miss Marguerite Clark, a pretty and talented rival of Miss Mary Pickford, enacts the principal part in the Famous Players Company's delightful photo-play adaptation of the successful English drama "Gfetna Green," which is the premier attraction of the new programme introduced at the Empire Picture Palace last night td a crowded audience Miss Clark is liberally endowed with those gifts which were bound to win fame in her profession, and whatever may be the differences of opinion as to the respective merits of Miss Clark and Miss Pickford, there is no room for doubt as to the former's right to rank as a worthy rival of the "world's sweetheart." "Gretna Green" may be described as a "pretty play" of the picturesque days of the early part of the nineteenth century. Dolly Erskine (Miss Marguerite Clark). a lovable young heiress, resides with her sister Millie, and the latter's husband, Sir William Chetwynde, who is Dolly's guardian.' Dolly is a rare flirt, and is warned by Sir lv illiam that according to the terms of her inheritance she will lose her fortune if she does not wed a titled man. Sir William is a cruel, cal-lous-hearted man, who is feared and not loved by his wife. The Earl of Basset, a handsome young man who has tired of society, goes to live at the neighbouring villagevand hides his identity under the name of Murray, a riding instructor. Dolly is attracted by- the stranger, and immediately engages him to teach her horsemanship. They fall in love with each other, but Dolly overhears the riding master wagering that Dolly will be his wife within a mgnth. Pjqued at his confidence, Dolly dismisses him from her service. Trevor, a rejected suitor of Dolly's, observes Lady Chetwynde and a Captain Cardiff eloping at night time. He informs Sir William, who goes in pursuit. Dolly overhears the news, and forgetting her quarrel with the riding master hurries to him for his assistance in following the elopers to save her sister. The runaways' carriage breaks down and they take rest in a neighbouring house. Dolly and the riding master reach the place ahead of Sir William. They disuade Lady Millie from proceeding further, and Captain Cardiff takes the hint and flees from the scene. When Sir William arrives he finds that the elopers are apparently Dolly and her riding instructor, the deception being conceived by Dolly herself, who says she has married "Murray." Lady Millie is found hiding in the room, but Dolly's ready wit is equal to the occasion, and she states that her sister had followed them to prevent the marriage. Sir William believes the. story, but at once refuses any further acquaintance with Dolly and her "jockey" husband. Ostracised by her "set," Dolly decides to live as a stranger to him in the same house as the riding master, as, according to law, she was now his wife, having claimed him as her husband. • They mutually agree to obtain a divorce at an early date, but Cupid wills otherwise. When it becomes known that the "jockey" is the Earl of Basset Dolly and her husband are welcomed everywhere with the utmost cordiality, and their future happiness is assured. The entire production is splendidly carried out and easily ranks among the best films seen here. There is a capital supporting programme of varied items, and the music throughout is excellent. "Gretna Green" will be shown again to-night and to-morrow night. '-

MARY PICKFORD AS "RAGS" NEXT SATURDAY. Possessing rare cliarm, a magnetic personality, beauty, and undoubted talent, Miss Pickford is undisputed the foremost in her profession to-day. Millions have seen her work, and millions have admired her; she occupies a unique position in the rvdVctions of many countries and nations. Many -who would not understand her if .=hf spoke, understand the message she sends through the pictured vision on the screen. She has scarcely ever failed to give a great preformance, though.some suit her style and personality better than others. Of the latter, it is said that "Rags," the BOOOft Famous Players' feature film, which will be screened at the "Empire Picture Palace and Theatre 1 R"val nest Saturday, is particularly imitafole, and Teveals Miss Pickford's rej markable versatility and v talent to a marked degree. In "the prologue Mary Pickford portrays the part of the village beauty, much sought after, but making an unhappy choice. Misery, poverty and unhappinesa follow till the saddened little woman dies, after giving birth to a baby girl. The story movsc on sixteen years, and the bftby girl has grown to an unroarioua little ruffian, more boy -Stan girl, who is the terror of the town, a very demon of mischief and devilment, tan* vtth a loyal loyina Jwttt, vbo ns»

cues stray dogs and protects her drunken father with equal fierceness. However, romance comes into the strangely warped nature, and in time "Rags" is transformed into "Glory," with something of the polish of society. It will be seen by this brief resume that more than ordinary ability is required, and perhaps only a Mary Pickford W:ouhl play the parts convincingly. Jt is announced that the plan of reserved seats for the season is now open at the Empire Theatre or by 'phone 365. The box. l plan for "Bags" at the Theatre Royal on Saturday night only is at Collier's.