AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 May 1916, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

MARY PICKFORD IN "RAGS" AT THE EMPIRE TO-DAY. Mary JPickford in . "Rags" w i|| b e shown twice to-day at the Empire Picture Palace. First at the matinee at 2.;;0 and again at 8 o'clock sharp. Miss Mary Pickford has to a remarkable degree installed herself in the affections of picture-goers the world over, and there is to a large extent a personal interest in any picture in which she appears. Her charming and magnetic personality and rare talent lift any picture out of the ordinary, and'when she does find a suitable vehicle for her particular style, she seems to be possessed of genius. It is said that such a picture is the 0000 ft. feature film produced by the Famous Players' Company, "Rags," in which many and widely varying phases of life are portrayed. "Ra"s" has been hailed as being 'equal if not superior to "Tess of the Storm Country " in whicl' Miss Pickford herself thinks she did her best work, and is the story "f the waif of a Western town—more boy than girl—tho terror of the village lads.who is willing to fight a barroom full of men to protect her drunken father, and to fight with equal fierceness to rescue a stray dog from the tender mercies of the boys. 'To this uncouth, half-wild thing romance comes, and transforms her nature entirely. A beautiful story is developed with a striking climax. Humor, pathos, tenderness, romance, and the wiltl spirit of the West arc cleverly intermingled into a truly great play which has been one of the outstanding successes of the screen. The management announce that there is no advance in prices, and the box plan for reserved seats is at the Theatre, and is rapidly filling.

MARY PICKFORD IN "RAGS" AT THEATRE ROYAL TO-NIGHT. Those attending the TJifeatr- Royal this evening will have the.opportunity of seeing a picture unique in characterisation and conception, vet powerful and thrilling. In "Rags" Mary Pickford has scored her greatest success. She is primarily all emotional actor and admirably audi faithfully portrays' the light and shade in the life of "Rags," an uncouth hair-wild girl, brought up in a camp, with/no one to care for her. Deprived of her mother at an early age, principally through the drunken habits of her father, "Rags" develops hitherto latent characteristics, a dominant spirit, and a fiery temper. She is at once the champion of the weak and ruler of the camp/ Through the story runs the romance of the girl's attachment'to a young man, and when the final scene is presented "Rags" is a lady of fashion and affluence. The story is splendidly told and is stated to Pickford's finest characterisation. A special programme will be shown at the matinee this afternoon, the star film being the sixth instalment of "The Trey O' Hearts." On Monday night the management promise two unusually big features.

FRIEND AND FOE ON THE HIGH SEAS. ' Two methods have been defined by which the Allies may win the war. One is, in the phrase of' Sir John (now Viscount) French, "Munitions and munitions and more munitions." The other is by the unceasing and finally irresistible pressure of the British Navy. These views must have been in the minds of the British War Office and Admiralty when they chose the sights of war and preparations which they would permit to be filmed for the series "Friend and Foe on the High Seas," which will be presented at the Theatre Royal on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday next. In this new programme first, in point of length, is the Famous Players comedydrama "The Bachelor's Romance," ,in which the eminent character-actor, Jojin Emerson, is seen to great advantage. The story is a delightful one, and it is highly amusing and interesting to watch the gradual growth of love in the middle[aged woman-hater, David Holmes, upon whom has been thrust the care of: a young girl. The splendid acting of Emerson and the other members of the company stamp the picture as out of the crdinary, whilst the production and plot are alt that could be desired. "Friend and Foe on the High Seas" is only second to the big picture in point of length. It is undoubtedly one"of the most, impressive and inspiring naval pictures that has been shown. Battleships, destroyers, submarine!) are seen in battle line and dashing through stormy seas,; wirious vessels of the Allied Fleets are seen guarding the coasts, and in contrast views of the German Fleet at anchor in Kiel Canal are shown. An extremely amusing set of cartoons, "Colonel Heeza Liar—War Dog" is responsible for much merriment, and the latest Pathe Gazette i? also included.