AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 May 1916, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

"FRIEND AND FOE" AT THE THEATRE ROYAL. A .nried and excellent programme with muck in it that is refreshingly topical was screened for the lirst time ut the Theatre Royal last evening in the presence of an unusually large amlir.ice. In this turbulent time of war and wondrous happenings, little has come to us in moving-picture form that really portrayed the war machine in motion. "Friend and Foe on the High Seas" is a film that gives one a better idea of the modem lighting ships and their doings than any film yet seen here. What is claimed to be the German fleet skulking in the Kiel Canal is pictured with a deal of detail, while there are genuine views of large squadrons of the Allies' ships patrolling the seas, cleared and in fighting trim. A submarine is closely pictured first steaming along the surface., then submerging, and finally steaming with only the periscope showing. While submerged the underwater craft fires a torpedo, an act that can be easily detected by an extraordinary disturbance that takes place 'on tke surface. There arc various other views and phases of the doings of the maritime war machine. Another feature film, "The Bachelor's Romance," is presented by • the Famous Players Company. The film features John Emerson, the renowned American artist, and is of a length sufficient to. occupy the second half of the programme. Mr. Emerson portrays the role of David Holmes, an eccentric bachelor, ivho is not comfortable in the presence of the opposite sex. He falls, however, into a violent love affair with his young and pretty ward, who seems well pleWed with the turn of events. Each believes that their love is in vain until an unexpected climax precipitates them into the "happy-evcr-afterwards" stage. The Pathe Gazette pictures the enormous damage caused by the recent flooding in Holland, and several other immensely interesting happenings. The "Colonel Heezaliar's War Dog" Cartoon was most hilariously received. The same films will be repeated to-night and to-morrow night. LAST NIGHT OF MARY PICKFORD IN "RAGS." The wistful, child-like charm of Miss Mary Pickford, the delightful picture actress, who has fascinated a world, was never seen to better advantage than in the drama, "Rags," submitted 'again at the Empire Picture ■Palace last evening to an overwhelming audience. Miss Pickford, as the diminutive 'Rags," acts with- all her old simplicity and charm, and in in, a breath a heart-touch-ing, pathetically humorous creation that has to he seen to be appreciated. The story is quite a gocd line. In. a little village remote from the glitter of modern "city life lives Alice M't'loml. a handsome young woman, who has twe very ardent admirers. As is usually the case in story books and plays, her love is given to the wrong one, a bank cashier, who on the wedding day is found to be a thief. His rival in love is tin manager of the bank, who in his self sacrificing love for Alice forgives the cashier and pleads with him to lead r decent life. Ills words fall on deaf ears and down the broad easy ror.d he goes dragging Alice with him to a state o utter misery snd penury. Alice lias i child—"Rags'—and a lapse of six teen years finds l'.or growii into a verit able imp of mischief, but with the hear of a mother for her degenerate fathci and at once the pet and terror of th neighbourhood. It is the everyday lif incidents of this impulsive creature, am the romance that follows with a pleas ant young man from the East, tha makes one of' the most agreeable pic ture plavs seen in New Plymouth for ; long time. There is fiOOOft of 'ißags, and most of the audience would hav welcomed the announcement that it rai to OO.OOOft—such, is the inimitabl charm of Mary Pickford. The pro gramme also included a good comic and a capital topical gazette. "Rags will lie shown for the last time to night. Seats may be reserved at th Theatre, or by 'phone 30.5.