AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 May 1916, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

EMPIRE PICTURE PALACE. For many weeks the Empire Picture Palace has been very freely patronised. Its high reputation promises to be further enhanced during the screening of the new programme which will be initially presented to-night. The leading film Is a three-reel picturisation by "Kalem" players entitled "The Second I Commandment." "Kalem" has long enjoyed an enviable position as one of the most successful producers of modern society dramas, and tire work of the artists in "The Second Commandment" is second to none. The principal players are Guy Coombs, Dorothy Bernard and Anna Nilson and the story shows in many dramatic scenes how vitally tho power of faith has been brought home to us to-day, affecting our individual and social welfare in a multitude of ways. The .story has a big moral climax l , and the dresses and effects are gorgeous. Other films include an authentic picture of the "Bombardment and Attack on Reiehackerkope" (actual photos of the engagement by permission of French military authorities); "Tweeney's Xmas Bird," a Vitagraph comedy featuring Hughie Mack. Flora Finch, and Kate Price; "The Little Saleslady" (Edison drama); "Pathe's War Gazette"; and "The Quest of a Widow" (Vitagraph comedy). Not the least enjoyable part of the entertainment will be the musical selections by the Empire Symphony Orchestra. THEATRE ROYAL PICTURES. A comedy-drama that commends itself particularly to the fair sex, "The Bachelor's Romance," constitutes the premier "draw" of the series of motion pictures which will be finally shown tonight at the Theatre Royal. ' The play is adapted from tho stage and produced by the Famous Players' Company with pleasing results. The mountings and natural settings leave nothing to be desired. The acting is in keeping with the best traditions of the Famous Players' Company. The eminent American character-actor, John Emerson, appears as David Holmes, the lovable, yet eccentric, bachelor. Holmes is a famous literary critic on the staff of a big newspaper. He becomes so absorbed in his work that he never finds time to notice other things in life. He has an utter abhorrence for femininity, protesting that women upset him. One day lie is greatly perturbed to receive intimation that he has been made the guardian of a ten years' old orphan girl, Sylvia. Now the fun starts and it keeps the audience in a merry mood throughout. A supplementary picture that evoked enthusiastic applause is "Friend and Foe on the High Seas," a superb study of the warships of the British, German, .and French, in port and at sea. "The Pathe Gazette" and "Colonel Heezaliar's War Dog Cartoon" are most enjoyable, numbers. An entirely new series will be shown to-morrow, featuring an extraordinary Vitagraph Broadway Star entitled "The Scar," also the seventh episode of "The Trey o' Hearts." THE ROYAL STROLLERS. Messrs. J. and N. Tait announce in this issue that the Royal Strollers will appear for one night only at the Theatre Royal, New Plymouth, on Wednesday, June 7. This talented English company is from the Palace Theatre, London, and has just completed a most successful tour of Australia, embracing seasons of sixteen weeks Adelaide, ten weeks Melbourne, and fifteen weeks in the Palace Theatre, Sydney. The company is headed by Mr. Sydney James (the organiser of the party), who with other Strollers, was commanded to appear before the " present King and Queen during one of their many London seasons. The mem- !. bers of this clever company have been associated for many years, and their success is due to the cohesion in their work, brought about by this lengthy association, and also the originality and individual artistry of the members. This is the first visit of Mr. Sydney James and his merry folk to New Zealand, but they have toured South Africa no less than five times. The Australian press has ■ described Mr. James as the most versatile comedian that has ever visited that country, but his strong point is his marvellous power* »s « ventriloquist, and

the discourses of his doll "Billy" are a special feature of delightful performances. The support, accorded to Mr. James is exceptionally strong and includes Miss Madeline Rossiter, a brilliant comedienne and dancer, a great . London favorite; Miss Gwen Lewis, in ' songs at the piano; Mr. G. W. Desmond, light comedian and eccentric ragtime dancer; and Mr. George Graystone Vano, Miss Connie Milne, Mr. C. W. Northcote and Mr. Arthur Frost make up what is described as an ideal band of players who should make strong appeal to the discriminating theatre-goer. The New Plymouth season is limited to one night, and a special programme will be presented, including all the gems from the Strollers' inexhaustible repertoire. The Strollers will appear in Eltham on Thursday, Jane 8. » The box plan for the New Plymouth season opens at Collier's on Saturday morning. 1