AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 June 1916, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

~ THEATRE ROYAL PICTURESAnother dramatic masterpiece entitled "The Scar'-" heads tlie line .programme which is to be initially presented to- ; night at the Theatre Royal. The picture ! is filmed in three reels, and it features : Estelle Mardo and Harry Morey in a story which is portrayed with forcible and thrilling realism. The subject is an unusual one, for it deals with the trickery of a cocaine-crazed assassin, who tries to avoid the consequences of his crime 'by implicating someone else. Evidence is accumulated against the wrong-ly-accused, and a verdict jf guilty of murder is given against him. Innocence, however, is vindicated, and the man is saved by the recognition of a peculiar scar on the victim's hand. This film is a Vitagraph Broadway Star Feature, and it comes with a big reputation. In striking contrast to this thrilling drama is a delightful comedy romance by the same producers entitled "The Romance of a Handkerchief." This is capably enacted by Maurice Costello, Leah, Baird, Betty Young and Van Dyke Brook. A classic society photoplay is "Hearts in Shadow" in which the beautiful Vivian Rich appears in the leading role. The programme also includes two comedies, "Knock-out Duggan's Find" (Selig), and "A Ready Made Maid" • (Lubin); "Pathe's Australian Gazette" (topical); and the seventh instalment of the popular serial drama "The Trey o' Hearts'* under the title of '■Stalemate." ■ EMPIRE PICTURE PALACE. The big picture of the new programme at the Empire Picture Palace, shown for the first time last night before a large audience, opens up a fresh aspect of what is known as "tlie cternail triangle." The subject is entitled "The Second Commandment" and it has been gorgeously produced by the Kalem artists, chief among Wiiom are Dorothy Bernard, Guy Coombs and Anna. Nilson. The story is full of powerful human situations throYighom, whicli are \vejl acted, and keep, the audience in tense expectation from begining to end. The story lias a big moral climax. Yet another popular dramatic offering was "The Little Sales-lady,' a sympathetic picture of the shop girl's life produced in Edison's writable style. A topical film which proved unusually interesting was a series secured by permission of the French military authorities of "The Bombardment and Attack on Reichackerkopf." This picture shows —Down in the trenches, with his eyes fixed on the enemy's trenches, the watcher gives an account of. his observations to the officer who questions him. 8 a.m., the bombardment begins. Our guns together with machine guns and .rifle fire open on the woods with terrific effect. Our guns belch forth death. The telephone incessantly functions enabling, the batteries to rectify their fire. The wind changes opportunely and diverts the poisonous gases toward the enemy. German trenches on fire. Towards end of bombardment our soldiers bring back the first prisoners. Captured German officers. Cross-questioning. Eight hundred prisoners testify to the efficiency of our victorious offensive. There are several other good films included, all of which will be repeated again to-night and tomorrow. "THE DERBY WINNER* The announcement that this wellknown drama is to be screened at the Empire Picture Palace, commencing next Saturday, will be received with pleasure by many thousands of people who, in the past, were strong supporters of Bland 'Holt's Dramatic Co. "The Derby Winner" was a trump card of Bland Holt's, and by its quick action, military and sporting scenes, impressed itself on the minds of its admirers. Another point of interest to the Dominion lies in the fact that the leading lady of this dramatic production will be Miss Eve Balfour, a, New Zealander who went Home and made good on the London dramatic stage, and while at the height of her success an engagement was offered (and accepted) by .the London Film Co. to take the principal part in the elaborate spectacular play. Every stirring incident of the play has been compressed into the 5000 ft drama, and the press of Australasia says that it is really a masterpiece of the dramatic picture producer. "The 'Derby Winner" will he 1 shown for three nights a'nd the matinee only. Scats may be reserved at the Theatre where the box plan is on view.