AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 June 1916, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

"STOLEN GOODS" AT THE EMPIRE PICTURE PALACE. Tlie centra] attraction of the new programme shown on Saturday to overflowing audiences at the Empire '' : <'U ri> Palace is a three-reel Lasky -->»ptation •from a famous novel, hearing 4 .e title "Stolen Goods." The favorite "movie" artiste, Blanche Sweet, assumes the part of the heroine of the drama, Margaret Huntly. The plot concerns the vicissitudes of the career of Margery, who is employed as a tailoress. She is sent out to do some shopping, and finds herself at a counter with a Miss Hope, who, possessing much money, is yet a kleptomaniac. Miss Hope steals a costly piece o* lace; The theft is discovered, and the woman places the fabric in Margery's hag. It is found there, and while the perpetrator of the theft goes with her father to Belgium, the girl is imprisoned. When the time arrives for her release she becomes a nurse, eventually finding herself in a makeshift hospital at the front. Here she again comes in contact with Miss Hope, who is now a refugee. Margery protects her, lint she is crushed beneath some debris. Thereupon the nurse decides to take the place of the other in life. Events now move rapidly, and the wronged girl is seen taking up the social position of the other and living in the lap of luxury. Tjove comes her way, but at -the climax of her happiness 3fiss Hope appears and claims her own. As a consequence the •;ivl is again without a home, but happy in the possession of an adored lover. Supporting this drama is a rollicking Vitagraph fun-film. ."Welcome to Bohemia.'' in which a mother-in-law breaks up a joyful party, but in the finish she proves herself a sport. There is in addition a film showing the departure from Wellington of one of the reinforcement drafts, an edition of the 'iPatlie Gazette," whic-li carries more than the usual amount of interest; a really charming collection of views in and about Genoa, and an intensely interesting series showing the hunting of the regal pythons. The same programme will be repeated to-night and to-morrow-night. -XIOBE" TO-NIGHT AT THEATRE ROYAL There is an exceptionally good programme of pictures and music announced for to-night at the Theatre Royal. The feature film is entitled "Niobe," with that beautiful and talented actress, Hazel Dawn, in the title role. It is a fascinating comedy-drama, from the play of Harry and Edward Paulton, »nd la j produced by the Famous Plavers' Com- I nany. Tlie story of tlie "Goddess of Tears" begins 3001) years ago-, and it is made to end to-day, a humorous blending of the ancient and modern. Incidentally it might be remarked that for stage setting and general photography '"Xiobe" is one of the best-produced plays yet released from tlie ■ Players' studios. The scenes v.; 1 ,ie>>ict cities of ancient Rome and a , , t . '• customs are beautifully portrayed, while those showing modern society are of a high standard of excellence. The h,umor of the play is derived from the fact that Peter Amos T)unii, president of an insurance company, brings to his own house, for safe keeping, the precious statue of Niobe, which his company has heavily insured. Electricians wiring the house at the time wrap the electric coils about the feet of the statue. Dunn falls asleep and dreams that the current passes through the wires, bringing tlie statue to life. As the incarnated statue that rouses havoc with the insurance company president, Miss -Dawn has numerous and unequalled opportunities for the display of her captivating powers. There are several other good pictures, including "Picturesque Matlock," a scenic; a Yitagraph drama, ''Good in the Worst of Us"; the "Patlie Gazette." and "Deserted at the Auto," a comic. A capital musical programme will be supplied by the Symphony Orchestra.