AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 June 1916, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

"THE DAUGHTER OP DARKNESS"

TO-NICHT AT THE EMPIRE.

The star feature of the new programme at the Empire Picture Palace tonight is a "Cines" production entitled as above. The "Cines Company" has been responsible for many of the biggest and most successful films yet made, notable instances being "Anthony and Cleopatra" and "Quo Vadis." In" "The Daughter of Darkness" such a succession of exciting incidents as follow one another in rapid order are not often compressed in a sensible story. But the author of this sensational film has worked out the plot in a most interesting manner. "The Daughter of Darkness" leads a double life, being at one and the same time a dancer and quick change artist at a vaudevile show, and a darin» criminal, whose deeds are puzzling the police. A clever detective gains an idea that the two characters are identical, and his suspicions are quickly confirmed' by his investigations. The abduction of a millionaire's daughter is reported, and the detective immediately believes that the crime is the work of the dancer. A thrilling battle of wits ensues, but although the defective rescues the millionaire's daughter and breaks up the stronghold of the dancer, the latter cleverly evades capture. The film is full of unexpected turns, including a motorear chase, a motor smash in front of an express train, a sensational escape of a female by a rope swinging from a window, a petrol explosion, a fall from a fast travelling motor, etc. ~ There is a high grade list, of auxiliary Hems. "The Metallurgy of Zinc" is an educational subject of great interest, "Topical War Budget" is a good number, "His Lordship" (Lubin comedy), "When Empty Hearts are Filled" (Plying "A" drama) and "Love and Labor" (Beauty comedy) complete .the programme. 'Delightful orchestral music will be provided by the Symphony Band. LAST NIGHT OF~NIOBE."

The Famous Players' Company are noted for the excellence of their pictures and one of their most prominent successes has been the film adaptation of the clever sparkling comedy drama "Niobe," which will be finally shown tonight at the Theatre Royal. The story of the famous statue of the Goddess of Tears, who, after 3000 years, came to life in the house of Peter Amos Dunn loses nothing by its transference to the screen; in fact, the camera is able to enlarge and elaborate the story to a remarkable degree, introducing scenes from the days of early history as well as of modern times. It would be difficult to imagine a better exponent of "Niobe" than the beautiful and charming Miss Hazel Dawn, who is also splendidly supported by the Peter Amos of Charles Abbe. The whole programme presented is exceptionally good. "In support of the star film is a bright "Beauty" comedy that has an original and clever plot, "Deserted at the Auto." A Vitagraph drama "Good in the Worst of Us," the "Pathe Gazette," and a beautiful scenic of "Matlock, England," are also shown, each being in its way splendid^

HELEN'S BABIES. Commencing to-morrow night another brilliant programme is to be offered in which the fascinating story, "Helen's Babies," will be the featured attraction. The novel has been so widely read that there is scarcely any need to say anything more than that it will be screened, and that the picture transcends tite book. Another outstanding feature will be "The Third Commandment." This is said to be a most penetrating story, crowded with color and adventure. "BRITAIN PREPARED,"

* The magnificent set of naval and military pictures entitled "Britain Prepared," will be presented in New Plymouth at the Theatre Royal, commencing on Thursday night, June 29. Covering every phase of the Army and Navy the pictures have a great educational value as well as being most entertaining. Of great interest is the set showing the making of munitions in the big workshops in England, in which thousands of women are engaged. The Army in the making, from the choosing and training of the raw recruit and the sterner work cf the more finished troops until they marcli past His Majesty the King to "somewhere" at the front, evokes much applause. The naval part of the subject is most exhaustive, and shows more clearly than has ever been shown before the immense power of our "first line of defence." Altogether the pictures are easily the greatest of their kind that have been shown and bring home with great force the magnitude of Britain's might in the great task in which she is now engaged. The box plan for the New Plymouth season will open at Collier's on Saturday morning next, June 24.