AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 June 1916, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

"HELEN'S BABIES" TO-NIGHT AT THE THEATRE ROYAL. "I-leler.'s Babies" is a book which makes its appeal to grown-ups even more than to children. Like Kipling's "Stalky and Co." it has a charm that interests as well .as amuses. The film caused a furore in America by reason of its clever adaptation. The story is well told in a picturesque style, and is brimming with the fun and frolic of healthy, hearty youngsters who harrass an indulgent uncle until he wonders if there is anything on earth that can control children. In addition to the star attraction, a picked programme of dramatic subjects will be shown. These include "The Third Commandment," a play rich in exciting situations, with a big climax that drives the message it contains deep into the heart. It shows the result of a man committing perjury in order to gain the love of a young and pretty woman. "Steel Ribbons" is the tenth instalment of the thrilling Trans-Atlantic serial story "The Trey o' Hearts." A topical film of unusual interest is "The Armies of France," showing a visit from the French President." "Round About Yanman (China)," (travelogue) and "Lonesome Luke," a Pathe comedy, complete a capital programme.

EMPIRE PICTURE PALACE. Sensationalism holds sway in the Cincs Company's "feature" photo-play "The Daughter of Darkness," which was screened with the new programme at the Empire Picture Palace last night. The story is slightly reminiscent of the exploits of the famous "Zigomar" .except that in "The Daughter of Darkness" the principal character is a woman, who is also youthful and pretty. The theme is exciting, and although beyond the bounds of feasibility is none the less entertaining. The staging is on a costly scale, and there are some "big" scenes—a fire and a gigantic ex-plosion, which are thoroughly genuine. The "star" film is assisted by '"Futile ("iazette," "His Lordship" (Lubin comedy), "Metallurgy of Ziiic" (Gnuinont scientific), "Love ami Labor" (Vita, comedy), ami "When Empty Hearts are filled" (drama), each of which was thoroughly appreciated. The same programme will be repeated tonight and to-morrow.