AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 July 1916, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS.

•WHOSO DIGGETH A PIT." The London Film Co., whose pictures are always of a high standard, have turned out a particularly brilliant and powerful dramatic story in "Whoso Diggelh a .Pit," the picture which heads the programme at the Enpire Picture Palace to-night. The production and photography are of a hi[,'h order, and with such popular actors as Gerald Ames, Mary Dibley and Charles Rode, the acting is highly efficient. The plot is cleverly worked out, and deals mainly with the misplaced trust cf a big financier in junior partner, as the latter, when tempted, proves a weakling and worse, and his attempt at crime but "digs a pit" in which be himself falls. The topical item, "Pathe Gazette," is always a welcome inclusion. There are also "Getting Rid of Aunt Kate" (Vita comedy), "The Assayer of Lone Gap" (drama), <vnd a Keystone comedy featuring Ford Stirling and Fred Mace. The same programme will be repeated tonight and to-morrow. THEATRE ROYAL PICTURES, THE BURGLAR AND THE LADY. "The Burglar and the Lady,' which heads the new programme at the Theatre Royal to-night, has a double interest, presenting not alone a good story, but also the champion of the prize ring, James J. Corbett, now a picture actor of no mean ability. The production, which is a Blache Feature, released through the U.S. Amusements Co 1 ., is an artistic, in fact, an elaborate production. Its interior sets are deep and beautiful, and have been arranged to give an impression of space. There is a smoothness of scene connection, and a logical development of the story that aids materially in the realism of the picture. In the classification cf the subject one hesitates to call it merely melodrama, for comedy-melodrama seems to suit the occasion better. Its situations are tense, but even so there is a real humor in the manner in which the gentleman burglar cleverly bridges a menacing gap by posing as a detective with the victim of the burglary falling in love with him while her jewelled neck lace reposes in the culprit's pocket. The picture is, moreover, not without its big thrill, which occurs when the burglar in his flight crosses from one high roof to another by means ol a rope swung over the open space. And it is not without its moment of pathos, which occurs at the meeting of the burglar and the ministerial suitor of the young woman, in her bedroom, where she has concealed the fascinating thief, and the recognition of the orphan brothers throws into bold relief the result of the influence of different environments. Claire Whitney plays opposite Corbett. and it may be said that this clever young actress has never been seen to better advantage. Supporting films include "The Swiss Mountains" (scenic), "Art for a Heart" (Vitagrapli comedy), "Pathe Gazette," and the 12th instalment of "The Trey 0 ' Hearts."