AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 July 1916, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

TITTELL BRUNE AT THE "EMPIR3.;' A CLEVER PERFORMANCE. "Esther Redeemed," the first film representation of New Zealand's greatest stairr favorite, Miss TiUcll Brune, is tlie star feature of tlie new programme shown at tlie Empire to capacity houses at both performances on Saturday. Tlie powerful performance of this mistress of tlie emotions, as slip acts tlie part of the litle girl Estiier, first as a eriiuinal in criminal surroundings, next as a bright and innocent girl, tlien reverting again to vicious ways, and finally as the adored wife of a young man, gives a very vivid exhibition of Miss Bnine's versatile talents. The girl Esther comes under the notice of an eminent surgeon, who operates on her brain, and so closes her mind to her past life, opening to her a ■iiturc of innocence and happiness. She falls in love with Roland Decpncr, and Eiey are married. Later she meets her farmer evil associates, but knows them not. They ill-treat her. and as the re- } riilt of a fall her past life and instincts | ennie back to her and she robs her busband. Then the surgeon reappears on the scene, succeeds in getting her to her home, and performs another critic,: i ~,n« ration. She recovers, her former- <-,, i :isociates are hoist on their own petard, and the [day ends with the happy ('online reunited, with all the hideous past thrust for ever out of their ken. A very good supporting series includes the latest "Caumont Oraphic." describing events in the war zones and showing British •roops ou the march. Another sc-rcncliint ''.illy Reeves comedy, "And the Parn.i. .".aid ." combine:' with •'Walelwren" .'scenic) and "Old Oood-for-Xothing" I (cmiicdv) to make a first-rate entertainK'

FIRST TRIANGLE FILM. THFATRK ROYAL TO-NIGHT. "The* Coward," a typical dramatic "feature" photo-play associated with the American civil war, will be the centre of attraction at the Theatre Royal to-night when :i ivw programme will be presented. The production is one of the new Triangle Kay-Bee films created under the supervision of Thomas H. Ince. It is a six-reel subject elaborately mounted and deftly handled in the presentation of the atmosphere of 18C1 in the Southern States. The producers have trone to the utmost limits in depicting things as they were in those dark days of the tragic struggle between North and South. The costumes of the times, the old colonial mansions, and the military spectacular scenes are deserving of special commendation. Hundreds of performers participate in some of the scenes. There is one incident in particular that creates a startling effect The hero is galloping at full speed on horseback when lie is shot and wounded while crossing a bridge with the result that both steed and rider are precipitated into the stream. It is represented in the story that brave old Colonel Winslow, a veteran of the Mexican war, is so horrified when his son cowardly deserts from the Southern forces that he himself enlists as a private. The Northern forces enter the township and the son, while in hiding, overhears the enemy generals discussing their plans. Young Winslow ivercomes his cowardice, seizes a couple of revolvers, surprises the officers, and secure-; their plans. He then mounts a charger and at breakneck speed flies towards the Southern army pursued by a Northern cavalry squad. TJie old colonel mistakes his son fur an enemy, and shoots him off hi= h»rse as he gallops across a bridge. M" "Ugh severely wounded the younger struggles ashore, delivers the message, and enables the Southern army to strike a crushing blow against the enemy. The coward thus redeems himself and the old colonel joyfully greets his now heroic son. There are two other most enjoyable items, •'Pathe Gazette" and "Love and the Law" (Vita, comedy), while the musical portion of the entertainment will be in the 1 and of the Symphony Orchestra.