THE EMPIRE.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 July 1916, Page 3

THE EMPIRE.

CHARLIE CHAPLIN COMEDY, TO-DAY FROM 2 P.M. "TILLIE'S PUNCTURED ROMANCE." "Six reels of Charles Chaplin'' fittingly describes the big Keystone farcecomedy "Tillies Punctured Romance," which attracted a crowded'house to "The Empire" last _ night. Miss Marie Dressier, a weighty comedienne of a rollicking type, takes the part of Tiliie, a country maiden, v.-ho makes a chance acquaintance with Charles Chaplin, a city Romeo. Chaplin soon discovers that Tillies father has a considerable sum of money in the house. Charlie induces Tillie to elope with him, not forgetting to bring her father's roll of banknotes with her. Their first step is a cabaret, where Tillie has the first drink ot her life. Mabel Normand appears as a fascinating young city damsel who has followed Charlie since his arrival in town. Tillio imbibes too freely and turns the . cabaret upsidedown with her frolics. Charlie in the meanwhile seizes her money and decamps with Miibcl. Tillie becomes obnoxious and is arrested. The police discover that Tillie's uncle is Douglas Banks, the big millionaire of the city. She is escorted to her uncle's beautiful mansion, and there creates such a scene of uproar that her uncle orders her from the house. Tillie now obtains a position as waitress at a cheap restaurant. Her uncle, much distressed at the incident, goes away to seek a change by mountain climbing. Here he accidentally falls a great distance, and his guide, believing that the millionaire is killed, telephones the news to the hitter's secretary, A will is discovered bequeathing the Banks millions to Tillie. Charlie buys a newspaper, which announces Tillies good fortune, and the quest for her. He promptly steals back to Tillie, craves her pardon, and drags her off to a minister, who hurriedly marries them On their return to the restaurant Tillie is discovered by the millionaire's secretary, who astonishes her with the good news. The heiress and her festive spouse next proceed to take possession of their new home, a veritable palace, where, they entertain on a lavish scale and give a magnificent ball. The fun becomes fast and furious. The inevitable "awakening" takes place wl«m the millionaire recovers from his fall and arrives home amidst a tumult of indescribable riot. The uncle orders the ejectment of everybody. and Charlie, realising that Tillie's castle has vanished in the air, runs away with Mabel, pursued by the enraged Tillie. The chase culminates at the end of a pier, where Tillie falls into the sea. There is a positive whirlwind of excitement at this—the climax of a most laughable play. Police, in a flying motor-car, a 25-miles an hour police launch, a surf-boat that performs gymnastic feats, and the thrilling rescue of Tillie are the couehidini Incidents. "Tillie's Punctured Romance" will be shown again throughout to-day and tonight.

THE WORLD'S SWEETHEART. LITTLE MARY PICKFORD. IX 'TIIE DAWK OF A TO-MORROW " Francis Hodgson Burnett's groat drama. "The Dawn of a To-mnrrow ( " lias Ion;; been a stage favorite. Xow comes the Famous Players' screen version with "Little Marv," the world's sweetheart, and the screen's greatest exponent, as lead. Tn this celebrated play that gladdened the hearts oF so many, and the screen version of which ivill cheer as many thousands more. Mary Piekford portrays the wonderful character of (Had. the beautiful, rasped girl of the Loudon slums, whose undying optimism and heroic courage even starvation ami deadly peril arc unable to quench. The delicacy of Miss Pickfnvd's portraval and the threads of forceful symbolism woven about the drama urc said to make an unforgettable impression on the spectator. How the ignorant little slum girl, by her beautiful faith in the mysterious Power she hut vaguely comprehends, is enabled to save her lover's life from the fallows, keep a great financier from suicide, bringing liini a new hope, and meaning of life, and awaken his reprobate nephew to a better mjnhood, is vividly told. Tt has been said that this drama of human suffering and hope has brought to many a despairing soul a new inspiration to bear the trials of to-day in the expectancy of to-morrow's dawn. "The Dawn of a To-morrow" will lie screened for two nights only, next Monday and Tuesday, at The Empire. Seats may be reserved at Collier's.