ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 November 1917, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"THE MANXMAN." It is not often that tlio American moving picture critics acknowledge supremacy in a film made outside tlio United States, but they are iiiianiiiious as to the outstanding; merits of "The Manxman." Tlio spectacular scones, the acting, the extraordinary "vision" photography, all are acclaimed by tliem as "tlie best ever done in any part of the picture-producing world." The London Film Company took the whole 0/ their huge acting company to the Isle of Man, and there many of the scenes were filmed. Nine thousand of the inhabitants of th« Isle are assembled in one scene, and the wonderful historic buildings of the oldest Parliament known to man, and the ancient Tywnald Court, are the real thing for once, and not an imitation scenic set standing in an American movie studio. There arc in addition vivid glimpses of many picturesque and lovely scenes in the eoastlands of the Me. Henry Ailney needs no praise to New Zealand audiences, his work in "The Prisoner of Zenda," ".Telfs." Sweet Lavender," and other London films having firmly established his popularity; but in Fred'. Groves, who takes the part of the deceived husband, Pete, picture-goers will meet an artist of outstanding anility. Elizabeth Risden has the best role of her career. The season opens at the Empire Theatre next Monday. The prices of admission will bo D.C. Is Gd, stalls Is, (plus Amusement Tax). Seats can bo booked at Collier's without any extra charge. , LAST NIGHT OP A SUPER-PRO-GRAMME AT EVERYBODY'S.

Miss Peggy Hylancl, who will be remembered as the sweet and winsome "Little Brown Eyes" in the St. Bartholomew massacre period of "Intolerance." is starred in the title role of "Babette," the thrilling Greater Vitagraph play which we screened to a full house at Everybody's last night. Babette, the pretty daughter of a French gaoler, meets and falls in love with Raveau, an able artist, who is nt the same time a clever and daring criminal. He, too, loves Babette, her girlish sweetness and innocence and her touching faith in him vrin him from his wild ways; he makes restitution and reparation as far as possible and they get married and. live very happily together in a studio at Montmartre, where a baby is born to tbem. A wonderful and tender thing is the young mother's love for her firstborn and her perfect trust in her artist husband. Unhappily his pictures do not sell. Poverty stares them in the face, and to keep the wolf from the door !Rav«jui, driven to desperation, turns pickpocket. How a keen detective tracks him down, how a generous and chivalrous act of former days stands him in good stead, how he is set free and becomes ft famous artist, loving and beloved, is wonderfully well told. William Farnum stars on the same programme in a brilliant Fox feature, "Fir<?s of Conscience," which is One of the finest clniracterisa•tions in which this deservedly popular artist has appeared. Both features will be finally screened to-night.

OLGA PETROVA IX A SUPREME SUCCESS AT THE EMPIRE.

Olga Petrova scores the greatest success of her career in 'The Sou] of a Magdalen," the fine MHro drama now screening at the Empire. Jn this production we have a familiar story in a new setting. It is the story of'a girl's sacrifice to provide the upkeep of an invalid mother and a crippled brother, who are depending upon her. Tn the guise of a patron of the arts a moral leper desires to instal Heloise as the newest Eve in his of Eden." He advance.* money to pay for her mother's operation and mediical comforts, but the girl's sacrifice is rendered vain by the mother's sudden collapse on learning the tru-ih. The shock restores Heloise to her moral foundations. ' She becomes secretary to an author, who falls in love with her, but whom she declines to marry because of her unfortunate past. The eoraing of Leland to the house as the accepted suitor for the hand of the author's sister decides her, however, to lay bare her own life, and in denouncing the villain she averts a shameful ■union and achieves unexpected happiness •for herself. Attractively produced, the play moves briskly and smoothly; the "Garden of Eden" scene being especially. sinking in its setting. The"'interest in the story, is undeniable, and the acting leaves nothing to he desired. The pro gramme also includes the sixth episode of "The- Secret of the Submarine," and a further instalment of the. interesting "Rex 'Beach Travel Series." This programme will be shown to-night, at the matinee to-morrow and finally to-mor-row night. LOOK WHO'S HERE.

Mr. Jack Waller's show,'"Look Who's Here" which has been widely heralded will open a two night's season here on Wednesday next. "The Empire theatre lias been engaged for the season and a speoial stage is to be erected and also Special stage lighting installed. This lias occasioned great expense to the management but Mr. Waller has had so many requests along the line for the show to visit the Tarannki towns that he determined to try New Plymouth. The management of the Empire theatre wero kiud enough to help Mr. .Waller in the matter so that the show will be played in it's entirety. The session in Wellington was such a success that the Grand Opera House lias been booked again next month for tlie great musical revue "Look Who's Here." Several ol £he artists are well-known to New Plymouth playgoers and include Mr, Jack Waller, Miss Cecilia Gold, Wylie Watson, Fred W. Dennett, and Gregory Ivanoff—these clever people were all members of the famous "Butterflies" brought here by Mr, Waller soine three years ago. Mr. Will Howler, the well known trap drummer and musician has been especially engaged and will render solos. The company carry it's own orchestra, "The Purple Band" a feature of the performance will be the well known musical item "1813" depicting Napoleon's retreat from Moscow. Thir item h conducted by Mr. Waller and in it are used 5 grand pianos. The box plan will open at Colliers on Monday next, and the prices are, 4/-, 3/-, 2/-, 1/-.