ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 April 1918, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS.

EVERYBODY'S. | SENSATIONAL SUPER-FEATURE. "RASPUTIN—THE BLACK MONK." Everybody's was much too small to Accommodate the cro-wd desirous of viewing the great World film triumph, "Rasputin, The Black Monk," on Saturday evening. The strangest figure in probably the whole world's history is the i central character of "Rasputin, the Black ! Monk." The rise of the Siberian peasant, at one time the object of contempt of his village, until his title of the "Black Czar" was whispered throughout Russia, is one of the most extraordinary happening of all times. Here in this great masterpiece the secret of his power over women, which helped, iiis rise to power, is revealed, and the merciless revelation is the real historical truth. Nothing can be said which is too high praise of the merits of the drama. Expense was not spared, in the making of the picture, and tie full pomp and splendour of the Russian Imperial Court is shown with all the profligacy and wanton conduct which was hidden within its palaces. The story opens with the first idsa that the "Black Monk" conceived of his sway over the populace. His first important victim was a lady of the Court, and from here he gained an ascendancy over the mind (and, it is whispered, the heart) of the Czarina. This was through his almost miraculous cure of the ailing Czarewitch. His downfall was swift and terrible, for he was trapped by revolutionists through his besetting sin, and his life was quickly ended. An imposing cast interprets the drama, headed by Montague Love, and including June Elvidge, Irving Cumming (who was the principal character in "The Whip"), Arthur Ashley, Lilian Cook, Henry Hall, and Julian Dean. To enable all patrons to view the film, the management has arranged to screen it again to-night and to-morrow also. The fifth episode of "The Girl and the Game" will be shown for the last time to-night.

THE EMPIRE. "HISTORY OF THE WAR.". : GREAT PATHE SERIAL TO-NIGHT, The first chapter of the great Pathe topical film, "The History of the War," commences at the Empire to-night.. This scries of pictures is a valuable historical record of the present war, from the events leading up to the break between Austria and Serbia to the titanic straggle of the present day. The first part of this mammoth educational film deals with the "birthplace of the great war," showing Serajevo, the scene of the assassination of the Archduke Francis Ferdinand. The bombardment of Belgrade, and th« decision of Serbia to endure and fight rather than lose her indei pendence and become a vassal of Aus-tria-Hungary, is also depicted, along with many other happenings of historical interest in the Balkan States during the first days of hostilities. Students of the war ltnd the general public will find a gripping interest in each weekly instalment of this picture. On the same programme there is also a big World film feature, "Shall We Forgive Her 5" with June Elvidge in the leading role.