ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 December 1918, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

~ EVERYBODY'S. "THE WOMAN IN WHITE." Miss Florence La Badie made the greatest of lier successes as the heroine of a big serial story, "The Million Dollar Mystery," which rail-in' New Zealand some three years or ao ago. Now she comes to the fore in another film, success. This is "The Woman in White," a complete drama that holds, first place on the new jirogriimuie at Everybody's. ''The Woman in White" has practically every element of a good drama. There is suspense, the story is always moving, the scenes are often stirring,, and there is a deep human interest through it all. Wilkie Collins wrote the tale first as a novel, and it contains t,wo heroines — the one a rich lady, th& other in poverty and with a weak mind. Yet both theso people are very much alike. The rich girl, Laura, is married against her will

to a husband who wants only her money. She falls ill. The other woman is called Ann, She is in an asylum, but she escapes, and dies- The man seizes the chance, sends his wife to the asylum as Ann, takes the body, of tho poor imbecile/and passes it off as the corpse of his wife. So, for tho time being lie has control of her money. But then Fate steps in, and the result is the dcuth of the heartless husband, the restoration of her freedom to Laura, and her ultimate marriage with the man she. really loves. That, in brief, is tlie story, but it has many exceptional incidents which are not spoken of here, except merely to say that these incidentals to. the real, progress of the plot have the effect of introducing much beauty, a very great heart-interest, and a long dramatic susThe supporting subjects are worthy of mention- They include comedies and topical tll'emes.

THE EMPIRE; MATINEE TO-DAY; At the Empire this afternoon and again to-night Emily Stevens stars in the Metro feature, "A Sleeping Memory," a picture quite out of the ordinary The story is striking, following closely Phillip Oppenheim's great novel, and the acting is wonderfully powerful and convincing It is a production that is unusual in every sense of the word. "A Sleeping Memory" is truly a special production de luxe, giving wonderful Emily Stevens an opportunity to he more wonderful than ever In this seven-act feature the star is obliged to play the roles of women throughout all the ages of the world's history, each a totally distinct type. They aro parts, that call for drafaatic fire, for powerful acting even greater than any this gifted star has ever before been called upon to display To-night will be the last screening of this special feature.

THE EMPIRE. ; OOJIIXG MONDAY. "THE SIGN INVISIBLE One of the First National Exhibitors special features. "The Sign Invisible," is coming to the Empire for a three night season commencing on Monday.. This is a great soul-ptirring story of the country which served as the background for "The Harrier" and Big Mitch Lewis, who in that uraina immortalized the character oi 'Poleon. again lias the central part, and again proves himself the mighty screen personality His great lieartedncss and lovcableness will win the admiration of every beholder The drama is a First National release and it therefore goes without saying that it is produced in first class style- and 13 a first-class story. It tells of a. man who lost faith in God and regained it partly through a seeming miracle and partly through the influence of a good girl This i:i inwoven with the love ail'aira of "Lone Deer" and his little Indian girl Winona. The whole is a powerful and full-blooded portrayal of life in wild places and there are some positively Homeric fights The heroine's part ■ played by Mabel Juline Scott, while i lie evil-minded Lou Baribeau is finely done by Edward F Roseman. Both of these artists also had prominent parts in "The Barrier" rledda Nova also is r.-.'felk-nt as Winona. The picture is undoubtedly one of the great ones of tha J ear.

DANCE! RECITAL. r There was another good attendance at the Good 'templar Hail last uig.it. when Miss Bedford's pupils repeated tne dancing entertainment given 011 Boxing nightAs 011 the first occasion, the items were all well received, and the young ladies had to repeat their performances. A feature ot the entertainments was the stage decoration, which was worked out in pillars ond festoons ol climbing roses. The costumes-were also on an elaborate scale, each being in harmony with the character of particular, dance. The assisting artists were again all enthusiastically received. Miss Leatham received a-recall for her opening pianoforte solo, and Mrs.-Birch-Johnston again created much amusement with her clever character 'impersonations and was recalled sbveral- times. Mr. Crawford, who is undoubtedly a versatile entertainer of high rank, received a flattering reception, His opening • number, in which he gave a highly dramatic representation of King Richard's Despair (Shakespeare), was a revelation of elocutionary art—a type of item rarely' heard on the local concert platform. The enthusiasm with which this ilem was received showed that New Plymouth audiences appreciate the high arts no less than to those of other- centres- Mr. Crawford's later numbers were equally successful, and were enjoyed to the full extent. The accompanists were the same as 011 tho first night.