ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 July 1919, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

I "THE BETTER 'OLE." AT THE EMPIRE. The screening of Capt. Bruce Bah .isfather's "The Better i'Ole" marked a notable event in local ''movie" annals. When the big audience at the Empire last night hud seen the film they were more than pleased—they were delighted. It is not really a war picture but it depicts the little joys and sorrows of the lighting men behind the lines. The play can be referred to as one of sunshine, interspersed with just a touch of pathos. Tho production ia a subtle representation of the cheerfulness, good nature and the unfailing humor which kept up the spirit of the British armies in the blackest hours and, without doubt, to use a hackneyed phrase, helped to win tho war. In "The Better 'Ole," people are taken into the human life of three British soldiers (Old Bill, Bert and Alf) —average men outwardly, genuine heroos at heart—and with thorn go through all the adventures and all the perils of the war, and never fail to laugh at cither Hun or Fate. In the latter the shades of Drake and his commanders appear on the scene, and tho Admiral's drum throbs once more. Old Bill is probably the favorite and the most lovable as well as most prominent, and under his humor and love for pleasure there is solid sentiment as well as shrewdness. It is the latter quality which makes him suspicious of a certain person near the trenches and oecurea the documents of the spy's treachery and the Huns' plans to destroy a bridge over which the French army was to pass in order to attack. . A little French gir),' with whom Bert is fascinated, translates the document, but it is Old Bill who, without asking leave, "goes over the top," blows up the bridge prematurely and saves the Allied'forces. Touching scenes are Witnessed''when he returns to, England and attains his ambition. This was to become the proprietor of a cosv little inn. The iriik' was named "The Better 'Ole," and with his bride, Old Bill lives happily ever aiter.

THE PEOPLE'S. BEAUTIFUL ELSIE FERGUSON. "And he placed her on her bed all limp and dishevelled—she had reached the danger mark, the line that fate had drawn across her path against the hereditary craving for drink that had at last o'ertaken her." Robert W. Chambers' striking novel, "The Danger Mark." starring beautiful Elsie Ferguson, commences to-day at the People's at 2 and tlje season concludes with Monday night's screening. Miss Ferguson is ably supported by Mahlon Hamilton, l»t«

leading man in Petrova pictures. "The Eagle's Eye" and gazette are also on the bill. EVERYBODY'S. | MATINEE TO-DAY AT 2 P.M. i His wife loved another man and another man's wife- loved him, while he in the end, found himself in love with a third woman. The story is appropriately entitled "Tangled Lives," and is a Vitagraph drama with Harry Morey and Betty Blytho as» the star. "Tangled Lives" interested a large, audience at Everybody's last evening and shows again at the matinee this af.ternoon and finally to-night. DRAMATIC ENTERTAINMENT. A new turn in the matter of entertainments in New Plymouth is fixed ,to take place at the Good Templar Hall on August 20 and 21, when dramatic entertainments will be given under the direction of Mr John Baillie, late of Wellington, with whom there will be associated Mrs C. H. Weston and Miss Dora Bedford. The effort is being arranged in connection with the appeal for funds for the St. Mary's Peace Memorial Sunday School and Parish Hall. Several small plays will be produced. Mr Baillie has had a considerable amount of ex-1 perience in this class of entertainment. He was for some time associated with. Sir Herbert Tree's London Company of* dramatists. The names of those, who are responsible for the undertaking are a guarantee of good faith, and the cause for which the entertainments are being given is one..that will appeal to a large < number of residents of both town and country, . ■■■.-/■. . ~... ' j