ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 October 1920, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

- ■- THE EMPIRE. LAST NIGHT OF~"THE MAN THEY COULD NOT HANG." MATINEE TO-DAY AT 2 P.M. The phenomenal success scored by "The Man They Could Not Hang" all over New Zealand has been amplified by its reception :n New Plymouth, where this very human screen document opened at the Empire yesterday to a crowded house. John Lee, innocent, yet found guilty of murdering Misa Emma Keyse, was sentenced to death, although ! protesting his innocence. TV, fatal j day came, the chaplain performed . the laßt rites for the condemned man, the j white cap was placed over his head and the awful rope around his neck. But, as though by divine intervention, the drop failed to act on the lever being shifted. Twice was the meebvirm tested, each time it worked without a hitch, yet, when the doomed man was placed in position nothing happened, though the lever was manipulated three times. All this, and more is, faith- < fully portrayed in "The Man They Could Not Hang." Packed houses and extended seasons have everywhere greeted this astounding film, and intending patrons are urged to book seats at Collier's to avoid disappointment this evening. Children will be charged 6d to the matinee to-day at 2. THE PEOPLE'S. THEDA BARA AND BESSIE LQVE. To-day's new programme commencing at,the matinee at 2 p.m. presents delightful Bessie Love in her latest Vitagraph Blue Ribbon feature "Pegeen." "Pegeen," is described as a joy picture. The principal character is out after joy herself—gives it to others arid the audience get their full share. "Pegeen" is the sunbeam of happiness, and it is impossible to be gloomy while you laugh and are happy with her. She is a quaint little girl with an old fashioned air. She is .just jmbbling' over with enthusiastic joy and hope- Everyone will love her. The bill includes Episode 2 of the wonder serial "The Great Gamble," and each evening, the big Theda Bara feature "The Soul of Buddha." EVERYBODY'S. LAST NIGHT OP "OLD WORLD TO NEW," AND Wm. RUSSELL. To-day and to-night concludes the local season of the big travel film "From The Old World to the New." and smiling Bill Russell in his big romantic play oJ ir.ughi and thrills, "Brass Buttons." The matinee to-day commences at 2 p.m. NORMA TALMADGE MONDAY. Beautiful Norma Talmadge further substantiates the statement that she is the best dressed woman on the screen in her latest Select picture, "The Wayi of a Woman." Never has Miss Talmadge been afforded an opportunity to wear so many beautiful gowns, hats and WTaps —all creations of art—as she is in this latest picture; an adaptation of the famous Eugene Walter play, "Nancy Lee." Rearing herself with her customary queenly grace, wearing her clothes like few women know how to wear them, Miss Talmadge presents a picture that would enchant the most blase person in the world. "FROM THE OLD WORLD TO THE, NEW," An interesting educational picture is presented in the film "From the Old World to the New," which is screening at Everybody's Theatre. The film which is of 5000 feet in length depicts a voyage from England on the R.M.S. Tainui to New Zealand, via the Panama Canal, and the scenes at the various points in the Panama area. The screening has been made at the instigation of the British Government, and provides an interesting and useful geographical study Tile manner of raising the ships by locks at various stages •till they are 85 feet above sea level is clearly portrayed, and the lowering of the ships when leaving the Pacific side is a further sight which impresses the audience with the wonderful nature of the canal construction. The voyage of the Renown through the canal is of special interest, and the big ship is just able to squeeze through this narrow waterway, described as "cutting the waist of the world." The Calebra cut of nine miles shows the result achieved by great engineering efforts, and a glimpse is also given of the largest fresh water lake in the world, made by flooding the natural valley «f the country. Views are presented of the old French canal, and the sight re-ea!ls to mind the efforts put forth by those people in earlier days to achieve their aims in canal construction. The film concludes with views of the vessel sighting hoi- destination, Auckland, and of the arrival at the Queen City.