AMUSEMENT

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10531, 18 January 1912, Page 4

AMUSEMENT

j THaMPSON-PAYNE PICTURES., The current programme ai the For. J esters' Ball last 'evening was shown to a good house. The "Electric Elysium" will be bright with anotheE hew and up-to-date series for the tissual change which takes place tonight, la "After 50 Years" the Ambrosia Company have achieved a distinct success, the wonderful battle 1 scenes being most realistic and thrilling. This film secured the first prize of 50,000 francs at the International. Exhibition., Turin, Italy, and caused much comment in the picture world' on. account of its unusual style, suV perb quality, and fine production. The!American Biogiraph Company are responsible for many fine works of dra-

matte art, and in "White Rose of the Wilds" the artists -enact'a most convincing, drataaxthat will.prove a, certain success. Vatagrapli'fi life portrayal, "A Handsomer Man," is a remarkable production of Garleton's well-known poem, in which. Maurice Oastello impersonates all the passions of hu/man nature and brings before the mind's eye several separate and distinct characters. This company also present "The Clown's Best PerI formanice," a sensational story of | circus life, told in the ring. '"The j Departure of the King and Queen for the Delhi Durbar" and the Pathe Gazettes hold much interest for all, "Making a Book" shows, the entire process from start to the finished article. Glorious water Effects are seen in the famous falls of-Niagara. "Sitan. on. Mischief Bent" is' a distinctly novel trick film of wonderful quality. The comic element is well to the fore with many laugh-makers. New and appropriate music will be ' cap-ably rendered by the orchestra. On Monday next the first series of Delhi Durbar pictures will be shown,.

j "THE SPECKLED BAND". Mr J. C. WiUiamsonV Dramatic ' v wludh,is to .present the new ! Sheiiock Holmes drama, "The Speckled Band," for only in the Masterton Town Hall, on Monday next, January 22nd, has been reinforced by Miss Dorothy Dix, a clever ohamimg and pretty English actress.' from the Lyric.Theatre, London. Mr William Desmond, the brilliant young i American actor, and Mr Gar-ton Merj.vialc, who has established himself as a firm favourite with Australasian playgoers. Those familiar with Sir Coniin Doyle's story will not need to bo reminded that the title-refers to a rare snake of the most venomous type, by means of which a scientific scoundrel: [ in the person of a- Dr. Rylott poisons I one of his step-daughters in order to j obtain her money, and would make I away with the other but for the intervention of Sherlock Holmes. The sister of the murdered girl, Enid Stonor, I in whom Dr. Watson Ts much interesI ted, aopeals to the famous detective, [ who thereupon enters the villian's | house as a buttler and intervenes just 1 in time to save the heroine from the same awful fate as her sister. The snake, which fills the title role, is said, to give a most alluringly, fascinating performance. The scene In which "The Speckled Band" makes its way through the ventilator towards the bed of its victim is very astutely managed and holds the audience breathless. A full orchestra provides appropriate music. Mr Wybert Stamford produces the play, and with him as stage manager is Mr A. L. Pearce, both engaged in London to .supervise the production in Australasia, The box plan is open at the Dresden.