AMUSEMENTS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 14 May 1913, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

OMPSON-PAYNE PICTURES.

"THE STOLEN TREATY.'-' * To-night will see anotlier grand change of programme at the Masterton Electric Theatre, the leading picture being "The Stolen Treaty," a sequel to "The Secret Treaty" shown a few weeks ago. The story opens with the meeting of two great powers. An important .treaty i s signed, and news of the meeting reaches Count Hintz, Ambassador to an antagonistic nation. He is order ec to obtain a copy of document, and accordingly secures the services of a scoundrel named Miller,' who sets off upon h'ris errand. Miller enlists the services of a certain butler in the employ' of Count Barberc'ne, in whose keeping the treaty is, and when C.ipt. Brassow, who has been instructed to convey a copy of the treaty back to , his , own country, calls upon Bsrberine, the butler at once communicatee with Miller, Brassow, with the treaty sewn in the lining of his sleeve, sets off, accompanied by his faithful sailer esrvant John, and is closely followed by Miller. The captain arrives at the. station, only to find that the train has 'gone, . and thm'e spy offers to drive him to the next station in his motor : car.' For a time all goes well, and ■ then Miller offers his guests cigars-, which are drugged. v 'John and his master succumb to the effects of the .drugs, and Miller, aftSr: a hurried search, gftins posSession^of tbeltreaty and makes off < A'few miles farther on his car bi'eafe. downj and-tKe captain and John having recovered ? come up with the : broketr-down car and give chase. The scene changes to the sanctum of Couht Barberjne, the Minister for foreign Affairs, • whp has charge of the original treaty.- jHe has occasion to read the document, and for this reason takes it out of his drawer itndlays it on the;desk. He mistake he leaves the treaty on the desk, locking away a piece of blank paper instead. _That plight the Copnt attends a State banquet, leaving in * charge the faithless butler. Miller, with the aid of the butler, opens the safe "and abstri cts what he believes to be the treaty, but which is, i» reality, the blank piece of paper. Another powerfhl photo-play is "Between Life and Death." The her<!> of this picture, a young man of fashion and position, is madly in lovr- with a girl whom he cannot see Ss only seeking to keep his goodwill in order that she may share in the wealth which he expects to inherit.from his uncle. Secretly,*she has another lover. At the girl's instigation, Henry writes to his uncle for pecuniary help, but his relative refuses, and with the, girl, he goes to the Casino' retrieve his fortunes. He loses all liis money, - and hiis companion, realising that he is ruined, leaves him for hei' real lover. The remainder of the programme comprises: "The Old Stag© Coach," a fine drama; "The Land of Eternal Summer." a beautiful scenic; and three excruciatingly funny comedies entitled. "Stout and Thynne, Conjurers," "An Occasional Waiter," and "Suitors and Suit Case."

TOWN HALL PICTURES.

"THE WORK ON HIS HAKDS."

To-night at the Master ton Town a pictorial treat will be presented, comprising an up-to-date programme of the latest gems in cinematography. This programme has been secured direct from Wellington, and is spoken of by the press of that city as both high-ola.ss and interesting. " A brilliantly-coloured drama by the Pathe Company is the star item, and is deserving of all the gpod things said of it. It is entitled "The Work on His Hands." The picture shows Marco, a soulptor. falling in love with Sylvia, a dressmaker's model, whom 'he marries. A fire breaks out, and is rescued from a perilous positiion by Marco, but at the cost of the latter s eyesight. Marco's love is centred m his wife and his last work. A strolling player serenades Sylvia, and her husband, believing her to be unfaithful, ruins the work of his hands. Sylvia oomes upon the scene, and learning'the reason of the liavoo wrought, soon proves her innocence. Tlio plot introduces many interesting elements which, will prove a great attraction to the Masterton picture-loving public. A screaming comedy will also be presented, which is bv the Vita graph Company, and is entitled "Bettina s Substitute." The picture is full ot' humorous incidents, and shows that Bettina is indignant because her employer, a married man, makes love to her. She tells her lover Billy about it. Billy makes up as a young woman, and reports at Babb's office as Bettina's Substitute, and she pretends to be slick. The boss asks Billy to dine with him, and Billy leads hi m on to incite the jealousy of his wife. Next- morning Billy and Bettina to Babb's office, where they tell liinv of their deception, and Bettina, making known her engagement to Billy, wishes her employer good morning. The remainder of the programme iV composed of a host of scenic, comic, and dramatio pictures, produced by the leading film-makers of the world. The whole programme can be recommended as one of the best yet seen in Masterto*.