AMUSEMENTS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 28 August 1913, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS.

TOWN HALL P CTUREB. "THE PANAMA CANAL." The popularity of tho Town Hall was' again demonstrated last night, when a largo and enthusiastic crowd assembled to witness tho production of one of tho finest programmes that 'have ever boon presented in the district. Tho greatest possible interest waa created in tha film describing the Panama Canal. Tho idea of cutting a waterway through tho Istlraus of Panama is probably «s old as the time of Charles V. of Spain, but it was not until the 19th Century that it was considered in a practical way. In 1880, during the operations of the French, when De Lessops inaugurated the project of his Panama railway, tho death rate caused through yeßow lever and malaria, was enormous. During the nine yMFS 6Wered by that period, the total number of labourers who perished was 22,000. A gigantic undertaking, "The Making of the Panama panal" is one of the greatest engineering feats of modern times. The total cost at completion is estimated to be £,80j000,000. Last night there was screened a faithful representation of thi3 wonderful feat of human skill, illustrating the enormous difficulties that had to be contended with by the engineers who are engaged in the construction of this wonderful waterway, dividing a continent, to unite the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans; with views of the wonderful labour-saving machinery at work, the great steam shovels and cranes, rock-blasting/, •vpnd the diJfoipnt' rttoflrnioifclt 'all^f;W;«re c^ariy ,was "ijy«tK<& id sefcsationardraraa "As in Looking Glass." The plot of this pieoe is skilfully laid, and the details are unfolded with remarkable realise and , fidelity to nature. "A Will and a Way" also proved a most delightful drama. The description of deep sea trawling in Australia was interesting to a degree, while the comics were veritable "screamers.'' Altogether the programme was one of exceptional merit. As the hall is otherwise engaged to-morrow eveniiig, to-night will be the last> opportunity afforded the public of Masterton of witnessing the great spectacular representation of the Panama Canal. Nobody should miss it. - . THOMPSON-PAYNE PICTURES. AN EXCELLENT PROGRAMME. A large and appreciative audience witnessed the change of programme at the T.P. Electric Theatre last night, when /the series went off well. The big feature "The Counterfeiters" (a resume of which has already been published) proved very popular, and well up to the K.B. standard. Another fine drama was "His Sister/' George, a yoiuig profligate, is put in prison, and his sister takes up. nursing in to get away from the disgrace. She meets a clergyman ,and beoomesengaged. George; on his release attempts to break in to' the clergyman's house, and in escaping, getts shot, His sister finds' him, and hides him in the house. The clergyman hears of this, and goes to see-Louis, but she swears no one was there, and the minister leaves. confesses to the clergyman, and the couple 'brought together. The Russian Peasant" a Kalem; drama was also revived, The Imp Company presented society drama .entitifed . ''The Burden Bearer," in which subjeot King Bagiri.:ifie; leading rfole. / ,f *% !|! r !ipHiye Mas" was an- fspellent Indian play by the popular" Lubrn „ Company.. A very interesting film" was shown in "How the London Worker Helps the Empire," .which showed th& training of men for defensive purposes. A splendid collection of comedies included "Juggins on Skates," ' 'Polidor' s Rendezvous" and "Samyin's Vacuum leaner." This programme will be repeated this evening.