ENTERTAINMENTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3230, 29 May 1911, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

PATHE PICTURES

The large audience which witnessed the Pathe Picture Company’s change of programme on. Saturday evening were well satisfied with the exhibition of pictures submitted. A number of patrons who coulcl not obtain seating accommodation in the body of the Theatre were all catered for beliind the screen, from which point they were able to enjoy the programme just as well. The first item was an excellent industrial film entitled “Bee Farming,” and shows every incident pertaining to this vast industry from the preparation of the. hives to a splendid) view of the busy little bees hard at work. The audience were also treated to a view showing how the most modern hive is worked, and the mode of handling the bees. A noteworthy dramatic subject, -and! with a pleasant ending, is entitled “An Exile’s Love.” A Russian Count- suddenly finds himself deprived of his title and income, and is exiled from the country. He obtains employment at an American gentleman’s home as gardener, and incidentally falls in love with .the daughter of the house. When he has almost given up all hope of winning his suit, a cablegram arrives, announcing that his title and estates had been restored. His identity established he has no further obstacle in his way, and everything ends happily. “Calino Called to the Bar,” is a screamingly funny subject, and the facial expressions of Calino, when addressing the jury, while defending his first client, is extremely amusing. The prisoner was charged with stealing an egg, value Id. The chief attraction of the evening was undoubtedly “The Grand National.” The race which is run at Aintree, near Liverpool attracted a field of 26 of England’s best steeplechasers. * This remarkable picture shows the progress of the race from beginning to end, besides excellent views at the jumps. A good start is made at the barrier, but at the first hurdle the accidents begin.. At almost every jump a horse comes to grief, sometimes in its fall bringing down others wi-tli it. A riderless horse is the means of causing a jockey to be unseated, but still the excitement increases as the race proceeds. Hundreds of spectators line the fence at each point of view, and thousands are waiting to see the finish, which falls to the lot of only three horses. The winner, “Glenside” has an easy victory over the other horses, he finishing several lengths in front, but completely fatigued, while the remaining two have a hard tussle for second place. It must indeed be a terrible ordeal which these fine animals go through, the eyes of the winner after the race almost protruding from its head. The operators, in taking the picture, succeeded in obtaining all the most exciting incidents during tlie progress of tlie race', and this in itself makes the picture noteworthy. A modern drama, and one in which a real aeroplane is introduced, is entitled “Through the Clouds.” An aspiring young aviator who is seeking the hand of Judge Grey’s daughter is told he must show himself worthy of her, before he can obtain his (the judge’s) consent. Judge Grey in the meantime is tlie centre of an important election campaign. A vile plot is forim edi against him by bis opponent, in which he is accused of bribing a contractor named O’Brien, tlie real culprit though, being the accuser. O’Brien, in order to get the rival, in his power, makes him sign the contract, or expose him before the reporters, who are waiting outside for O’ Brien’s verification of the report. While disengaged the. housemaid enters the room and sees the contract, but wisely keeps her own counsel. Some time before _ this the young aviator earns the maid’s gratitude by saving her from an accident, and later on, while he is seeking information, on the doctor’s behalf, regarding the false report, the maid' tells him of the contract signed between O’Brien and the judge’s rival. .By a ruse and the help of the maid, lie manages to obtain possession of the contract, and being too late to catch the train he resolves to aeroplane across and expose the false candidate. The secretary of the opponent on the look out in case of accidental exposure, bribes the telegraph elerib to let him see a message which the young aviator had sent to the judge. He decides ,by hook or by crook, to prevent the young aviator from delivering the contract, which meant ruination for himself besides exposure for his employer. He breaks into the aeroplane shed and a struggle for mastery ensures between the aviator and himself. He is about to strike the fatal blow when the maid appears and snatches the hatchet from the secretary’s hand, who is then overpowered, and the aviator starts on his journey. He is seen flying in the air and eventually lands at his destination. Tilings are looking doubtful in tlie judge’s election committee room, until the \oung man arrives and establishes the" judge’s innocence and the opponent’s guilt. The judge wins.the. campaign and the young aviator- his bride. Other good pictures shown were : “Duke of Arles” and “Queen of Hearts,” dramas.

ROLLER: SKATING

Every skate in the rink was in commission on Saturday night, when the Roller Skating Company held the largest and most- successful session of .this .season, the floor being simply a solid mass of moving skaters. The dexterity displayed was most interesting to watch. The crowd of onlookers thoroughly enjoyed themselves by merely watching the various skaters as they twisted and turned gracefully, passing and repassing each other among the maze of eager rinkers. The beginners, as usual, were most mirth provoking, not only for their comical attitudes, but also for the fact that they frequently brought down a heap of expert skaters by falling at a most critical moment. If one skater fell it was almost impossible to avoid a series of falls as the floor was so crowded, but tumbles were as usual taken in good part and even appeared to cause the fallen ones genuine amusement. Perhaps the most enjoyable portion of the evening was when the manager cleared the floor and allowed the men their usual 10 minutes on the double toboggans. As there were a great number of country people present this item caused even more than the usual merriment. Altogether the rink proved most entertaining on Saturday night, and though a few were unable to obtain’ skates the management will have (heir extra supply next Wednesday, so that there will be enough for everyone on the Thursday and Saturday nights. To-day the rink will be openall day 1 as usual, and at. to-night’s big session both the toboggans will he m use as the smaller one will be repaired this morning. To-morrow night there will- be. no skating as the rink hold a session at Ormond.