ENTERTAINMENTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 3777, 12 March 1913, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS.

the opera house

“The Crusaders” was screened last evening to a splendid audience at the Opera House. As the magnificent scenes were unfolded to the keenly li terested spectators volleys of appiau e were elicited. The vision scene was admirably produced, and Godiiey • we’come by the crusaders was mos impressive.' The battle scenes, m which hundreds of people take pait, were wonderfully acted and staged, it being difficult to realise that the realistic sight was but a shadow, this wonderful film bustled with action, and kept the audience at a high state of tension from the beginning to the end, where the walls of Jerusalem toll and Godfrey made a triumphal entry and was proclaimed 'king. “Curlew Shall Not Rina To-night” again proved very popular) and “A Girl’s Bravery” was well received. The comics. “His Vacation,” a bathing play, and “His Last Adventure,” called up great merriment and laughter. Tonight a complete change of programme wall be screened, including “Love and Charity,” a heart-stirring drama; and “The Forgotten Clue,” a powerful Selig production; “Joe, the Wanderers’ Boy,” a stirring Hepworth drama. The comedies to be shown this evening are: “Mexican as it is Spoken,” and “The Diabolical Box,” which are extraordinarily humorous and laughproducing. The supporting films are beyond the average, and are well worth seeing. PATHE PICTURES. Patrons of Pathe Pictures will keenly appreciate the big budget of exclusive feature films which will be introduced at His Majesty’s Theatre tonight. It is doubtful if a stronger, all-round series has ever been presented at the popular playhouse. “The Red Barrier,” a powerfully-acted Russian romance by the popular Vitagraph Company, makes a splendid star subject. The plot tells how Count Sergius ingratiates himself into the favor of Professor Bain, and induces the old man to sacrifice his daughter, Isabel, who loves Lieut. Bruce. Two years later the Count and Countess attend a State ball in St. Petersburg at which Lieut. Bruce is present. On seeing the Lieutenant Isabel faints, and Bruce rushes to her side. Sergius enters, and. a violent scene ensues, in which insults are exchanged. A duel follows, in .which the Count is shot dead, and the red barrier intervenes for ever between the lovers. The drama is beautifully staged and mounted, while its setting is uperb. “The Smuggler’s Daughter” is a stirring tale of the Western hills, which shows how a young deputy-sheriff is called upon to arrest the father of the girl he loves for smuggling. The smuggler’s daughter is a girl of spirit, and takes ait active part in the dangerous situations which follow. With her aid the old man makes good his escape over the border. “The Peril of the Cliffs” is a gripping Ivaleni drama, which tells how a doctor falls over a cliff and is taken prisoner by a band of ruffians, who hold him for ransom. A tramp attempts to sell a locket at the inn, and the doctor’s sweetheart recognises the trinket as a memento she had given the doctor. The tramp is followed by the guests of the inn, and the entire band of ruffians is captured and the doctor released. “A Woman of Arizona” will be found to be a stirring story by the Kalem Company, which shows how a plucky woman outwits a bad man who is terrorising the countryside. “Bumps” is a clever emanation from the Vitagraph studios, which shows how a little clown and a huge elephant become fast friends. The little clown can make “Bumps” do anything for him, and appears as his master at each performance in the circus ring. A fire breaks out one night, and a panic ensues. “Bumps” lifts the little clown on to his back aiid forces the people to the exits, through which they pass to safety. “Buster in Xodland” shows the Lubin players in some -delightful comedy. A suitor who has no luck while awake goes to bed and in dreamland pictures himself the hero of a hundred romances. “Coal Fields at Decazeville,” a beautiful scenic subject, and the latest “Australian Gazette” are two films which are well worth seeing. The remaining subjects are of high merit, and altogether the mid-week change of programme is one which is bound to be greatly admired.