Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954), Thursday 20 June 1912, page 6


AMUSEMENTS.

?-.' as-.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

The new programme, of Spencer's Pictures which was shown at His Majesty's Theatre last night was in every way a good one. The comic introduction, Mexi-can as she is spoken," was very amusing. It was followed by an Indian drama, entitled "The medicine woman." The film was beautifully coloured, and the effect when it was screened was extremely realistic. The subject of the story was the love adventures of the daughter of an Indian chief and her rescue from an un-welcome suitor by the medicine woman of the tribe. ' Another coloured film showed birds and animals of Brazil. This proved an extremely interesting subject. The creatures shown included parrots, monkeys, sloths, alligators, a condor, and a huge boa-constrictor, all in their natural colours and in movement. It is rather a pity that more films of this nature are not produced, as they would be extremely valuable as an educative influence. "A romance of the West" was a comedydrama, in which neighbours who are

enemies become reconciled under circumstances which must be seen to be appreciated. The second portion of the entertainment was mainly taken up by an allAustralian film, entitled "The tide of death." It was acted and photographed in Australia, all the company being Australian artists. Many of the scenes are in the neighbourhood of Sydney. The dapple grey horse, which plays a prominent part, is the property of Mr. C. Spencer. The story opens with a scene in which extensive quarrying operations are in progress, and a huge blast is let off, blowing down hundreds of tons of rock. The contractor, who is the hero, rides to the bank to draw the wages for his workmen, and on returning is pursued by would-be robbers. He conceals the money, and as he will not disclose where it is. hidden he is tied to a stake, to be drowned gradually, by the rising tide. He is rescued in the nick of ' time by the daughter of the leader of the gang, and marries her. Subsequently the gang burgle the hero's house, and, recognising his wife, carry her off. Her subsequent adventures are extremely sensational, but everything ends happily. Both the photography and the acting were excellent, and the film is every way equal to those of similar class produced in America. The comic films were up to the usual standard. The orchestra, under Mr. F. McCann, supplied the incidental music in excellent style.