The Kinematograph.

Hastings Standard, Issue 155, 26 October 1896, Page 2

The Kinematograph.

Mr L. J. Lohr, who is now managing Mr Godfrey's successful tour of New Zealand, lias been far-seeing enough to realise that there is money in Mr Edison's latest marvel, the kinematograph, and is the first to introduce the invention to this colony. He h.ts entered into arrangements with Messrs Hausmann and tiow, who have just arrived from America with one of the latest improved machines, and the public of Napier is now witnessing this marvellous exhibition at the Theatre Royal, where it is drawing crowds, as in Sydney, Melbourne, and the English and American centres where the machine is being shown. The Sydney l>aily Telegraph says :—" The kinematograph is one of the most marvellous entertainments ever given in a place of amusement in Australia. It is a glorified magic lantern, with living, moving figures, and scenes of overy-day life for pictures ; and the effects obtained are delightful, though at times the life-like movements give rise to an ' uncanny,' weird feeling to the spectator. The scenes arc thrown from a lantern erected at the back of the dress circle, and the figures in most instances are life-size. A dozen or more pictures are shown, embracing street scenes, dramatic scenes, dancers, boxers, a racecourse, the surf beating on a rocky coast, and other subjects of a more amusing nature. The first picture was that of a lady and gentleman dancing a Highland reel, and though, perhaps, the movements appeared more leisurely than in all probability they really were, the fidelity to nature was astonishing. Then followed a lady m a skirt dance, a scene from some burlesque 011 " Trilby " a busy London street, with its crowded vehicular traffic, and the surf scene already referred to. Many of the pictures had to be repeated, so pleased was the audience. One scene provoked much laughter. A girl comes to keep an appointment with her soldier lover in a public park. He is not there, and, after looking anxiously around, she flings herself impatiently on to a seat. .Just then Tommy Atkins comes along makes his apologies, and is forgiven with a kiss. They sit down on a seat together, when a woman comes up and also sits on the seat. That stops the love-making, and the girl shows her ndignation by endeavoring to thrust the interloper away. A fight is imminent between the two ladies, and the situation becomes most interesting when the picture plays out. However, the audience had it all over again, and shrieked with laughter at the intense realism of the little drama. One of the London bridges is depicted as it appears any afternoon, and it is most curious to watch the pedestrians as they pass. As one man walks with his back to the audience, someone in the gallery gave a whistle at the proper moment, and the man on the bridge turned round as natural as life. That picture also had to be repeated." The kinematograph will be shown in connection with Mr Charles Godfrey's visit and in addition to the '•Trilby" burlesque to-morrow evening. Seats are being rapidly taken up at the box office, Mr Hunt's stationer.