AMUSEMENTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 January 1926, Page 1

AMUSEMENTS.

EVERYBODYS PICTURES.

CAPTAIN BLOOD TO-NIGHT

Tiie stilling naval battle between ancient galleons of stupendous magnitude such as lias never before been attempted on the screen, a love romance am! adventure with Sympathy arousing heart interest, a drama of days when free hooters sailed the seas, and when gallant men crossed blades for the honour of the women they adored ; these are the elements which have been fused into the greatest picture of the day. “ Captain Wood,” by Rafael Sa-

batini. is a class by itself, setting a new standard of screen excellence, leaving no object ot comparison by which to draw conclusions. It is to tin' screen what Shakespeare’s plays are to the stage and Dickens’ works to literature. It is a screen classic in a rare setting. “Captain Wood” will leave for posterity a screen literature which will be remembered throughout the ages. For one fully to appreciate (he magnitude, spectacular value and skilful direction it is necessary to see Iho various sequences unlold upon the screen. Words fail to convey an adequate idea of this massive production, a combination of historical events, faithfully portrayed; septacular sequences: a cast of twenty-five of the foremost screen players, augmented by more than 1.000 extras; a novel by one of the world’s most prominent writers of the day; a book which has run through eleven editions in two years. This means that “ Captain Wood” is one of the best sellers of recent years, and has been read more than any other novel published within the last five years. It is rarely that a production comes io the screen with as many points of appeal. It is a thrilling, gripping, entrancing love story, constructed along lines peculiar to itseli. It gives to audiences a touch of realism that fulfils the dreams and ambitions of the average person. Captain Peter Blood docs those things that every redblooded boy and man would like to do. lie lives those scenes which have endeared the days of chivalry to fiction lovers. Arabella is the type of womanhood to which girls aspire and men admire. Jeremy Pitt is the bold, dashing youth with the courage of his convict ions. who does, dares and keeps silent. Alary Traill is the type of womanhood that men tight for and love. Those arc hut a few of the strong characters that step out from the silver sheet, ajul become real friends of every man, boy girl and woman in the audience. They are the iy|jo llmt one leaves reluctantly as the lasi scene fades from the screen, and the spectator realises all too quickly I hat the picture is finished.

Oil Saturday a First National feature will bo presented, starring Naziinovn and Milton Sills in “ Madonna of the Streets.”