LYRIC PICTURES.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 23 May 1918, Page 3

LYRIC PICTURES.

—THURSDAY— (To-Night)

NANCE O'NEIL, the celebrated stage and screen star, will make her debut on the Metro program in an elaborate five-part feature entitled "The Iron Woman." This is a picturization of the novel of the same, name written by Margaret Deland. Many of the scenes in and around the iron mills, which figure so prominently in the story, were photographed at the famed steel plant at Bethlehem, Pensylvania. There are many artistic touches in the production, which is considered the most artistic achievement of Miss O'Neil's career. While appearing in a previous production Miss O'Neil met for, the first time, Alfred Hickman, who was her leading man. They were married the day before Miss O'Neil began work in "The Iron Woman," and their honeymoon was spent ;in the studio, Mr Hickman appearing her support. She takes the part of Sarah Maitland, who manages the iron mills left by her husband, and the story is one of surpassing interest.

—FRIDAY—

" The Butterfly Girl," starring Margarita Fischer, is one of the most interesting productions of the year. Every scene is laid somewhere in the grounds of. the great Panama Exposition of San Diego, an Exposition that more than rivalled that held at San Francisco. Scenes in and lound the various side-shows are so cleverly interwoven with the main story that the spectator will feel that he is actually one of the many thousands who visited the remarkable exhibition. Margarita Fischer is seen in the odd role of a girl of the sideshows, and she enters into the carnival spirit of the. great Amusement Park. Aside from the ' glamour and glitter, scenes of dramatic force and real thrill mark the production. Miss Fischer appears as a ragged little urchin set adrift on the amusement streets of the great Fair. Here she wins the hearts of all she comes in contact with, and a stirring climax is reached when with baby Marie in her arms she climbs the summit of the volcano, which is a replica of the world-famous Kileana, and jumps in.

—SATURDAY-

" The Microscopic Mystery," featuring Constance Talmadge and William Lucas. Lucas takes the part of an honest young country doctor named Arnold with a dwindling practice but great enthusiasm for studying germ life. He becomes interested in Jessie Dayton —played by Constance Talmadge —the pretty daughter of a rich pypochrondiac who imagines himself afflicted with every ailment flesh is heir to. When Dr. Arnold curtly tells Mr Dayton that he is suffering from a disease of the imagination only, the rich man goes in a rage to Dr. Bell, a quack " specialist " who has set up an imposing suite of offices in the town. He is welcomed, and shortly after, in the daughter's absence. Bell takes up his residence in the rich man's house. Dayton grows steadily worse under his treatment. Then things begin to happen, and the climax is clever and starling.

—MONDAY—

Mary Pickford in her most famous characterization as " Tess of the Storm Country "— the picture that made her famous, —TUESDAY— "The Man Who Wouldn't Die" —This peculiar title is given to the latest William Russell Mutual feature, and the picture is a distinct departure from the beaten track. It introduces some clever double photography, but the dramatic force and originality of the story are the main features and the superb acting of William Russell is an added attraction. The theme of the story is the at' tempt of an unscrupulous man to defraud an Insurance Co. The plan looks easy because of the strong likeness between two men —one an invalid given up by the doctors. But the plans go wrong by an extraordinary chain of circumstances —love plays an important part in upsetting the well-laid scheme—-and the crook is caught in the net of his own making. —WEDNESDAY— The Metro Company present a stirring drama, entitled " The Silent Voice," starring Francis X. Bushman and Marguerite Snow, As Franklyn Starr, a talented musician of rich personr ality, Mr Bushman gives every indication of his masterful ability in grasping every situation and its requirements, and his brilliant interpretation makes "The Silent Voice " one of the most appealing I screen plays yet released.