ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1646, 5 December 1916, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

“OUR PICTURES.” TO-NIGHT. “THE BIRTH OP A NATION." Tins evening there will he offeree! at the Coronation Town Hall an extraordinary film ultrac--1 ion, “The Birth of a Nation,” a, work - based on I he story of Thomas Dixon’s hook “'file Clansman.” Reports from all quarters regarding this production are unanimous in their description of its absolute superiority over everything previously attempted in the way of picture drama, and there can he little doubt of its. finality when it is remembered that it is regarded as the great D. \V. Griffith's masterpiece in film productions. The story is laid about the stirring times of (lie American Civil War, and the scenes depicted possess an historic importance and great spectacular value. Little need be said of the historic incidents of the Civil War, of the struggle of the North, against the impositions of the South, of the ultimate victory of the side of Justice and Right, of the freedom of the slaves, and of the greatness of the administration of Abraham Lincoln, of the many incidents portraying the tenderness and goodness of heart of the great President, and of his ultimate death at the hands of the assassin Booth, but all these incidents are faithfully portrayed in elaborate delail in the wonderful picture to he submitted this evening. Neither pains nor expense were spared in the attempt to perfect this historic production, and for its rendering in trueness of detail and loeal colour cameras, operators, actors and all the paraphernalia. incidental to this business were scattei’ed far .and wide over (he United States, from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Five thousand scenes are contained in the film, which was ultimately completed at a cost of 500,()()() dollars. Patrons will he well advised not to miss seeing this entertainment. The prices of admission ax - e Is and 2s. WEDNESDAY AMD THURSDAY. Wednesday’s change of programme is headed by a notable Triangle success, “The Raiders,” a story of the Stock Exchange, ’fhe well-known aclor, H. B. Warner, is fen lured in the role of Scot 1 -Wells, the broker's clerk. A brief synopsis of the picture is as follows; —11. B. Warner begins as a junior clerk in a broker’s office. From alar he worships Ids employer’s daughter, neve]' dreaming that his chance to win her is so .dose at hand. It comes when Tlaldeman, the broker, goes away to tin* Adirondaeks for a brief rest, leaving his affairs in (he hands of his broker, Barnes. Barnes is a schemer, and lie at once plans to get control of the Haldeinan stocks. But first he despa tidies two henchmen to insure Haldeman staying away in the mountain camp until the deal is pul: through. Haldeman duly is prevented from getting away, and, miles from civilisation, he secs no chance of rescue. But Warner, in the. role of Scott-Wells, the broker’s clerk, has overheard some details of (lie conspiracy, so, with Hie assistance of Ifaldenian’s daughter, Dorothy, he takes (he place of Haldeman on the door of the Exchange and fights Barnes to a, finish. Then, having handicapped Barnes so he can do no more mischief, he goes to the rescue of Haldeman in the mountains. The speedy trip which he makes with Dorothy in a high-powered ear is filled with thrills of the first order, while the rescue itself is as tense as guns and desperate men can make it. What happens with Haldeman is put back into his place of power is something more than poetic justice. The film finishes with a smashing situation of rare power.