ROYAL PICTURES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 2070, 20 December 1919, Page 3

ROYAL PICTURES.

“Raffles” is the chief attraction at the Royal to-pight, A thrilling escape from the close-clutching hand of the law, by diving into the ocean from the deck of a liner, is only one of the hair-breadth adventures that befall “Raffles, the Amateur Cracksman.” The story is world known and popular, and the peculiar nature of the man who relieves people of ill-gotten gains to benefit others, not himself, while being reprehensible from a moral standpoint, must prove attractive from its pure romance and general magnetism, ■ America’s foremost actor, Jolm Barrymore, in the screen version gives a masterly portrayal of the fascinating A, J, Raffles, gentleman cracksman and champion cricketer. Admirable support is rendered by Christine Mayo and Evelyn Brent in a production that lacks nothing in story, interest, caste, photography or direction. There is no doubt that the picture is a masterpiece, and will gain universal admiration. -

Monday's programme’ is headed by a strong drama entitled “The Alan Who was Afraid.” In this play the leading role is taken by Bryant Washburn, with a strong supporting caste. The story touches on'the late war, and I’eveals how a young American, at the call to arms by the President, is compelled by the influence of his mother, to resign from his regiment. Finally his manhood assorts itself, and the young man redeems his reputation by joining his regiment in the firing line and volunteering for a service which appears almost certain death. On Tuesday the great film, “The Sentimental Bloke,” will he screened. The story of the Sentimental Bloke and his Doreen thrilled Australia when Mr Dennis wrote and published it, and very soon the thrill went far afield. The hook was a tremendous success' in Great Britain, and had a great'vogue in New Zealand from the start. So that (he film version of the story is at hist assured of its welcome.! The players and (he producers have done the thing exceptionally well. Here we have the real Bloke and the very Doreen —local colour, atmosphere properties, incidentals —all are-per-fect. The stor'y is in the fullest; and best sense wholesome. It is a vivid, heart-searching, normab charming story of simple love, The love that overcomes difficulties, and triumphs over deatli. The story lias a special appeal to ns because it was very dear to the hearts of those brave Anzaes wiio fought side by side with our own sons through the strain and terror of the Great War. Mr Abel Rowe, who accompanies the picture as vocalist, will sing “Doreen,” and Mrs L. Bullard will contribute “The Curse of an Aching Hea rl.”