EMPRESS THEATRE

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12609, 20 November 1926, Page 7

EMPRESS THEATRE

“THE BLIND GODDESS” AND “BLACK CYCLONE.

A picture of tense drama, gripping power and emotional depth, wm disclosed last evening, when the Blind Goddess,” the latest Paramount production, commenced its'Welhngton reason at the Empress.Theatre To the credit of Hope Loring and Louise Lighton, the adapters and Vidor Fleming, the director, it may be said that the film is a graphic, vital portraval of Mr Arthur Twain’s widelyread, and much discussed novel. Not all the honours, however, belong to the author and director. The cast as a whole, and the featured players individually deserve goodly share of applause for their excellent work. As a matter of fact, the capital performance of Jack-Holt, Ernest Torrence, Esther Ralston, and Louise Dresser contributes in no small measure to the moving appeal, and relentless realism of the production. The plot as it unfolds conecrns the romance of a young prosecuting attorney and the daughter of a powerful political New York boss. When the politician is found murdered, ana the police arrest tbe woman last seen with him the lawyer-lover finds, himselr torn ’twixt love and duty. His fiancee naturally demands that he prosecute the murderer of her father; his high ideals of duty urge him to resign his position and defend the accused woman, of whose innocence he becomes convinced. He decides on the latter course. The exciting developments that follow leading up to the sensational trial, the court-room sceneß showing the grim routine of the criminal law and its effort to convict on purely circumstantial evidence, the unexpected discovery of .the actual murderer, the startling denouement as to the real identity of the woman, and the final joyous recouciliatiou make up a photoplay that is completely satisfying and decidedly above the average screen entertainment. . The supporting programme is or the usual high standard set by the Empress Theatre, and includes “Black Cyclone,” starring Rex, the king of wild horses, which reveals . some marvellous animal acting in a picture that holds the audience enchanted, and also photographs of the funeral of ! the late Sir James Carroll, the man beloved by both pakeha and Maori alike, who was recently laid to rest at Gisborne. The photography is excellent, and gives some conception of the impressive ceremony that was held. The incidental music is appropriate and appealing, and its treatment is a tribute to the efficiency of the director. The programme will he repeated throughout the week.