MAORILAND PICTURES.

Otaki Mail, 19 January 1920, Page 3

MAORILAND PICTURES.

“THE CRISIS.”

The latest novel of first-class 1 quality to be filmed is Winston ■ Churchill’s “The Crisis,” which was a best-seller when published, and is now almost a classic. The screen version • has been produced by the Sclig Co., with Thomas Santschi as the star. His remarkable work in “The Garden of ’ Allah” established his reputation as a strong movie actor, Bessie Eyton plays Virgina Carvel to his Stephen Brice, and the supports have all been excellently chosen. The love story of those two charming characters is, of course, the main interest of t.he film, but an incidental interest of importance is the astonishing manner in which .brings back to life the period of American history preceding the Civil War. It is very instructive from this point of view. The story of the novel has been closely followed, and the action is absorbing from the moment when Stephen outbids Virginia for a slave and thus incurs her enmity to the time when in President Lincoln’s reception room they yield to Ibc call of love and find peace and happiness in each other’s arms. The subsidiary characters -of Judge Whipple and Colonel Carvel are finely acted, and the death scene of lovable old | judge is probably one of the deepest j pieces of pathos ever contrived on the ; screen. j It will be shown at the Theatre to- 5 morrow night. On Thursday “Fedora,” featuring Pauline Frederick, “Hide and Seek Detectices” (comedy), “On the Great Glacier” (Burton Holmes’ travels), and an American Gazette will be shown.

THE SENTIMENTAL BLOKE/'

The story of “The Sentimental Rlnkc” and his Doreen thrilled Australia when Mr Dennis wrote the hook, md very soon the thrill went far ifield. Such notabilities ns Messrs H. >. Wells, Win. de Morgan. H. A. Vachell, Anthony Hope. E. V. Lucas, IV. ,T. Locke. Basil Thompson, Jeffry ? arnol and other men of letters in Ingland and America reviewed the lorl? in glowing praise. The book had 1 I great -yyuo in New Zealand from the \.J%iat the film version is Kssured of its welcome. The producer a ad players, it is said, have done tho Ijhing exceptionally well. Here we IFisve the living Bloke and the real TDotccu. Local colour, atmosphere, pro/■v'rties, incidentals are perfect and RrJic lacotions authentic. The effeet is hlightfully original and refreshing, itting right away from the rather :ard and artificial American convenion. This magnificent eight-reel pierre is a comprehensive, vivid, heart-•.-arcking, normal, human story of imple love, the love that overcomes ifficnlties and triumphs over death, md the story has a special appeal to lew Zealanders because it was very ear to the hearts of those brave inzaes. who fought side by side with ur own sons and brothers through tho train and terror of the Great War. “The Sentimental Bloke” will be hewn on Monday next (£(jtb), wjjilo ‘Shoulder Arms” will be filmed On ebrnary 4th. These dates should jh° oted by all nleasure-.sgekgrg,