MAORILAND PICTURES.

Otaki Mail, Volume XXVIII, 22 March 1920, Page 3

MAORILAND PICTURES.

‘‘DAMAGED GOODS.” The Dominion censor of films has made it a condition of the exhibition of Eugene Brieux’s play, “Damaged Goods,” that it shall not be shown to mixed audiences. Such a provision is not thought necessary in England, America or France, but so far a-s it goes the condition must be honoured in New Zealand. The sessions at- Brights’ Theatre on Tuesday night have therefore been fixed as follows: 7.30 o’clock, women only; 9 o’clock, men only. The central figure in the play is the

Doctor, who, speaking as a man of science, strips bare the modern hypocrisy in regard to the veiled disease, that hitherto has been regarded ns- unmentionable in the theatre. “The chief point that the. Doctor makes,” says the London “Times,” “lies in his furious indictment of ignorance; ignorance due to prudery, folly, shame and carelessenss; ignorance that leaves (he vonng at the mercy of their curiosity. and the world iu general at the mercy of people who have the scourge and dc> not know it. No medical remedy in the world can affect the moral thus preached by -\l. Bricux.” The following opinions re this picture speak for themselves: — The “Auckland Star’’: —“The picture generally succeeds in conveying the lesson without sensationalism or catering to vulgarity, and it will probably carry a much more widespread message to the public than did the play in propagating the gospel of self-know-ledge in the interest of society generally.” Tile Rev. E. A. Cox, M.A., Auckland, took “Damaged Goods” as tho subject of his discourse on Sunday, October 10, 3019. This well-known Methodist missioner said: “Every man and woman, young and old, should sec this picture, and if I had my way I would have it compulsorily shown in everv hall, largo and small, throughout New Zealand.”

THE APPEARANCE OP EVIL.

Appearances are often deceptive, and they were especially so in the World drama “The Appearance of Evil.” which is to be screened at Otaki on Thursday, June Elvidge plays the star part and acts superbly, while she also pnts up something of a record in the number of superb dresses which she wears. Frank Mayo plays opposite to her. The story tells of a yonng widow who with her yonng son lived in a rather secluded country house. There she used to be visited by an attractive young man, and suspicion was soon aroused, scandal became rife, and this was added to by the whispers of the servants of the house, who were surely in the best position to form their own conclusions. Tho plot becomes not only bewilderingly mysteri* ous. but very thrilling, and the story moves at a pace which keeps tho interest at full tension from first to last. It is undoubtedly one of the most effective plays Jane Elvidge has ever appeared in. and gives fine opportneify for the splendid acting which every fresh picture shows her capable cf. Tho working our of the. plot is entirely satisfactory and ends happily.