CINEMA AND THE STAGE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 93, 25 March 1916, Page 2

CINEMA AND THE STAGE.

TOWN HALL. May 4 and 5.-—Coape Dramatic Co. May 31—Cement Wragge, pencilled. June 30—Allen Doone. H.M. THEATRE. Pictures every evening. "Britain Prepared" <is the title of the official war film, to be shown for the first time in Australasia, in the Sydney Town Hall, on April Ist. The' production was specially authorised by the War Office, the Admiralty and Ministry of Munitions. A group of the mo->t important cinema firms in England were given the work. One length of film shows Tickers' munition plant, where 100,000 workers, male and female, are making shells. Every branch-of the military service on air and earth is shown in active work. The onlooker is taken on board a submarine to look at its periscope and to watch a torpedo despatched. There are special features of the battle cruise!- New Zealand and of the giant battleship Queen Elizabeth—" Big Liz-' zie" of the Dardanelles—whose - voice every Australian and New Zealand soldier learned to recognise. A fleet of,mine-sweepers is' at work doing the perilous duty to which all the trawling fif.hermnn turned with delight. The first production of the films of "Britain Prepared" at the Empire Theatre. London, under the patronage of King George and Qheen Mary and Mr Balfour, was one of the "attractions" at the vaudeville house that day. He described the films as "a deep and moral lesson," which put the actual operations of the present war in their true prospective. Apart from their Patriotic interest and value, the pictures have been described by the London press as unique in technical merit. The Navy scenes are particularly beautiful. * * * * Paul Du Fault, the Canadian tenor, who is always truly an artist, will soon be pleasing New Zealand audiences once again. Mr Frederic Shipman who is to manare the tour, says that Mr Dufault will sail from Sen Francisco for New Zealand by the Moana on March 29th. A new member «f the company will he Miss Fhrence Scapini, violinist. Miss J au : Hue Bindley (soprano), and Mr Harold Whittle (pianist), will again be with Mr Dufault. It is on the cards Stratford may be included in the tour. * .. * * *

"Uncle Toms Cabin," the evergreen drama, will make its reappearance in Stratford shortly on the picture screen. Local playgoers will, therefore, renew acquaintances with "Little Eva, "Topsy," "Aunt Cloe, ' Simon Legree," "Liz* Harris," and the other popular characters. Carmen, the bright and tuneful grand opera, in • which toreadors and bull-lights play a prominent part, has been filmed. A pleasant rebel will be afforded "movie" goers, by the introduction of grand opera on the screen. • < ■<-.-■ * * * * Mabel Normand is again in hospital, While enacting some triangle come dies in Mexico, she .decided to sample the opium pipe, with the result that opium-smoking has put her out of action Mabel's last little flirtation ivioh death was when she sustained co-icussion of the brain through being hit on the head with a horse shoe during a comedy wedding. s** * * "The Juggernaut," a film with e. thrilling railroad smash, is creating something of a record for attenuate at one of Sydney's leading photo- ' play houses. * * * * - The -world's sweetheart," Mary Piektbrd appeared in her latest creation, "Mistress Nell," at tiie King's iii..dire»- Wellington, last Monday. * * * * Another film which has been popular with • Wellington audiences this week is entitled "The Wok'," a filmisation of Eugene Walter's novel. * * * * Miss Tittle Biune is the bright particular star, in the four act film masterpiece, .entitled "Esther Redeemed," now being screened at the Victoria Theatre, Sydney.

Miss Kathlyn Williams is in the unique position of being able «to play ingenue and character roles with equal ease! She has proved it in the past in "The Spoilers," in "The Adventures of Kathlyn," and a hundred other Selig plays. Her ability to handdie wild animals has been demonstrated many times, but all that goes to the wind in her .latest production—- " The Rosary." The Selig Company is responsible for the filmisation, which has been released as a feature of "The Spoilers." To accomplish this almost the whole of "The Spoilers" cast was retained. As Vera Wallace, Miss Williams gives a portrayal that reveals quite a different side of her versatality. In .the moments of her bitterest despair she does excellent emotional work, showing her ability to hold an audience which very few stage or screen stars have mastered in motion pictures.

Charlie Taylor is at present with George Mallow's dramatic company in Sydney at the Palace Theatre, playing the part of Dextry in "The Spoilers."