AMUSEMENTS.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 219, 4 November 1916, Page 4

AMUSEMENTS.

THREE STARS. A change of programme will be presented at the Three Stars to-night. A» pictorial of Hall Caine’s work, "The Christian, ’’ is the principal attraction. The central figure is John Storm, whose heroic battle against the powers of evil is the theme of the story. The author’s son, Hall Caine, plays the part of John Storm. Many fine scenes of life in slums of London have' "gpa introduced, the whole being under the personal supervision of the author. Elizabeth Risden takes the part of Glory Quayle, and- is supported by Charles Rock, Mary Dibley, Gerald Ames, and Douglas Munro, For the production of “The Christian” photo-drama, produced by an English film concern, most credit is due to Hall Caine, who supervised the whole production. In this way the mob scenes wherein hundreds of terrified men and wometi and children dash through the streets of London after the man whom they regard as a false prophet, are the largest yet seen in an English production. Hall Caine •has humanised John Storm. Instead" of presenting him as an inspired Apostle he has shown him as a pure-heart-ed but unbalanced seeker after ideals.. In the film version there is something fine about John Storm’s fanaticismHis splendid, if hopeless battle against the powers of evil has the quality of real tragedy. Derwent Hall Caine, who has played the part many times upon the legitimate stage makes it his vehicle for his screen debut.; Miss Elizabeth Risdou makes a spirited Glory Quayle, and is supported by Gerald Ames, Douglas Munro and: many other well-known favourites. The production is in eight parts,, being an evening’s entertainment, but the management will show 2000 feet of film before the above, making the* longest and most popular programme shown for some time. The usual prices will be charged, viz., D.C. Is;. Stalls 6d. Children half-price.

“EVERYBODY'S” PICTURES Commencing to-day at the matineeat Everybody’s Theatre'there will beintrodueed by the J. C. Williamson Film Company’tin elaborate photoplay adaptation of the famous American stage drama "Within the Law.’* /This’ notable production is favoured by the fact that it enacted in pictures by MissMuriel Starr in the leading foie, and the identical company that was associated with her triumphal tour with that play through New Zealand some t/imoago. Bayard Veiller wrote "Mrfhln the Law” with the object of revealing the elasticity of the American law, ancT the scandalous administration of the' law in that country. The- story Concerns a girl, who, though quite 1 innocent, is sent to gaol on a charge of having stolen goods from her employer. The trial was a travesty, but it taught the girl a bitter lesson. On her release she joins a gang of. clover criminals who prey on society in such a maimer as to be immune from arrest, as they keep within the letter of the law. To be avenged upon her former employer the girl lures his son into marrying her. There is a powerful dramatic scene in which a police, spy is shot dead by a burglar using a patent silencer on his revolved. The plot is so skilfully evolved that the interest is sustained right up to the curtain falls. "•DESPAIR.” Lois Tanner is brought up among crooks and quite naturajlly joins in their criminal exploits. The gang plots to rob the_ house of Robert Spurier, editor of a newspaper, but Lois is caught in the act by Spurier, who is so impressed with her beauty that he gives her a chance to live honestly. She becomes a member of the newspaper’s staff and incidentally fails in love -with Spurier. One day she sees Spjfier come out of church with his bride. Lois decides to end her life, but is prevented by a former crook admirer. She returns to the old life, and once more Spurier ’s house is picked for a robbery. Lois again is discovered by Spurier, but she is shot as a burglar, dying in Spurier’? arms ag he kisses her, to It is bride’s dismay.