AMUSEMENTS.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 24 February 1917, Page 4

AMUSEMENTS.

THKEB STAPwS. Mother love leads to a cruel revenge in "The Child of the Paris Streets," D. W. Griffiths' fine art piny, to bo showE at jtli« Three Stars to-nig only. True, the mother concerned is only an old hag who is Queen of the Paris Apaches, but she is a mother for all that, and her affection for her thieving boy who is about to be sentenced to the galleys is no common one. She loves him better than her own disreputable life; and when the presiding judge refuses to commute hi > judgment on the poor wretch befc e him, she determines he shall be made to suffer as she suffers. Accordingly, she sends her other son to steal the judge's baby daughter from her cradle. She does not kill the child, but raises her as an apache, makes her a criminal in every way possible, taking a delight in her vengeance and its living reminder.

Mae Marsh and Bobby Harron. who star in this feature, will be remembered for their work in many of the master producer's greatest successes. In "The Birth of a Nation" they play leading roles. The second star "Sins of the Mothers," is a picture that all should see, the acting of Anita Stewart and Earl Williams is faultless, while the supporting subjects a?? well up to the average. The usual price of admission will be charged for this long and interesting programme. EVERYBODY'S. A double feature programme will be presented at the Town Hall to-night. Viewed from a standard of dramatic construction and a realisation of the possibilities of film production, "Scandal" is one of the greatest features over placid on the market. It is a story dealing -with the tragedies of idle gossip, and has the virtue of being intensely human. Many innocent lives have been wrecked and many besmirched by thoughtless gossip: the gossip of the scandal-mongers of the suburbs.

"Scandal" shows how the snowball of fiction grows, becoming more and more foul, until it drags into the depths innocent lives and reputations. This is the sort of photoplay that make cinematographhy worth while. Not only is it a strong film; it is a wonderful s etmon. A brilliant conception—the idea came from a newspaper editorial bused on an everyday newspaper item —the play is no less brilliantly acted.

Another fine picture is "Body and Soul," a 5-act picture drama full of stirring incidents. Supporting subjects include the latest "Topical Budget," and "John Bull's Sketch Book." This great programme will be shown for one night anly and no doubt there will be a record attendance. AEE YOU A MASON ? Much interest is being aroused over the coming production at the Town on Monday night of J. C. Williamson 's bi£ fs-rce comedy success "Are You a Mason ?'' It appeals alike to the initiated and uninitiated in Freemasonry. "Are You a Mason ?" was played in New Zealand about thirteen years ago by an English company after it had run very successfully in England, and much joy was gained from Mr George Giddens' pourtrayal of Amos Bloodgood, a role he played in London and elsewhere with great usccess. Good jokes die hard, and the one involved in "Are You a Mason " is good for another century. It is quite needless to go into details about the tangle that comes of Amos Bloodgood and his son-in-law, unknown to each other, pretending to be Masons in order to account for time spent in frivolity that would not be approved of by their respective wives. Add to this a gorgonesque Mrs Bloodgood. whose belief in FrFeemasonry is as strong and abiding as that of the Hindu to Buddhism, but who at the same time, entertains an SO horsepower suspicion of her husband's fidelity, and makes his life a burden over a certain Angelina, long since deceased, a lot of lively young people who help to fire the laughter furnace; and intervals of suspense as to the stability of the fraud to hold together in the face of cold facts, and pou have capital entertainment that is clean, smart, and refreshingly English in ton e and texture. Some good central seats are still available at Cochran's Piano Depot.