AMUSEMENTS

Taihape Daily Times, 18 June 1918, Page 4

AMUSEMENTS

KING'S THEATRE. Rarely has Taihape been favoured with a drama of such power as~ r 'The Mother of Dartmoor," which was shown on the screen last night at the King's Theatre. It is indeed a relief to get away from banal types of American melodrama, too often shown nowadays, and to have a production which depends upon its own intrinsic dramatic power and the acting of exponents for its success. f, 'The Mother of Dartmoor" is based on Eden Philpotts' novel "Mother," and is the story of the saving power of a mothers' love over a headstrong and wilful boy. The story is worked out with consummate skill, and the acting of Miss Risden as the mother is an exhibition of the highest histrionic ability. Hardly out of her teens, Miss Risden's interpretation of the role is a superb piece of acting. The part of Ives Pomeroy, the headstrong boy, is an admirable second to the principal character. The correct local colour is imparted to the story by the scenes being taken on Dartmoor, and there is nothing but what is most satisfying to the lover of the best that is in the pictures. The programme will be repeated to-night, and we strongly advise those who love a drama for its own sake, and not for the adventitious aids of cabaret and cafe scenes, and dubious sex "problems," which too many dramas nowadays xely on for their popularity* To-morrow night will be shown a star, bearing the unique title of the "Haunted Pyjamas," which has been termed the most unusual photoplay of the season, and it is claimed that nothing like it has .been shown on the screen.