AMUSEMENTS.

Taihape Daily Times, 24 October 1918, Page 4

AMUSEMENTS.

KING’S THEATRE. Novelty has often been claimed for a picture drama, but never has a story had the unique setting and plot of “The Volunteer’ 7 the World Film drama'starring Madge Evans, The play opens in the World studio, which is shown in the middle of a working day, and little Madge Evans is seen going the rounds of the enormous place, saying ; goodbye to all the famous World Film stars. Her mother and father are both going to the war and she has to live with her Quaker grandfather, a narrow and obstinate pacifist. She has to wear the Quaker dress, but her gay and warmhearted ways, and her sweetness gradually change the old man, and alter his outlook on life. There is a Quaker son who cannot resist the call to arms, and little Madge Evans takes part in a rousing recruiting meeting at the close of the story. Muriel Ostriche is the mother in the play, and looks very dainty. Henry Hull has the leading male roll, and does fine work. The whole story is fascinating in the extreme and full genuinely new things. The sixth episode of “The Neglected Wife,” Gazette, etc., support the above. , EVERYBODY’S. “Heart and Soul” will be the attraction at the Town Hall Pictures tonight, with Theda Bara, the William Fox Vampire, in the lead. The story is founded on Sir Rider Haggard’s famous book “Jess.” Most of our readers are acquainted with this author’s works, but for the benefit of those who have not had the pleasure of reading the book a brief synopsis of the story is given. Jess (Theda Bara) is taken by her mother when a child to the Hawaiian sugar plantation, and her little sister Bess goes with her. The mother dies on the way and Jess promises to look after Bess. When the girls grow up Bess is loved by a cruel planter and renegade, whose estate borders that of the girl’s uncle, but Bess is in love with an American, who also loves Jess.,: However, Jess sees this, and she leaves home to overcome her own heart-break, leaving Bess a clear hand. Poor Bess is captured by the cruel planter, who has started a revolution, against the American Government. Jess’s old lover goes to Bess’s rescue and is also captured. Jess rides for her life and brings a detachment of soldiers and rescues the pair, but Jess dies in the attempt. The picture is said to be one of Theda Bara’s best. There arc strong supports on the programme.