"DRINK".

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 211, 11 October 1909, Page 3

"DRINK".

POCRTRAYED BY THE CINEMATOGRAPH. Bf On Saturday night through the kindne«sj of Mr. Gil Hoskins, manager for West's Pictures, a News representative was privileged to view the nuichdisciinsed kiueniatograph picture "Drink,' which is to be the "star" item in next Friday's programme at the Theatre Royal. "Drink" is a powerfully acted drama, in which the parts are sustained by some of the most prominent dramatic artists on the Parisian stage. The story of "Drink" is strongly told by,the mute characters on the screen, and, of course, provides a moral—but in respect of absinthe, an alcoholic poiso:i to which fortunately New Zcalanders are not addicted. Jealousy and revenge, with the essentials of a "villain" and a woman of evidently eas'y virtue, provide the motives upon which the " Drink" story is built. Cast oil by the villain, whow "affections" have been transferred to a female more congenial to his tastes, the " heroine" is wooed and won by an honest workman, who vows that the fatal absinthe shall not pass his lips. As the pictorial drama proceed.-,' ile plot of the story is unfolded, displaying I .with an intensity that needs no words th,. hatred and'jealousy of the villain and his paramour towards the happy family group. Every other device t> bring about the latter'* unhappiness hav ing failed, the "hero" is inveigled into breaking his abstinence vow. Evidently 'nis is a constitution to which the drink is a veritable poison, and a speedy process of moral and physical deterioration marks his continued indulgence, until he is seen, as a patient of a lunatic asylum. From -here he s eventually discharged, with the warning ringing in his ears that " to touch strong drink means death." He is permitted however, the use of a light wine. His patient wife receives' him with opin arms, and he gradually recovers his old self-respect. Again, however, the traitorous female invades his home, and at an opportune moment substitutes for his bottle of light wine the banned absinthe. The craving returning, lie tastes, and succumbs. A powerful portrayal is given of his fight against the demon in the bottle, but he falls', and the horrors or delirium tremens are soon upon him. Death ensues as his faithful wife enters from her day's labor, and the triumph of the villains and drink is complete. The moral of the powerful picture is clearly that some constitutions muit not drink, even in moderation, and, wc 1 might add, that none should acquire the , taste for absinthe.