A ROYAL DIVORCE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 83, 28 September 1911, Page 4

A ROYAL DIVORCE

A CINEMATOGRAPH TRIUMPH. In the life of- the great Napoleon Buonoparte—student, warrior, statesman there is no part that lend* itself to dramatisation more than his divonce from hi* first wife, thebeauEffuland fascinating Josephine. The empire-of Franco had conferred upon Napoleon the greatest honors ever accorded one man, and in return the people clamored for a son of their illustrious chieftain to succeed him as monarch. In order to gratify the, dearest wish of his subjects Napoleon resolved to divorce Josephine, who had Win* him no children, and wed Marie Theresa, daughter of the Emperor of Austria. The story of the divorce is a. thrilling one. and it is little wonder that Whiteley Hall was crowded to overflowing last evening to witness "A Royal Dh'orce," one of the greatest historical dramas ever written. The subject wag illustrated in a brilliant scries of moving film*, secured at considerable cost by Mr. .Saunders. In addition to the divorce incident, many notable occurrence* in the life of Napoleon were shown, including some of his most brilliant and famous battles, his life and escape from the island of Elba, and his final imprisonment on the island of St. Helena. Because of its great historical interest tiro film should be seen 'by all. The picture is shown with great clearness, the dressing is superb, and the photography of tho highest order. The film is a "long one, and forms half of the programme. The second half consists of a fine collection of scenic, dramatic, educational and comic subjects. The present progranim« will he exhibited at Whiteley Hall tonight and to-morrow night, and should attract large audiences.