ENTERTAINMENTS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 208, 1 March 1912, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS

A SUPERB KINEMATOGKAPII SUCCESS. Love, pathos, adventure, all these and more, were unfolded in that magnificent sneeimen of the kinematographer's art, "The Two Orphans," which was shown at the Empire Theatre last evening before a packed house, only standing room being available for late-comers. Added to the interest of the plot was the fact, which seems to appeal a lot to- picture patrons, that "The Two Orphans," has a decided Old World flavor. Those who have read Dumas and other French novel writers know how fascinating are the glittering palaces of the Louis period and the direct contrast—the underground hovels of Paris—were set down in print. Reproduce the scenes by means of kinematograph, and the impression is, tenfold. The scenic effects were such' that it is hard to realise that the whole panorama has not suddenly become galvanised into real being. As for the snow scene, nothing like it has ever been seen in New Plymouth before. The story itself is so well known as to need little repetition. It is woven round the adventures of two orphan girls of noble lineage, who circumstances—their father foully murdered for marrying much above his station, a foolish thing to do in the "good old days"—compels to go to Paris to seek sanctuary. One. of the twain, Louise, is blind, but none the less beautiful, and the other sister (Henrietta) has the misfortune to be abducted by a chevalier. Thrown on her own resources Louise falls a prey to a designing hag, who forces her to beg in the streets. How, after countless adventures, virtue triumphs and they are suddenly thrown together again, is a story replete with stirring incident and indomitable love. The "gentlemen of France" and .their luxuriously furnished mansions figure largely in the piece, especially when Henrietta is saved from being the mistress of. her captor. The scene is resplendent with spectacular effects and enlivened with a duel. Pathetic indeed is the passage where Henrietta, facing the heartless crowd of Marquises and their grand-dames, makes in vain her appeal, "of all those in this room, is there not one gentleman?" and tumultuous was the applause of last night's audience when her subsequent entreaty, "of all these gentlemen is there not one man of honor?" touches the heart of one chevalier. Ultimately he seeks to marry her, but "the King thinks otherwise!" and the short introduction to His Majesty's "hangers-on" gave those present a good inkling of how great was the power and unscrupulous the tactics of the crowned head of France prior to the Revolution. In the end, however, allbarriers to the marriage and the happiness of all concerned are broken down. "The Two Orphans" will be shown again to-night.