ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 130, 26 October 1914, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

KMPJEK PfCTUUES. "DAYJD OOI'PKriFIELD." ' t»''eof Di<--k^r ß nioxt popular «wU f i ;- UM _ -upperfi.-ld," Jias been most of--~LiToiy treated in nhe rliotion picture (by tiie Depworth Company) which wid make it* initial appearance at the Empire 'theatre to-niglit. It is stated ■iliiit I'rtm occupied nine months to pn;ducv. This > tiuilc conceivable/iu view of the fact thai the m is 7000 ft. in length, and the exterior scenes 'have been specially secured so that they depict actual places in which Dickens's .played 'their respective parts. It would be dill'icult to criticise the acting, whieli is by a distinguished cast of English stars. 'The juvenile David is most intelligently impersonated by Master Eric Desmond. The role of Alicawber, who was always waiting for something to I urn up, is cleverly interpreted by Air. If. Collins, who has not overlooked the ludicrous side of ilicawber's personality. The costumes give, evidence of careful selection and designing to suit the characters which Dickens pictures. 'the i.i.!--fa--hioncd stage coaches would appear to have been resurrected from the actual period in which the story is laid. The (ale is familiar enough, ana its adaptation has been performed in siivli a manner as to preserve the continuity jof the narrative ■without involving todiousness. One follows the career of David from his earliest days. flis unhappy life with his step-father and wretched experiences at school are vividly portrayed. Xext David is seen at Canterbury, haunted by the villainous machinations of Uriah Deep, and accompanied by his faithful admirer Afieawber. The good part taken by David in re-ening Little Emily and Steerforth's unhappy end are capably enacted. The final scene represents an old-time Yule- ', tide gathering, with the old year ringing out and the new year ringing in. f'lie production 'lias never been eclipsed by any Jiritish makers.. Scats may be reserved by -phone Klm.