AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 March 1916, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

"THE SIIUIIALITE"—A BEAUTIFUL FILM. There is something quito uncommon, a surprisingly pleasing <lopavtiir(.' from tlip beaten truck, about the London film Co.'s superb motion-picture adaptation of Alice and Claude Askew'*# poUnt novel, Shulamite." whicli was screened for tile first time at the Empire Picture Palace last evening. The producers have excelled themselves in the magnificence of the spectacular scenes which introduce the subject. The principal characterisations are most Capably accomplished by Norman MeKinnel and Manor;! Tiiew. The plot I'iwtrfullv drawn, and several of the situations are strikingly tense, while there is a degree of originality about the theme which stamps the play as something apart. The producer artistically opens the story with episodes dealing with the original "Simlamite." who. with her bewitching beauty, ravished the heart of Solomon, and inspired his "Song of Solomon." There are views of the dazzling splendor of the Kind's great palace wherein are grouped his slaves and beautiful women. The rapturous charms of the "Simlasuite 1- cause tragedy, For the King, seized with jealous furv. hurls his spear with deadly' effect at one of hibodyguard, who. ensnared by her beauty, has dared to speak to her.' So to-day, as in the days of Solomon, the modern Simlamite is next presented in the play. The scene is changed, ami away in South Africa a patriarchal-looking'old Roer, Simeon Krillet. a man possessed of 20.000 sheep, weds the penniless girl Deborah. The heartless old man. possessing a strange predilection for consulting his Bible with semi-fanatical earnestness, values his bride just as a mere chattel] and so the home is loveless. Far mvay in London society's innermost circles. Robert Waring, a young Englishman, is shocked to find his home wrecked by his morphia-addicted wife. Seeking to'bnrv the past. Waring goes abroad, destiny guiding him to Krillet, wno engages him as overseer. The amazing brutality of the rough old Boer toward his beautiful wife stirs the innermost recesses of Waring's heart. The bond of sympathy draws Deborah and Waring ' together, and the young Englishman looks upon the girl as'his "Siiuiamite." When old Krillet discovers the mutual regard the vonng couple have for each other he decides upon a terrible retrlMition for his wife. During the temporary ah seance of Waring the old Boer orders Deborah to array herself in her 'veddina dress, telling her that he is about to kill her as she deserves Standing in the open beside a grave prepared for her by the fiendish old Boer, Deborah calmly faces his rifle. A storm has broken and forces Waring to return. This is not anticipated bv old Krillet, who promised to despatch his wife when Waring appears on the scene. A Kaffir servant warns Waring, who bravelv rescues Deborib. and a blinding flash of lightning kill* Krillet on the spot. A suspicion that Waring had killed old Krillet threatens to cause the deceased's relatives to shoot Waring. One of the Boers, however, through love of Deborah, dissuades the others, and they depart. Then into the dreary space conies the wife of Waring, and it is a conflict between the Simlamite of the veldt and the Simlamite of society for the love of Waring—one struggling to Keep it, the other to regain it. The conflict has an appeal and heart throb which holds the audience spell-bound. THEATRE ROYAL PICTURES, To-night at the.Theatre Royal will see the final presentation of that superb photo-play by the Famous Players Co., entitled "The Lost Paradise." This film, which is in six reels, tells an intensely interesting story of capital and labor. It is produced in the Famous Players' usual high-class manner, with minute attention to every detail. Tt is certainly a picture too good to miss. The supporting films are also of a high standard. a series depicting "Trenches in the Vosges" being of particular interest.