AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 May 1916, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

.."THE WOLF" TO-NIGHT AT THE THEATRE ROYAL. The Lubin Company lias risen to a high plane in picture photography, and one of its best productions is "The Wolf" to be shown as the' big feature at the Theatre Royal to night. The story illustrated is an adaptation from one of Eugene Walter's strongest novels. Readers of Eugene Walter's works have revelled in his "Trail of the Lonesome Pine," "Paid in Full," and "The Easier W T ay," and those who witness the story of "The Wolf," as it parses across the screen will be carried away by its absorbing dramatic interest and the grandeur of the scenery exhibited. The story of the picture is a particularly interesting one. Jules Beanbeau, a Canadian backwoodsman, was thrown much in the way of one of the few women who lived in those parts. The inevitable happened; there being no minister they married by book and oath. Soon after'this they were separated. Beanbeau later returned to France and married again, this time in the orthodox way. What follows thereafter makes one of the most thrilling film tales of its kind ever seen. The settings amidst the wild and gorgeous scenery of the Canadian backwoods are magnificent. The many scenes of life in that country during winter and summer are novel, and at times more than ordinarily beautiful. Notably so is one scene depicting a dog team crossing a snow field, with the setting sun as a background. There are many intensely dramatic happenings throughout the. portrayal, and these are most cleverly enacted by Lubin's talented players. It is said that not since "The Spoilers'' has there been presented a sir-reel feature of the class reached by "The. Wolf." In addition to this film, new items include "Dead Reckoning" (in two reels), this being the fourth instalment of the "Trey 0' Hearts," serial drama, "Topical War Budget" and "Microscopic Pond Life."

EMPIRE PICTURE PALACE. A REMARKABLE PHOTO-PLAY. A story of . gripping interest and one that is particularly alluring to the ladies is embodied in the Selig Co.'s five-reel "feature" photo-drama "The Millionaire Baby," which was submitted with the new programme at the Empire Picture Palace last night in the. presence of a large audience. This picture-play is an adaptation of Anna Katherine Green's famous novel', which readily lends itself to "silent drama" portrayal. According to the plot. Valeria Carew, a music hall "star," is dissatisfied with her husband's efforts to make a living for them. The latter, Justin Carew, is_ a struggling author, whose literary merits are not. appreciated as they deserve to be. Disheartened at his wife's condemnation of him lie deserts Valeria and obtains a position as secretary to Ocumpaugli, a multi-millionaire. Mrs. Ocumpaugli, believing that her husband's love is waning owing to the fact that they are childless, decides to adopt a baby and pass it off as her own child. During her husband's absence on a business mission Mrs. Ocumpaugli bribes a Dr. Pool to secure an infant for her to adopt. Dr. Pool visits Valeria Carew, whose infant daughter he buys from her and transfers the little one to Mrs. Ocumpaugli. The deception is successful, and the millionaire and his wife become passionately fond of the child. Valeria, nine years later, becomes heiress to a considerable fortune, and ascertaining where her child is located, takes up her residence in the neighbourhood. The sight of the little girl creates a yearning in Valeria's heart and she bribes the doctor to steal the child back for her. The doctor threatens Mrs. Ocumpaugli that he will disclose the whole truth about the chijd to the millionaire unless she will submit it to be returned to Valeria. A detective is summoned by Mrs. Ocumpaugli, and he traces the doctor to his lair. When faced with arrest the villain tries to escape, but falls over a balcony to his death. The truth is confessed to her husband by Mrs. Ocumpaugh, and she is forgiven, while Valeria, her husband and child are happily reunited. The theme is exceedingly well interpreted. A firstclass supplmentary list comprises "The Topical Gazette" and "The Dimple Ring" (Vita, comedy), featuring Lilian Walker, and a Lubin drama "Jealousy." The same series will be shown again to-night and to-morrow night.