AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 July 1916, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

EMPIRE PICTURE PALACE. Au unusual and daring film entitled '"A Man of Clod" heads the new programme to be shown at the Empire Picture Palace to night. It is a Lubin production and runs over two reels. The story is as follows:—On ail Island three bodies are washed ashore, a priest, a girl, and a man. The priest aids the others. He gazes at the man and recalls hi.s insult to a girl 011 board. For njonths they live as castaways, the priest night ami day watching both man and girl. The girl believes in the man's moral honesty. Ultimately she learns the truth and flees to the priest for protection. He wifllis the man against any further passionate demonstrations. The priest falls ill and trte girl is fearful of what might happen should he die. In her terror she throws her arms about the priest's nock and pleads that he live for her. In an instant he becomes a man and starts to enfold her. The man enters the shack and accus'es the priest of desiring the girl. What follows makes an intensely powerful subject and is splendidly enacted by Ornii Hawley, Karl Metcalfe and Kempton Green. Supporting films include "California" (scenic), "Midnight I'rowles" (Burns and Stojl comedy), "Pathe Gazette," ■'The Sacred Bracelet" (drama), "Sonny Jim's Amusement Co." (comedy), and there are others. LAST NIGHT OF -THE CHRISTIAN." The London Film Company's elaborate nine-reel version of Hall Cainc's popular novel, "The Christian," attracted another over/lowing audience at the spacious Theatre Royal last night. The picture is magnificent and has been most skilfully handled liv the. producers. Although the screening of the film occupies the entire programme, interest is not for one m«ment permitted to flag. For the success . of "The Christian" most credit is due to Hall Caine who supervised the whole production. 111 this way the mob scenes wherein hundreds of terrified meu, wo men and children dash through the streets of London after the man whom they regard as a false prophet, are the largest yet seen in an English production. Hall Caine has humanised John Storm. Instead of presenting him as an inspired apostle he has shown him as a pure hearted but unbalanced seeker after ideals. 111 the film version there is something fine about John Storm's fanaticism. His splendid, if hopeless, battle against the powers of evil has the quality of real tragedy. Derwent Hall Caine, who has played the part many times upon the legitimate stage, makes it his vehicle for his screen debut. Miss Elizabeth Risdon makes a spirited Glory Quayle and is supported by Gerald Ames, Douglas Munro and many other well-known favorites. "The Christian" will be shown for the last time t#-aight at the Theatre Royal.