THE EMPIRE.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 August 1916, Page 6

THE EMPIRE.

A STRIKING PICTURE OF THE CALI.FORNIAN GOLD RUSH. "THE GIRL OF THE GOLDEN WEST." FINAL SCREENING TO-NIGHT; Originally a stage drama, then produped us 111) opera. David Belasco's famous play, "The Girl of the Golden West," which was shown for the first time as a Motion-picture adaptation at the Empire | Thoa'rp last evening, comes to us with a reputation that few cinema portrayals ■ can boast of. Tfc s pristine glory rpmains unaffected in the "silent drama" version for which much credit is due to the Lasky Company who have compiled it in five reels. That the film is a genuine triumph there can be no room for doubt. The actual characteristic country associated with the plot is displayed with all it stypical grandeur, and the real Know scenes are quite convincing. The subject is interpreted by a strong cast. The dramatic construction of the piece is singularly free from flaws. According to the plot the heroine is an orphan girl who keeps a saloon, "The Polka," in the mining town of Cloudy during the days of till? wild and woolly "4!). when the Californian gold rush was booming. The girl is wooed by big Jack Raine, the sheriff gambler. She is a sweet character, brave, and unsullied by the uncongenial surlouudings. One day she meets a stranger who is suffering from a bullet wound. He states bis name is Johnson, but be is none other than Ramerrez, the desperate outlaw. She binds nis wound, and unconsciously falls in love with the stranger, who is likewise smitten. He goes to her saloon to steal the miners' gold, but he cannot, bring himself to commit the theft on meeting the girl there. Through the treachery of a Mexican girl Ramerrez is subsequently traced by the sheriff to the heroine's cabin, where he has been spending the evening at the latter's request. Eventually the sheriff discovers his man suffering from a severe bullet wound hiding in the girl's cabin. Believing that her love will redeem Ramerrez. the girl offers to play three bands of poker with the sheriff on the condition that if the sheriff wins he can have her and Raiwrrez, but if she wins she can take the outlaw. By cleverly manipulating the cards the girl wins. After being nursed back to health Ramerrez starts out on bis horse to seek a new and honest life, but is pursued aiul captured ly the miners. The sheriff consents to the hanging of Ramerrez, but when the noose is adjusted the ]u;roine appears on the scene and claims the prisoner from the sheriff. The representative of the law wavers, but. wluu the girl reminds him of their compact he releases the outlaw. Ramerrez and the girl then depart to commence life together far away from the Golden West. The first part of tbe programme comprises some most enjoyable items comprising "The Pathe Gazette," "Mutt and Jeli in a Submarine'-' (comic cartoon), and "Keyboard Strategy" (Vita. Comedy). To-night is the last occasion that this fine series .will he screened. Seats may be reserved at Collier's.