THE EMPIRE.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 September 1916, Page 6

THE EMPIRE.

MIONSIEUfi LE COCQ." A CLEA.Y, CLEVEK, EXGITLN'U DKAMA. FOB TO-NIGHT ONLY. Excitement is the keynote of the Thanhouser "star" subject at the Empire Theatre to-night. "Monsieur Le Cocq" is decidedly French, and the details of the story are well brought out. The opening of the story is o bustle of activity. The basis of th« plot is a murder mystery upon which Monsieur T-e «Cocq, the groat jletictive, stumbles. Bis active work leads him rapidly to a warm trai'—there can be 110 doubt that lie'is in pursuit of the real criminals. He actually sees them enter the house of a man of high social position and spotless career—yet he is brought up against a blank wall through which the murderer and bis accomplice seem to have vanished. There is but one resource left, and the smallest clue points a way to a solution of the mystery, Le Coeq puts the man of aristocratic family and clean reputation under arrest. This brings to light a family skeleton .vith an interesting finish to the story. The picture is sure to be popular; it contains every potent attribute known to successful dramatists, and the excitement is kept at boiling point throughout. The programme which supports the "feature'' is a powerful one, and introduces a- new style of farce, and a new comedian, George Ovey, who will be a formidable rival to Charles Chaplin. The clever gymnastics of this comedian, apart from hi? jomic stunts (which are numerous), justify Keorge Ovey's reputation as a star performer of great brilliance. A Keystone farce, "His Luckless Love," is another laugh-winner that deserves praise, as does the "Topical Budget,'' Seats may be reserved 011 application at Collier's music warehouse.