THE EMPIRE.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 October 1916, Page 7

THE EMPIRE.

MATINEE THIS AFTERNOON. f'THE STRAIGHT ROAD." ' A very interesting programme is being submitted this afternoon ami to-night at the Empire. The chief attraction is "The Straight Road," in which the part of Moll OTfara is taken by Miss Gladys Hansen, one of America's'most talented young women. The picture first 'Voids Moll O'Hara's life in the. slum-, 'here her mother dies. By the- aid of' a kind neighbor Moll -is brought to have a wholesome regard for things that are good, but she has one vice which she cannot get rid of, and that is drink. During a drunken fit she is helped by a young man, and the man concerned thus offends his "girl," who later on causes a fight between herself and Moll O'Hara at a cafe. A young society lady, however, comes to Moll's aid, and as an experiment carries her away to a higher life. Here she frequently comes in contact with a man who is engaged to her helper. He immediately makes lov» to Moll, and when found so doing by his fiancee easts Moll from him, at the same time accusing-her of forcing herself upon him. This causes her helper to think she is no good, and cannot lift herself from the surroundings she ha 3 been used to. Moll, determining to have her revenge and show hei helper what sort of man she is engaged,to, arranges for him to come to her rooms at 0 p.m., and urges her helper to come at the same hour. How Moll ultimately throws off the degradation of the old life and ultimately attains happiness, all combine to make, up a very fine picture. The supporting programme is well worth seeing, the latest Topical Budget, the British Army in France (which shows some very interesting scenes from our trenches), Charlie's Barnyard Pets, t and the Other Sister. t , -■■'■.. ■* '» ' ' "" ' J. MONDAY AND TUESDAY "THE ROSARY." Although the big picture, entitled "The Rosary," which forms Monday's attraction at the Empire Theatre, extends over seven reels of film, and occupies practically the entire programme, it does not allow the interest to flag throughout the screening. The subject is developed in a religious manner, and is presented in an intensely.dramatic and dignified fashion that should fit the film to be added to the long list of successful pictures which have been sliown at this theatre. The film is constructed from the play by Edward Rose, and is of an essentially human and emotional type, that should appeal strongly to most people. The period of the story extends over several generations, but the most dramatic part occurs when the hero believes his wife to be unfaithful, when, as a matter of fact, she is endeavoring to shield her erring sister. The bad man of the story forces the sister to eavesdrop and steal r.n important commercial secret from the hero, but the wife is blamed, and when ruin and disaster comes, it is she who has to bear the brunt of the trouble. The end of the story, however, is satisfactory, and ultimate happiness is attained for the deserving parties without undue stretching of the dramatic possibilities. The film comes from the studios of the "Selig" producers, who are responsible for "The Spoilers" and other highly successful pictures. The latest Bathe Gazette is also included on the bill.