THE EMPIRE.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 November 1916, Page 7

THE EMPIRE.

ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION OF THE WORLD'S SWEETHEART. FINAL SCREENING OF "MADAME BUTTERFLY" TO-NIGHT. Mary Pickford, the most charming of all film actresses, appeared at the Empire last night in the charming photoopera, "Madame Butterfly." Hers is a perfect characterisation of the unhappv little Cho Cho San, who lost her heart to the faithless American sailor-lover. It is a very sad story. Poor little Cho Ch:> San fell madly in love with the handsome Lieut. Pmkcrton, and, accord ing to the customs of Japan, they were deemed duly wedded. Pinkerton sailed away in his ship, and his little Japanese wi<x- waited long for his return, but happy with her bahe. Pinkerton did return, but not to Cho Cho San. Instead, there came another Mrs. Pinkerton, a houghty American lady, to whom Cho Cho San gives up her baby son for the safe of the boy's future. Thereafter, there is no speck of blue in the &ky for Cho Cho San, and after a period of utter wretchedness she drowns herself. Th-3 presentation of the story by the kinema and the Famous Players is artistic, and in every way satisfactory. There are other pictures of less consequence on the bill, some of them comic and some educational. Owing to other star attractions "Madame Butterfly" cannot be retained on the programme after to-night. TO-MORROW AND SATURDAY. •WOMAN AND WINE." What is described as one of the most sensational films seen in the Dominion will be screened at the Empire to-mor-row. It is entitled, "Woman and Wine," and patrons of this thcatie will be treated to five acts of real sensation. It is a magnificent photo-drama, adapted from the original Dmry Lane play by Arthur Shirley. The picture follows closely the version as staged with much success in Australia and New Zealand by Bland Holt. Some of the scenes are exceptionally fine in character,' particularly those of Mu-vime's famous restaurant at midnight, in all its abandon, and the great revel scene at' the Moulin Rouge in Paris. A most exciting incident is the death duel between two women of the Parisian demi-monde class. A gorgeous scene is that depicting the crowning of the queen of beauty at the artists' ball. No expense lias been spared in the stage settings and dresses of the women. The acting is all that could be desired, and the principal performers portray the characters to perfection. Those people who desire to witness this production should go early.