THE EMPIRE.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 November 1916, Page 6

THE EMPIRE.

THE MUCH DISCUSSED WORLD FILM FEATURE. "WOMAN AND WINE'- TO-NIGHT, William Elliott, one of America's leading screen players, will head a large cast of artists in Arthur Shirley's famous old play, which is being screened, at the Empire to-night and to-morrow. It is claimed that this picture is perhaps the greatest that the World Film Company have yet been responsible for. What is described as one of the most sensational episodes is where two women fight a duel to the death. The picture is said to be remarkably well acted, and the photographic effects leave nothing to be desired. There are five acts of the picture which simply bristles with sensation throughout. There is an added interest to the film on account of the very fine and quite real peeps at the famous places of Paris, among vWiieh a ,. e t ] ie Moulin Rouge, Maxime's famous restaurant, and the crowning of the queen of beauty at the artists' ball. The production is most elaborately mounted, and it is evident that no expense has been spared in the staging. The feature will be supported by a Triangle-Keystone star comedy, "Stolen Magic," featuring the versatile, comedian, Raymond Hitchcock. THE WONDER FILM OF THE WORLD. "THE BIRTH OF A NATION." At Colliers' Monday morning the bos plans for the forthcoming production of the world-famed film "The Birth of a Nation" will be opened. The picture will be presented under the direction of J. C. Williamson, Ltd., and the first presentation will take place in the Empire Theatre next Thursday. In the case of "The Birth of a Nation," the firm of •T. ©. Williamson, Ltd., send a technical staff under a stage director, with properties and effects, projecting machines, and all the equipment necessary to produce the spectacle on a scale hitherto unattempted in this country. Founded on the Rev. Thomas Dixon's book, "The Clansman," the production gives one a comprehensive view of all the principal events of the American Civ.i War. in three hours of some of the most thrilling scenes yet seen on the screen—and many of them as nearly historically correct as is possible. Interest never ceases for a moment, nnd the m,irvellously-slagod scenes of battle arc succeeded by tender domestic episodes in the lives of the particular • charadters. There is constant contrast, and the work of a true artist is seen in the brilliant triple climax, the audience sceirg three great struggles—for life, for honor, and .for victory — practically simultaneously. The audience will see the signing of the famous Emancipation Proclamation by President Lincoln, and later the assassination of the fine old Republican in a facsimile of Ford's Theatre in ISC3. The terrible carnage of Gettysburg, and the surrender of Lee at Appo'matox, on April 9, 1865, which practically ended the war, will also be shown. " After an interval, the chief interest is the wild rides of the KuKlux lilan, that -weird secret association resolute in its opposition to the policy of the North towards the South, and do;*g its best to withhold political rights from the slaves. The accompanying music will be played by a special operatic orchestra, and will be* a feature of the production. "The Birth of a Nation" will be screened only two nights in New Plymouth.