THE EMPIRE.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 November 1916, Page 6

THE EMPIRE.

THE ISLAND OF REGENERATION.'' A six-part photo-pla£ dramatisation of the Rev. C. Townsend Brady's powerful story, "The Island of Regeneration," which equals if not surpasses any previous "Blue Ribbon feature'' by the Vitagraph Company, was screened for the first time at the Empire Theatre last night. The plot of the subject readily adapts itself to cinema portrayal, and nearly every episode is enacted in the open where natural coloring is always available for such enterprising producers as the Vitagraph Company. There are yacht cruising scenes and enchanting glimpses of lift of an Arcadian tropical island in the Pacific. Miss Edith Storey, who assumes the role of heroine, k cast in- a congenial part. According to the story Katherine Brenton, a wealthy highspirited society girl, (becomes imbued with the idea that perfect platonic friendship can exist between man and woman under all conditions. Valentine Langford, a wealthy clubman, who is attracted by Katherine, pretends that he is a convert to her theory, and induces her to take a cruise in his steam yacht to prove the correctness of their convictions. In the South Pacific lie attempts j to seiio Katherine, but she escapes ; ashore to a lonely is'.and. There she meets John Chamook, wlio, when a tiny child, had been the sole survivor of a fire on a ship. He has forgotten how to speak in his solitary existence, but his wild life had made him strong in body, though rough in appearance. Gradually Katherine educates the "wild man," and during xhe three years of their exile sho fal'.j in love with him. In the meantime Langford, back in his home in San Frar.cisco, becomes conscience-stricken, and sets out to find Katherine. An earthquake 011 the island and Charnook's rescue of Katherine bring them to a realisation of their mutual love. Ono day I.angford's yacht appears, and when he comes ashore Katherine refuses to go back with him. Chamook and Langfoid have an altercation that threatens to result in blows. A U.S.A. revenue cutter also comes on the scene, and the commander induces Chamook to return to America, but Katherin? having hid den herself in a secret cave is believed to be dead. In Virginia Chamook finds himself heir to a valuable estate, but he pines for Katherine. Langford had sub seqv.ently explored the island, and again found Kate, but she will not accompany him. Langford goes to see Charnook and tells him that Katherine is still alive. The former "wild man" returns and brings the woman of his heart back to his home in Virginia. Other films include a riotously laughable two-reel Triangle comedy, "Bath Tub Perils" anil "The Fathe Gazette."