THE EMPIRE.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 January 1917, Page 7

THE EMPIRE.

ENTHUSIASTIC' RECEPTION OF THE WORLD'S SWEETHEART IN "LITTLft PAL." The immensely popular "silent drama" actress. Miss Mary Pickford. appeared as the central figure in a delightful "feature" picture play, "Little Pal," which is the "star" item of the new hill presented at the Empire last night. The production. which is tile work of the Famous Players' Company, is thoroughly in Keeping with the high standard set bv that company. The story is an appealing one, and is interpreted in such a manner as to carry conviction—an end which is attained by the aid of natural snroundings in the icy regions of Alaska. The suoy; scenes are strikingly etTlTective. Miss Pickford in Ibq role of "Little Pa'i," n half-breed Indian girl, is exquisitsiy becoming, avid her acting throughout wins frsh laurels for this dainty artist. Tim plot, briefly told, deals with camp life in an Alaskan settlement, where Sid fferue. a drunken saloonkeeper, resides with "Little Pal." his halfbreed daughter. Black Brand, the camp .'ullv, covets "Little Pal." atul stake?, his gambling winnings atrainst Genie's saloon and his daughter. Brard wins, and Genie shoots himself. Just then John Grandon, an Easterner, apnea rs on the scene, and "Little Pal" mm to his protection. The girls cooks for the newcomer and keeps his cabin 'ind she falls in love with him. Grandon becomes stricken with fever, and liij wife comes to Aiaska to nurse, him. Tfi* camp -doctor orders Grandon to go Ea'i. but he is unable to take the advice owinp to l)!ck of funds. "Little Pal" goes out at night and robs the miners' sluice boxes and givetf' the gold to Grandon., who believes she got it from his ehiiiui The miners disc.ovei 1 the theft, and "lie in waiting for the thief. Black Brand is mistaken for the gold stealer and is shot. Now possessed of the necessary funds Grandon and his wife depart, leaving poor "Little Pal" broken-hearted, neither of the Grandons knowing of her heroic action. There are some splendid sunporting films, comprising "The Paths Gazette," "Colonel Knnt" (Vita comedy), and "Butterflies and Bees" (Pathe nature study). There was a crowded attend nnce la?t. evening. "Little Pal" will hi? ccreened for to more nights only, tonight and to-morrow.