THE EMPIRE.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 March 1917, Page 2

THE EMPIRE.

SIR H. BEERBOHM TREE IN "OLD FOLKS AT HOME." The camera lias captured all the big ones now, Sir Herbert Tree hemp; the latest and most distinguished of the older school of Thespians to respond to the lure, in the shape of an enormous salary, that lias been responsible for the regular stage's loss of so many of its greatest actors. On Monday and Tuesday next at the Empire the distinguished actor will appear in the most successful Triangle play, "The Old Folks at Home,'' a classic of the American stage, which has been a sure winner for a decade in the States. Sir Herbert is castas old James Colbron, whose son goes away to the city and is heard of no more, until his mother, unable longer to stand the uncertainty of his absence, sends her grey-headed husband in search of him. Later she decides to join him in the hunt, which terminates in locating the boy's apartments just as he has shot a man in defence of the person of a worthless woman who has infatuated him. The work of Sir Herbert in the enthralling court scene, his battle to save the remorse-stricken boy from the hangman's noose, his gentle solicitude for his grey-headed wife when she collapses on the ilness-stand and, throwing herself o. r knees in front of the [jury and pleads, ''l want my boy, I ! want my boy," is a revelation in great acting. Josephine Crowd), well known for her work in old woman parts in Fine Arts and Orillith's pictures, is the mother, and Elmer Clifton plays the son. MATINEE TO-DAY AT 8 P.M. A special selection of pictures, educational, humorous and instructive, has been arranged for the children's matinee this afternoon. Included in the pictures is a fairy tale of deep interest entitled "Fairyland"; also a "Mutt and Jed"' carloon, "Broncho Billys Adventures." and a Keystone comedy. TO-NIGHT. Tho principal attraction on the programme to-night is "The Jungle Child,' a Triangle feature starring Dorothy Dalton and Howard Hickman. The production is one of rare power and variety. The wild animals that dwell in the dense jungle of the tropical belts are depicted in their native haunts and in the centre of the picture is the heroine of the story, a beautiful creature of the wild, untamed and r.s yet unloved. She is a Spanish girl, who as an infant was adopted by an Andian tribe. Into her life comes an American explorer, who has lost his way and is rescued and nursed back to health by the girl. Incidentally he discovers that she is a lost heiress, and being thoroughly unscrupulous gains her affections and persuades her to return to civilisation with him. Too late, flhe discovers his real character, and perceive; that he despises her for her primitive instincts. The climax that develops is dramatic ami terrible. The supporting items are of an interesting and varied selection.