THE EMPIRE.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 March 1917, Page 7

THE EMPIRE.

MATINEE TO-DAY. A complete change of programme was presented at the Hmpire last evening, when the •prlnicpal feature was a refreshingly original comedy in four parts by the Triangle Company, entitled ''Manhattan Madness," in which the popular "athlete-comedian," Douglas. Fairbanks, takes the leading part. "Manhattan .Madness" tells of the arrival in New York of a young Nevada rancher. He hunts up his old college chums, and after a round of club and city life he declares that New York is dull. He draws a comparison between the "real life" 1 of the West and the humdrum existence eked out by the Kasterner. His friends conspire to give the Westerner some excitement, and plan a gigantic practical joke, of which the ranchman is to be the victim. However, before the joke is pushed home, the intended victim unexpectedly turns the tables on the perpetrators, and wins a bride into the bargain. There is a fine list of supporting pictures, including the Gaumont Graphic" and a beautiful scenic, "Eivers of Prance."

A WONDERFUL SPECTACLE—"CA.BUHA," THE MIGHTY. The wonderful cinematographic production, "Cabiria." which will be screened at the Empire Theatre next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, exceeds in every way the many comments of praise which have been accorded the film, and a merely written description of the picture but very feebly portrays the magnificence of the scenes depicted. The film is really a pictorial representation of episodes in the year 300 8.C., and the hundreds of scenes are produced on a le of the' greatest magnificence. The destruction of the city of Catana, through the eruption *of Mount Etna, the burning of the Roman fleet, the storming of the walls of the city of Citra, and the crossing of the snow-cov-ered Alps by Hannibal's army, are a few of the features of the production. The architectural wonders of the film would bear lengthy description, and equally so would the representation of tlio huge conflagrations of the burning cities, when the populace' are seen in their mad rush for safety away from the hideous flames. To fully understand and appreciate these pictures one must be present as they are exhibited. The film is produced by the Italia Film Company, of Turin, Italy, and is indeed a triumph of cinematography. Seats for either screening can now be booked at Collier's.