THE EMPIRE.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 April 1917, Page 6

THE EMPIRE.

A FOX FEATURE TO-NIGHT, "THE THIEF."

A famous stage success, "The Thief,'' which is still fresh in the memories of local theatre-goers, will he introduced in cinema form at the Empire this evening. The production, which is by the William Fox Company, considerably amplifies the stage version of Ifcnri Bernstein's brilliant work. It is represented in the plot that Raymond Legardes' young wife inv!tes her friend Marie and her husband Rics'ard to stay with them. Fernand Legardes, a son of Raymond's first wife, falls in love with Marie, who endeavors to dissuade him from bis folly. Marie, in order to captivate her husband, develops a mania for dress, and ultimately steals some thousands of francs from her hostess. When the theft is discovered Fernand assumes the role of the thief to save Marie, but when the young man is about to be banished from bis home the guilty woman confesses. The play is lavishly staged, and the acting is artistic to a degree. The supporting pictures include the latest Gaumont Graphic", a picture of France's Inland Navy, a nature study, "Sea Anemones," and a Vitagraph comedy, "Villainous Villains."

GOOD FRIDAY NIGHT.

A special benefit performance in aid of the Wounded Soldiers' Club will be given to-morrow night, commencing at 7.45. The usual prices of admission will be charged, but patrons are asked to tomember the object of the benefit and purchase Is tickets if their means will allow.

SATURDAY NEXT,

On Saturday at matinee and at night only there will bo another complete change .of programme, featuring a fine reel adaptation of Sir Rider Haggard's thrilling romance, "She." This is one of the most widely read stories, and its picturlsation -represents a feat in the motion 'picture world. The photograpny is superb, and full justice is done in the fullest sense to the gorgeous scenes in the extraordinary kingdom conjured up in the author's vivid imagination. "

EASTER MONDAY

On this night occurs the greatest event ever registered in the local history of motion pictures, namely the debut, to a local audience of the'present particu-j larly brilliant star in the motion picture,' firmament, Miss Billie Burke, in a play entitled "Peggy," especially constructedfor this artist's triumphant entry into motion pictures.