ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 September 1917, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

BIG MOVEMENT OX AGAINST CITY VICE. PROTECTIVE league makes sicTURES TO FIGHT IT. "If you want a thing done, do it yourself," is still a good suggestion, and because of its good sense the Young Women's Protective League is starting to do practical protecting without waiting for welfaro organisations and similar "movements" to get under way. Tho League's first movo is the production of a six-reel photoplay, "Ignorance," under the general supervision of the League in co-operation with James A Fitzgerald, director of the production for the Private Feature Film Company. It will be seen here nexs Wednesday and Thursday at the Empire theatre. The play is not a succession oi scenes depicting the morbid aspects of degenerpYi humanity but, in line with the purpose of the League, it effectively uses conditions and tilings as they really are, so that these girls may know what awaits them at the end of the road that looks so rosy at the start. Outside of its moral and uplifting influence, the feature is notable as a splendid example of the photoplay in its highest plane of development. The story is strong, very strong, as a story, anil with Earl Metcalfe starring in the difficult but brilliant role of the District Attorney, supported by Eleanor Black, Ethel Tuily and others well known because of their conspicuous successes, the lure of the underworld is unmasked so effectively that the direct result of this production cannot fail to cause fewer girls to be added to tho tragic list oi those drawn into the muck of the underworld. The Young Women's Protective League is working in harmony with the efforts of officials in large cities toward the abolition of vice. The League believes that ignorance is one of the big causes of vice and is therefore doing the obvious, namely, using this photoplay to combat ignorance.

"THE SOCIAL LEPER." A MAGNIFICENT DRAMATIC PICTURE. The World Film play, "The Social Leper," attracted a large audience to Everybody's on Saturday and many intending patrons were unable (o gain admission at the evening session. June Elvidge is very alluring in her portrayal jf a woman who only thinks of lier own pleasure and social position, regardless of consequences, Carlyle Blackwell plays the part of the devoted husband well, and Arthur Ashley, liis friend and dupe of the Social Leper, takes a very striking part. Evelyn Greenlev, the attractive and winsome young girl who ultimately marries Blackwell after the death of his wife ("The Social Leper"), whom he divorced, takes her part to perfection. The whole plot is skilfully portrayed and is of absorbing interest throughout. The supporting films include a Topical Gazette, showing some good pictures of the' Allies' doings In the Balkans. To-night will be the final screening of this very line programme. TO-MORROW. A Blue-Bird super-feature, "Secret Love" will be the chief attraction, with a big Broadway star, Helen Ware, in the principle role. This picture is an adaptation of Francis Hodgson Burnett's widely novel, "The lis o' (Low..e," and is full of interest and excitement. This programme also includes a, MossFrohman five-reel feature "The Conquest of Canaan." ■ROBERT WARWICK IN "THE AIRGYLE CASE." The news that this popular actor had forn.ed his own company on lines similar to those adopted by Clara Kimball Young and Norma Taimadge, caused a sensation in America. It' is true, as well, that his first release, "The Argyle Case," will cause even more excitement. The play is, of course, well known, and is the very best detective drama which has ever been seen upon the legitimate stage. The mystery of who killed John Argyle is apparently insoluble, and the real secret is well kept until the very last. Robert Warwick, as the- purposeful, unassuming, and relentless investigator is splendid, and after lie 'has consummated his great task, he sets about his love-making with just the same persistence. His work as the detective is rmst convincing. He never looks mysterious, nor »oes he indulge in a row of absurd and stagy gestures. He goes about the work as it would have been done in real life. W. J. Burns, the greatest of the American detectives, was called in to l 'gi\t pointersnad his hints ivere of great value in giving an air of reality to the production. This interesting picture will he screened to-night and tomorrow night at the Empire Theatre.