ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 January 1918, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

LAST NIGHT OI- ANITA STEWART TO-Nlt'llT AT EVERYBODY'S. A wonderful story that probes the deepest hidden springs of emotion is unfolded in "The More Excellent Way,'" a live-reel Vitagrnph feature which will lie finally screened to-night at Everybody's. The story was written by Cyrus Townscnd Brady, and with such artists as Anita Stewart, Charles Ricbman and i'Rudolph i Cameron in the leads the success of the production can be readily imagined! Superb is the acting of Rudolf Cameron as the young man upon whom the curse of alcoholic craving is set. The scene in the secret dance hall of the many-times divorced society woman is charged with dynamic force. Faced by -hideous temptation, and in surroundings whose glitter and splendour hide the ugliness of vice, the youth falls —ensuring that soon there will be nought for him but the altar of dead Rones. Strong as Mr. Cameron's acting , is, it is quite out-classed by the interpretation, by Anita Stewart, of the young girl who is suddenly left an orphan, with no one but a dissolute lover to look to for comfort. Twice she had encountered the full lurid flame of inoii's passion—once when her young lover looked at Iter with eyes that were <lim with, drunken longing—and now again, when the older man, who had promised to protect her bv sh'mg her his name, came to her on their wedding night. 'As you are strong, have mercy, I did not know/' faltered the little bride. The delicate handling of this masterplay make it easily the finest work seen here for some time. Supporting items are "Her Fame and Shame" (two-reel Keystone), Rex Reach Travelogue, and the Weekly War Budget. At the matinee to-morrow a new programme will he screened including "The Iron Claw" and a Vitajrraph detective feature ".tarring Earle Williams. TWO MAGNIFICENT FTTJM FEATURES AT THE EMPIRE, iVhat proved to be the strongest programme yet shown in New Plymouth drew a goodly house to the Empire last night. It. is hard to say which picture proved the most popular. In the Metro, Mi<s Viola Dana, that charming little girl, gives an interpretation which is not easily forgotten. The title of the piece is "Lady Barnacle," and it has been produced in proper Metro style. The rich and colorful life of the palace of an Fast Indian Maharajah is reproduced in "Lady Barnacle."' Peacocks on the lawn and sparkling fountains add to the richness and beauty of the scenes. Director John H Collins has taken great pains in securing beautiful locations for this picture, and some of the scenes are remarkably similar to views of the Taj Mahal in Tndia, said to be the most beautiful buildii'2 in the world. As LaksTiima, the little heroine of "Lady Barnacle,"' daughter of a Maharajah, Miss 13ana wears some magnificent jewels. Others, uncut, she takes with hey when she runs away to follow her Hindoo sweetheart across the seas. Bolt upon Jsolt of handsome East Ihifia silks are shown, the father of George Morling (Robert Walker)* being the head of a great silk firm. Contrasted with these luxurious settings are scenes in the most Puritanic and straightlaced New England homes, where Lakshima is brought for protection. The little Hindoo maiden causes a sensation in-the New World, and incidentally, is the heroine of ati absorbing photoplay. The. other star film is a William Foxsuper feature entitled "Mc-lting Millions," in which George Walsh appears. The story of a man saved from himself is the story of 'Melting Millions." George Walsh, who plays the star role, outdoes the high standard of good work lie lias been doing for William Fox pictures; and Anna Luther, the winsome and' charming heroine, is more winsome and charming than ever. Just because. Jack Balentine had money, he thought that he had to spend it. The mere fact that, his father (Sidney Deane) had left him about a million dollars was incentive enougli_ to his spendthrift powers. He did his utmost to siow himself unworthy of his legacy. The final chapter of the great serial, "Tim Secret of the Submarine" completed the programme, which will be repeated to-night. The performance starts at 7.45 sharp.