"THE BARRIER."

Taranaki Daily News, 27 March 1918, Page 3

"THE BARRIER."

At Everybody's Theatre last night the success of the powerful Hex Beach liim, •'The Barrier," based on the irutliors uiost thrilling novel, was never for a moment in doubt so far as New Plymouth picture lover.? were concerned In fact, the number of people who do sired to see this stirring drama completely outstripped the capacity of the theatre. 'The Barrier" quite justilles the advance reports, for it proved about as remarkable a photo-drama as any we liavo seen in' New Plymouth. Adapted from Rex Beach's Alaskan novel, the story illustratee a phase of life in which the elemental passions have full scope for play and development. Its characters are for the most part an epitome of human nature in the rough. Red blood runs in their veins. Good and bad they stand out clear-out and virile as becomes men who brave the trackless wastes of a little known land in quest of adventure, of hearts' ease and forgetfulncss, or merely from a wholesome fear of the law. John Gaylord, a central figure in the story, belongs to the latter class. Seventeen years have passed since he escaped with a price on his head., and when Lieut- Merde Ilurrell comes lo the little settlement in the wake of goldseekers and runs up the Stars and Stripe} as the symbol oi the law's majesty and presence, clouds gather about Gaylord's horiim. The handsome soldier meets Neeia, a beautiful woodland sprite, who passes for Gaylord's daughter, and before either has realised the barrier of race and blood which stands between them they are hopelessly In love with each other. The arrival of Dan Bennett, alias Ben Stark, with other human scum, forcibly opens the door on Gaylord's past, and leads to a thrilling and satisfactory elucidation of Xecia's history. The dramatic quality of tho story is enhanced by a trio of man-to-man combats as terribly realistic as any ever witnessed on stage or screen. Special music accompanies the film- The general direction is faultless, the sceaery magnificent, and the problem of race and blood handled with infinite skill and delicacy. For the special convenience of mothers and children a matinee screening of' "The Barrier" will be given at Everybody's this afternoon at 3, and the final New Plymouth unspooling will take plaice at 8 to-night.