THOMPSON-PAYNE PICTURES.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9650, 15 November 1909, Page 6

THOMPSON-PAYNE PICTURES.

In this age of scientific research and invention, one almost ceases to marvel at the wonderful things that are brought daily under notice. The orator has culmiy plodded along until his aims are practically achieved—the submarine, the talking machine, wireless telegraphy and telephony, have long ceased to cause wonder. While these wonderful inventions were being produced, two young men in France were using their scientific knowledge in a different manner, namely, photography, and after many years of ceaseless toil, have brought the fruits of their labour before the public in a practically perfect form. The brothers Lumiere have at last succeeded in producing photographs in natural colours. Messrs Pathe Freres, of London and Paris, took up this new innovaton. and adopted to their cinematographic work, and on Saturday night patrons had the pleasure of witnessing a demonstration of what c*»n be done in this line. Messrs Thompson and Payne for the first time showed the Masterton public animated pictures in their natural colors. Tne subject chosen for this demonstration was the beautiful island of Ceylon. The picture is taken from the front ot a railway engine, during its run across the island. The moment this picture flashes on the screen, one is struck by the lifelike appearance of everything, the beautiful palms, banana plantations, orange groves and ail other classes of foliage stand out in the full elory of their natural hues, and the longer one gazes at the

beautiful panorama of Cingalese scenery that is being unfolded before one's eyes, the more one marvels at what science is doing for the world at large. Pictures produced before the large audience that attended the Forester's Hail on Saturday were dome really fine dramatic subjects. "What Women Suffer" is a very pathetic story of a man who commits a crime, is arrested, and sentenced to two years' imprisonment. The poor wife and children are reduced to straitened circum* stances, and at last to absolute vation. Being evicted from their home, they are compelled to take to the streets. They are found i.j most distressful state, by a kind hearted coster and his wife, who takes them under their care, and do the best for them they can. A few years ealpse and the husband discharged from gaol, returns to the old home, and discovers his wife and children gone. | He searches in vain, and after fruitless efforts to obtain work, he is on the point of committing another crime, when a friendly adviser takes him in hand, and sends him to Australia. He has sensational luck, and returns to England a wealthy man. While passing along the street in his motor car, he recogniess his wife and children selling flowers, etc. There is a happy reunion in a new and more beautiful home. "An Extraordinary Journey" is an intensely humorous picture, depicting the adventures of a married couple and their servant during a rather peculiar railway trip. The antics of the different articles of food caused great laughter, but the erratic movements of the train, brought the audience to the highest pitch of • laughter. "The Banknote'' is one of the series of dramatic subjects. In the first scene one sees a gang of counterfeits at work, with their printing presses in full swing, making spurious banknotes, and the molten metal being run into moulds tor counterfeit coin. Next is shown the interior of a poor family dwelling. The husband can find no work, and starvation stares them in the face. Ddring the husband's absence from home, a letter arrives for the wife, from one of the coiners, who is deeply in, love with her, offering her wealth untold if she will only ccme to him. She resists the temptation for a while, but at the last consents. She leaves a note for her husband, saying she is going to get some money for the children, and then leaves to join the coiaer. A man is discovered by the couple lying insensible from want and privation. He is not recognised as the lady's husband, and the coiner places a £5 note in his hand, to enable him to purchase food. On recovery he finds tjie note, and purchases food for himself and the children. The storekeeper discovers the note is not a genuine one, and informs the police, who accuse the unfortunate man. However, hia innocence is proved by the wife, who had returned to see the children, and she informs the police where to find the plant and gang.

The police raid the place, and some clever mechanical devices are shown for ridding the place of incriminating material quickly. The police find only four young fellows apparently practising music. They try again, and finally succeed in securing the coiners"Salome Mad" is a particularly finp comic subject.. "Industries in British Columbia" gives- a fine view of timber working, and life in the copper mines in this far-off Canadian possession.. > "Russian Cavalry" shows what a state of prefection can be reached in military horsemanship. Among the other subjects shown were "A Life Annuity," "The Burglar and the Child," "A Tragic Night,'"'The Widow," and "A Son's Atonement," t all first class films. The comic element is well supplied in "A Capital Joke," "Mistaken Identity," "The Electric janiarger," and several others, the whole making a programme which would be hard to equal. This splendid programme will be produced again to-night, and Tuesday. On Wednesday another complete change will be given, when other excellent novelties are promised.