AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18920, 8 February 1927, Page 13

AMUSEMENTS.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. RIDER HAGGARD'S "MOON OF ISRAEL." "PARADISE. ' BY COSMO HAMILTON. The two pictures comprising the new bill which was witnessed by big audience! last night it Everybody's Theatre, differ greatly tho one from the other. Both are excellent in their respective classes. "The Moon of Israel." a screen version of Rider Haggard's novel, i» stupendous in conception and execution. It challenges comparison with nome of the greatest spectacular film*, of the past, and emerge* successfully from the comparison. It Is woven round tbe/Biblical account of the eniltvoment of the Israelites by the Egyptians, and their deliverance from that bondage. The glory and pomp of Bnclent Egypt, its mighty temple*, and its gorgeous palaces, the power and greatness of its armed hosts, aro thrown Into striking contrast by tho callous and brutal treatment of the enslaved Hebrew nation. Kor the principal incidcnti th« story us told in Exodus is closely followed, but there it «uperinipos»d a lovo thorao of the great norelist's invention —the love of fietl for Mcrapl, the "Moon of Israel," one of tho down-trodden race. It is an intensely human love story, deeply tinged with the fatalism of the East, yot relieved by moments of unalloyed delight. Adelqul Millar is entirely convincing as tho Egyptian prince, and Marin Corda as "The Moon of Israel" presents the character with truo artistic fidelity. A lengthy array of characters, including Pharaoh and Moses, is interpreted by o cast of a highly uniform level of excellence. The director has managed the crowds that are introduced in a number of the Incidents with great skill. Marvellous in every detail Is the flight of the Israelites from the land of (Joshen, their pursuit by the Egyptian host, the parting of tho waters of tho Ked Sea to allow the fugitives to pass over, and the engulfing of Pharaoh and his horsemen and his chariots when the waters come together again, other incidents of almost similar magnitude are pictured with the samo consummate skill and realism. "Stupendous" is the only fitting description of the whole picture, and the breathless interest with which it wrs witnessed was eloquent testimony of tho recognition of how n great theme has been greatly presented. The scrorn version of Cosmo Hamilton's

"Paradise" is satisfactory in every sense, and tho intensely interesting story is pictured pleasingly and in a manner that enrhnlns the attention. Milton Sills easily bear* off the palm for hU presentation of the hero, Tony Stirling. The fight between him and Qnex (realistically interpreted by Noah Beery) is one of the most thrilling fights to a finish pictured on the screen. Hetty Dronson makes a piquant and delightful heroine, and the other characters are in good hands. The latest Topical Budget was noteworthy for a section showing the Maori football team's first match in London.

Appropriate musical selections were given by Everybody's Select Orchestra, under tho conductorshlp of Mr W. J. Bcllingham.