PICTURES AT THE OPERA HOUSE.

Evening Post, Volume LCCVI, Issue 126, 26 November 1908, Page 2

PICTURES AT THE OPERA HOUSE.

Under the the aegis of the name of the great Paris "firm of cinematographists the picture show invaded the Opera House last evening, and found liberal patronage. ' The Pathe Pictures aie not all by Pathe, but they are nearly all of the high standard of which the m,me Pathe is the hall-mark. Most of the pictures were quite new. There vere beautiful views of Strasburg, showing, by the way, the inevitable German soldier with the stilted goose-step that invariably sets the house a-laughing. Then there were scenes of New York, with the arrival of immigrants, and the building of skyscrapers, and the crowds crossing Brooklyn bridge. Japan was depicted in Geisha tableaux, and thrilling views of shooting the rapids on some mountain torrent. The novelty of the evening was the Operascope, an attempt to reproduce not only the movement of the stage, but also the voices of the actors. This was by the combined effect of the cinematograph and the gramaphone. The synchronisation, which depended purely on the operator of the cinematograph, was sometimes a little ' faulty, but the net result was entertaining. The opera chosen was the "Mikado," and the colouied scenes were very charming. Another beautiful film was that illustrating the story of "Faust," with a transformation scene of gorgeous hue at the end. Interesting also were the views of Harry Lauder making^ up in his dressing-room, of Eugene Stratton as tho whistling coon, with phonograph accompaniment. Of the comic variety was a delightful picture from Chicago entitled "His First Bike Ride," showing the antics of a trick cyelisc. By way of a change Dr. Rowe gave an exhibition of expert conjuring. Nandine, the tfhite Mahatma, who was announced to appeal, was indisposed. She appears to-night, when the programme will be repeated.