PICTURE ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Star, Issue 16264, 6 November 1916, Page 4

PICTURE ENTERTAINMENTS

' DIVINITY OF MOTHERHOOD.* The Plaza management showed for the first time to-day the mueh-Slebated picturedrama 'The Divinity of Matherhood.' This long and beaiitit'idly"-produced study throws into the high lights of publicity "a eccret csnkcr, the produeD of civilisation, and sophistication, that gnaws at the very roots of national stability. Its central thc-me is the rebellion of a certain tvpe of social butterfly against the sacred diitv of motherhood. This is a big subject,' one whoso exhibition in a- picture theatre presents difficulties if the offensive is to be avoided, and it is gratifying to bo abie to record that 'The Divinity of Motherhood' not only presents the' theme in a powerful and convincing way, bub evades the slightest taint of siiggestiraicss. This is achieved by the- elaborate symbolism of the production, the story being alternately ai absorbing drama and a beautifullyclotbed dream. A child will find the most acute pleasure in the long idyllic scene named 'Babyiand,' a wonderful* fairyland, indeed, symbolic of puiity and innocence; while his elders cannot fail to absorb the lesson, written in letters of fire (as in Faust's book of conjurations) that thero is a personal as well as a national doom in the evasion of God's laws. The- etontakes a most novel and welcome twjsfc at the end. We have followed, the fatal fortunes of the woman from the moment in

her bedroom when she repudiated woman's inalienable debt to her miserable lonely death. All seems told, when the picture switches back u> the critical scene. We- see the woman wake from her terrifying dream, thankful that life is still to live, welcoming the little life that is to come. Here, too, there ie a lesson, for alas, it is not given to man to see the outcome of lus follies. The consequences of a crime are incalculable. This powerful subject is reinforced by several lighter films.

GRAND. The well-known opera- ' Carmen,' in picture guise, is the headline attraction at the Grand Picture Palace ui-da.y. The scenic setting and incidents of this drama of passion form sufficient justification for a film version, and further importance is lent to the production by the appearance in the name role of the French actress Thcda Bara. Amongst the sensational scenes of this love tragedy ore the realistic bull-fight (filmed from actual, combat), the hand-to-hand straggle between Carmen and Michaela, the famous duel scene, and the leap of Don Jose mto the lake. The drama is magnificently produced, and additional effect is won by the selections from the opera played by the Grand orchestra. In a word, this is a big film, and in itself provides a splendid night's entertainment. Notwithstanding, there are several good "supports." QUEEN'S. The latest World film release, 'The Pawn of Fate,' shown at the Queen's today, it-ells the story of how a poor, ignorant peasant with a pretty wife was made the butt of a cruel jest by a wealthy Parisian artiet who had fallen in love with the young woman. Lassalle, the Parisian, plays upon the husband's irtistic ambitions and lures him to Paris, where his illusion's are shattered and his faith in his wife shaken. He turns upon his false friend,, and takes partial toll for his wrongs in physical violence. In the depths of despair Pierre (the husband) is about to seek solace in suicide when he is confronted •by the man he has- mortally wounded. In his dying moments atones, and there is a patietic reconciliation between Pierre and his wife. Other films on the new bill include 'Kurnel Kirutfc Wins a Wife.' The Octagon and King Edward managements have a special attraction for tonight in ' The 5 Battlo Cry of Peace,' a drama of American invasion prepared with the assistance of the American naval and military authorities. 'The Fatal Card' is the big film at Everybody's. The Empire shows the vigorous Metro drama ' The Spell of the Yukon.'