TO-NIGHT’S PICTURES.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume VI, Issue 340, 27 January 1917, Page 3

TO-NIGHT’S PICTURES.

MUNICIPAL THEATRE, HASTINGS. Another splendid programme is offered at this theatre to-night.. The star item is a five-part Rea Feather production featuring Miss Myrtle Gonzalez and Vai Paul. The story is briefly as follows. Roy Norton, a wealthy young Southerner is in love with Col. Simpson’s daughter Nora. The Col. is opposed to the match and forbids his daughter to see Norton. On his way home Norton meets an old friend, and they are overtaken by a violent thunderstorm they seek shelter at an inn. where they commence a game of cards. Norton gets intoxicated and accuses the publican of cheating, they start a fight and a shot is fired wounding the publican. To avoid scandal Norton goes away and his friend Leepington informs the police that Roy is guilty. The Colonel while travelling is killed in a railway accident, his daughter left penniless, marries an old professor, hut soon realises her mistake. Norton returns and clears himself of the charge. The failure of The People s Bank leaves the Professor penniless, the shock being too much for his weak heart, Nora is left free to the man. she loves. Another splendid feature is a Bison Production entitled “The Leap, which contains many exciting episodes including a daring leap from the top of one train to another. The Gold Industry in N.Z. is a picture of great interest. The comedy section being provided by a screamingly funny comedy entitled “All Bets Off. ’

PRINCES THEASTRE, HASTINGS. A dramatic story of love and intrigue with a happv denouement, is told in the World Fi‘lm Company’s production, “Her Great Hour,” at the Princess Theatre to-night. A special interest attaches to the appearance in the leading role of Molly Mclntyre, whose suecess in the iilni presentation of "the famous Scotch comedy. “Bunty Pulls the Strings,” was an acknowledged hit. In “Her Great Hour,” she takes the part of Nan Perrins, a dismissed employee who, charged with theft, is S*'® 1 ; a domestic position in the household oi the prosecuting attorney, Kirby. Kirby’s wife Violet is involved in a love intrigue with a man named Irwin, but is in danger of discovery by her husband. A violent quarrel ensues, and Violet, hurling the ‘phone at Irwin, kills him. The wife, panic-stricken, calls Nau, and the two are in the act of re moving the bodv, when- —enter the husband. In the extremity of her terroi the wife accuses Nan of the murder The latter flies, leaving a note hinting at suicide, but the detectives discover evidence of Violet’s intrigue, she con fesses her crime, and expires with dramatic suddenness. Nan, cleared in tlu eyes of the law, finds happiness in e mutual attachment which develops be tween her employer and herself. Ar Entertaining selection of topics support the star film.

KING’S THEATRE, HASTINGS. People who saw the big picture “Cabiria” will remember the giant negro Maciste, who used his great strength to such good purpose in doing all manner of prodigious feats oi strength on behalf of the persecuted heroine of that production. Maciste appears to have made a popular hit as a picture player, for the . producers oi “Cabiria” have given him a five-ree film all to himself, in which he improves on the physical culture “stunts” with which he commenced hit movie career. The new picture is called “Maciste” and is the story of a persecuted girl, who in escaping from a gang of ruffians, takqs refuge in a cinema theatre just in time to get the mighty man of ‘Cabiria” performing some of his most wonderful feats. Hit strength comes to her as a revelation and obeying a wild impulse to seek hit aid in her difficulties, she. writes tc Maciste. He answers her by letter out of curiosity, and later she meets him and enlists his sympathy. Then follows a wonderful series of “strong man” feats, in which the desperadoes who are making the girl’s life miserable come in for an extremely unhappy time. Maciste is a great actor as well as one of the most powerful athletes in the world, and this sensational picture, will, no doubt, attract large audiences. “Maciste,” together with a good supporting programme, will be screened for the first time to-night at the King’s.

EVERYBODY’S, HASTINGS. A powerful five-act Metro drama entitled “The Weakness of Strength,” is the star attraction on to-night’s programme. Edmund Breese, the popular photoplay actor who appeared in “The Shooting of Dan McGrew,” “The Sp®h of the Yukon.” and other successful productions is in the lead, supported a fine cast. Mr. Breese plays the part of a man who is in love with power, and who barters for it the love and sympathy of his fellow creatures, even including that of the woman he loves. But he finds out his mistake at last, when he is sick and alone. How Dan Gaynor monopolizes the log-market in his corner of the world, how he advances to a position as head of a great ship-building firm, how the hour of his greatest success is his greatest peril and how he is saved from himself by the unsought love of a little child, form the leading motives in this heart-stir-ring drama. Another splendid feature will be Episode 14 of “The Broken Coin,” which includes some sensational battle scenes.