TO-NIGHT’S PICTURES.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume VII, Issue 202, 20 June 1917, Page 6

TO-NIGHT’S PICTURES.

EVERYBODY’S, HASTINGS. “Pidgin Island,” which will lie screened again to-night, is a picture version by the Metro Company* of Harold McGrath’s exciting novel of that name. An idea of the story may 5 be gained by the following brief synopsis: John Cranford (Harold Lockwood), a Secret Service agent, falls in love with a girl whom he believes to bo a law-breaker. The scene is on the Canadian border, where extensive smuggling is going on. In the meantime Diana Wynne (.May Allison) continues to watch and wait, for unknown to John, she is a Customs agent herself. She intercepts a telegram that forms a clue to the smuggling. So she and John work at cross-purposes, each on the track of the smugglers, and each suspecting the other, until the thrilling denouement clears up the mystery. Love, mystery, and adventure constitute the strong appeals in this picture-play, and these elements have been set amid some of the most beautiful scenery of the Canadian Lakes, a special feature being the magnificent surf scenes during one of the great storms that sweep over these inland seas. Besides this line picture there is a first-class supporting programme, including a very interesting travel picture and a most amusing Keystone comedy entitled “His Last Scent.” A reminder is given of the entertainment in aid of the French Red Cross to be held in this theatre on Friday night.

MUNICIPAL THEATRE, HASTINGS

■ For to-morrow night the manager ment of this theatre announce an unI usual attraction in a six-part heart- . stirring drama of preparedness, patriotism and love, featuring Tone Ter- ' ris. Frank Draper, a briuiant young chemist is on the track of the secret ! of a marvellous explosive which he ■ plans to give to the United States Go- ■ vernment. International spies through • a false friend of Draper’s learn of his ( experiments. They are in the employ ; of a. foreign Government. At the head ■ of the gang is Dempsey, whose aide is ' Nana, a beautiful but evil woman. The gang contrives to have Draper falsely accused of murder and rai.roaded to prison. In the meantime they employ a miserable broken down chemist to try to fathom Draper’s secret by analysing some chemicals they * have . stolen from his laboratory. Realising ; that without Draper they are beaten they plan his release and escape from . prison when he will be in their power. . The rescue by automobile and racing aeroplane is accomp.ished. Draper in gratitude consents to work out his experiments for the spies’ benefit in a lonely isolated hut. In the meantime Nana has fallen desperately in love with Draper but is fiendishly jealous of ! his renewal of a love affair with a forI mer sweetheart. The gang learns through her that Draper means to betray them and give his secret to Washington after ad. Caught in the toils of the relentless Dempsey Draper faces an awful fate. What follows and how Draper cheats “The Sand of Death” forms a brcath-catching climax to a magnificent photoplay. Lavishly mounted —wonderfully acted—a photodrama you will remember always. There are some splendid items in support.