"THE MANXMAN."

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLII, Issue 1017, 9 November 1917, Page 6

"THE MANXMAN."

f'Thc-’Manxman, ’’ Hall Caine’s .well known novel, forms a- fine subject-for. .-animated -pliotopTaphy,,. and its presentation at'the Palace Tifcatre hist. night- was a <listi)u:e success. The ecoitea 0> the story are laid on the Isle <>l Man, In the Irish Sea, and here, on ns i native soil, .and amidst familiar ’scem's, jho piclnriscd version ..war. brindecl. It is lull of local colour, and this enhances Lie value of tin', picture, and adds those touches winch makes for .natural, find .artistic production. Thc-'story of "The Mauxmnii” is a familinr one, •arid" in Phillip and Pete, two ol the priuc-ipals, the author has- crcatct two powerful characters—i >Pliillip (tho AltmX’ .man”) polished, brilliant, arid, succu-ssiui, kind Pete,' a line, type of honcsk real arc)’. •The men avo the warmest, of Ljcnds, and both.' tiro-An love • -with the inn-lcci-'pcr-s daughlcr (the heroine), tiiough PinlHp holds Iris feelings in check, out ol consideration ol the ( rust his friend.Pete reposes in him, 1 lieensnint? scenes reveal some, highly dramatic .and emotional episodes,. the • progress pi (bo story, calling ’for the best characteristics in -human nature, and these were ianhtmly port rayed by Henry Ainsley, as Phillip, and Fred Groves., as .Pete. Ihe latter s character was a; special fine personation, ami showed the bind" British seaman to perfection. IClimbetii. Risden, as fho wa.s not- so powerful ns the .other pruiAipals, but thn acting’ of the juveniles., was In st rate being delighlfulh’ natural and unconventional.’ A feature that makes largely for the success of-tho picture is its excellemsetting. The marine- scenes, have, •been secured on the. sea-girt isle itself. anti are spedallv line, the rugged wilderness; of the. landscape, lending to emphasise, the. salient points and incidents in the story, One. chapter brings in a n'pe.ul.ion ol tho harvest- . vusi.onK .of the. ancient days.,- and the subsequent., merry-making, which is splendidly produced.. The.photography was pe.rfecl. and'was rjni t 0.-tlir- best scene Locally, and with the superb acting and.-production' [i enerallv. “Thf; Manxman'.’ is easily one of r'ne. finest subjects seen on the local screens. It should not be missed by picture-lovers.