AMUSEMENTS

Nelson Evening Mail, 15 May 1917, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS

PERMANENT PICTURES. There will be a-complete change of programme sit, the Empire Theatre this evening, when :i Bosworth 5000 ft. star feature entitled "The Gentleman from Indiana" will.be presented. This very fine photo-play, featuring Dustin Farnuni, has beeii built around Booth Tarkington's vigorous story of life in Platville. His stories are immensely popular and show some clever character drawing of men and women.- good and bad. Very ordinary people living in a small cm: itry town they are, but the master-band of" the author weaves their lives and loves, their virtues and their follies, into a web of a powerful novel, throbbing with huident and abounding in dramatic situations. 'The Gentleman from Indiana" is John Harkness. the big 'varsity footballer. who goes down to Platville to run the local newspaper. knocks out the corrupt political boss svstem, breaks up the notorious White Caps, and falls in love with the sweetest airl in the town. It is a great story. :md if anything is even greater on the film. A "good selection of supporting items complete the programme. Molueka will be visited to-morrow and Rich mond on Thursday.

THEATRE ROYAL. PEOPLE'S PICTURES. "THE WHEEL OF THE LAW." Another new Metro drama, SCOOft in length, will be screened at the 'theatre Koval' to-night, when "The Witching Hour" (in response to a very large number of Requests) will also be shown. In "The AVheel of the Law" a great opportunity is given Miss Stevens for deep emotional work as well as for the many lighter, brighter touches that make for contrast. The climax finds her attaining her greatest art. and although the audience know that, as the wife., she is but acting a part, they are held in suspense as to the outcome of her great adventure. A picture with a mighty appeal to men as well as women, it strikes a sincere note, such as is all too rarely struck bv the modern play. An inteusely dramatic" story, good all through, but with some really big moments, affording Miss Steven splendid opportunities tor her rare skill and artistry The play is almost entirely set within doors and particular care has been expended to obtain the correct atmosphere. Ihe big s>a~e and theatre scenes are without a flaw The big fashionable audience is the real thing, and not made up of "supers," and the great finale to "La tosca," with Miss Emily Stevens as the star performer, is wonderfully well done. The interior setting of the magnificent church is without question the best vet seen, and the courthouse scene i* perfectly portrayed. Glimpses of lite behind the scenes; fashionable restaurants, with some of the highest paid specialty dancers in New York : inside the prison walls of the grim "Sing Sing : a chemist's laboratory, and the luxurious homes of New York's society, all have their place in this remarkable turn.