AMUSEMENTS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LII, Issue 113, 16 May 1918, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS

HAYWARD'S PICTURES.

The fame of the much talked of film, 'The Mormon Maid," attracted a crowded and enthusiastic audience to the Empire Theatre last night. The picture fearlessly attacks the practices of the Mormon creed when it was at the height of its power. In Australia, ■when the film "landed, cables were received from the Mormon authorities endeavouring to block the -showing of the film, aud communications of protest were sent to Australian leaders. It i will be remembered also that similar at- I tempts were made in New Zealand. Ihe 6tory is particularly sensational, splendidly produced and superbly acted. Dora (Mae Murray) the daughter of the Hocues (Hobart Bosworth and Edith Chapman), who live in the Mormon metropolis, loves Tom Ridgon Borzage), a young fellow of the faith, who fs unacauainted with its darker side. Darius Burr (Noah Beery), a.leading figure in the church, looks with covetous eyes on Dora, and to gain his point forces Hogue to accept the faith bv marrying him a second time. This 6o" affects Nancy Hogue that she .takes her life. As a consequence. Hogue, Tom, and Dora attempt ;to escape, but are prevented by the Destroying Angels, who forever guard the outskirts of the city. Hogue is believed to have been killed, and the young couple are taken captive. Darius then attempts to force Dora to marry him, and she, seeking the only avenue of escape, declares in public "that she is not a virgin. Enraged, Darius has the girl taken prisoner and brought to him at a certain place. ,H o gne\ who has not fled, appears in the garb of a Destroying Angel, and. with the help of Tom, rescues Dora and kills Darius. They are then able to escape from the grip of the Mormons. The programme will be repeated to-night.

PEOPLE'S PICTURES. '

That a photo drama can be clean and •wholesome" and at the same time absorbingly interesting, is exemplified in •The Amateur Orphan," which was viewed by a packed house at the Theatre Boyal last night. Gladys Leslie - is the heroine, and she proves herself charming and lovable and capable of rendering good work in highly emotional scenes. She is a "poor little rich girl," who by exercising great ingenuity manages to escape from the tedious life ■which has bored her and become the inmate of "an orphanage. Here she finds adventures in plenty, but nothing to those that arrive wnen she is put out to work for a farmer and encounters the black sheen of the family. Her very innocence puts her in danger, but, as is right.: love wins in the end, and the 6tbry is nicely rounded off. The supporting cast is strong and competent, and the setting is beautifully done. The play iS r a first-class production and the story boldly original. Sheldon Lewis arid Pearl White are still" to the front in 'The Iron Claw,'" and a Co-op: Ga- . zette and a Keystone comedy, "A Gam- ' bling Rube,' complete the series, which • ■will be repeated to-night.