AMUSEMENTS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LII, Issue 113, 17 May 1918, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS

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 again responsible for a large attendance at the Theatre Royal lact mght. Gladys Leslie as the heroine is sweet, charming and lovable and capable of rendering good work in highly emotional scenes. She its a "poor little rich girl," who by exercising great ingemiity manages to escape from the tedious life ■which has bored her and become the inmate of an orphanage. Here she finc'.adventures in plenty, but nothing to those that arrive when the is put out to work for a farmer and encounters the black sheep of the family. Her very innocence puts her in danger, but. as is" right, love wins in the end, and the story ie nicely rounded off. The supporting cast "is strong and competent, and the setting is beautifully done. The play is a first-class production and the storv boldly original. Sheldon Lewie and Pearl White are still to the front in 'The Iron Claw/" and a Co-op. Gazette and a Keystone comedy, "A Gambling Rube,' complete the series, which will be finally shown to-night.

HARVARD'S PICTURES

"The Mormon Maid," the sensational feature now current at Hayward's. has been witnessed by crowded houses. and will be finally screened to-night. The film fearlessly" attacks the practice* of the Mormon creed when it was at the height of its power. In Australia, ■when the film lauded, cables were received from the Mormon authorities endeavouring to block the showing of the film, and communications of protest ■were sent to Australian leaders. It •will be remembered also that similar attempts were made in >Te\v Zealand. The story is particularly sensational, splendidlv produced and superbly acted. Dora (Mae. Murray) the daughter of the Hogues (Hobart Bosworth and Edith Chapman), who live in the Mormon metropolis, loves Tom Ridgon (Fank Borzage), a young fellow of the faith, who is unacquainted with its darker side. Darius Burr (Noah Beery), a leading figure in the church, looks •with covetous eyes on Dora, and to gain liig point forces Hokiic to accept the faith bv marrying him a second time. This 60" 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 citv. 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. Hogue, 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 Latter Dav Saints.