AMUSEMENTS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LIV, Issue LIV, 14 August 1920, Page 9

AMUSEMENTS

1 “THE MIRACLE MAN.” AT THE EMPIRE. ——— | Unbounded enthusiasm marked I lie second screening of ‘The Miracle Man’ at the Empire Theatre last evening, and when the season concludes to-; night is is a foregone conclusion Lhatj all previous takings will ho eclipsed,' last oyeninghs hooking being easily a , record. Not only is the picture itsell ! superb and the most appealing and; magnetic ever -shown here, but it isaccompanied by an orchestra under; ibe eonduetorship of Air J. V. Alaliug,; the music given being no less than | delightful. In addition Madame An-1 nette Hayward, a noted contralto, late of the Car! Rosa Opera Company, sang “Sweet Spirit, Hear my Prayer, at the commencement and finale of the picture, her glorious voice holding those present in ecstasy. “The Miracle Alan” bolds the distinction ot being the greatest moral achievement orj the screen, .age., its elusive and nniot-j gettahle quality is revealed in thc lacti that the story may he told in two) sentences, yet might not bo conveyed in words filling as many pages. It steals into the heart like the Rnbiyat of Omar, and lives in the memory lihe. ;i haunting melody. A. gang of clexei 1 criminals hear of the strange powets ‘of a “patriarch” in a remote village, I whose beauty of lite and faith have •helped to bring health and peace of | mind to the suffering. Assuming m- ! nocense and belief, they surround : him, and stage a protended “miracle, ! through which they plan to exploit the j sightless healer as a business enter--1 Di-ise Their cunning l succeeds beyond j all tiieir hopes, but unconsciously 1 they fall under the spell which they | had sought to use, and they are then.- | selves transformed, lifted 'by tjudj j from depravity to a cleansed, euuo ned manhood and womanhood. that is au A theme of elemental simplicity, yet ns complex as the human hc-ait; as modern as Yesterday’s news, yet as o!n us the hills of Galilee, it is tlie simplicity of the story and its telling that makes its success so striking.. It has none of the magnificent -settings aim, illusions to evoke wonderment, ti.c magnetism of the story lies in i s scenes of beauty and tranquillity no loss than in those of sordidiiens ano ferocity. The loading P la £ er f *£® Thomas Alcighan as “ioni Burke , Rettv Compsou as “Rose ; Lon C*lia nov; “The Frog” ;J. AI. IRnnont, “The Dope” ; and Joseph J. Don hug ns “The Miracle Alan.” the pictiue. will bo screened again this evening, finally. In order that comity visitors mav witness the Muaclc Alan” in its entirety, the managemen has arranged for this c ' v ® mll S * late train from town to be delved till 10.15. The 12th. Regt. Band n ill age play selections outside the theatre onight. PEOPLE’S PICTURES.

“THE WOLF.” Another tip-top programme is to be screened at the Koyal This Evening- ' Die star picture is a \ itagi aph, inc Wolf,” containing all the glamour ol the backwoods. Jules and Lnptistc had Wei Anno “an revoir as .Lev departed into' the wilds to set their traps. The former her brother, the latter hei lover. On their return they Imd < mound on the mountain—her They started o.n a man-hunt ~si.cmuv a terrible vengeance. They swore to hunt the wide world over to accompmd their ends', if necessary. And they wmacred to the cabin of Andrew -woiaojsi), whose daughter Hilda had km„ fascinated Jules. But who was « s Iran "'or Mac Donald? Could he bo the wolf? He was wily and never gave an inkling ofhis experience with .the o-irl he laid wronged. Ho oven loigot the incident in Jus search tor a now adventure with Hilda. So Jules had double purpose. To save the girl bis clutches and to mete ..■ounce upon him, lor he < *coveied he was on the right track. The well had howled at night, and that moans that some mail must die How this P lc H|J e is brought to an end is told m a, sinkinu climax. Another instalment of “The Further Adventures of Stmgaree” and good supports arc included.

motueka RETURNED SOLDIERS' BALL. An extremely ,successful, third annual I,all was held in the Institute Hall, Motueka, sou Friday, August, btli, under the auspices of the Alotneka .Returned Soldiers’ A sedation. In spite uf the bad weather nearly a nuudreo couples took the floor. As a result of the el forts of a number of soldiers amt territorials, who kindly assisted, the flour was in excellent dancing order. Mr Harold Williams supplied mi orchestra of five instruments, and lie is to he congratulated on the high sfandaid o, dance. music rendered. The supper which was practically provided and wholly arranged by a committee of Motnoka ladies, presented a line appearance, ns it lay 0 n the tastefully decorated tables. Lreat credit is duo to those ladies tor the way in which they earned out the whole of tiro supper arrangements. The hall was tastefully decorated with flags, which wore kindly lent by one of the local bodies. Tiro floor was in charge of Messrs F. M. Talbot and C. G. Wilkinson, who carried out their ceremonious duties in a most, able manner. , . . ~ Mr H. E. Silcock, chairman of the Motnoka R.S.A., thanked the public for their attendance, and also extended the Association’s thanks to all those ladies who materially helped to make 'the function the huge success that u " The shming of the National Anthem brought to a close a programme that will long remain in the memory m pleasure-seekers.