AMUSEMENTS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 14 November 1922, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS

EMPIRE THEATRE

“GOD’S GOOD MAN”

Adapted from Mario Corelli’s famous novel, “God’s Good Man,” featuring at Hayward’s to-night, is a strong silent drama, making a deep Ihuman appeal. It is the love story of u simple country clergyman, Mr Basil Gill and Miss Boggy Carlisle, have the loading roles, supported by a strong cast. Marie Corelli has specialised so ns to make the story particularly her own. “God’s Good Man” is essentially the type of film Americans cannot touch. It is a fine example of artistic simplicity, most of its scenes being in the country, with an occasional glimpse of the huge metropolis. Tito story show's how a girl fresh from the city goes into the country to escape from it all, and in the simplicity of homely old village life she finds a man she learns to love* Basil Gill, whose acting is a feature of the film, interprets the chaaracter of “God’s Good Man.’ ’

EMIGRE THEATRE

if OVE KITH’ MIL”

L One, of the great epoch-making photcyplays of many years is the beautiful William Fox photo drama of mly,>ther-love entitled “Over the ITill,” which will be sen act the EmDire Theatre on Tuesday next for a season of three nights and two matinees, the later on Tuesday and Mcdneday at 2.30. Founded upon the ’famous poem by Will C’ttrleton, this simple story of the devotion of a mother for her children in spite of the trials and tribulations to which tboy subject her, is one of the most appealing and lovable stories ever screened. Staged under the direction c»l Marry Millarde, It has relied for great strength with the public upon the simple theme and plain story of a mother and her family whom she carefully rears and protects. There is no suggestion of big masives scenes, no spectacular effects, no crowds—nothing but the simplo., thrilling and powerful story that* touches the heart of all humanity and brings everyone to realise the love and affection with which a mother’s memory should always be revered, Reduced without ostentation, without undue exploitation, no furore or newspaper fireworks, the fame of the simple and beautiful picture, ‘Over the Hill,” spread like wild-fire. All who saw i‘t sent hundreds of their friends. Newspapers hailed it as one of the great and Crowning artistics triumphs of the motion picture world. Clergymen preached sermons about it. Editors wrote editorials advising every mother’s son and daughter to see “Over the Hill.’ Tlie result of 'this word of mouth advertising was to send such cnnvds to sec ‘Over the Hill’ that William Fox repeatedly extended the engagement, leasing out) theatre alixv smother, until it was finally presented at six different theatres on Broadway It was presented in leading firsf-class Broadway theatres at the top scale, of “2 dollars for the best scats, and fer many weeks this single attraction playing dail matinees drew the remarkable gross business of more than 22,000 dollars per w r eck. These figures sire absolutely accurate, ami have been the marvel of all familiar with feature pictures on Broadwgv. A special orchestra of ten instrumentalists are engaged in rehearsiil "special music, and this alone should be an attraction. Box plans for tlie season are now open. Prices: Dress circle 3s; back stalls 3s; front stalls Is; all plus tax. Matinee prices: Dress circle 2s; back stalls Is 6d; front stalls Is. Children, half-price.

THEATRE ROYAL

“SCRAP IRON”

'“Scrap Iron,” starring Charles Ray, ■will be the attraction at' the Theatre to-morrow. Charles Hay tint only stars in the picture, but also directs it, and did the greater part of adapting the story written, by Charles E. Van Loan and published in the Saturday Evening Post, for the screen. The young tmior portrays the role of John Steele, n young mill, worker. His mother induces him to abandon boxing, which is his favourite recreation. His promise causes him in get the reputation with bis fellow workers aw “yellow,” and also loses him his gir! r who nicknames bis “Scrap Iron.” Then lie loses his ,iob through lateness caused hy attendHng to the wants of his mother who is un invalid. Every other avenue of earning money being closed to him, he turns to Ids boxing abililv to support himself and his mother. The result is one of the most exciting and thrilling scenes which ever took place in a motion picture production. Vera Slednmn and Lydia Knott are also in the east. There are comedy, topical and oilier excellent films supporting the above first national attraction, including a further episode of “The Terror Trail.” ’Phone 406 will ensure a seat being reserved for lute comers. Prices-remain as usual.

PARAMOUNT TO-NIGHT Pome pictures tell stories of adventure, some romance, some comedy, and now and then there is one which combines all three of these elements. r ihe, management of the above Theatre promises one of the latter ela-s to night, when “The Prophet’s Paradise" will he the feature attraction. The adventure phase of the story relates the experience, of a young American, Howard Anderson, in Constantinople, when,' he discovers Mary Talhot, an American girl, in the clutches of an unscrupulous band of slave traders, and rescues her after a series of thrilling escapades. Jhe romantic element deals with love at. first sight between the two leading characters, aiul the manner in which they lose each other, only to meet again in most remarkable circumstances. And the comedy, whim, is ineidenlal In the principal story, and y« t never far in the background, is an essential pari of Hie action, not dragged in by the heels for occasional laughs. All this is carried along in the picturesque aitnosphere of the Orient, with its mysterious characters and still more mysterious secret passages and strange ways. Eugene O’Brien plays the part, of the adventurous youth, ;uu } Sigrid Uolmqliist that of. the young woman in distress. Tojnyirow, Wednesday, an all new programme, will he screened, • the leading attraction being a bright new Paramount, picture featuring, Ethel Clayton, the vampire of the .screen, “Exit, (bo Vamp.” , A nex .Max Sennet comedy, “Love's False Faces,” featuring Chris Conklin.

1 portunilies Lave been given the children in all parts of this country ■where the picture lias been .screened, and from an educational standpoint it has proved a great success. As all arc deeply interested in the wodcri’nl historical events which ready happened jin tlie making of this new land. The . picture was taken in New Zealand, was supported by New Zealand capital, and tlip scenario was interpreted by New Zealand artists. In his critique of tin' production, a writer in a northern enutcnipnrarv staled ; “Appropriately enough the film, as the title indicates deals with the early history of New Zealand, right from the time of its discovery hy Captain Cook down to modern times, such remarkable scones as Captain Cook's greeting by the Maoris and his subsequent death at Hawaii: signing of the Treatv of Waitangi: first M aori War ; Hold lleke's declaration of War; burning of Kororaivka: annexation of the South Island ; Captain Stanley's arrival at Akaroa and the hoisting of the Union Jack a few hours before the arrival of the French: and Gabriel's Gully gold ruch being depicted with amazing realism that, carries the unlocked hack, in perspective, to the days when our forefathers did the pioneering in connection with the work of laying the foundations of this prosperous Dominion. . • Apart from the historical nature of the production, there is a charming romance, founded upon episodes from real life of the early ■settler—everything being made as true to life as it was possible, ’i here will be no extra charge for this magnificent picture. The box plan will be open at Begg's, and patrons are advised to book early and save disappointment.