What the Movies are Doing,

Free Lance, Volume XVII, Issue 921, 8 March 1918, Page 18

What the Movies are Doing,

Paramount —" Double Crossed." THE new programme at the Paramount Theatre to-morrow (Saturday) should tax the seating accommodation even more than ever —and latecomers know well that empty seats are hard to find at this popular house. The big, bold type feature of the new programme will be handsome Pauline Frederick in "Double-Crossed," written by Hector Turnbull, of "The Cheat" fame, and said to even rival that stirring play. Pauline Frederick has always been a powerful attraction, and in "Double-Crossed" she has a part which calls for some very emotional, aiciting. a ■ <& * • # "Double-Crossed" is a story of absorbing interest. The. theme deals with Eleanor Stratton,a young wife much in, love with her husband. She overhears a so-called detective trying to blackmail him. Eleanor learns that in his early life her husband had committed a rather serious theft. The "detective" is attempting to get him to .commit still another by threatening to . expose the first. From this point the photoplay sweeps through a series of unexpected and thrilling situations until a climax, wherein Miss Frederick realches her highest standards of acting.. Riley Hatch, as the "detective," is even better than in "The Law -of the Land," in which he appeared with Madame Petrova. * ' # '* * Everybody's—"Golden Rule Sate." •No longer a vampire with gorgeous and daring _dresses, Louis Glaum takes a fresh role in "Golden Rule Kate," a new Triangle play heading the new programme at Everybody's to-morrow (Saturday). The part of her little sister is daintily played by Mildred Harris. To the town comes a parson determined to .clean the turbulent place from its evil ways. Then oomes tragedy swift and terrible. The dance hall and. church scenes are splendidly done, and the revolver fight at the end. is a clever piece of photographiio work. Jack Gilbert is "The Heller," a reckless, cheerful desperado, prepared to dare anybody and attempt anything, and is lassoing work is almost incredible. William Conklin was specially engaged to play the part of the minister. * * & * The Empress—"The Dormant Power." Ethel Clayton in a role which suits her well is the heroine of a powerful World film drama, "The Dormant Power," to be screened at the Empress, beginning to-morrow (Saturday). With her are Montagu Love, Muriel Ositrilohe ,and Edward Langford. The story is worthy of such a cast. A young American, whose •career lias been altogether worthless, narrowly escapes death at the hands of an infuriated Mexican mob who had insulted the American flag. The girl who rescued him puts fresh life into his. hopes and he starts to build anew. Thrill follows thrill as the exciting plot works out. The play opens on the Mexican border, but speedily ;changes to New York. Ethel Clayton has the opportunity of wearing some wonderful >es. # * * * King's—" My Official Wife." "My Official Wife," a de luxe Vitagraph superfeature, starring Clara Kimball Young, will be the red-letter

The First Gcldwyn Feature Picture to Reach New Zealand: Rex Beach's "The Auction Block," to be screened at the King's, Satnrdav, March 16th.

attraction of the new programme at the King's. With her is a supporting cast of unusual strength. Earle Williams plays the part of Sacha, the young Russian aristocrat, who falls deeply in love with the Nihilist Queen Marie. Rogers Lytton plays with force and dignity the striking part of the chief of the Russian Secret Police. The perilous situation of the man who, having got into Russia with his false passport and his dangerous and lovely companion, cannot get out again, is full of possibilities, and no guess can be made as to what is to happen next in this story of surprises. The dressing is gorgeous and the settings superb. "The Neglected Wife" advances another step, this chapter being named "Beyond Recall." *** * . ' Some naughty American film men, it is alleged, have been producing imitations of Charlie Chaplin. Charles has brought actions against a. dozen or so of them, and in future Chaplin pictures will be adorned with his signature, manifesting their authenticity. "The Auction Block," another Rex Beach superfeature, said to- be quite equal to "The Barrier," is the next picture sensation to be produced in Wellington. It is well-stocked with thrills. The first of these is the overturning in a. Pittsburgh stee] mill of a huge- crucible of molten metal and the blotting out in a flash of the life of a workman wliose daughter, standing at the door of the pouring room, later becomes one of the chief figures _of the story. Then there is a mill riot with 1500 people in the mob. A third spectacle depicts a fighting raid on a. Tenderloin gambling house and the arrest of the owners and their lieutenants. Sixty men, every one a two-fisted fighter, take part in this scene. * * * * Enter Mrs. Vernon Castle. Thisi delightful lady is said to be the last word in ultra-fashionable dressing. Her first release in New Zealand is "Sylvia of the Secret Service," a play concerning a diamond robbery, full of electric thrills. Sylvia poses as a millionaire lady from" the West during her detective career, and so- has an opportunity to display some fine frocking.

Are you war-weary ? Do you feel that the war is "a bit of a nuisance?" Are you inclined to say or think "h ," when you hear or see a request for money to provide comforts for your defenders at the Front? If you are in this mood think of the winter conditions in France and Flanders. The brave men there are fighting cheerfully and suffering for you. Will you give gladly for them ? Read the Red Triangle page in this issue and you will see what the soldiers .are doing to safeguard you in peace and comfort. Does not their life-saving turn (your life, mind) deserve another ? The opportunity is here to-day; it will be also here to-morrow —on and on, for the war goes on, and the soldiers fight on for you. ««• «» « » A big event in Wellington this Saturday afternoon will be the Aquatic Carnival at Island Bay to celebrate the official opening of the fine new diving pier which has been erected on the beach. A fine programme of events has been arranged, including high and fancy diving by two returned soldiers, a treasure hunt, and an open boat race in which the Italian fishermen will compete. If Mr. Bates turns on a fine day there should be a .big crowd present.. A special car service has been arranged and the proceeds will be donated to the Red Triangle War Fund.