DRA MATIC AND MUSICAL

Free Lance, Volume XVIII, Issue 949, 19 September 1918, Page 5

DRA MATIC AND MUSICAL

By Footliglit,

H|I|THAT is claimed to be the greatest * moving picture feast ever presented to Wellington patrons will be •screened simultaneously and continuously at the Paramount and Artcraft •<late Crown) Theatres for a week commencing next Saturday. It will consist of two strong attractions, viz., "William S. Hart, in "Wolves' of the Trail," and Eilsie Ferguson, in "Barbary Sheep," either of these pictures alone is well worth going to see. Together they form a performance that will prove irresistible to all lovers of "wholesome first-class pictures.

"Wolves of the Trail" is said to be popular "Bill" Hart's greatest production to date. It is described as a masterful drama of the red-blooded, rugged West. "Bill" Hart plays the role of an outlaw who eventually "cute out" a lurid past for his affection for a mere •slip of a girl. "Barbary Sheep," s the second feature, is said to. be a beautiful screen-story, with Elsie Ferguson at her best in the leading role. This production is an adaptation from Robert Hichens' novel of the same name.

There is a strong cast in the Triangle feature, "A Soul in Trust,", next Sai>•Urday's new feature at the King's. Belle Bennett and Barney Sherry share honours as the stars. One of the char--acters secretly marries much beneath him. He succeeds in annulling the marriage and marries another woman. Her child dies quite young , and the father meets with an accident. As he is dying he confesses that there is a child by his first marriage and his wife promises to adopt the child. She is still quite young and meets and loves a prominent statesman. The real mother of the boy has become an adventuress and for political reasons wishes to discredit the statesman, and for this purpose user her own son. An exciting plot is the result.

"The Tenderfoot," a Vitagraph drama' to be screened at the Empress, commencing Saturday, is a Western tale and as such it can be depended on to have a full supply of thrills. The story is one of an Easterner who has been disappointed in love and who goes West to try to forget. He falls very low, but eventually meets a girl who has a good influence on him and causes him to become a mail again. The story shows the transition of the hero from a tenderfoot to a typical Westerner of fearless and virile type. William Duncan plays the title part with fine effect,, and is ably supported by Carol Holloway as the girl who eyentually wins him.

"Babbling Tongues," the magnet of next Saturday's new programme at Everybody's, is a story which conveys a powerful indictment against scandal and the consequences which can follow from such trifles as a veiled remark, a lifted eyebrow, a secret nudge, and such like seeming trifles. The cast is led by James Morrison and Grace Valentine. The story is that of the husband, the wife and the other man. In this case all three are honourable people, but babbling tongues, on no evidence at' all ? soon associate _ the ( wife's name with that of the friend, and as a result the husband eventually dies through a duel wound while the wife and friend are driven as outcasts from society. The dramatic power of the story, is unusually strong.

Douglas Fairbanks will continue to hit 'em between the eyes, knock 'em down, roll 'em over, and leave 'em laughing when he says good-bye. His new Artcraft pictures will include «Headin' South,'" "Mr. Fix It/' "Say Young Fellow," and "Reaching for the Moon." These will be followed by many others.

The prevailing bill-of-fare at His Majesty's is meeting with marked favour. Ted Haverly and Co., Mr. C and Maude Courtenay, Nellie Kolle, and a host of others keep the overflowing audiences well entertained. A number of fresh attractions are announced for Monday, including Boy Bonham, who is billed as "the eighth wonder of the world." Ted Haverly will also stage another of his screamrner snasms.

"The Thirteen Chair," to be staged by J. C. "Williamson, Ltd., at the Grand Opera House, commencing on Tuesday night next, is a most interesting drama with ' mysterious crime as a motive. The story is of a double assassination committed by tlie same unseen hand. The first act opens at Roscie Crosby's house, who has- arranged a spiritualist seance. The medium engaged is Rosalie La Grange. Among the party is Edward Wales who seeks from her the name of his friend's murderer. Seven women and six men takes seats in a circle. The thirteenth chair is occupied by Wales, Rosalie being tied hand and foot to her chair. The lights are dimmed. There is the muttering of the medium —then silence. Suddenly a voice rises in mortal agony, and when the lights are turned up, from the thirteenth chair there topples thei lifeless form of Edward Wales. Thus is mystery added to mystery, and such is the cliinax to a series of nerve-straining situations. Excitement is most intense until the tangleid .skein is finally unravelled.

Miss Margaret Wycherly' will be seen in her original role of Rosalie La Grange (the medium). Another newcomer, Mr Brinsley Shaw, will be seen as Tim Donohue, the brusque, alert detective. The production will be presented with exactly the same cast of characters as appeared in Sydney and Melbourne, including Lizette Parkes, Ethel Morrison, Tern Hogue, Eileen Robinson, Maisie Carte, Gaston Mervale, Sydney Stirling, Leslie Victor, Tan MacLaren, Rawdon Blandtord, Carleton Stuart, Frank AUanby, and Harry Paulton. ■

Miss' Margaret Wycherley is the wife .of Bayard Veiller, the author of the •drama. Bayard Veiller is a clever playright and New ZGalaxxd theatregoers have already seen another play from his pen, namely, "Within the Law."