PRINCESS THEATRE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16600, 25 July 1917, Page 8

PRINCESS THEATRE.

"IDLE WIVES."

Oombi>in"G all the forces of a strong moral problem, "Idle Wives" is a film that is bound to meet with tmiveresl approbation wherever it is screened, it tells its story in a convincing way, and a great deal of its charm lies in the fact that a somewhat delicate theme is treated in a remarkably clean and appealing manner. Strong in its dramatic action, it is an outstanding play, full of merit and provides plenty of bright and rapidlychanging situations. It will make a genuine appeal to the public on the score of its great human interest and ite attractive setting generally. It affords a remarkably tine example of modern cinematography, a;: I ie excellently acted in every instance. Its chief value is that it conveys in pointed fashion a good moral lesson. It is a play within a play, and illustrates how separate groups of people moving ia three different spheres of fife are saved from misery and all that it brings in its train merely by witnessing a play at a New York picture theatre. The "whole current of their respective lives is changed by the application of the illustrated moral to their own lives and conduct. A young married couple, who are drifting aparv, the husband seeking distraction outside the confines of his home, are brought together again. A young girl, who "3 defying her parents by associating will a reckless young fellow, determines, after seeing _ the picture-play, to heed her mother's advice, while the voung man is enabled to see what his careless" life and conduct may bring the girl to, a g;-l whom he has begun to affectionately regard. A tenement family whose outlook on life has been drugged and blurred with the constant struggle against povertv, adopt a different viewpoint, and are deeply affected by the application of the picture to their own case. And thedaughter, whose ambition is for pretty bawable and tinsel, without due regard to the moral responsibility, is brought to a greater happiness by a recasting of her views.

The picture they witness. "Life's Mirror," illustrates the story of a settlement worker who finds that her idle life as tho wife of a rich man fails to satisfy the needs of her heart and conscience. Even her children are strangers to her. bei-:: brought up in a "scientific" way by a governess. Unable to stand the sham artificial, life she leaves her husband and returns to her settlement work. Her husband finds after her departure that life •> not so pleasant or happv without her. His mother interfe-es in the home, and >' : l:fe generally becomes disorganised bv his domestic troubles His brother-in-law" contemplates a marriage with his tvpiste. who has a •' past." His family remediates bin on account of his marriage. The daughter in a family that live? in the same "tenement as the tvpiste is a head-strong srirl. who runs away with an unscrupulous cadet, and her awakening is a bitter one. and for a considerable time she is unable to rid herself of evil influences. Her esse comes under the notice of the settlement - worker, through whose good offices she i' eventually rescued. The rich man leans what a nower for good lies inherent in his wife's character, and a happy reunion take? nlnce. The erring voung "girl is persuaded to return to her parents and hanP'ness becomes universal. Before this .stage is reached, however, there are many intense moments. T>ip ; rtnrp then b"t the inn'?.« 0 its lesson is left ■:-. Hoi-We on the hearts and mir.ls of t 1 e three ground of r*»onle -.''ho w-»trfo«* •'•*

'"**°"" n<> TT>o ;iil%c»nnpnt ecpnp« of "T.r„ Vr,\-p,." s V, r ,„. v, r ,tv fht. Ipconti f""it. A nnvate sc-eonint? of *V,;a fas'-'n-"''iT ,„>',.-„ was ''•M at the TU Mff. Tt= firct «>>o«'insr t,-;ii t,Vo nloce at this popular theatre on Patnrdav -nest.