KING’S THEATRE

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 12022, 27 December 1924, Page 6

KING’S THEATRE

“SECRETS,” A GRIPPING PICTURE. At the King’s \asb evening was shown cue of the most gripping pictures which* have been screened m Wellington since “The Covered Wagon.” In “Secrets,”, the audience is treated-to a magnificently acted and faultlessly staged film. «Norma Talmadge, who plays the leading role, surpass all her other flawless achievements, and throughout the picture the audience is hold with a most unusual concentration. Eugene O’Brien, who plays the male *ead, ic seen at his best, and besides bis art, which alone captures the audience, the old-fashion-ed dress, customs and manners appear to suit him superbly. It would'be hirjrd to witness a more engaging story of the life of a man and woman bound together by true love. The picture is certainly not without a mirthful moment. The story starts in England, goes back by way of the heroine’s diary to the romantic days of 18<30, moves to the frontier of “Western j America, and winds up where it bogan, in tho London of modern rime?. There is Norma, the London schoolgirl,* in billowing crinolines, a capricious young’ peeress, who dopes with her father’s clerk on. a high-wheel bicycle, in .1885, innd sails for America. There is Norma, the young wife and mother, pioneering in a far-off Wyoming* cabin — a fighting Norma, who takes pistol in hand and aligns herself with the men who battle to save her husband and babe from m outlaw band: Next, there is the Nonna of middle-age, back in London in 1870. This time the little mother, who lost her firstborn in the bleak foothills of the Rockies is seen in the settings of luxury as the matron of a growing family. She is still the fighting mother, but fighting this time to save her inconstant husband from disgracine in an intrigue with a notorious beautv. Just as she fought for her Infant iii i far-away Vyoming, so Norma battles ! again for her homo and children—and her husband’s love. . And lastly, there is Nonna, aged, wrinkled, white-hair-ed. marked by the battles of life, but still beautiful, who sits at the bedside oF her husband, doing her best to help him fight off death—and succeeding. # A feature of the picture is the in-ch-sion of Winter Hall in tho" cost. It will be remembered that he was once a teacher in a. Christchurch school. He is a New Zealander. The super attraction is accompanied hv a bright coir*dv ard most interesting gazette, whilst special and die* tinotivo music is rendered by the | King’s Grand Orchestra, under the \ eonductorahip of Mr A. TI. Jerome, j Tho prog-ivmme will be continued all I next week.