OCTAGON AND KING EDWARD THEATRES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17319, 20 May 1918, Page 3

OCTAGON AND KING EDWARD THEATRES.

A grc.it many of tho moving pkrtnro dramas thai arc acrqgned for th*> entertain-iin-'iit ot 1.110 jrublio pui'ixjrt to u-acti a vu.uiablo moral lesson, andl in this category must bo pi.icnj tho Jilin-drama, "Enlighten lJiuigiil.Li-,"- which aro introduced to tho public of Dunedin ut tlie Octagon and King Edward Theatres on fiat;;rday. Tho picture has coi 110 hero accredited by many favourable pre.xs imtioos uJid bearing the probably uiiinriieaeluuue endorsement of a certain Thorns is. Gregory, a Mow York clergyman, and it is bound to arou.se more than usual interest in this city. "Enlighten Thy Daughter" deals with cno asjxjet of that social evil frequently exploited by picturo producers under tJio vague, titlo of the "sos problem," though it is open to doubt ■whether, in many instances essential aspects of that problem are really presented. Howover, in tho pict.uio uniler special notico the subject is dealt with trenchantlv, not to say didactically, and if some of the scenes are slightly ovordono this can bo forgiven when the sound moral lesson sought to l»o inculcated; is remembered. The principal character in tho story is the daughter of a successful attorney,' and tho plot hmges 011 t.ho neglect of her mother to placo before her daughter in an intelligent and sympathetic manner a knowledge of the pitfalls of lifo, tho mother herself braug a butterfly creature bent solely on enjoyment. With considerable skill the author also introduces into the story another girl °r t ! 10 ? XIUR . SOG ' a l class. She is a cousin of the heroine, her father being a doctor, but in this ease the mother, who takes a doep interest in her home and tho welfare of her daughter, has made the. latter acquainted in a proper andl sensible way with the tilings she should know. Both girls fall in love with a wealthy young man of a not very admirable type, and after a time he casts Lillian (the heroine) osido in order to become engaged to her cousin, but not before her ignoranco has brought about her betrayal. Seeking to provent a scandal, her mother takes her to a ccrtain doctor with whom she, is in league in his disreputable practices, but the girl collapses, and just before linr death she reveals tho name of her betrayer, with tho result that her cousin breaks off her engagement, and tho young 1 man is loft to cxpeHciico what remorse he is capable of suffering. On this note of tragedy the film ends, and it is to tho credit of tho dramatist that he breaks off his story on this, the only possible termination. and tloes not so<4c to bring about any artificial reconciliation. Tho picture is admirably produced and acted, and tho young lady taking the part of Ruth (Lillian's cousin) is surpassingly beautiful "Enlighten Thy Daughter" occupies tho greak bulk of the programme, being supported only by_ a new number of Gazette. It will be shown each afternoon ami evening at tho Octagon this week, and at tho King Edward Theatre for three days.