"THE BABES IN THE WOODS."

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17426, 21 September 1918, Page 4

"THE BABES IN THE WOODS."

Commencing to-day at the matinee at 1.30 p.m., the first of the William Fox fairy tale pictures will bo shown at The King's Theatre, and - during next week matinees will be held daily, tho sessions commencing at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., so -that school children may be able to attend without interfering with their school duties. "The Babes in the Woods" is said to_ be a magnificent spectacle, made by children, for children and for grown-ups. Hundreds of juvenile performers take part in the many gorgeous scenes, while the stars are Virginia Lee Corbin, four and ahalf yean? old, and Francis Carpenter, who is only one year older than Virginia. Tho story as told in tho picture is framed in a modern setting. John Hamilton has two children. He marries a second time, and his wife does not like the children. She does, however, like Mason Hamilton, her husband's brother. John Hamilton goes away on a trip, ostensibly. He draws up a will before ho goes, leaving the major portion of his money to. his two children; but in the event of their death the money is to go to his brother. The father sets a man-servant to watch the pair. Soon after he causes to be circulated the report of his death. In a short timo the manservant comes to him at a near-by hotel with the report that his second wife . and his brother are plotting to destroy the children so that they can get the money immediately. _ Suddenly tho husband returns. The wife and brother are astonished, and the brother leaves the house. The father gathers round him his wife and the two children, and asks the children as- they sit on his knee if they would like to hear the story of "The Babes in the Woods." So, with his wife listening suspiciously, he begins the reoital. Instantly the picture fades from the room, and the well-known fairy story is shown on the screen. All the characters appear in the fairy story—the Good Fairy, the Bad Prince, the Witch, and many others. At tho conclusion of the story the picture returns to John Hamilton's home. The children are still on his lenses. The little girl is crying softly and the boy looks angry. For "a time the wife and stepmother looks suspiciously at her husband,; then, as the full effect of tho story sinks into her heart, she bows her head, then smiles, and takes tho children to her bosom.