FULLERS' PICTURES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3005, 18 October 1911, Page 69

FULLERS' PICTURES.

The star film in the new programme presented in the Princess Theatre on' the 16th. was an - elaborate drama entitled " Foe to Richelieu." The story was an historical one, full of the intrigue and tragedy that surrounded 1 the life of the great French cardinal and stateman. The foe to Richelieu is the imperious Duchess de Chevreuse, whose plans are continually thwarted and crossed by the all powerful cardinal. One of her lovers> the Count de Chatteauneuf, incurs the displeasure of Richelieu by engaging in a duel, but by appealing to the Queen the Duchess is able to save him from death. Chateauneuf is, however, detected in carrying a secret message from the Queen, and dies under torture rather than betray her. A very fine scene is that in which Louis XIII, out of homage to the loyalty of Chateauneuf burns unread the letter of his unfaithful Queen, to the evident discomfiture of Richelieu, and 1 the sinister figure of Father Joseph, his confidant. The plot of the Duchess with the Count de Chalais to murder Richelieu is detected by the Count do Louvigny, and de Chalais has to pay the last penalty. But sweet revenge comes in the last scene, where,- as Louvigny gloats over this execution with horrid glee he is fatally stabbed by the Duchess. The staging of the piece is magnificent, and the acting at all time adequate to the intense scenes of passionate love and hate that are depicted. The film is one of Pa the' Freres richly coloured works. A beautiful scenic film depicting ■ the lakes and fall of Politiva opens the programme. The Pathe' Gazette is an unusually' full number, and deals with a score of matters of interest, of which the cables have been informing us. There was a close view of Lord Roberts presenting colours to a regiment, a picture of T. A. Edison on his first visit to Europe, of the Czar watching Cadets exercising at St. Petersburg, of a great fire opposite Charing Cross, and of the closing of the Louvre and the missing mas-

terpiece that caused the trouble. The Australian Gassetfce deals .- similarly with matters of interest occurring even closer at hand. "Lean Wolf's End" was a well-conceived 1 Indian drama of the rational order, with a tragio end. " Barriers Burned Away," and " Bobby, the Coward," were both happy stories—one of family reconciliation, and, the other of honest plenty after the pinch of poverty. "Van Bibbers Experiment" of reforming an exconvict and burglar by giving him a new suit of clothes, mad© a picture pleasant to look on, though by no means convincing to a student of human nature. ■ The comic element was not much in evidence in the programme, but " Servants Superseded"— containing some ingenious and mystifying effects-—and thte " Invisible Wrestlier,' both provided a hearty laugh.