THE PALACE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 14688, 21 August 1918, Page 5

THE PALACE.

Tin:re Avas a great audience at tlie Palace lasl night,, when the big atti.iction was thc Pathe mystery play of the merits of Avhich so much has been written and heart., "The Secret of the Double Cross," ancl it fully just.fled all the pre-1 liminary announcements. Following sol closely on great successes from the same studio, "The Iron Claw" and "The Neglected Wife," it hacl to be something exceptionally good to live up to the reputation of these triumphs. It is'better. The opening chapter, which at very short 1101 ice was screened for the first time last night, attracted an enormous audience, every member of which sat. enthralled throughout the screening. The magnificent introduction to the fascinating story marks a new era in motion poc tures, whilst the first episode, .entitled •The Woman iii Number Seven," has already a strong grip upon the imaginations of patrons. Briefly, tlie first chapter is as follows;—Peter Hale, a wealthy young man \)f leisure, returning to America, received a puzzling wireless, "If you have not as yet received the sign of The Double Cross,' come at once upon your arrival in New York to tlie Hotel Astor, and there read your father's ■will." in the meantime, up oh deck, a panic had been started by the cry of "Submarine!" in the excitement that followed, Peter, assisting a mysterious lady, suddenly discovered the mark of the Double Cross on.- her right arm. Before he could uuestion her, she had lied, and he was left as mystified as before. Who Avas the mysterious lridy and what was the mark of the. Double Cross? In addition to this great attraction, Triangle's latest masterpiece, "The Patriot," with Win. S. Hart, in the lead, .vas also screened. In every way William S. Hart lives up to his high reputation as a consummate artist. The picture shows him a passionately loyal American. But unscrupulous agents rob him of his mining claim, and while lie is away unsuccessfully trying to right the wrong, his little son, whp is motherless, dies. Embittered, he begins to hate his country!' and goes to Mexico, where he joins an insurgent band wliich is going lo attack the: United States. He traitorously gives In formation to the Anierican army Avhich Avill cause the major part of it to be absent wlien the insurgents attack the camp. But a chance meeting Avith a little child suddenly causes him to see the enormity of his action. Tho third offering ou the programme is the great fun aim, 'The waiters' Ball," in which Fatty Arbuckle perforins deeds which stanip him as a champion comedian. EVERYBODY'S. "I Love You " is the leading feature (a special Triangle subject)- to be shown in the new programme at Everybody's to-night. Thc star is Alma Rubens, Avho, as Felice, or "The Passion Flower," has a role for which her Avarm beauty and fascinating temperament arc perfectly suited. Thc story opens Avith delightful scenes in sunny Italy, whore Felice lives among the Uowevs as an innocent, peasant girl. Then Mardon, a young French artist, arrives, and is so''struck by her beauty that he desires to paint her poiv trait. She iu turn fs fascinated by him and yields to, his wooing. But like many another flower which- serves for , a moment's amusement, she is soon cast aside by the artist, who goes away, and never even writes ...to her. Her portrait, however, makes him famous. A friend sees it, and sets out to find.the model, saying "Where so much beauty is the soul must, be as fair." This friend, finds her. Tjme has dulled the anguish of her heart, and she marries him. Then pass years. of wonderful peace and contentment, blest by a little son. But one day her husband,'not knoAving of her former lover, brings the artist to his house. 1 The action moves through intense dramatic situations until the moment she places upon the lips of her false lover the kiss of death. Few pictures have a setting which is so consistently, beautiful anci the scenes .showing the Venetian Carnival are memorable. The 7th episode of "The Great Secret," entitled "The Yellow Claw," and. other supports are included In this programme. "The YellOAv Claw' is a very startling chapter. The hero by a mysterious ruse, has gone to Beveley's aid, her peril being his. Wee See, the. popular valet,, is seen conversing with'the.'great master, and thc question to be. solved is, "Why are they together?". The serial is both mystifying and exciting.