THE PICTURE HOUSES.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 15459, 2 March 1921, Page 5

THE PICTURE HOUSES.

PALACE THEATRE. The new programme presented at. the Palace Theatre to-day has unusual potency and charm. "The Dead Line 1 ' Is a Oeorge Walsh special, a melodrama filmed against a background of scenic grandeur. It .is thrilling, powerful, crammed with suspense from first to last. The story tells of life among illicit still workers, of love, and of bitter hatred accompanying an old family feud; of jealously and revenge—a forceful play with the advantage of a good strong moral, showing a man’s regeneration through love. George Walsh makes a dashing hero, and the cast is a brilliant one. “Bla'ck Shadows’’ gives the delightful Peggy Hyland plenty of scope, for powerful acting. The theme is love versus hypnotism, and the trials of an official chaperone are the high lights of the drama. The tremendous power that an unscrupulous man exercises-over a trusting young girl is told in a. stirring manner. That love triumphs in the end is only because the heroine, refuses to be. browbeaten by a villain. - ‘•'Black Slihdows’’ is a delightful film entertainment with plenty of heart interest, pleasant society scenes, many thrills, and high-class comedy situations. Tho comedy "Loose Lions” is extremely funny and clever, and created uproarious laughter throughout two rapid-action reels. Gazettes and other films on tire bill are worth special mention. A matinee will be hold to-morrow at 2. EVERYBODY’S. The triple feature attractions at Everybody’s to-night, comprising ‘‘The Beggar Prince,” featuring Sessue Hayakawa, “Whitewashed Walls,” starring Willtam Desmond, and the final episode of the "Stingaree”; serial, should prove a varied ‘and excellent picture fare. William 1 Desmond fits in perfectly with the character of “Larry Donovan"- in "Whitewashed Walls.” The comedy is a travesty on. the comic opera happenings which take placo in certain Latin-American States.,Larry gets “into bad odor” with Governor ” Romero, . who has employed him -as va sculptor on his new palace, when he knocks out his generalissimo with a decanter. Ro,sc causes Larr to be led to the “whitewashed walls” several times- ; to be. shot, but each time' his quick wit saves him. Desmond never did' better comedy than he does in this production, and he carries out the comedy-burlesque idea to perfection. In “The ’Beggar . Prince,” Sessue Hayakawa does"sbnle ;6f the finest- Work of his career in tjtie double role of the prince. The scenes are laid in the fictitious. Island of' Desire, which one has to journey twipe round the world to find, and 1 -are gorgeously presented. A feature of the entertainment will be the final episode* of the “Stingaree” serial. .OPERA HOUSE. At the Opera House to-night the principal attraction will be "Thou Art the Man,” one of Paramount’s chief successes, in which Robert Warwick,' an artist whose appearance always compels attention, is assigned the principal character. “Thou Art the Man” affords him great opportunities to show his mettle, which, he does in no uncertain manner—the. powerful role he enacts mirably suited to him.’ The story is'one oLlove and intrigue in Africa, - and-al-though not .difficult' to follow, abounds ‘ with sufficient'liveliness to. maintain the deepest interest of ah audience.'' It Ajas ' a plot, ingeniously contrived, the mysterious element, being admirably sustained, with the result that the final disclosure is'as thrilling- as it is unusual; The settings .ire most appropriate, and-consider-ably enhance the force amUpower ot the film. Robert .Warwick, as usual, is, surrounded by artists all of whom' handle their parts convincingly; The pick of supports will be presented in addition, the chief .of) whl'eh is a|Carter de Haven two-reel comedy, "Tilling the Soil’’.—a comedy full of wholesome fun. -