THE PICTURE HOUSES.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 16113, 30 April 1923, Page 5

THE PICTURE HOUSES.

EVERYBODY'S,

"Hurricane's Gal," a First National masterpiece, is the cheif dramatic subject in the new programme at Everybody's Theatre. It is a most exciting story, mainly of the sea. Lola (Dorothy Phillips), 'he beautiful daughter of a Pacific pirate, has been given command of her father's vessel, the, Tahiti Belle. A new interest in life is awakened in the girl when a handsome stowaway is brought to light. He falls in love with her, but matters become complicated when he turns out to be a revenue officer. On the othet officers boarding the craft there is a great fight, and the smuggler catches afire and is blown up. But more thrilling events follow. The principals escape, and later Lola has-a rival kidnapped. Sensational scenes follow in swift succession, a destroyer and airplanes pursuing Lola's vessel. A crashing climax comes before the happy ending. The popular Tom Moore has the lead in a jolly comedy "Hold Your Horses," which shows bow a street cleaner, given a brief taste of authorit v. realises his talent power, and makes such rapid progress that he is soon a political potennte. He wins the proud Indv who had spurned him in his humble occupation, and when she later treats him with cold disdain he adopts novel means of convincing her of his worth. THE PRISONER OF ZENDA. A large and fashionable audience greeted the' first screening of the magnificent romantic story, "The Prisoner of /.Yiifl'M." at the Opera House on Sati'.r"day night, and' lhei gorgeous production .fascinated and; charmed them from start to 4 finish. The! picture proves that romantic drama can he madei an intellectual treat. Alice Terry once, again entwined 1 herself around: the hearts of the spectators by her wonderful charm find' her powerful emotional acting, audi with Lewis Stone portrayed! love wence< that- thrilled tltei onlookers. The picture breathes the soul of the. title audi the novel, and. the. remembrance, of the beautiful sentiment contained! in the story radiates Ihe glow of poetry and l romance which is so vividly portrayed, not only by the wonderful acting of Alice Terry, but by the magnificence of its scenes. The action of the jtojry never Hags from the time that. Black Michael plans a coup d'etat in an attempt to seize* the throne of Ruritania- from, his brother, and Colonel Sap I persuades a young Englishman, who closely resembles the drugged king, to impersonate his Royal highness until after the coronation ceremony. The masqnerader is crowned amidst public rejoicing. The first to give him the oath o.f allegiance is the king's cousin, Princess Flavin. Rassendyll drives to the palace with Lift? princess at his side. An adventuress recognises Rassendyll and informs the king's brother of the deception. Black Michael orders the; king, to be kidnapped'and put !in a dungeon at tho castle of Zenda. At • a royal ball Rassendyll .announces his be- ' frothal to Princess Flavin. After this Rassendyll, Sapt, and Fritz pet out to save the? Icing, then follows the famous sword' fight. The endi of the story is readied with the parting of the Princess Flavin and 1 Rassendyll as he leave?! lluritania for ever. "The Prisoner of Zenda" will ho shown for the last time to-night. PALACE THEATRE. The programme shown at the Palace on Saturday was remarkable for the intensity of its dramatic attractions—" The Storm," with House Peters, Matt Moore, and Virginia. Valli, and "The Bonded Woman,' 5 with Betty Compson as the star. "The Storm" is one of the greatest works of the screen. Tho race down the rapids in a frail canoe in the midst of gun fire; the blizzard l , with endless tons of snow streaming in an avalanche down the mountain side; and 1 fall© forest fire, with flames spurting high enough to lick the clouds, are unforgettable scenes. The story is a simple hut powerful one. Lave Stewart, a blase society and wealthy club man, has had' a great surfeit- of women of all classes until he has become a hardened cynic concerning tho fair sex. lie saves Burr Winton, a- big giant woodsman, from robbery and possible injury from a gang. A wondtevful friendship springs tip between the two men of quite opposite types. Burr invotes Dave to spend' the winter in his trapping quarters. Lave willingly accepts, only too pleased to get away from "the world." But to the hut unexpectedly comes a bright and quite innocent French Canadian girl, and the three are compelled, to live in. the hut. Tho result is that two men fall deeply in love -with one woman. One man knows all tho arts to charm women; the other can only worship dumbly. In a. short space the two men hate each other, and the girl has to use all her wits to prevent, them killing one another. And' the drama, is phryed out to a logical conclusion. "The Bonded 1 Woman" is another great dramatic treat. The supporting programme is worthy of the i.wo magnificent attractions.