ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 17660, 18 February 1916, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

POPULAR PICTURE PALACE. A PICTORIAL SERMON. “The Nigger.” the principal film at the Popular Picture Palace at present, is an enthralling- picture of an extraordinary character, in fact it might correctly ho termed a sermon. The picture, from a photographic and histrionic point of view is magnificent but the story contained in it is so powerful and gripping, that it will undoubtedly prove to he a mem-

orable picture to those who saw it. The jiicturc deals with the racial problem, as it is in the United States of America. Social, political and religious organisations have been striving for almost a century to raise the status of the American negro, and while to an extent their efforts have been crowned witli success yet there is still an unbridged gulf between tlio man with black blood in his veins and his white brother. The story, told in six parts—a prologue, four principal acts, and an epilogue—opens in ISIU when Colonel Phillip Morrow, a wealthy plantation owner, becomes the father of two children —one by his legal wife anti one by his love mistress, a handsome negress named Belle. The legal heir and the wife die. Belle’s boy is substituted and brought up in the old homestead “Morrow’s Rest,’’ under the care of Jenny, a sister of Belle, while Belle is sold down the river as a slave. Fifty years pass. In the meantime Colonel Morrow has been killed in the Mexican war. Bello has disappeared, and Jenny is left In possession of the secret. Young Phillip Morrow grows up white, and an honoured citizen. With iiis love for a beautiful girl comes the opportunity to stand for State Governor. The ticket which he represents is “America for the white man,” as in opposition to the equal suffrage party and the prohibitionist. Upon his election events march with startling rapidity. Morrow finds that the party which has brought him into power stands for the •'Whisky Trust," and their request that he should veto a prohibition bill becomes a demand when lie seems to hesitate. His desire to work for the good of the people is strengthened by the outbreak of anti-negro riots, in which whiskydrugged crowds wreak vengeance upon the coloured community. By an unfortunate chance the political boss of the “Whisky Trust” learns the secret of the Governor’s parentage. A dramatic scene follows when lie proves to Morrow that he is nothing more than a negro. Morrow refuses the offer to have the matter hushed up if he will veto the bill. He resigns his position as Governor, gives up the girl of his choice, and devotes his life to the uplifting of the down-trodden race to which lie belongs. "The Nigger” is beautifully screened, and the interest of the audience is sustained throughout the hour and a half occupied in its production. There are several other fine films supporting the star picture, the whole forming an excellent programme. GRAND THEATRE. A THRILLING SENSATION. The usual big house attended at the popular Grand Theatre last evening to witness and heartily approve the first exhibition of Shannon Fife’s stirring romance, “The Valley of laxst Hope,” which pictures vividly a story of love and adventure in the lone places of California in the golden days of ’4ll. The Vitagraph, Lubin, Selig, and Kssanay firms all had a hand in its construction and the result is a production of big merit, conspicuous for elaboration of detail and consistently good acting while L-lic wild, rugged scenery is strikingly the real thing. I The play abounds in thrilling episodes, notably. The salting of a mine. Hoodwinking prospectors. The wild rush to a duffing goldfield. The building of a boom town, to be subsequently demolished by dynamite, a safe robbery, flight and pursuit of the villains, a man hunt, villains at bay. 'Hie arch scoundrels fleeing from fate and ultimately Nemesis, which overtakes them in the shape of the most realistic head-on railway train smash ever presented on the screen. This section is wonderfully realistic, and absolutely a great achievement. Romayne Fielding and a strong east put vigirous work into their characterisations. Another capitally executed drama is “Queen of the Band,” a quickly moving detective drama, with an exceedingly clever plot of great interest. Mounting and acting leave nothing to be desired. One of the most delightful comedy-dramas seen for quite a while, is the French Cinema, “Mr Santa. Clans.” Fun ami merriment accompany the screening of the rattling comedy. “The Highwayman. “Caves and Cliffs of l'’|auihorough Heads" is a really good scenic.- series, while the always popular Australian Gazette with cartoons by Harry Julius proved most interesting. Such a capital list will draw its reward in the form of big houses.