ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 18078, 3 May 1919, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

HEARTS OF THE WORLD. In “Hearts *of the World,” the stupendous D. W. Griffith’s motion picture play, which is to be presented at the Grand Theatre for a three night's season commencing Wednesday' next at 8 pm., is depicted a little village in France where happiness and all the joy of humble folk who loved their homes; then came the war, and with the war common souls sprang to the stature of heroes. This extract from the story of “Hearts of the World" epitomises the picture from its inception and through all its remarkable developments and thrilling episodes. The story of “Hearts of the World” is, it is said, more than a war drama. It is a play in which centres the life interests of a young man and woman, -■mi-1 in which the conflict of the war is graphically depicted in pictures taken on the actual battlefields. From the spectacular point of view “Hearts of the World” can only adequately be described as stupendous. “To attempt anything like a comprehensive description,” states a Sydney critic, “of the battle scenes would be to court disaster. The actual trenches are pictures, fully manned, the onrush of the attackers, the desperate bayonet fighting, the terrific hand to hand encounters must be witnessed to fully comprehend their intense realism. High explosive shells burst in the vicinity of the trench, and the next minute the sides are seen falling in, engulfing the human tide they contain. The enemy in massed formation, rushes to the attack, they dislodge the men in the trenches, then comes the counter-attack, and the repulse of the enemy. The cumbersome, but highly efficient tanks are seen in action, the “aerial navies” drop their death-dealing missiles, the deadly poison gas is seen being despatched on its work of destruction, and all the other instruments, methods, and apparatus of grim-visaged modem war are depicted. As an example of what modern cinematography can accomplish, the scenes in the German trenches during a heavy rain storm stand out as most noteworthy, and as highly realistic. From the point of view of direction ,the recapture of the village by the French and their Allies is most impressive in its stark realism, and the absence of anything savouring of the theatrical—the individuals are not actors, the buildings are solid stone.” Box plan opens at the Bristol Monday morning at 10 o’clock. “PECK’S BAD GIRL.” A drama which seems to have been made to order for Mabel Norm and is being screened at the Albion Theatre to-day at 2.15 and to-night at 7.10 and 8.45. This is “Peck’s Bad Girl” The film is a Goldwyn production and the supporting cast has been chosen with great care, while the small country town in which the action takes place is just the kind of village which all lovers of the book had conjured up. As is well known the story tells of a young girl who had such an excess of the joy of life that she kept the whole village in a state of alarm as to what her next performance would be. In this story her principal exploit is to close a bank and cause a riot, but she makes amends later by waylaying a gang of burglars who are out to rob the bank. More than this she fascinates the detective who is on their tracks and the picture ends with an early marriage in prospect. There is a good excuse for fine dresses in part of the story but .Mabel mixes them rather amusingly. There is a delightful intermingling of laughter with serious situations throughout the pipture, which is one of the best of Mabel Normand’s we have seen. A screaming comedy entitled “His Lesson,” an interesting official film showing views of the West Yorks and Royal Kents, an dthe Pathe Gazette are also screened. Patrons are advised to book their seats.

“THE TRIUMPH OF THE WEEK.” The above feature is the star offering of a magnificent and delightfully varied programme to be screened the next three nights with a matinee to-day at 2.15. As

the heroine, beautiful Alice Joyce has a part which gives full play to her appealing style of acting. There is an irresistible appeal in the story that will reach the heart of those who consider themselves strong, as well as those who know themselves to be weak. The strength the weak have as shown in this picture is the knowledge of love in a stronger nature on which it can lean. Although some may not agree with the girl’s action in this story, they can sympathise with her in her efforts to keep him from finding out the unhappiness and shame of her past'—a past that looked blacker than it really was. There are many glimpses of local colour—tenement life, prison life, Broadway life—contrasts being well used. The picture is dramatic, and the story is well constructed and Is particularly well screened and acted. “Through the Nation's Parks” is one of the finest scenics presented for some time, every foot of film being both beautiful and interesting. In addition there is a Christie comedy “Nearly a Papa,” a smart and amusing production. The Co-Op. Weekly is full of up-to-date interest.