AMUSEMENTS STINGS, ETC.

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 12856, 28 October 1912, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS STINGS, ETC.

OPERA HOUSE. DANTE'S "LNFERNO." TO-NIGHT'S GREAT PROtiKAMMK. To-night, at tho Opera House, the people of VVanganui will have tlie opportunity of witnessing what may be described as one of the greatest marvels of kinematogranhy, viz., a pictorial representation oi Dante's "inferno." This great treasure, for 600 years known to but a few scholars, is now placed in unsurpassable beauty itefore all inan&ind, Dumg presented by tne him maker just as convolved by the immortal poet. Occupying more than two hours, it tells in most artistic manner the great story of Dante like animated paintings or diving afkatuary. When the idea of ..reproducing this noTue but exceedingly difficult work was first suggested, it met with a storm of objections and criticisms. It was poiaited out that such a task would cost enormous sums of money, that there were oniy half a dozen artists living to whom the principal parts in the production could bo safely entrusted, that many of the scenes in Dante's " Inferno" required, animals, such as a panther, &• lion, a wolf, serpents, etc., that it would be impossible to show in pictures the. difficulties of the descending from ono pit into another, and that such things as frozen lakes, ponds of boiling pitch, or sucl> images as that of Cerberus, or the demons, or the giants, or Lucifer, were utterly beyond tho possibilities of human art. Nevertheless, the small band of artists I who were inspired by a wish to bring the charms and beauties of Dante home to the great masses, undertook the work and kept >at it with a patience and perseverance which could not be discouraged. After many failures and after months nad been spent in this endeavour, two or three scenes were at last successfully filmed. These scenes were among t'io hardest in the entire Book, and they were shown to the most prominent "l>ant-e societies throughout Europe, and to most of Europe's leading Dan/be societies. The (douWbeire) (were soon changed into enthusiastic helpers, and the office and studio of tho MilanoFilms Company became a centre for pnflnt'oris, peulpjfcors,' musician^, Jscjj'.ol- i ars, poets and authors, all lending an eager__hand to the completion of the work so courageously begun. When tho five reels were at last completed, they were witnessed at the private exMbiton by the King of Italy and th 9 Courio of Turino. Tho King, who is an enthusiastic admirer of Dante, was so wtTT pleased with bho production that he gladly accepted tho gift of the five reefs offered to him by the MilanoFilms^Company. It took over one year • to complete the production and a sum in excess of £20,000 was spent itpon j settings and actors alone. This picture can Tib seen for two nights only.. Mr ! Percival having received a cable to , that effect on Saturday. The booking has been very heavy, and a packed house is assured this evening.