OPERA HOUSE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVII, Issue 985, 21 January 1909, Page 16

OPERA HOUSE.

WEST’S PICTURES. Pictorial entertainments are by no means rare at the present day, but nevertheless it is seldom that one is given the opportunity of witnessing such a splendid series of varied films as are being shown at the Opera House under the direction of Mr. T. J. West. “ The Ascent of the Matterhorn ” i s the title of a truly magnificent picture, illustrating some perfect mountain scenery through which the railroad runs over what appears to be a perilous route. A dramatic film, entitled “ The Brigadier’s Stripes,” portrays a story of love and pathos with striking reality, and is warmly applauded by the appreciative audience. Perhaps the gem of the dramatic films is that of “ The Vagabond,” which tell s of how a tramp, though refused bread and sheltei’ by a well to' do tradesman, one of whose employees, on being discharged, sets out to take his master’s life, hurries at night to the house of the employer for the purpose of warning him. His mission, however, being mistaken for one of begging, the master of the house shoots the tramp from the window, seriously wounding him. The inmates of the house immediately rush out to the wounded man, and are stricken with grief on learning that the tramp was enacting the role of their would-be deliverer. The tramp is at once taken into the house, where everything possible is done to expedite his recovery. Meanwhile the dismissed employee, with murder intent, is captured prowling round the house with a long-bladed knife. On the tramp being restored to his right health, the occupants of the house offer him a permanent home with them, but the old fever for tramping, which he has inherited, overtaking him, he bids them all a last farewell and sets out once more on his wanderings. A magic picture which causes the audience much mystification is that entitled ‘‘ Elastic Transformation,” a beautifully coloured specimen. A delightful set of views and scenes in Stockholm are shown, and are of particular interest. “ Types of the Servian Army” is the title of a military film of great merit, the various uniforms worn by Servia’s soldiery presenting a patriotic spectacle. A picture is shown of the Australian amateur football team, known as the Wallabies, who are at present on a trip to the Old Country, playing one of their matches in Wales. The film is reflected on to the screen

with remarkable clearness, and one is ab.e to contrast the play of the Wallabies with that of the All Blacks. A fi m illustrating the wonderful stage of development the cinematograph art has reached is that depicting “ The Story of the Silk Moth,” showing the laying of the eggs by the moth, their hatching into silkworms, the fast growth of the silkworm into the chrysallis state, and thence to the butterfly. “ From London to Paris by Motor ” ,s a decidedly interesting series of views, in which the picturesque country traversed en route is simply superb. Two tip-top dramatic pictures are those entitled “ The Fisherman’s Hate ” and “ Saved by a Dog,’’ both being heartily applauded at the hands of the aud.ence. The humorous films shown this week are acknowledged by all to be the most laughable ever seen in Auckland, “ A Rough Journey ” nearly sending the house into hysterics, while “ A Mysterious Thief” kept the fun at fever heat. The delightful musical accompaniment rendered by West’s orchestral band has the effect of making the entertainment doubly attractive.