THE OPERA HOUSE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVII, Issue 1001, 13 May 1909, Page 16

THE OPERA HOUSE.

WIDE WORLD PICTURES. Messrs. Fuller continue to present their Wide World Pictures to appreciative patrons at the Opera House nightly, and that the popularity of the modern films shown is not on the wane is evidenced by the applause which follows the reflection of each picture on the screen. Included in this week’s programme is one of the finest dramatic pictures ever witnessed in Auckland, this being a highly sensational film entitled “ C.D.Q. or Sayed by Wireless,” depicting the collision between the Republic and the Florida in a dense fog and the saving of the crew and passengers through the medium of wireless telegraphy. The hero of the wreck was Mr. John Binns, a wireless telegraph operator aboard the Republic, who when the vessels smashed into one another, stuck to his post and amid all the dismay and confusion despatched a distress signal “ C.D.Q.” —“ship in distress” and in reply received a message that from every point of the compass ships were hurrying to the aid of the sinking ship. Wireless message's were exchanged between the Republic and the Baltic, with the result that the latter, by th\. use of the searchlight, was able to locate the whereabouts of the distressed .ship, and save the lives of the crew and passengers. The picture is of a most exciting order and the heroism of Binns is exemplified with wonderful reality. Soon after the occurrence, which was read throughout the world with no little incredulity, the Vitagraph Company secured the services of John Binns and were able to string together a very sensational film. The officers of the Republic and Florida are shown, while Binns at work with his wireless telegraph instrument, paying no heed to the warnings of danger and the flooded and wrecked engine room, serves as an excellent example of human courage and devotion to duty. A number of very fine dramatic studies are shown, “The Blue Legend,” “ The Love of a Pa-

sha’s Son,” “ A Story of the French Revolution,” “A J,;essina Orphan,” “The Romance of a Queen” and “The Mule Driver’s Daughter ” comprising half-ardozen most entertaining films. The scenic pictures are decidedly picturesque, “Moscow,” “ The River Thames in Winter,” and "On the Gota Canal, Sweden,” being three worthy specimens. The negotiation by a large steamer of 1 7 locks in the Gota Canal in one hour and a-half in order to make an ascent of 500 feet forms a particularly interesting study, this course being necessary so as to avoid the seething falls. The humorous series presented causes the heartiest amusement, “ I have Lost Toby,” “The Polite Parson.” and “The General’s Fiancee,” being a couple of really funny films. “ Shark Fishing” is the title of a most instructive picture, showing the North Sea fisherman carrying on this industry under boisterous weather conditions. Mr. Ernest Cremer’s orchestra supplies a delightful accompaniment to the pictures.