THE OPERA HOUSE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVIII, Issue 1036, 13 January 1910, Page 17

THE OPERA HOUSE.

FULLER’S WIDE WORLD . PICTURES. With a programme of exceptional merit being presented, it is not surprising that the Opera House is well filled nightly with appreciative patrons, who thoroughly enjoy the up-to-date pictorial fare provided by the Messrs. Fuller. The principal film .shown this week is that of “The Airship Destroyer,” an 'actual picture presentation of Mr. H. G. Wells’ “ War in the Air.” The film is of great present day interest, and .shows the possibility of the aerial vessel taking an active part in modern warfare. Airships laden with soldiers and ammunition are seen leaving their quarters to proceed to the scene of action, and their evolutions in the air are illustrated in graphic fashion. The film then takes a different turn and a beautiful girl and her lover are seen walking arm in arm along a scenic drive, and on reaching the former’s homestead the young fellow asks the father of the girl for his daughter’s hand but is met with a refusal. One wonders at this period what this circumstance has to do with aerial war, but this is revealed by subsequent ■events. The young fellow is the inventor of an airship destroyer, and after the rejection of his suit he returns co work on his invention. War breaking out the airships are seen dropping shells on to towns and wrecking buildings, causing great destruction and loss of life. The airships

gliding about and discharging shells •' form a nvvel sight? rrhd one which may he perhaps actually realised in years ro come. A shell falling on the homestead owned by the girl’s father, the house is wrecked, and the young fel-

lov r displays much courage in rescuing the inmates from the ruins. With the assistance of his mechanic he gets his airship destroyer into position, and firing a few torpedoes at the vessels gliding through the air succeeds in damaging the biggest of them, and the aerial monster falls to the earth a complete wreck. The suitor, needless to say, wins the hand of the girl whose life he has saved. A fine picture presentation is shown of Shakespeare’s famous play “ Macbeth,” the various characters being taken by leading professionals, while the staging is done on a magnificent scale. An exceedingly fine film is presented entitled “ The English Clockmaking Industry,” the modern machinery used in the construction of clocks being an eye-opener. Two pictures of general interest are those of “The Lord Mayor’s Show of 1909,” and “ Rulers of Europe,” the latter being an extremely fine film showing the heads of the different European countries. A stirring Indian adventure is depicted in “ The Leather Stocking,” an exciting fight taking place between a party of red Indians and some white men headed by a faithful Indian. ** Nick Carter’s mysterious Package,” is the title of another exploit of the great detective of fiction, and is greeted with loud applause by the audience. An emo-

tional drama of everyday life is portrayed in the film “ A Friend of the Family ” in which a , husband goes within an ace of breaking up his home for love of another woman. “ Plain Marne” is another strong dramatic film, which meets with a popular reception.” “ Circumstantial Evidence” and “Jones’ Burglar” provide the humour of the evening, both being excellent specimens of laughter-making films. Mr. E. J. Burke’s orchestra renders a delightful musical accompaniment to the pictures, which is greatly enjoyed by patrons.

According to the latest file of American newspapers to hand, two of the most popular members of the J. C. Williamson “ Squaw Man ” Company out here have added to their laurels recently in America. Mr. (Charles' Waldron has made a big hit in “The Fourth Estate” and Rapley Holmes (Big Bill) as the sheriff in the Wild West drama —“ The Round Up.” In New York “ The Climax” is still playing to sound business. It has already put up a record of eight months which is a fine run for a dramatic piece on Broadway and so far there is no word of its withdrawal.

Madame Melba sings her last song in Australia on January 29. She leaves for London on January 31.