AROUND THE MOVIES.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1379, 28 September 1916, Page 35

AROUND THE MOVIES.

THE SPELL OF THE SCREEN.

If Shakespeare came to earth again he would surely say the picture, instead of the play, was the thing. Saturday has always been a field day at picture houses, and now that the proprietors have chosen that day to make their weekly change of programme, keenness to secure seats is more in evidence than ever, and long queues are the order of things at the many theatres in the city, crowds patiently awaiting their turn for an hour or so. THE LYRIC. Is Platonic Love Possible? This vexed problem is being threshed out at the Lyric Theatre. A wealthy society girl and a clubman test the theory by taking a trip together on the man’s yacht. In the South Pacific the man’s true character asserts itself, and he attempts to seize the girl, but she escapes in the yacht’s tender, eventually drifting ashore on a small island. There she is found by a cave man, with the mating instincts of the primordial male human. Cast away on a South Sea Island as a child, he had grown to manhood without ever knowing his kind. Picture these two

for three years on a lonely isle! How they lived, how they loved, until civilisation found them, makes the strangest, most picturesque and unusual story since the days of the world’s first wooing—Adam and Eve. GRAFTON. “We have just completed arrangements to feature the famous William Fox films,” said Mr. W. G. Sutton, who manages the destinies of the Grafton Theatre. “Everyone knows these pictures are par excellence, and their drawing power is widely recognised. They just about reach perfection in every detail, and every picture goes through a very crucial test by the producers.” It is William Fox, president of the Fox Film Corporation, who claims the distinction of having coined the now generally used word photo-play. For years the proper description of a screen drama puzzled the best writers of the country. Practically all of them stuck to “motion picture play” as the most descriptive phrase. More than seven years ago, when Mr. Fox was running the New York Theatre, at 45th Street and Broadway, now Loew’s Theatre, he coined the word “photo-play” as descriptive of the presentation of dramas through moving pictures. “The Plunderers” is the first subject listed for presentation at the Grafton, a redblooded drama alive with love, hate and adventure. It is an adaptation of the novel by Roy Norton, and deals invigoratingly with life at a western mining camp. A strong man’s fight

against heavy odds is the theme of an intensely absorbing story. William Farnum plays the leading part, and events all through move with dramatic swiftness. Picture lovers should on no account miss acquainting themselves with the beauty of the Fox films. KING’S. A thrilling story is built around “Hate,” the star picture at King’s Theatre. A young prostjector who is robbed and deceived by a girl, sings his song of “hate” to all women, and lives the life of an outlaw. Some exciting incidents are revealed, and the acting is on a high plane. There is also an excellent list of supporting subjects. This up-to-date Newton theatre is shortly to be converted into a house for drama. In the meanwhile it is to have a good send-off with the best the movies can offer. PRINCESS. There is a distinct punch about a Metro programme featured at the Princess. “Notorious Gallagher” is the story of “Buttsy,” a product of New Y'ork’s great east side. In spite of his sordid environment he is a dreamer. And even when falsely accused of murder, such fantastic

cused of murder, such fanta;

castles he weaves in his own mind as to the attentions showered on him, that he pleads guilty of the crime. How he is saved from paying the death penalty and brought to his right senses, forms a story that is entirely new and startling in its development and denouement. In “Notorious Gallagher,” Mr. William Nigh shares stellar honours with lovely Marguerite Snow, whose name is one to conjure with among photo-play lovers everywhere. Together they have achieved a veritable screen masterpiece. GLOBE. Most exciting in its developments and climaxes is “Midnight at Maxims,” which is the centre of attraction at the G'lobe. The story depicts in alluring fashion New York’s most famous cabaret with all its glitter and glamour. There is a gorgeous galaxy of girls, most of whom were engaged from the principal vaudeville theatres especially for the ballets, so that the dancing is made an outstanding feature. One sees life in the club in the wee small hours, and there is a delightful fascination about the whole thing. Miss Twinkletoes and Mr. Shye keep attention at suspensive interest. EVERYBODY’S. “Hate,” with Wm. S. Hart (the screen’s greatest “bad man”) and pretty Jessie Love to dominate it, takes pride of place on Everybody’s programme. A rugged man of the desert, having been fleeced of his fortune by vampire women of a lawless

town, turns hatefully against the entire feminine sex. How he becomes ruler of a band of renegades in a mining camp, utterly despising women for ensuing years until he is awakened to the code of his race by a gentle, fearless little girl who trusts him, is the dominant note of this powerful story. The supporting list includes “Temple Gardens of Naree,” “Alpine Troops in Alsace,” cartoons, and the Gaumont Graphic. QUEEN’S. Miss Florence Turner is the drawing figure at Queen’s in “Lost and Won,” a romantic love drama that gives this popular actress abundant scope for exercising her emotional talent. Sentiment alternates with sensation, and the realistic racing scenes evoke hearty enthusiasm. GRAND. A happy variety characterises the present offering at the Grand Theatre, the programme covering a little of everything from serio to comic. “Bath Tub Perils” heads the list, and is a riot with its many amusing situations, which must be seen to be described. A masterpiece in effect is “Prisoners of Leysin,” in which a magnificent snowstorm is depicted. “Feathers and Fluff” unfolds an interesting nature study, while other subjects of a wide appeal make up a welcome combination. The G'rand, it is worth while noting, is unique with its double attraction, for in addition to a fine programme patrons are regaled with morning and afternoon tea. And when one realises that for 6d. one can have a cosy seat in the dress circle and a cup of tea into the bargain, life is certainly made easy for the picture-goer! Thus a New York critic on “The Birth of a Nation”: —“It will thrill you, startle you, make you hold on to your seats. It will make you laugh. It will make you cry. It will make you angry, it will make you glad. It will make you hate. It will make you love. It is worth walking miles to see.”

Mr. and Mrs. Sydney Drew, laughmakers on the Metro ranks, receive a joint salary of 90,000 dollars a year.

William Farnum is called the man with the 100,000 dollar face, his features being insured for this amount against all ravages save those of time. His first screen appearance was in the Fox Film Co.’s “Samson.”

William Desmond, the well-known American actor, is one of the most popular players of the Triangle Company.

“The most stupendous dramatic and spectacular enterprise which the brain of man yet visioned and realised!” — Such is the tribute paid in America to “The Birth of a Nation.”