AROUND THE MOVIES.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1381, 12 October 1916, Page 35

AROUND THE MOVIES.

Globe. To elope with your 'fiancee, be wrecked in a typhoon, save another man’s sweetheart in mistake for your own, and then find yourself face to face with a horde of savages! These are a few of the incidents provided m “Nedra,” one of the most unique stories yet screened at the Globe. The shipwrecked pair, horor-stricken at the sight of the war-like tribe, prepare for death, but a pleasant surprise awaits them. The savages look on them as white Gods and bow down to them accordingly. All goes well for a time, until the chief suggests that the couple marry to ensure the existence of “little gods.” Imagine their consternation! They refuse, and the denouement comes when the chief threatens to marry her himself. To save the situation, the man and die girl acquiesce, and the weeding takes place mid much jubilation from the savages. However, no sooner is the ceremony over than help comes in the shape ot a warship, and the couple are taken back to civilisation. The man finds his fiancee about to wed another, and this opens his eyes to the fact that he has fallen in love with the girl who shared his troubles on the island. “Ambrose’s Cup of Woe” is a keystone comedy with fun at every turn, invoked by a jeaious husband. A Topical Gazette and scenes of Devonshire fill an important place on a well-balanced programme. * * * * Princess. Another striking Metro enthralls attention at the Princess, the home of these noted films, in "The Quitter,” a story of \vestern ranch life. Lionel Barrymore is cast as the hero, “±±appy Jack,” who is selected by his rand of bachelor chums to enter the runas of matrimony as the outcome ot an advertisement. Jack, however, becomes appai.ed at the piospect of his unknown fiancee, and makes a hurried exit from Paradise Gulch. Enters the heroine, a lovely young gin, who meets with general approbation at the hands of tne other bachelors. Suosequenr events are dramatically pictured, and the story ends romantically. Mr. and Mrs. Sydney Drew aie featured in a clever comedy, entitled “Number One.” * } r * * Grafton. The centre of attraction at the Grafton Theatre is “The Celebrated Scandal,” a William Fox photo-play, supreme in five parts, featuring the great Norwegian actress Betty Nansen. This lady was selected to create the principal roles in the great Ibsen dramas, and was “commanded” on several occasions by the King of Norway to appear at the Royal Court performances. Prior to joining the William Fox Syndicate, she was principal actress for the celebrated “Nordisk” Film Co., of Copenhagen. “The Celebrated Scandal” is adapted from the drama of that name by Jose Echegaray, the Spanish Shakespeare. The story is built round Donna Teodora, her husband (Don Julian), and his young kinsman (Ernesto), who lives with them. Malicious gossip constructs the inevitable triangle, and Don Julian, in an altercation with one of the scandalmongers, is killed. Ernesto avenges his death and brings matters to a forceful climax.

Everybody’s. Charlie Chaplin is the drawing card at Everybody’s Theatre this week, and crowds are thronging to see their old favourite. “The Fireman” —his latest success —shows what Charlie would do in fighting a big fire if he controlled affairs, and the comedy leads up to his antics in rescuing his lady-love from a house in flames. As a respite from laughs is the stirring romance “The 'Half-Breed,” adapted from Bret Harte’s novel. Love and revenge are intermingled in this tale of the Californian woods, with Douglas Fairbanks as the outstanding actor.

Miss Ethel Buckley (Mrs. G'eo. Marlow) has been offered a moving picture engagement in America, but up to the present is undecided whether or not to accept.

Lyric. “The Battle Cry of Peace,” inspired by Hudson Maxim’s book “Defenceless America,” is creating something of a sensation at the Lyric Theatre. It has for its mission the arousing of a great country to a sense of her unpreparedness for war, and shows with convincing realism what would happen if Germany invaded America. One sees New York bombarded by shot and shell, Broadway blazing with bombs, statues and edifices smashed out of recognition, and the people subjected to infamous barbarities. The menace is brought home by thrilling spectacular effects, which include a naval battle off Sandy Hook, the whole of the North Atlantic fleet participating. The love affairs of a man and a maid are involved in the great message, and intensify interest.

Lillian Walker, Vitagraph player, says large eyes that are wide apart, regular features, nice teeth and comely form are important attributes for moving picture aspirants.

Queen’s. There’s no lack of excitement in the current programme. “A Queen of Knaves” abounds in dramatic situations, brought about by a woman criminal and her accomplice, who commit a series of daring robberies and become involved in a brutal murder. How they are tracked makes a thrilling telling. Light comedy is supplied in “Trapping a Bachelor,” which shows how a woman-hater succumbed to the fascinations of an unsophisticated maid. * * * ♦ Grand. Diversity is the keynote of the excellent programme offered this week at the Grand Theatre. “Hearts and Sparks” is a merry-maker that appeals to young and old. “Our Victory on the Somme” gives a remarkable presentation of battle scenes in that area, while an up-to-date gazette, covering happenings at Home, is of special interest. Visitors to town should remember that a refreshing cup of tea accompanies a visit to this picture house.

Louise Carbasse, the pretty actress who appeared recently in New Zealand on the Fuller circut, is starring with the Bluebird Photo-play Co. in America and is known as Louise Lovely.