Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1913-02-04
THE STAR OF BETH
LEHEh' IS VERY fine
An Unusual Attraction was Given at
Isis Theatre Friday and
Saturday.

the Isis theatre Friday and Satur-
day, gave evidence that Webster
City always appreciates the best In
any line of entertainment.
We are sure that many of our citi-
zens, who seldom. if ever, find time
to hear the nightly programs at
these spopular places Of amusement,
are glad, indeed, that they avalled
themselves of the opportunity to
witness 'The Star of Bethlehem,
the presentation of which was given
at the Isis on Friday evening and
Saturday matinee and evening.
Doubtless the expense of securing
reels like these is SO great that our
proprietors of moving picture thea
tres cannot furnish such high grade
entertainment daily, but it is a mat
ter of regret that this is not possible.
"A young girl was heard to remark
during this production, ooh, like
this SO much better than any of the
others!" This spontaneous mark OF
approval shows that even the chill
dren know and appreciate what is
good and wholesome, and we wish
that every moving picture show
might be as instructive and uplift-
ing as was ''The Star of Bethlehem
The first part takes us back to the
time of Micah, showing the vener-
able prophet, first in the valley,
where he mourns over the trans
gressions of Israel, then on the
mountain, near Jerusalem, where he
sees the city, invaded by hostile arm
les, and where all the horrors OF
war are depicted. The. scene changes
and we behold the women of Jersu-
salem mourning for the slaughter OF
their sons. Now, Micah, on the
mountain top is visited by the angel
of the Lord and receives this proph-
ecy concerning the birth of Christ:
"But, thou, Bethlehem, though thou
be least among the thousands of Ju-
dab, yet out of thee shall come forth
He that is to be ruler over Israel. !"
With this promise of the coming Re
deemer he appears among the weep
ing women, bringing comfort and
consolation.
slpen hundred years have passed
and the "Wise Men" to whom Gen.
Wallace, in his masterpiece, ben
Hur," gives the names Of Gaspar,
Melchior, and Balthasar, presumably
Greek, Hindoo and Egyptian, each in
their own country, have decided
that the time for the fulfilment of
this prophecy is at hand.
The picture is very beautiful in
which these men, in separate scenes,
mount their camels and begin their
journey toward the East. They meet
in the desert, consult with each 9TH
err, comparing the prophetic scrolls
and beholding the Star in the East,
PROSTATE themselves in wonder. awe
and worship, then continue their
journey, guided by the star.
Part two opens with an entire
change of scene. We are in Pales-
tine in the fields where the shep-
herds are feeding their flocks. This
is scene of great beauty. The an
gel of the Lord appears with the
message: "Fear not, for behold I
bring you good tidings of great joy,
which shall be to all the people. For
unto you is born this day. in the city
OF David, Saviour, which is Christ,
the Lord" Again the scene changes
and shows the first glimpse of the
magnificent court of King Herod.
With his guards, courtiers and at
tendants, he enters the throne room
of the palace. Beauty and luxury
abounds. Graceful dancing of the
women. serving of wine and fruit is
interrupted by a herald bringing
rumor. of the visit of the Magi
from the East Now we are at the
gates of the city where the wise men
enter. In the next scene they are
granted an audience with the King
and present their scrolls of prophecy.
The priests and scribes are summon
ed and declare that in Bethlehem Of
Jiidea according to the ancient rec
ords the new king is to be born. In
the scene which follows, King Herod
dismisses all the court-the fear of
the Lord comes upon him and he
trembles for his throne. Part three
opens with the exceptionally beauti-
full scenes portraying the espousal of
Joseph and Mary, the visitation of
the Angel, with his wonderful
prophecy, and their return to Jo-
seph's home in Nazareth.
Another court scene in the throne
room deals with the arrival of the
messenger, with the decree that all