The Donaldsonville chief., 1917-10-06
excellence and furnishes ample as
surance that it is we'll worth seeing.
"Rasputin, the Black Monk"

IN VIA iiAAAiS. oIoA y vi I1iN 1s0SS1Ctl
evolution and the fall of the house OF
Romanoff is told with wealth OF
dramatic detail in the spectacular and
intensely interesting Brady-Made
picture, ''Rasputin, the Black Monk, ,
which comes to the Grand next Thurs,
day. This wonderful production is in
seven reels, and on the occasion of its
presentation at the Park Theatre in
New York city attracted such an i'm.
mense crowd that it became necessary
to call out the police reserves tc
handle the huge throng. Press and
public unite in proclaiming the film
one of the most elaborate and remark.
able ever produced.
The story traces the sensational ca.
reer of Rasputin, the crafty peasant
who through his hypnotic influence
over the czar of Russia and others
high in authority rose to position OF
such eminence in the affairs of the
great eastern empire that he. became
the real force behind the throne
Rasputin is first shown as a loafel
about an inn, making his living By
travelling around the country in the
guise of monk. He is discovered by
the czar's spies, who offer him work
in the service of the Russian ruler
seeking out those who are attempting
to overthrow the empire. Rasputir
betrays his countrymen and goes tc
St. Petersburg, where he soon es
tablishes himself in the good grace;
of the czar and acquires an unusua
influence over the czarina's favorit1
lady-in- waiting, Madame Vasta.
When the czar's child is taken il
Madame Vasta tells the cdarina of the
wonderful powers Of Rasputin, and M
is sent for. He agrees to cure the
baby, but declares he must remair
close by to supervise the treatment
He is given apartments in the palace
and at once his strange hold upon the
czar becomes evident. Unrest in the
ranks of the Russian army develope;
shortly afterward and Rasputin is &C
cused as being the cause. The cza1
orders him from court, whereupor
Vasta, who has, become Rasputin':
confederate, places drug in the
sick child's chocolate, which throws
the infant into a coma. Rasputin i:
summoned by the cparina, and hi:
power over the Romanoffs becomes
still greater when he resuscitates the
child.
At the height of his we'll nigh roya
reign his passion for women finall,
brings about his downfall. He goe'
| to the home of Princess Zolopouf, wht
had previously spurned him, and there
is captured by the leaders Of the de
moeracy, who force him to sign al
order for the release of young glr
whom he has imprisoned in his apart
lment. The enraged father Of th
Inirl shoots id kills she yillainou
monk. and his body is dropped int
the sea through hole in the ice
|Kerensky becomes the man Of tn
hour. and the gloom of cruel con
Ispiracy gives place to the sunshine o
liberty and the forced abdicatlon 0
| the czar.
Montagu Love arises to the height
Of his splendid career in his interpre
tation of the role Of Rasputin. Hi
acting is nothing short Of magnificent
Arthur Ashley and June Elvidge ar
equally excellent in the parts whic
they portray, and the supporting cas-
is without flaw in any respect. Th
photography is superb throughout
lmany of the scenes being wonderful
beautiful.
Concerning this tremendous pre-
duction, the New York Evening Worl
said: at is not often that Broad
way playhouse has its front doc
smashed by crowd Of late conner
who cannot get even standing room
but that is what happened last nigh
at the Park Theatre. The occasio
for the demonstration was the frs
showing of 'Rasputin, the Blae
Monk which proved to be one of tn
most remarkable moving picture pre-
ductions that has ever been offered.
"Rasputin, the Black Monk i
truly masterpiece, and will undoubt
edly impress and please all who see i