Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-05-18
OPERA HOUSE

Today and Saturday Only Presents
THE Unborn" A Wonderful Human
Document Dealing with the Much
Discussed Subject, Birth Control.
Matinee 2.30, Evening Show 7.Oo-8.3O
Children Under IS Years Of Age Not
Admitted.
Today at the Opera House there will
be shown for the first time in this city
u new five-reel feature photoplay,
"The Unborn, in which Gertrude
Bondhill plays the principal role
Frankly Speaking, it is propaganda
play that deals with a subject that in
previous day was discussed only be-
hind closed doors, but which in the
days of advanced journalism now
meets with attention from editors
which grant it the prominent col
umns of the press. Nor is this condi-
ton to pe decried for many reasons.
Most especially is it not the province
of the reviewer to take either side IN
the controversy. Sufficient for him is
it to say that in this film production
the subject is handled so crcumspect-
~ that all offence is avoided, and so
adroitly is it presented in many Of Its
phases that there is not the slightest
danger of looking upon it all as other
than 4 great moral lesson taught with
out ruffiing the finest of sensibilities.
To review the drama within the
simple limits Of its STORY would be doing
it a severe injustice. for in the mere
skeleton of its plot there appears little
that is different from many plays OF
the screen that have gone before. 1t
is the treatment of the story, in the
ramifications of the kindred incidents
of plot that reach out like the tendrils
from a great stem, all meeting in MAX
ing u perfect whole, that the drama
gains its greatness. And when one
says that it will hold the audience
rapt attention completely throughout
its five reels, that is a statement that
carries truth worth mentioning.
Outlining its story briefly. it con-
Germs the meeting of young man of
With who is sojournng in the coun-
try. with a voune girl. the daughter of
a farmer. Her mother being dead,
there is much that she does not know.
and she is the victim of misplaced
trust in the young man whose pur-
suit is only pleasure. Summoned to
return home, he leaves the girl, not re-
2l7ine the extent Of the injury he had
done In tho tide of business affairs
he is led II marry . society girl in or
COY to fl,rthor his future prospects,
Meanwhi1o tie country girl realizes
that sho must leavn home. and coming
to tie city she searches for him.
From thence onward the story reach
es out and embraces various contrib
-
the story. The years pass. and the
child that knew no father has grown,
being q newsho, Of the streets. There
he accidentally meets his parent,
without either realizing the others
true identity. a nurI Of fate drawing
them together. The boys mother hay
ing died. there is no danger of reveal
ment for either. The mans society
wife having chosen to be an ultra
modern wife. is a childless woman,
which is a depiorable condition for the
man who loves children. This love
prompts him to adopt the little news
boy, which act is repellent to the
woman. This sets him to thinking,
wondering why he has had no off
spring. Certain incidents incite his
suspicious, and he is led to the office of
an Illegal practitioner. His efforts to
bring TO Punishment this society doc
tor. the hindranceS to this pursuit
and the victorious elimination Oh his
actions form the most striking features
of this vivid drama
The work of the principals, even to
the smallest parts is extremely COM
mendable Miss Bondhill is not alone
good to look upon, but she also gives
a portrayal natural and unaffected.
forcible in its sincerity. One of the
cleverest Of the players is Julia Hur-
ley. who has appeared in many legit-
innate productions with Maude Adams
and +. II. Southern, and who now
bears the title among film people of
the Grand old lady of the screen"
Summing up the production in en-
tirety. it may be stated that The I'm
borr." gives life to a lesson that ever
should be borne in mind.
The matinee will start at 2.3O and
the evening shows at 100 and S45
Prices for the matinee 15c; evenings,
balcony 15c; orchestra, 25c.
Positively no children under IS years
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