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No man dares open his mouth in opposition to their lawless exactions, without feeling their effects upon his liberty, his business, or his life.

AHHHhhh...

The good ol’ days!

Let’s go to the movies !!!
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POLLARD’S

“A MORMON MAID.”
THE PICTURE THE MORMONS TRIED TO STOP.

Tonight at the Opera House a startling picture lifting the veil of secrecy from Mormonism and exposing Mormon secret practices that have startled the world will be presented under the title of “A Mormon Maid. Mae Murray is featured as the girl who was forced into a Mormon celestial marriage

“THE LION OF THE LORD.”
This was the title applied to Brigham Young, the real guiding spirit of the Mormon successful settlement. He figures in “The Mormon Maid” as the crafty plot-maker whose threat to the unfortunate father decides the latter to marry another wife and conform to Mormon custom. “You or your daughter choose” is the warning made at the Council meeting, and so the father takes the terrible step. The film drama has caused more discussion than any screened for a very long time and in Australia its success was sensational. It is a wonderful production on which money was spent with a lavish hand, some of the, scenes being marvels of spectacular settings. Mae Murray is the heroine, and her work is beyond praise.

“THE DESTROYING ANGELS.”
These were a band of iron-willed fanatics who guarded the entrances and exits from the Mormon settlement in its early days. They wore fantastic costumes of white with a heavy veil, and showing the “all-seeing eye” of the Mormon ritual. From these robes were drawn the costumes of the Ku Klux Klan. Every road and every pass was guarded by members of the “Destroying Angels” and no one could go in or out of the Utah settlement without their knowledge. These are utilised in one of the most dramatic incidents in “The Mormon Maid” the powerful picture drama which is to be shown.
(Grey River Argus, 24 April 1918, Page 4) (NZ newspaper)

HAYWARD’S PICTURES.
“MORMONISM”

Utah City, has been much exorcised by the success of the film drama entitled “The Mormon Maid,” to be shown at Hayward’s tonight. The film attacks with relentless severity the practices of the Mormon creed when it was at the, height of its power. In Australia, when the film landed, cables were received from the Mormon authorities endeavouring to block the showing of the film, and communications of protest were sent to Australian leaders. It will be remembered also that similar attempts were made in New Zealand.

The story is particularly sensational, splendidly produced and superbly acted. Dora (Mae Murray) the daughter of the Hogucs (Hobart Bosworth and Edythe Chapman), who live in the Mormon metropolis, loves Tom Ridgon (Frank Borzage), a young follower of the faith, who is unacquainted with its darker side. Darius Burr (Noah Beery), a leading figure in-the church, looks with covetous eyes on Dora, and to gain his point forces Hogue to accept the faith by marrying him a second time. This so affects Nancy Hogue that she takes her life. As a consequence Hogue, Tom and Dora attempt to escape, but are prevented by the Destroying Angels, who forever guard the outskirts of the city. Hogue is believed to have been killed, and the young couple are taken captive. Darius then attempts to force Dora to marry him, and she, seeking the only avenue of escape, declares in public that she is not a virgin. Enraged, Darius has the girl taken prisoner and brought to him at a certain place. Rogue, who has not fled, appears in the garb of a Destroying Angel,, and, with the help of Tom, rescues Dora and kills Darius. They are then able to escape from the grip of the Mormons.
(Colonist, Volume LX, Issue 14772, 15 May 1918, Page 7) (NZ newspaper)