WESTERN THRILLER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 185, 6 August 1936, Page 21

WESTERN THRILLER.

ANOTHER ZANE GREY STORY. Zarie Grey, famous and well-loved writer of stories of the great West, is again to be represented, on the local screen. The screen adaptation of his popular novel "Desert Gold" will open at the Majestic Theatre on Friday. Prominent parts in the production are taken by Larry ("Buster") C'rabbe, Marsha Hunt, Tom Keene, Monte. Blue and Raymond Hatton. The story deals with the abduction of a young Indian chieftain ~by a villainous mine promoter, a part taken by Monte Blue, who seeks to rob the Indian tribe of a hidden gold mine. After being lashed almost to death for refusing to betray the location of the mine, the young chief is "rescued"'"By a rh'irtitfg engineer (Keene) summoned by Blue to locate the mine. For this service the Indian rewards his rescuer with a half share in the mine. Keene is attracted by the promoter's fiancee and takes her with him to a "hideout" in the mountains. A furious gun battle follows when desert bad men headed by Blue attack the mine in an effort to take it and the girl. The sequences which follow are said to be intensely exciting and filled with vital action, every player giving of his best.

In conjunction with the Western story will be shown yet another of those bright musical comedies that have been delighting Majestic Theatre audiences over the past few weeks. It is "The Charm School," the story of a gay young man-about-town who is left an old-fashioned finishing school by his maiden aunt. He and several of his friends decide to liven it up and from a very staid institution it is transformed into a sort; of _glorified musical show, with Jack Oakie, Ned Sparks, Joe Penny and Frances Langford doing all the work of organisation. Frances Langford, the famous radio singer, who met with so much acclaim after her performance in "Broadway Melody of 1936," sings several modern song numbers by Gordon and Revel, who have' produced- many popular screen songs during the past few years. There seems to be promise of great entertainment in "The Charm . School" and itf should be pleasing to all picture-gocrs.