CRYSTAL PALACE

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18968, 5 April 1927, Page 13

CRYSTAL PALACE

TWO OUTSTANDING PICTURES. "SILENT RIDER" AXD "THE QTJA3&. TBRBACK." It is one of the weaknesses o: the -moving picture world that the titles of many really excellent productions give no indication w to their merits. For example, the- t,vo teat lire films at Crystal Palace Theatre this Keek jear the very unimpressive, and unexplanatory, talcs "The Silent Rider" and "The Quarterback"-titles which give no indication whatever a a to the many good things which are in store . r or those who will witness their presentation thi.3 week. Kach oi tile pictures under review is something really original, and -aicii can confidently be vecoiumendej to these who appneiate good s:ean ccmc-dy with a not ymprobible story of vinle youth as its background '"The Silent Rider" is Iloct Gibson, ivlio makes his bow \u the picture ub a champion poker player, and ficad rancher of the Bar X, a ranch pcrp'.cJ by some most likeable people. To u,i« ranch comes a very attractive woman, who promptly causes a scries of highly diverting episodes by her announcement 'hat rite is looking (or ,i husband- "a icd-headed one," many and various "prescriptions'' being brought into use by tin- male attendant? on tha ranch to induce "their locks to attain a ruddy hue. Hoot Gibson's folly in dyeing liis hair leads to his being accused of "being the leader of a gang of bandits who have held up a mail train, and it is only by superlative feats of courage, and inimitable feats of horsemanship, that he eventually brings the real criminals to justice, ar.d wins the hand of the lady fair. and pathos '.re skilfully blended with comedy in this picture, which can be described without hesitation as one of the best "Western" photo-plays screened in Chnstehurcb for a verv considerable period. "The Quarterback' is u story of college li'e in America, wlir-rc. it is not considered an indignity ft.; a student to work his way." R'cbivd Mix, as fascinatinr? a- ever, "work? hi? wii;-" bv pctine, an n milkman :r the carK Stopr? oi 'be m"rninrr, with wimc extremely hmnnious results. Fit and his partner ar<- b-ifb member? of th«- .•oHe-r hall team, and obtain mi-ch valuable training in nassin? irvl ratchinc h< " :rn'.-ti=iru' with the milk bottles as th*v deliver them from home to bouse. Ksther Rftlston as the Inrclin" 'adv. ha* :i splendid part opposite Richard Fix. ar.d between them they present a most oriaiiia! nr-.d clmrmin<*!v rmnnnti" love jforv. "The Quarterback is -re-mine .-nmedv, hut it has m excitinr: itory of cotlee-e athletic-. -\? its backermijid The final scenes, where Richard T)ix lends hi? ball team to vict-orv •>• the first tvrnn in '.7 year?, are oxeontionalU well wnrM «P tn a most exciting evening Inr-e nudirnc- to a pitch o, enthusiasm not stilly in a picture the-tre. ~ . , '- t.viica-1 gazette makes :v; exc<>i.«-nt n.troduction to Mia two bi.-r photo-plays and a hielilv comment- mimical accompamment is ,-rnnrlert 'v. ■ "■'■■ I v., u-iH-' 'Mr Alfred Tf'.nz. TV.e same programme will ■ b<" P'cscnted throughout Ibis week, tV box plan hem? at The BrW-01.