AMUSEMENTS

Greymouth Evening Star, 8 March 1924, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS

j' ■ TOWN HALL.

TOM MIX MATINEE.

“Romance Land,” a Fox production featuring Tom Alix, will be. • shown at trie matinee in the Town Hall to-day and again to-night for the last time. It is a little, masterpiece of its kind, and-by far one of the best things that this inimitable and talented artist has done so far. 1 “Romance Land.” has all i tlie charm of “Ivanhoe” and the tales iof -King Arthur, combined with the jtlirill and excitement of modern westfern photoplay. SUNDAY. .... * A picture benefit will be given on '- Sunday, when the funds will be in i aid of the Swimming Club. 7’ & “THE COVERED WAGGQN,”

i to ifidiWib specially ; those of 1848 in the. Aiilffiicafi Wilder, riess, who Blade a. 2000 mild track w • Oregon the “Covered Wagon”, records masterfully the pioneer spirit •_.« shows the disappointments encouiltor* ddi which proved too much for all but the strong-hearted arid, caused . many " to'-take the back trail for home.) and . the joys and ■ sorrows, of ■ that gteut ■ ffioying .. community, whose temporary ijtome. was the covered wagon. The. fame of this, film hafc reached Greyihduth and it was natural to expect every seat, occupied in the Opera r Ilouse last, night, at. the third screen- - ihg. All present, were .delighted., The '■ t picture is the greatest of its class yet seen here, being, a triumph for Paramount, the . producers. A ■ wonderful cast tells Emerson Hough’s epic stoiy in fine style, and the various characters are absolutely true to lj.fe.

Ideal locations and ; first-class camera work ensure the success of the film, The f ording by the- wagon train of the Platte River, a deep, wide, and treacherous stream, the great prairie fire, the buffalo hunt, the battle with the Indians, are all thrillingly depicted. Quaint, characterisation abounds. The wihter scenes are particularly effective, and the discovery of gold in California arid the ensuing rush ate interesting Sto?old residents of the West Coast, whose memories can go back to many similar scenes. The part of winsome Molly Wingate is taken by. Lois Wilson, and Jack Warred Kerrigan, an old favourite with film fans, is. seen as her misjudged but finally vindicated lover, Will Banion. His rascally rival, Sam Woodhull, is played convincingly by Alan Hale, till the ; bullet of Bill Jackson (Ernest Torrence) at last ended his career. The part of Jackson, the guide of the. waggon train, and firm friend of Will Banion, is one of the best pieces of character work seen for a long time. Tully Marshall as Jim Bridger, the old scout and fighter, adds to the humour of the picture. The captain of the train, Mr Wingate, is played by Charles Ogle, and great juvenile work is done by John Fox, a second “Freckles,” as’ Wingate’s son, who goes through thd Indian lines and brings Baniqn and his men to the rescue of the pioneers. “The Covered Wagon” may honestly be described as a master picture, and its run on the Coast should be, as suc-

.cessful as in other places. Pollard’s orchestra supplied appropriate music - during the screening, “The Cohered Wagon,” Avill again take the trail at ■ the Opera House this (Saturday) night for the last time, and dates for the .country tour are advertised elsewhere.

“JUDITH OF, BETHULIA.” , D.? W. Griffiths’s. .Biblical masterpiece, “Judith of Be.thulia,” is. the! big feature for Monday. Holofernes, . son of powerful Nebuchodonozor, Emperor of the Assyrian Empire, was sent to devastate and lay waste the western world. In, thousands and thousands, like devouring locusts, the hosts, plundered, slaughtered and pillaged, spending their night in riotous excesses. They besieged Bethulia, but were beaten off, and the rich widow Judith saw her people starving as the enraged and disappointed Assyrians infested the city. She. conceived a plan, “I shall ' do a thing that will go through the generations.” She dressed in fine raiment and-enchanted Holofernes, whose lecherous saw in her a willing victim. She offered herself to the tyrant to save her people.

COBDEN MEMORIAL BAZAAR. The .Cobden War Memorial Committee, assisted by a willing band of workers, has everything in readiness for the Memorial Bazaar to be held on Wednesday and Thursday next. The class and variety of goods that have been gathered together for disposal will, no doubt,be of sufficient attraction to claim the attention of those in search of bargains. The following is a list of the different stalls : —Produce, cookery, plain sewing, fancywork, flowers and plants,!' woodwork and jumble. Tearooms will also be provided in the hall, and will be conducted by lady members of the commitoe. There will be numerous side shows and attractions of a varied nature to follow : —Wireless installation (listening in to oversea programmes), bran-tub, shooting gallery, soft drinks and ice-creams, fortune telling, etc. An entertainment will be provided on each evening of the bazaar, by the introduction of novelty items, such as have not previously been given from a local platform. A gymnastic display and evolutions, together’ with the spectacular and dainty Maypole dance by a company of girls will be an inspiration. The result of the Queen Carnival Competition, now being carried on, in conjunction with the Memorial Fund, will be announced shortly after 9 o’clock on Thursday evening, when the final count of votes will be made by the treaslurer of the fund. The bazaar will be officially opened at 3 p.m. on Wednesday next by Brigadier-Genearl W. Meldrum, D.S.O.

GRAND FINAL DANCE.

What can be described as one of the most looked forward to events of the year, will , take place in Carey’s Hall, Cobden on Monday March.lo. in the shape of a grand euchre and dance in aid of the R.W.B. candidate (Miss Thelma Anderson). .. The hall has been tastefully decorated for the occasion .and the floor has undergone a special preparation and with Mr Williams’, full orchestra to sunnly the music, .all lovers ofj the light ' fantastic should enjoy tiieniselves, to thfeir, .utmost. The ■ Grey,'imoutff Municipal. Band has been engaged ito render selections, and with this addition the ..function . should eclipse all previous. efforts. All thelatest novelty dances-will- be on., the. programme including - a lucky one-step for which Captain. Buckley has kindly donated a free trip in the aeroplane for the lucky couple. 4 The euchre enthusiasts are being well, catered for. as four valuable euchre prizes are offered for compe-

tition. The supper has been left in the hands of Mrs Carey and her capable committee) of ladies and should be all that can be desired. A special invitation is extended to all visiting athletes. For the convenience of town patronp, the committee has arranged for a ’bus to leave the Post Office at 8 o’clock., RED STAR SERVICE. Many visitors, tourists and local residents have long been debarred from visiting district scenic resorts owing to the expense of engaging a special car to convey them to those places. This disadvantage has been recognised by the local taxi-drivers, and they have now decided to run services to these . place of interest. Punakaiki is to be the first venture in this direction, and ■it will be seen from an advertisement in this issue that the service will pe started to-morrow (Sunday), March 9. The fare has been made as low as possible in order to attract a large number. of people. The Red Star taxi service has no less than 28 cars at its - command, many of which - compare with the best class of car in the Dominion. They will be able to cater for. picnic parties numbering up- to 160 persons. The cars will-be all owner.-; driven, securing for patrons great care and personal supervision! Arrangements have been made for intending patrons.; to- book through the Government \ Tourist Department, or seats mty be booked from any of the Red Star taxi- ■ drivers. If the service should prove a success, the Red Star Taxi Association intend to extend their services to in- ■ elude such places as Lake Moana, Westport, Nelson, Lake Kanieri and Franz Josef Glaciers. .