OPERA HOUSE

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 10737, 7 November 1928, Page 6

OPERA HOUSE

“CHANG.” Thrilling drama . produced with natural actors in their own environment living the story of their lives, and their struggle for existence, was depicted in the jungle picture “Chang,” which closes to-night at the Opera House. The producers, Messrs. Marian C-. Cooper and Ernest Schoodsack, spent nearly two years in tho interior of the jungle of Siam making the*picture. It is a simple story of the struggle of a native, family for existence against the penis of tho jungle. Tho two stars in “Chang” are Ivru and Chantui, man and wife, and like Adam and Eve turned from tho garden they endeavor to live, fighting a. constant battle against the menace of the jungle. Kru is a pioneer who has ventured further into the jungle than his fellow tribesmen. He builds a house on high stilts and has cultivated a rice patch and protected his few domestic animals from the wild beasts. Forgetting the JTingie and its man-eating people. Ivru and Chantui, with their two children, live happily for a time. When tho menace of the jungle appears to he a thing of the past, a slinking leopard carries off goats, the' tiger devours his water-buffalo, while the elephants trample his rice crops and smash his dwelling. Kru and Chantui and their two small children then proceed with all haste to the native village, on the outskirts of tho jungle, and make their plight known to tho native chief. In answer to Km’s request for help, the chief gives him 30 brave men, and the party return to the heart of the jungle and kill the beasts who have devoured his stock. Then begins the struggle all over again. A herd of 300 elephants rushes down on the village and destroys the frail houses, compelling the. occupants t.o seek refuge in tho tall trees. Eventually, tho herd moves on,- and the native folk return to find their village a broken mass. Hate fills their hearts and a plan is made to punish those giants of the wilds. A huge trap is built of stout timber, and the men set out to drive the elephants into it. Their efforts aro again successful, and the beasts aro penned up against their combined attempts to break down the barriers. In this manner they are tamed, and then removed to stocks, in which they aro kept for two months. After that time the spirits of the elephants are broken, and they are trained to assist the villagers "in rebuilding their homes The little clearing becomes a homo then beasts are beaten off or killed, and then comes peace. “Chang” will he screened at a matinee at 3 p.fn. to-day and again this evening. M