ENTERTAINMENTS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 9 April 1929, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS.

GRAND THEATRE —TO-NIGHT. “WILD BLOOD.” That remarkable equine screen star, Rex, who lias already displayed his talents id “Wild Beauty,” ‘‘Hoofbeats of Vengeanc,” and other Universal productions, will appear on the screen finally at the Grand Theatre tonight in liis latest picture, “Wild Blood.” He is ably supported by Jack Perrin, Ethlyne Clair and Nelson McDowell, not to forget another clever horse actor, Starlight. In “Wild Blood,” Rex, a wild horse, has a hazardous life eluding capture at the hands of an unscrupulous rancher, whom he instinctively hates. The rancher lias designs on the daughter of a miner who had just arrived and had staked a claim, and Rex’s equine mind prompts him to take sides with the miner and the girl. Life is full of hardships for the girl, whose circumstances are poor, and she falls victim to the suggestions of the unscrupulous rancher that they go to the city together. Rex plays a prominent part in the chase after the subsequent fleeing couple, and enlists the aid of his herd of wild horses to mete out justice to the villain. The stampede of wild horses in the climax of the picture is replete with thrills, and provides a fitting conclusion to a thoroughly entertaining screen attraction. The supporting programme includes two news reels and a comedy. There will be a complete change of programme to-morrow evening, the feature attraction being the British Dominion Films picture “One of the Best.” “The Collegians” will also be shown in support. “FOUR SONS.” A PICTURE OF THE PEOPLE FOR THE PEOPLE. This picture, “Four Sons,” is remarkable for two things above all others of its features which are remarkable. It is peace propaganda from the land of America expressed by medium of the picture screen, and remaining throughout perfect entertainment. The. picture opens at the Hawera Opera House tomorrow evening (Wednesday). It is no easy thing to preach the doctrine: of perpetual peace and still keep your lesson beautifully exhilarating, still retain the undivided attention of your audience. But by reason of an excellent story by Miss I. A. R. Wylig. brilliant direction by John Ford, and ad* mil-able acting by the entire cast, “Four Sons” becomes one of the best examples of film entertainment since “Ben Hur.” It is a, remarkably simpe story, the story of a mother and her four sons, reared in great simplicity in a sinatl Bavarian village, one a soldier, one a man o,f the soil, one a man of the would, and the youngest a dreamer. But -when the blast of war blows in their ears, one by one they move off with the armies, all except the man of the world, who is now an American citizen, preparing to fight for his new country, against his brothers. Tire 'ittile mother is left at home with her youngest son, who at last marches away and is slaughtered with the rest of the' world’s young manhood. All alone, among her flowers, and her friends and her memories, she presents a mournful, courageous figure, the representative of every other mother in like circumstances. The little story ends beautifully, as sensibly and as ismoth'y as life would have it. “Four Sons,” with its courage and sacrifice and romance and humour, simple emotions treated simply, is one of the' good things of the screen. The Tyrolese village, with its charming cottages and smiling fields and pretty peasant girls and only boys and old men in the place is realistic of its time. America, with its hustle and scant ceremony throws thah life in rerelief. Margaret Mann, a. Scottish actress who plays Mother Bernie, is excellent., natural to a degree. The four sons are played by Francis X Bushman. James 'Half, Charles Morton and George Meeker, while June Collver i.s the girl. “Four Sons’ will he preceded each evening by the theme song “Little Mother,” the' .soloist being Mr Eric Leyton. There is a heavy demand for seats, and patrons are advised to reserve.