ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 3308, 30 March 1926, Page 14

ENTERTAINMENTS

OPERA HOUSE. “THE IRON HORSE.' A crowded house greeted the first screening of Wm. Fox’s special theatrical attraction, “The Iron Horse,” at the Opera House last night, and it is safe to say that everyone came away more than satisfied. It was all that a big publicity campaign claimed it to be, and more and if more pictures of its kind were produced, there would ! be more people attending the picture theatres regularly. As this paper has published the story in serial form, it, would bo superfluous to tell it in an abridged form, but too much praise cannot bo given to the producer and performers who have given us a masterpiece. The incidents related in the story are actual facts and as fact is stranger than fiction, we have brought before our eyes events which we cannot fail, to remember on account of the clover manner in which they have been presented in "The Iron Horse.” Two famous charactrs of America’s early days are forcibly portrayed in this film version of the construction of the pioneer trans-continental railroad. These two picturesque fighters are “Buffalo Bill” Cody and “Wild Bill” Hickok. The important bearing of these two men on the success of the original venture made it imperative that exact types be procured. It was “Wild. Bill” himself who presided over the forces of law and order in the rough and ready town of Benton, where much of the important action of the picture takes place. The great buffalo hunter figured importantly during the long period when the road was under construction. As entertainment for the whole family, nothing could be better —for the fathers , of families there are stirring incidents happening to the sturdy pioneers—for the mothers there is interest all the way and for the children there are Indian fights by rival factions, buffalo drives while for the young man and maid there is as pretty a romance as one would wish to see. Add to this the comedy element as portrayed by J. Farrell MacDonald and “The Three Musketeers,” and you have perfetion in a picture—perfection as it is entertainment plus education. The special music played by the orchestra fitted the picture in every scene, and was finely played. “The Iron Horse” will be shown to-night and to-morrow night with special matinees to-mor-row and Friday. We can recommend this as a healthy picture that is a credit to Wm. Fox and Mr. Bennett of the Opera House. PARAMOUNT. PACKED HOUSE LAST NIGHT FOR “THE PONY EXPRESS." “The Pony Express” (the forerunner of “The Iron Horse”), a titanic epic masterpiece in which James Cruze recreates with spectacular effects and superlative craftsmanship another memorable chapter in the history of the making of America —commenced its local season at the Paramount Theatre last night to a packed and enthusiastic audience. “The Pony Express” is a vivid cross-section of the unsettled, turbulent, pre-Civil War days when the fate of America tfembled in the balance; when the slavery question was a burning issue and tremendous forces were marshalling on both sides preparatory to splitting the Union asunder; when the lightning riders of the Pony Express were the only means of communication between the wavering fringe of civilisation in western Missouri and the new and mighty empire on the Pacific, which had leaped to the forefront of importance by the discovery of gold. Against this vast, panoramic background, midst outdoor settings of entrancing picturesqueness, Cruze has built the structure of a great, and human story—a story not only teeming with incidents of historic interest and significance, of political intrigue, sinister plotting, frontier banditry arid Indian warfar.e but a story filled with flashing romance, tender love scenes, refreshing humour and authentic thrills. And all of these distinctive elements Cruze has skilfully moulded together into an inspiring cinematic symphony. Distinguished, indeed, is the cast the director has assembled for the true and faithful interpretation of the various characters. Betty Compson, Ricardo Cortez, Ernest Torrence and Wallace Beery portray the principal roles with a whole-souled sincerity and zeal that throws a glamour of reality over their respective performances. And the thousands of supporting players give an excellent and satisfying account of themselves. "The Pony Express” is one of the supreme screen achievements —an enduring classic that epitomises the heroic spirit of the frontier West. For the first time, Mark Twain, the noted humourist, is pictured on the screen—not the Mark Twain of old age, but as stripling youth. Billy Cody, the' youthful "Buffalo 1.111" and Brigham Young, the famous Mormon leader, are two outstanding historic characters who appear in the picture. The final clinching bit of evidence that stamps “The Pony Express” as refreshingly different is this: the villain is not killed. Instead, Slade, the notorious bad man. is promoted for his supposed bravery and efficiency. That is an ironic touch that is historically true! "The Pony Express” will be screened at five minutes to eight (sharp), although the programme as a whole will commence, as usual, at 7.45 p.m. Owing to the unusual length of the big picture, and on account of the last ’bus leaving at 10.10 p.m., there will be no interval. There will be no advance in prices—stalls Is and dross circle Is Gd. Reserves are at C. G. Swallow’s. PALACE THEATRE. The programme submitted at the Palace Theatre last evening was in every way worthy of the house, arvd gave universal satisfaction to the large and enthusiastic audience. The master picture, “The Sunshine Trail,” hits a new and higher standard of pictures and is of an entirely novel type.

The comedy was a particularly good item in a great programme, while the other supports were up to standard in every respect. The star item for the evening was the offering of Mr Walter Vernon, a ventriloquist of more than the average ability as an entertainer. His work was exceptionally clean, and “Ginger” was playing up to him in quite the accepted manner. Mr Vernon is a vocalist who can give great pleasure by his rendering of well-known and popular songs. Wo hope to hear more from this very talented artist. “THE BANDOLERO” METROGOLD WYX SPECIAL AND “SKY’S THE LIMIT” AT THE ROSY. Cancro, a wealthy ranch owner, who has the reputation in Spain of being not only the greatest, but the most original bull-fighter, and his valuable white horse may be seen in action in “The Bandolero," which is now showing at the Kosy Theatre. The bullfight scenes in which Cancro and his horse appear were made in Granada, Spain, by Tom Terriss, who produced the picture for Metro-Goldwyn. Cancro, when in the ring, never leaves his horse's back, but evades by the narrowest possible margin, the bull’s fiercest charges. At times ho actually uses the bull as a hurdle and is successful in despatching him with a single stroke. The cast for "The Bandolero,” which was photographed for the most part in Cuba and Spain, is headed by Renee A.loree, Pedro de Cordoba and Manuel Granada. It is based on the thrilling novel by Paul Gvvynne. In “Sky’s the Limit,” some of the most daring flying ever photographed is shown. The great risks run by the pilots of the air planes is most thrillingly pictured and a fiendish method of gassing the pilots and bringing the ’planes crashing to earth is shown with great realism. The story of the film is based on the air mail service and it is a genuine thriller with some of the best acting seen in months. Bruco Gordon and Charlotte Pierce head a remarkably well chosen cast. To miss seeing "Sky’s the Limit" is to pass up one of the most interesting, instructive and deeply exciting photodramas ever shown in this town.