ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 3308, 31 March 1926, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

OPERA HOXJSL,

‘THE IRON HORSE.”

In handling 800 Indians of mixed breeds on location for "The Iron Horse," John Ford, the director, had the assistance of J. E. Jenkins, Government Indian. Agent of the Pyramid ■ hake Indian Reservation. There were Pawnees, Cheyennes, Sioux and Piutes in the gathering and each clan kept to Itself. The mixture of tribes wag a, lucky thing for the director, because it increased the spirit of competition. Each tribe attempted to do better than the other, with the result that all of them performed remarkably well. The Pawnees were assigned to act as scouts for the railroad builders, just as their ancestors did for the original pioneers on the western desert. The Sioux, Cheyenne and Piutes were supposed to attack and burn and fight, which they did with all the enthusiasm and noise which made (he warfare of their forefathers a thing of ; terror. Among them wore old veter- i mis of the wars, some of whom distinctly remembered the first trains i

crawling across the prairie and had Vivid memories of their youthful attacks on the invading whites. The director was quick to make friends with all of them, under the able guidance of Agent Jenkins who called the old chieftains by their names. "The Iron Horse" was again shown to a crowded house, even to the pit, where several rows of forms were oc--1 copied by enthusiastic “fans.” “The Iron Horse” is undoubtedly the best picture of its kind over shown in Palmerston North, and it is to be hoped that Mr Bennett can get more like it for his theatre. The special music includes the ear-pleasing strain “Brill Te Tarriers, -Brill,” to which the railway workmen drove (ho spikes. 1 PALACE theatre. Spontaneous applause in token of ■ appreciation of quality offerings, was the rule throughout the programme at the Palace Theatre last evening, i when the great master picture, “The j Sunshine Trail,” featuring Douglas Mac Lean, was screened. There is a wealth of good comedy in the picture, i and also much that is thrilling in the ■ situations which develop with great ; rapidity during the screening. The ; supporting numbers are in every way

up to the high Palace standard. Special mention must be made of the excellent addition to the programme in the turn of Mr Walter Vernon, a society entertainer of more than average ability. His ventriloquism is simply marvellous in it’s finished artistry, and his conversations with the inimitable "Ginger’ 'would make a cat laugh. One feature of the work of Mr Vernon is that it entirely lacks the usual element of suggestive nastiness which so often accompanies turns of this kind. The whole entertainment is a refreshing change, from tbe average run of evening entertainments hero in Palmerston North. Mr Vernon will continue his entertainment until Saturday evening, giving changes of programme on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights. PAT,ACE THEATRE. “THE COUNT OF LUXEMBOURG.” The management of Palace Theatre announces the coming of a unique picture in the screen version of Frana Lehar's comic opera, “The Count ot Luxembourg,” which will be screened for throe nights at the Palace next week, commencing on the evening o! Faster Monday. Great interest is being displayed in the screening of (his picture, particularly by those who

have vivid and happy recollections or the staging of the opera in this country not so very long ago. Bookings may be made at the establishment of Mr L. Martin, Coleman X’lace. PARAMOUNT. • POXY EXPRESS” SCREENS TO ENTHUSIASTIC AUDIENCE. The widely-heralded and long expected western special, "Th c Pony Express," which James Cruze directed for Paramount, with a brilliant cast of several thousand players, headed by Betty Compson, Ricardo Cortez, Ernest Torrence and Wallace Beery, made its appearance again to a packed and enthusiastic audience at th t > Paramount Thcaitre last night. This mighty frontier story gives Cruze the unique distinction of producing the only photoplay that seriousty threatens the supremacy heretofore mainjtaincd, by his lirst great epic, “The Covered Wagon.” And there is much these two c'assics have in common. Like its distinguished predecessor, “Th e Pony Express” is a powerful story combining historical fact with tlie element of romance mat characterised the west of pioneer days. Bait although its climax is as tremendous and its ending as emotional and beautiful as that of “The

Covered) Wagon,” its live theme is more appealing, its dramatic episodes more startling, more thrilling, ami more colourful. The action of (the plot is laid in 1860, in the dark crays just before the Civil War, and deals with the struggle between north ana south of America to gain control or California with its prestige and enormous resources of gold. In ithis bitter political contest, with its plotting ana intrigue, gun-fighting and bloodshed, the crack riders of th c Pony Exurcsa played a significant and important part. Besides the heroic achievements of the Pony Express, the production vividly and authentically depicts the violent yet picturesque lire of the primitive west. Of the many historical characters who arc portrayed, particular interest attaches to the youthful Mark Twain, the stripling Buffalo Bill and thc famous Mormon leader, Brigham Young. Henry James Forman, former editor of Collier's Weekly, and Walter Wooas on,, of the most experienced scenarists in the film industry, collaborated on the story of “The Pony Express." Samuel ShortrWge, United States Senator from California, has announced his plan to have u copy or “The Poivr Exuress,.” deposited in tno historical department of the Congressional Labrary in Washington, D.r. During the filming of this frontier

spectacle, Senator Shortridge was a visitor on the big sets at Sacramento, California, which was an exact replica of the city of Sacramento as it existed in 1800. "The Pony Exuress" will be screened again to-night at five minutes to (sharp) and will be carried through without an interval. This is on account of its unusual length and the fact that th e last bus leaves at (ten minutes past ten. The programme as a whole will commence at the usual time—7.4s p.m. Prices are Is and Is Gd and reserves are at C. G. Swallow’s “THE BANDOLERO” M ETROGOLDAVYN SPECIAL AND “SKY’S THE LIMIT” AT THE ROSY. Canero, a viral thy 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 scon in action in “The Bandolero,” which is now showing at the Kosy Theatre. The bull-fight scenes in which Canero and his horse appear were made in Granada, Spain, by Tom Terriss, who produced the picture for.'Mctro-Gold-wyn. Canero, when in the ring, never leaves his horse’s bach, but evades by the narrowest possible margin, the bull’s fiercest charges. At times, he 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 Adoree, Pedro de iCoroba and Manuel Granada. It is based on the thrilling novel by Paul Gwynne. 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. Bruce 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.