AMUSEMENTS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LIV, Issue LIV, 1 June 1920, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS

EMPIRE THEATRE. | “THE MAN FROM KANGAROO.’' “A magnificent picture” appeared to be the unanimous verdict of the re-I cord house at the Empire Theatre last evening, when the Australian classic ; film “The Man From Kangaroo,” was 1 initially screened. It is pleasing, in- ; deed, to know that the moving picture industry in Australia has attained such perfection in so short a time, as during the war, Australia, like alt the Allied countries, had not much time for development. Now that matters are normal Australia will make her mark in hlmdom, as she has already in sport, industry, and war. “The “Man From Kangaroo” is a picture that ajipeals at once to all classes of the community. Its instructive side cannot fail to interest those unversed in the life of the hush—whilst those from the country will be quick to appreciate the faithful portrayal of the various incidents they know' so well. Drovers, black trackers, cattle duffers, stockmen, and sundowners, were all there in the living - flesh. Too stockyard, the sheep, the cattle, even the local “pub” are just as they were taken from the original. The cool surface of the “crick” forms a pleasing contrast to the haze and heat of the scrub—the setting is redolent of o-um leaves, and the quiet mysterious charm of the heart of the bush. unbroken horses and unbroken men ah contribute to this great epic of Australian life. The part of the heiressheroine, Muriel, faithfully playea bv dainty Brownie Vernon, who makes a tvpical Australian girl—gentle but determined, and both in appearance and acting she forms an ideal woi i of the heroic efforts of her sweetheart, The irrepressible “Snowy” Baker .surpassed himself last evening, fighting, diving, swimming, rough-ruling wrestling, dashing on thorough-bred horses through dense scrub, scaling roofs, jumping from bridges, ,eapm„ from trees on to horses going at in.i calico, these are just a few of the incidents in “Snowy” Baker’s quiet hie as he leads it as the hero. An Australian “bad man” is a difficult xjp e to portrav if one wishes to keep true to life. The American bad man is a comparatively simple matter. An habitual scowl, a pair of baggy chaps and a couple of guns strapped Jtadj for action, and your villain is complete. The Australian had man is a ranch more subtle type, and so haul did Director AYilfred. Lucas hud bun to duplicate, that he cast himself tor +be r»art and most success! ulh . During a short interval Air Abel Rowe : its New Zealand circuit—thanked the audience for the magnificent reception accorded the picture, incidentally mentioning that the American rights had been purchased for a quarter ini 1lifm- dollars. The Band of the 1-tU Regiment played outside the ! urn ire prior to the commencement ol the. performance, and during the evening Vitet-U’s Orchestra Played appropriate selections. “The Alan no-aroo” will be shown again to-mght, and- finally to-morrow night. Kola-Nip—a temperance drink compound—is’ unique in it s .keen nutty flavour. Can be given Ceow to rlnldren as well as adults. Keep n bott.e in the house for friends and visitors. ■