ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19215, 2 January 1926, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS.

' " THE IRON HORSE." The spectacular W.iliam Fox_ production, " The Iron Horse," which commences at the National and Lyric Theatres next Thursday, is described as a great epic of American national life. "The production, " says a critic, "is a highly interesting and extremely impressive picturisation of tho building of the first transcontinental railway, with an attendant romance involving George O'Brien, who is romantic and a good fighter, and Madgo Bellamy, who is lovely. John Ford, in the picture, which was three years in the making, has amassed a great amount of detail and has done a sjjlendid piece of work with an inspiring story that moves rapidly and absorbingly. There are Indian attacks, a> stampede of bulls, gorgeous photography, many fights and a great deal of delightful humour, due to J. Farrell Mac Donald, who is to ' The Iron Horse* what Ernest Torrence was to 'The Covered Wagon.' O'Brien and Cyril Chadwick stage a violent battle; there is a 'Hell on Wheels,' where the bar of liquor is also tho bar of justice; famous characters of the t' ne after the Civil War arc introduced, and historically, romantically and thrillingly the picture is well worth seeing." It took three years to complete "The Iron Horse." Members of the cast and approximatel;/ 5000 extras lived through the rigorous months on the Nevada desert and in the Sierra ranee, in tents and lean-to shacks, enduring the same hardships so far as the elements were concerned, as those experienced by the transcontinental-pioneers they portrayed. Two complete towns wera built in a setting as picturesque as that which surrounded old Benton at the end of the track in tho days when eastern newspapers described the soitlement as "hell-on-wheels." Three tribes of Indians were used in the picture, one of Cheyenne, one of Sioux and a third of Pawnees. When fine, hard snow swept down from the high country ahead of a tearing wind, these Indians sat hunched in their blankets, grimly calm. They were tho same when a desert sun scorched all that it shone upon. To feed the extras and the Indians it was necessary to employ 100 cooks and assistants. When supplies ran low, an urgent call wa3 sent, and until the necessities came in, the company lived on what they had. The cast included all nationalities, with a preponderance of Irish and Chinese. To dress a regiment of troops in the garb of the old West required 1000 costumes. The troops came from Salt Lake City under command of Colonel J. K. McGee. In addition to these, costumes were provided for hundreds of girls who appeared in the picturesque hoop skirt and pantalette style of the times, rnd for.cowboys, rail workers and scouts. The engines which appear in the picture were the originals of both railroads, having been lent especially for the purpose. Tho box plans for tho season of one week will open at Lewis E,. Eady and Son, Ltd., on Monday morning.

RIALTO THEATRE... "Peter Pan," the Paramount film adapted from Sir James Barrio's popular fantasy, which has proved such a success at the Tivoli and Everybody's Theatres, is being shown for a short season at the Rialto Theatre. The impression created by the film on its first screening in New York may be judged from the accounts of it which were cabled to London newspapers. The following appeared in the Daily Express:—"The screen version of 'Peter Pan' was produced last night at the Rivoli and Rialto Theatres here for thb first time. Critics unanimously praise it as the season's finest picture. The film version follows the play throughout and was produced by Herbert Brenon. Peter is played by Miss Betty Bronson and this is her first star appearance. It is said that Sir James Barriei picked her for the role after a number of cinema stars had been photographed at Hollywood. The pictures were then taken to London for Sir James Barrie's final judgment. The New York Tribune says: No matter how long Mr. Brenon lives, nor how many pictures he makes, he can never make one equal to 'Peter Pan.' " The New York Times says; It is a brilliant, entrancing production. It is not a 'movie,' but a pictorial masterpiece." Almost equally, enthusiastic was the following paragraph in the Daiiy Sketch: — " 'Peter Pan' on the screen has proved a triumph for Betty Bronson, the young actress, who was unknown until _ Sir Jamies Barrie chose her to play his little hero for the film, which was released last night in New York. To-day the critics are unanimous in declaring 'Peter Pan' one of the finest films yet seen. Without departing from the story, the producer, Herbert Brenon, has gained effectsimpossible. on the stage. But the chief honours belong entirely to Betty Bronson. She makes Peter a plump, brighteyed, chubby-faced lad, who not only flitis, but even when he is treading the ground glides lightly on tiptoe with elfin grace. Crowds, who packed the Rivoli and Rialto theatres here, registered their wholehearted appreciation of Miss Bronson's big success." The film is preceded by a prologue in which pupils of Miss Daphne Knight 'participate.

STRAND THEATRE. Irene Rich heads the cast in "This Woman." a Warner Brothers' production, which commenced at the Strand Theatre yesterday. The film is adapted from the novel of the same name by Harold Rockey, which enjoyed a great sale at the time of its publication. It tells an appealing story of the troubles of a lonely girl in Now York. The heroine appears first as a student of music, friendless and penniless in the iron-hearted city. There a woman of the street befriends her. At the first meal she has eaten in two days, she makes the acquaintance of a man, Gordon Duane. Then the restaurant is raided, and to shield himself, Duane charges Carol with having accosted him. Next she is seen in prison, serving a thirty-day sentence. When Carol leaves the gaol, besmirched in reputation, she decides to sing in the streets for a living. The impressaric of New York's leading opera house discovers her, and decides to help her in bringing her talents to fruition. An unusual plan is adopted to finance the girl's musical training. Complications are introduced when she falls in love with the nephew of the man who callously caused her imprisonment. Irene Rich is said to give an excellent performance. "It is an acknowledged fact," says a critic, "that she bas exceptional ability and can be classed with the best. There are very few actresses to-day who can go through an emotional scene with the sincerity that makes Irene Rich an outstanding character on the screen." "Back Stage," an Our Gang comedy, and a Patlie Gazette and review will also bo screened. Miss Beryl Nettleton will appear in a dance interlude. "THE WHITE SISTER." The Metro-Goldwyn-Meyer masterpiece, "The White Sister," is now entering upon the third week of its highly successful season at the Majestic Theatre. "Portrayed by one of the' strongest casts ever brought together for the making of a single picture, and produced on a scale probably unparalleled in the history of the silent drama, 'The White Sister' is a triumph of the producer's art," says a critic. "Among the mauy notable films that have been brought to the screen in recent years this great photo-play stands pre-eminent. For this there is a multiplicity of reasons. 'The White Sister' depends on no one element for its success. The actors and actresses to whose keeping has been etrusted the interpretation of tha various roiles are all people wno long ago earned their names in the world of motion pictures. The atmosphere that has been caught by the producer and instilled into this remarkable film is unique. The immensity of the climax, the emotional appeal of the theme itself, and a itondred other things contribute toward the success of the picture. One thing stands out strikingly from all the rest—it is the work of Lillian Gish, that delightful, prepossessing, 'inestimably clever little lady who has been acclaimed by critics throughout the world as a great emotional actress. Her work in this, her latest production, only serves to confirm opinions long popular in the public mind concerning her abilities, her amazing artistry and her wonderful personality."