THE GRAND THEATRE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23351, 17 November 1937, Page 9

THE GRAND THEATRE

TWO WESTERN FILMS George Hayes, grizzled saddlemate of the popular "Hopalong" Cassidy, returns to the side of his idol in " North of the Rio Grande " after having scored an outstanding success in the recent Bob BurnsMartha Raye comedy hit " Mountain Music." Unlike William Boyd, who plays the "Hopalong" roles, Hayes has played in several other productions since the Cassidy stories began. Among these are "Valiant is the Word for Carrie, "The Texas Rangers," and "The Plainsman." " North of the Rio Grande," a Paramount picture, will be shown to-day at the Grand Theatre with "The Outcasts of Poker Flat" as the associate feature. Based on the immortal Bret Harte story, this latter film vividly recreates the era when red-shirted miners struggled and died on the slopes of the Sierras in their frantic quest for gold, as a permanent civilisation grew above their rude camps and settlements. In this colourful setting " The Outcasts of Poker Flat" tells the story of a gambler who resents the intervention of the " better element" in his affairs, despite his interest in a pretty school teacher, who comes to the camp and who endeavours to change his attitude. The romantic theme is heavily involved with the gambler's feminine partner's jealousy of the pretty school teacher and with the rivalry of a fighting clergyman who becomes a leader of the reform group. A theme equally interesting is the conflict in the camp over the welfare of a little orphan