ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 19896, 15 June 1926, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

CIVIC PICTURES. “THE IRON HORSE” AND “THE FIRST YEAR.” An entirely new programme will be screened at the Civic to-night when the first presentation of William Fox’s biggest picture, “The Iron Horse,” will be made. This picture will surely leave a tremendous impression behind it, and those who have not yet secured seats should not hesitate further. The picture centres about Davy Brandon, son of a poor surveyor, who was murdered by a band of Indians led by a renegade white man. Years later, Davy becomes one of the little army of rail builders carrying the first trans-continental road to the: Pacific. Under the most romantic circumstances he again meets the sweetheart of his childhood, Miriam Marsh, whose father has become a leading spirit in the titanic undertaking. The romance of these children of the old west weaves a luring skein through the bigger theme of nation building. Where grim suffering and endless toil unite to darken the picture, their romance softens its roughness as the setting sun removes the frown from the stern crags of the Sierra. Where death and disaster came with screeching Indians, the heroic love of this pair makes the sacrifice a thing worth while. Historic characters are faithfully portrayed, and there is a trio of heroic optimists, also based on characters from life, who blend sparkling comedy into the pathos and tragedy of the main theme. Sergeant Slattery, Corporal Casey, and Private Schiritz, graduates of the school of Grant at Appomatrox and elsewhere, were the champion track layers in a day when records were made which still stand. It is Casey who sings “Drill, ye Tarriers, Drill,” while his Irish followers put down ten miles of track in a day, a feat not approached by the engineers in France with all the men and machinery of the day at their beck and call. The story recalls the thrills of terror which surged into the hearts of civilisation’s advance guard when the war-whoops of the Sioux and Cheyennes shrilled in their ears. And it presents, too, the laughing-eyed daredeviltry of men and women alike, when their rifle barrels became too hot for human touch. The hardships they endured on the open prairie in the bitterness of winter, and beneath a copper sun in brazen desert summers, are faithfully portrayed by a cast which experienced almost the same suffering. “The Iron Horse” ranks high among the really great pictures. It is a most ambitious production and its entertainment value is immense. It will please all sections of picture-goers. The supporting picture for to-night is an enjoyable drama of family life entitled “The First Year.” The story is cleverly told and shows the difficulties to be encountered before the party of the first part and the party of the second part come to know each other thoroughly. Matt Moore is cast as bashful Tommy Tucker, who becomes the groom, and Kathryn Perry as Grace Livingston, the bride. They lived hapiply without so much as one single cross word for ten months—and then just when Tommy is about to turn over a big business deal the quarrel begins. The action from then on is filled with delightful situations. Tommy brings his big client and wife home to dinner without giving Grace enough notice to get a cook. Result—Grace goes home to mother. J. Farrell MacDonald is the valued client; Margaret Livingston, his ex-chorus girl wife; Frank Currier, the old bachelor uncle, who smoothes things over, and Carolynne Snowden, the coloured maid who makes things worse. Seats may be reserved at the Bristol or by ringing No. 380.

ALBION THEATRE.

LAST NIGHT OF "WRECKAGE” AND “BROADWAY GOLD.” Based on the narrative “Salvage,” by Izola Forrester, the Banner Production called “Wreckage,” which screens for the last time to-night at the Albion, with May Allison and Holmes Herbert in the principal roles. In the cast are John Miljan, Rosemary Theby and James Morrison. The story is one of the mystery type, with the elements of love and battle woven cleverly into the action. A wreck in the Pacific is one of the most startling scenes cast on a screen for some time and proves that it was no Press agent story that came from Los Angeles announcing the near tragedy of May Allison when she was thrown into the sea from a careening life boat. “Wreckage” is the sort of picture that will hold the audience consistently and at no stage of its unfolding does the story become dulL Lovers of excitement and action will be thoroughly satisfied with the results which Director Edward Dillon has achieved for their delight in his latest photoplay, “Broadway Gold.” Elaine Hammerstein is the star of this drama of New York's glittering thoroughfare. Auto wrecks, thrilling escapes, heart throbs and real old-fashioned humour are all part and parcel of the story as it is presented on the screen. To-night is announced as the last of this programme.

VALENTINE AT THE ALBION. THRILLS APLENTY IN VALENTINO FILM. “THE EAGLE” ALSO ABOUNDS IN COMEDY INTERWOVEN WITH SPLENDID ROMANCE. Entertainment is stressed in “The Eagle,” Rudolph Valentino’s latest picture which will open at the Albion Theatre to-morrow for three nights. The Clarence Brown production for United Artists Corporation release is said to abound in thrills, comedy and romance. Reports from Hollywood state that Valentino has turned out a picture that is decidedly different from his recent releases and one that rivals his ‘Tour Horsemen” in amusement. The romantic star is seen for the first time as a Russian—in garb more picturesque than any he has previously worn. His first appearance is as a Cossack lieutenant, then as the bandit who became known as the Eagle because of his swift, mysterious movements. The star is supported by a large and distinguished cast,. including Vilma Banky, the Hungarian blonde whose beauty and ability have caused even blase Hollywood to gasp; and Louise Dresser, for many years a star of musical comedy. Valentino is quoted as saying that Clarence Brown, his new director, is the best he has ever had. Brown has been going from one triumph to another recently, having directed such successes as “Smouldering Fires,” “The Goose Woman” and ‘The Acquittal.” The action of the story takes place in Imperial Russia before the revolution. The romance starts in a brilliant royal setting and then goes to the Russian countryside. Hans Kraly wrote the screen play, basing it on “Dubrovsky,” a classic of Russian literature by Alexander Pushkin, “the Shakespeare of Russia.” Plans for D.C. and Stalls are at The Bristol; or reservations can readily be made by ’phoning the Albion Theatre direct. 'Phone 738.