ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 20002, 16 October 1926, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

CIVIC PICTURES. PETER 3. KYNE'S “THE SHAMROCK HANDICAP” AND “IF FOUR WALLS TOLD.’’ Fox films has made another smashing photodrama from a story by Peter B. Kyne. It is “The Shamrock Handicap,” and is the sort of entertainment film patrons want. In this picture Janet Gaynor, a newcomer to the screen and a most vivacious little charmer, shares stellar honours with Leslie Fenton. Miss Gaynor has the role of a demure little colleen and Fenton that of Neil Ross, an Irish jockey. The story concerns the fortunes of a nobleman of Erin who is deeply in debt. His chief pride, next to his daughter, is his racing stable which he is forced to sell to satisfy his creditors. One of the horses, Rosaleen Dhu, is the particular pet of his daughter and the boy, realising this, devises a little scheme of his*own to save the animal foi; her. Accordingly on the day the horses are to be sold, he causes the mare to baulk at the hurdles and the prospective buyer will not have her. However, he is impressed with the boy’s riding and makes him an offer to come to America. The youngster accepts. His skill as a horseman quickly brings success, but with it, he incurs the enmity of other jockeys, particularly one, Chesty Morgan, who plans revenge. As Neil’s mount is taking a hurdle, his jealous rival causes the animal to lose its balance and Neil is seriously injured in the resultant fall. On the day of the great handicap it is discovered none of the available jockeys can handle the pride of the Gaffney stables. Neil begs to be given the chance to ride. At the last moment he insists that he be strapped in the saddle and Sir Miles reluctantly agrees. Of course, Neil wins the race, but it is whispered to the. judges that the affair was fixed and the climax is exceedingly dramatic and unexpected. In support of Miss Gaynor and Leslie Fenton are J. Farrell MacDonald (Casey of “The Iron Horse”), Willard Louis, Claire McDowell and Georgie Harris. The maker of “The Ifon Horse,” John Ford, directed this one .also —an added guarantee of excellence. “If Four Walls Told” is the title of the supporting picture. A photodrama of surprising intensity, with an exceptional romance and filled with the thrills and the tang of the sea, this Paramount release promises something unusual for theatregoers. It is a story of the maliciousness of gossip building to a smashing climax in a terrific storm in which a steamer is wrecked. Scenes of an actual wreck and the actors braving the dangers of the sea in a roaring storm are a few of the spectacular thrills in this British picture. In a story of fishing villages it is most natural that we should find as part of the life of the district the activities of the coast guards. These men, scattered at isolated intervals along the coast of Cornwall and other dangerous coasts of the Old Country, have their most strenuous time during the fierce storms that rage around the coasts. At the first sign of storm they anxiously scan the sea within vision for a ship and safely watch its struggle against the elements, ready at any moment to either launch lifeboat or otherwise assist in .succouring those in peril when the ship becomes a wreck. In “If Four Walls Told” the various life-saving appliances of the coast guards are shown and how they work. Set in beautiful English scenery, this story will have an added appeal. “The Fighting Ranger” is also on this programme. ALBION THEATRE. “A GIRL OF THE LIMBERIXJST” AND “THE PHANTOM BULLET.” “A Girl of the Limberlost,” the latest of the releases of the Film Booking Offices, is to be lhe featured number of the programme which Is to be shown at the Albion Theatre, beginning to-night. Mr McKee had a most trying experience as the featured player of “Down to the Sea in Ships” and it was to this that he referred in asking" about the role he was to play in the Porter production. In “A Girl of the Limberlost” his most difficult task is to make love to Gloria Grey, a demure bit of blonde beauty who is the Elnora Comstock of the story. “I can do that without half trying,” Ray remarked as he was introduced to Miss Grey. The second of Mrs Porter’s to reach the screen, “A Girl of the Limberlost,” is a most vivid story of a girl’s efforts to secure an education and of a mother’s mistaken infatuation for the memory of a worthless man, who forgetful of his bride of but a few months, met a horrible death in the quagmire of a sw’amp as he hurried over an unfamiliar path in an effort to hasten home from a clandestine meeting wi.th another woman. One of the tremendous scenes of the production Is that' taken in (he midst of a swamp and showing the father slowly sinking in the pitiless grasp of the unseen slimy mire. A wonderful bit of acting Is done in this by Arthur Currier, the father in the story. Emily Fitzroy brings to the role of the mother a wonderful understanding that makes the character of gripping sympathy to the audience. Hoot Gibson, the screen’s most famous delineator of cowboy roles, in “The Phantom Bullet,” a Univer-sal-Jewel, opening at the matinee to-day at the Albion. Cinema experts have pronounced this picture Hoot’s greatest effort so far. In it, the Western star gives to his portrayal a depth of characterisation, both dramatic and humorous that shows a new side to this already many-sided screen luminary. His lighter moments are masterpieces of portrayal. His impersonation of the timid, rabbit-like “sap” brings him to the fore in that exclusive circle of star comedians and the dramatic suddenness with which he resumes his own character is a cinema moment that will live for a long time. “The Phantom Bullet,” was adapted by Curtis Benton from the famous story, “Click of the Triangle T,” by Oscar Friend. A cast of unexcelled worth will be seen in support of Gibson. His leading woman is Eileen Percy, the rest of the players including Alan Forrest, Pat Harmon, Nelson McDowell, William H. Turner, John T. Prince, Gilbert “Peewee” Holmes, Rosemary Cooj)er, Robert Milash and others. ART SOCIETY’S EXHIBITION. Arrangements are now complete for the Art Society’s exhibition, which commences on Monday at 7.30 p.m. The opening ceremony will take place about 8 p.m. Sir Joseph Ward will open the exhibition., A splendid collection of pictures belonging to the National Art Association has been hung. The Museum Hall will be decked next week with all the colours and atmospheres that the Dominion is capable of expressing. A splendid collection by Southland artists will arouse local interest. The secretary of the Art Society states, that the works received, by local artists, will not be eclipsed by outside exhibitors. The Art Society is under heavy expense, for nothing has been spared to give Southland an aesthetic treat. It is to be hoped that this magnificent effort to establish, on a concrete basis, an art society, will be appreciated by citizens in the form of personal attendance.