ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 20256, 15 August 1927, Page 11

ENTERTAINMENTS

ALBION THEATRE. VAUDEVILLE AND PICTURES. HOOT GIBSON LN “HEY! HEY! COW BOY,” JANE NOVAK IN “THE DANGER SIGNAL,” ALSO SKIPPER FRANCIS. If you want to spend an evening packed full of laughs, drama and thrills, get in line early at the Albion Theatre, where “Hey! Hey! Cowboy,” with Hoot Gibson in the stellar role, is the feature attraction. A feud between neighbouring cattle barons is on full blast when Gibson, in the role of a cowboy Sherlock Holmes, is propelled into the Western war by the unsympathetic and brutal boot of a freight brakeman. Disarming all suspicion of his mission by his hobo garb, he begins to solve the plot which has brought on a state of open warfare between life-long friends and neigh- ■ hours. In his inimitable, blundering, fumbling and “boobish” way, he follows a trail of intrigue to the subsequent exposure of the villain. Along with the laugh-provok-ing comic highlights, there is served a generous measure of drama and the always acceptable heart-throbs of love affair of the wide open spaces. Kathleen Key as the feminine lead, makes a lovely foil for Hoot’s serio-comic antics and gives a splendid performance. “Slim” Summerville, the elongated screen comedian, also provides rib-tickling comedy relief. Wheeler Oakman, Clarke Comstock, Monte Montague, Jim Corey, Nick Cogley and Milla Daveni port are very good in the supporting roles. I Must a poor girl suffer because she marries ja rich man? This is one of the dramatic ! problems in the new Master Picture, The Danger Signal.’ also opened at the Albion on Saturday night to a packed house. Jane Novak is the girl who has to suffer for her love. How many parents of wealthy sons realise the uselessness of trying to fight a love that will not recognise money as an aid or a prevention for marriage? And how many, after marriage has taken place, will forgive and try to make the young couple happy, instead of putting further stumbling blocks in their path? Too often each party is so stubborn that a compromise cannot possibly be effected. The popular Miss Novak has an excellent cast to .'Upport her in developing this situation. The plavers include Robert Edeson, Dorothv Revier, Gaston Glass, Pat Harmon, Lincoln Stedman and Gertrude Short. Skipper Francis, the Southern Cross composer and athlete, also appeared on Saturday night, when the audience witnessed the distinct novelty of the swimmer on the stage and also in the film depicting his swim across the Bristol Channel. This programme will be repeated for two more nights only. CIVIC PICTURES. RICHARD DIX, BETTY’ BRONSON AND BUCK JONES PROVIDE GREAT ENTERTAINMENT Who cares a hoot what kind of a plot we have for a picture in which Richard Dix is featured? His personality alone is enough to make any picture popular. He scored again very decisively at the Civic on Saturday when he appeared in “Paradise for Two,’’ a delightful comedy, of delightful humorous situations, with a delightfully whimsical heroine in the charming Betty , Bronson. One cannot fail to thoroughly enjoy every moment of this clean and wholesome comedy, with splendid work from Richard Dix. Betty Bronson also is wholly enjoyable. Seen to advantage in helping along the fun are Andre Beranger and Edmund Breese. Steve Porter, of cynical bachelorhood, has to be married within two days (the end of the time limit), ro come into a nice fat inheritance from Uncle Howard. Suddenly being reminded of this fact, he is at a loss to know what to do until his bosom friend Maurice, and incidentally a theatrical manager, comes to his aid by suggesting that Steve hire one • of his actresses to pose as Steve’s wife until the time limit has expired. These two ■ conspire together, and everything works well with dainty Sally Lane as Steve’s supposed wife, the Uncle being quite charmed with her. After many ludicrous scenes being enacted at Steve’s house, it all ends up satisfactorily by Sally and Steve finding real love for each other. Jackson Gregory’s “Desert Valley” proves to be one of the best fast moving Westerns in which Buck Jones i has yet been starred. Many thrills result i from the humane action of Buck, in the role of Montgomery Wilson Fitzsmith, who breaks a desert water line to save a herd of cattle from perishing of thirst. Throughout the picture can be found comedy of the variety that produces hilarious laughter, counterbalanced by touches of pathos. Climaxing the interest is a romance that

struggles through a blinding sand storm on the desert to a happy conclusion. The .supporting items on this programme are bright and varied, making altogether a most attractive and enjoyable eveningfs entertainment.