ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 20494, 24 May 1928, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

MAJESTIC THEATRE. DOUGLAS FAIRBANKS IN “THE GAUCHO,” ALSO LIONEL BARRYMORE IN “THE THIRTEENTH HOUR.” Douglas Fairbanks again “rang the bell” with his new United Artists production, Douglas Fairbanks as “The Gaucho,” which opened last night at Majestic Theatre. Romance, tense action, originality of treatment and captivating humour characterize this story of the South American border. Thu star appears as a Robin Hood of the pampas, the dauntless captain of a band of outlaw riders, who captures a beautiful shrine city under the nose of the usurper’s troops. The Fairbanks of old is in » freshly entrancing setting and he plays with the bravado and whimsical ardour suitable to the clime and its emotional people. From beginning to end, “Douglas Fairbanks as The Gaucho” holds its audience. The mystery of the shrine, the towering peaks, the battles of the Gauchos, the grim odds which face the hero and the lure of gold and fair women are powerful elements for screen success. Not since “Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hide” has the screen presented such as absorbing mystery story as “The Thirteenth Hour,” which also opened last night at thjs theatre. This reflection is strengthened by the coincidence that whereas John Barry more played the dual part of Jekyll and Hide, his brother Lionel has the powerful leading role in this latest Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production. “The Thirteenth Hour” ranks as one of the most gripping mystery dramas in the realms of superior detective fiction—a tense, breath-taking narrative with a smashing climax. It tells of a phantom law-breaker who always strikes his deadly blow at the same time —the hour after midnight; of a girl secretary whom he holds captive in his luxurious but mysterious home, and of a detective who, when he was assigned to this case and met the girl—• found that she was the woman he loved! It is left to a dog to unravel the tangled • kein, to- fight a thrilling life-and-death struggle on the house-tops with the real criminal—to save his master’s beloved ano bring the master crook to justice. Altogether a programme no one should miss. Plans are on view at the Bristol, or ’phone 738 for reservations.

POPULAR PICTURES. “BAREE”-THE SON OF KARZAN, WITH ANITA STEWART AND SYD CHAPLIN, IN “THE MAN ON THE BOX.” The new programme screened last night must rank as one of the best scenes locally for some time. The star features and supports alike were received with the wannest approval and the audience expressed their appreciation in no uncertain manner. “Baree” —The Son of Karzan is a tense drama of the Canadian backwoods, and serves to introduce “Baree,” ‘ The Wolf Dog,” who is almost human in his work. In “The Man on the Box,” Syd Chaplin is in his element, especially in the female role of a housemaid, when his many vagaries keep one in shrieks of laughter. Hundreds were unable to gain admission at the initial local screenings, and those who have not yet witnessed “The Man on the Box.” are advised to avail themselves of this return visit. COMING SATURDAY. “ARMAGEDDON”—“ARMAGEDDON.” For the first time in Invercargill the mighty British War Film, “Armageddon,” will be screened for three nights and a matinee commencing on Saturday afternoon. Of all the war pictures produced, it is predicted that this wonderful film is the one most likely to endure for all time. Every school should send its children along to the matinee on Saturday. The box plan is open at the Bristol where seats may be reserved. CIVIC PICTURES. BARBED WIRE” (HALL CAINE’S “THE WOMAN OF KNOCKALOE”), CLIVE BROOK AND POLA NEGRI; “ROSE OF THE GOLDEN WEST’ (MARY ASTOR AND GILBERT ROLAND). Under the title “Barbed Wire,” which is based on “The Woman of Knockaloe,” a scathing indictment on war from the pen of Sir Hall Caine will stand out as one oi the most memorable pictures in 1928. Produced by Erich Bommer, with a cast of real international importance and calibre, “Barbed Wire” is the monarch of melodramas. All the action—all the drama —the thrills; the humour, pathos and heartaches of the four years of the war are jammed into this mighty picture. Yet it is not a war picture in the sense that there are battles and bloodshed, it is a plea for eternal peace, a drama enacted far from the bitter hostile lines of the opposing armies, enacted in a prison camp far away from the thunder of the guns. Such is “Barbed Wire.” A mighty picture. “Rose of the Golden West” is like some old legend set in a land of milk and honey, filled with swift adventure, glowing days and moonlit nights, sinister shadows of intrigue and plots, the shadows cast upon the bright Californian sunshine by Gustav von Seyffertitz and Montagu Love serve to balance the youthful ardour of Juan and his Elena. It is a gay and gallant tale, brilliant in the first place. The acting is delightful, every mem ber of the cast giving of his or her best. Mary Astor and Gilbert Roland, the one a fearless daughter of the Dons, the other a genuine Latin form over the Andes, take their place among the many “screen’s greatest lovers”; Flora Finch appears in a welcome and hilarious comedy role, while Harvey Clarke also plays a prominent part.

“THE KING OF KINGS.” BOX PLANS OPEN TO-DAY. So much interest is being taken in the forthcoming screening in Invercargill of “The King of Kings” that there is sure to be a keen demand for seats when the box plans open at The Britol this morning. The producer has been careful not to allow any controversial matters to arise through the medium of the film; he has taken the simple and compelling story of Christ’s actions and words, and woven into the story only those episodes which have seemed to him to be of the widest interpretation. Neither has he sought to interpret Christ’s message along narrow lines. That has been left to those who so desire. The story of Christ’s great fight against worldy pride, bigotry and ignorance has been transferred to the screen in all its simplicity and beauty. The message of the Saviour has been made the theme which like a silken thread runs through the whole story of man’s prejudice and faith in worldly power. The aid of film technique has been employed only for the purpose of accentuating the message, and this purpose has.been achieved to the fullest possible extent. The film-makers, evidently realizing that the story of the birth of Christianity belonged to the whole world and to all mankind, decided very rightly to invite the co-operation of religious bodies in the production of the film. The result was that certain lines of treatment were discarded on the advice of the religious forces, which, upon completion of the story, apparently gave it their entire endorsement. The Invercargill season will open at the Civic on Saturday night and continue for six nights.