AMUSEMENTS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, 27 April 1925, Page 10

AMUSEMENTS.

“THE BORDER LEGION”. AT THE GRAND. ' A picture version of Zane Grey’s thrilling novel “The Border Legion” will be screened at the 1 Grand Theatre to-day. Antonio Moreno and Helene Chadwick, have the leading parts of this - very v realistic photoplay.- During a lover’s quarrel, Joan Randle tells Jim Gleve that he is too lazy even to be ' badj Cleve says he will prove just how bad he can be, and goes off to join “The Border Legion,” the most notorious bandits of the far west. Joan repents, and rides after Jim. She is captured by Kells, the leader of the legion. • Kells attempts to make love to:the girl, ,and she snoots and wounds him. . During the days 'that -follow ' Kells truly falls in love with Joan, who has nursed him back to health. < Cleve arrives in the bandit camp to join up with - the outlaws. Cleve secretly brings a parson to his camp, and he and Joan are married. .News of the big gold “strike” arrives. _ Kells rushes his meg, disguised as miners, to .the scene to rob the place after a -goodly quantity of the dust has been collected. A member of Kells’s gang betray him, and only a few of the legion escape. Cleve, meanwhile rides back to the cabin and rescues Joan. They meet the stage carrying the gold shipment, and get seats on it. The legion, holds up the coach. Kells snatches up Joan just as the stage

overturns. Jim is. thrown clear, and left for dead. Back in their mountain retreat Gulden ,and Kells fight. Gudlen wins, but Cleve arrives, weak, and hardly able to stand.- He draws his gun, but Gulden fells him with a terrific blow. Kells gives his live in protecting Joan, and the girl and Cleve ride ,away to% freedom , and happiness. The supporting programme contains the latest “American Gazette,” a lively two-reel Christie comedy entitled “Reno or Bust,” and a sparkling Burton Holmes travelogue. Patrons are advised to .make sure of their seats by. ’phoning 486 for reserves early. There will be a matinee at 2.30 to-day. / “FIRE PATROL” AT FULLERS. MATINEE TO-DAY. There was a large and appreciative audience at the Theatre Royal on Friday night to witness the first presentation of “The Fire Patrol,” a sensational nautical melodrama, and to hear the charming bowing of Miss Maggie Foster, the Australian violinist; “The Fire Patrol” is as unusual as' it is thrilling, and was something absolutely novel in picturedom. Among the most striking effects are a terrific explosion at sea, and, later, a fire to which the fire-1 boats respond in a frenzy of activ-' ity. The departure of this valiant little fleet, its picturesque subduing of the fire in mid-ocean, as the flames shoot into the darkness and fight against v the fountains of water :

piled upon them, and its return with the survivors of the wreck, form a tense bit of drama which never , loses its suspense. Equally effective are the storm scenes which run through almost the entire picture, and which, in all their fury of lightning, thunder and rain, are not merely incidental tol the story, but symbolise the conflict of the human souls which it describes. Johnny Harron is the hero, and five prominent comedians, Chas. Murray. Heluie Conklin, Bull Montana, Hank. Mann and Billy Franey, are in the cast. The supplementary films included a further instalment’ of the “Pathe' Gazette,” and a lightning comedy entitled “See Here!" 'The final appearance of Miss Maggie Foster was provocative of demonstrative applause, and it was with some dif ticij cy that the artist was allowed by hei- inbistent admirers to leave the stage. There will be two sessions at the Lyceum to-dav--a matinee at 2.30 (the first for children s ! nce the embargo was ordered}, and again at 8 p.m.

CHANCE FOR AMATEURS,

One sees all kinds of people on the picture screen. They are not all pretty nor all sn-.lt.ngly naiulsome. Rut tney can all act, or they are distinctive types of Humanity. There gre thousands

oi gills in tne noriu wnu are prettier than tlie prettiest "star" actress, and there are thousands who could act as wen as, if not better, than tliat “star.” u they had tlie cnance or been able* to seize the chance when it came’ theirway. But who could go from here to Los Angeles to pose heiore the camera t However, tlie camera is now coming to Timaru on Wednesday, and emuryo stars, no matter what type they may be, will have ail equal cnance to sea themselves as others see tnem, for there are going to be motion pictures made on the stage of the Theatre Royal by Mr Beaumont Smith, who is touring New Zealand for the purpose of discovering fresh personalities to use in his future pictures.

After ah, why should there not be camera types in .New Zealand as rich in personality and charm as Mary Pickford, iNorma Taimadge, Pauline Frederick, Aldolph Menjou, Charles Chaplin, or Rudolph ValentinoMr Beaumont Smith and his chief producer, Mr B. Peterson, who have both been preeminently associated with picture pro"cluction in Australia, are convinced thut there are dozens who could achieve distinction on the' screen, were they but given the opportunity, and that opportunity is now offered them. Thorough tests will be given to all aspirants for screen honours, The stage of the Theatre Royal will be fitted up on the lines of a studio, with the latest lighting methods, and with Mr Beaumont Smith’s expert camera men in attendance. Candidates will be called up from the audience and carefully rehearsed and 1 directed, and finally photographed in full view of the audience. Further particulars as to entering for the tests may be obtained from Miss Huia Bloomfield (Beaumont Smith’s representative), who will bo in attendance at the Theatre Royal office for the next few days between the hours of 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. daily. Any aspirant desiring a personal interview will be heartily welcomed. In conjunction with the motion picture tests a feature programme will be presented, thus making the evening’s entertainment unique in the history of the Theatre Royal.