AMUSEMENTS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 17 December 1925, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

HOOT GIBSON IN “TAMING THE WEST.”

An amusing sketch of an easterner in the West, utterly unconscious of the tact that ho is a tenderfoot, is presented by Hoot Gibson in his latest .release, ‘‘Taming the West,” a Univer-sal-Gibson Special, which opens at Fullers this evening. The picture is a virilo, out-of-doors story, built around a well-knit plot, and embellished with cleverly thought-out incidents. Hoot Gib son is given many opportunities for showing his versatility. To his. famous ability with horses he lias added some auto-racing scenes. Gibson is' as clever with the steering-wheel as he is with the bridle. With him in the east is Marceline Pay, leading lady, with whom he is trying to elope. The story starts with Hoot Gibson playing the part of a jazz-mad city youth named John Carleton. He is jailed for speeding, and his father hails him

out, and sends him out to his ranch in the forlorn hope of making a man out of him. Garlcton's city airs earn him the laughter of the cow-puncher.s, and lie. resolves to show them a few tilings in bronco busting. He sticks for a short time, but is throwlm. This marks the beginning of the regeneration of the llabby city dweller. The neighbouring rancher is up in arms , against Carlcton’s father, but . the j

youth, not knowing of ; the enmity between the two, meets, woo's* and tentatively wins the• rancher's daughter. , When the'rancher, whose name. i.s King, J discovers Garlcton’s identity some, exciting scenes follow. King orders I the youth off the ranch and promises J

violence if Carleton ever ventures on the property again. Undaunted, Carleton takes his automobile and runs around King’s ranch.' Cowpunchers take up the pursuit, and Carleton kidnaps the girl,,making his escape and marrying her. The fathers are forced to bury their ill-feeling. Two excellent comedies, and the “Universal Nows It eel” will also be shown. The I Royal Orchestra will provide delightful i music, under the direction of Mrs Agnes Scott, A.T.C.L., L.A.13. Seats may be booked as usual. |

! SHI It LEY MASON—AT THE GRAND,j “Scandal Proof,” which will open at the Grand 'Theatre to-night, with Shirley Mason as the star, is a. picture filled with emotional drama of the finest sort. ft gives the little William Fox star a great opportunity to display her screen talents. With John Roche as leading man. Miss Mason rises from her natural whimsical charm to a tremendous dramatic climax filled with a power it is hard to' believe could be possessed by such a little actress. The stoiy is that of a girl, accused wrongly of murder, who descends from a high social position to that of nursemaid. Through her love for a child, she places herself in a compromising position with the lover of her mistress. Herbert WyekofF, the man she really loves, appears in time to prevent her sacrifice, and the end is happy. Everyone in the cast of “Scandal Proof’ does fine work, but there is one little fellow who is deserving of special mention. It is Hilly fay, throe years old, who plnvs the" child. Billy, in some of his

scenes with 'Miss Mason, displays _ a dramatic, understanding that is nothing less than remarkable for a child of his years. Others in the', snpnorting cast are freeman Wood. Hazel Howell, Frances Raymond. Ruth. King, Edward Martindel, Jose" 1 ' Striker. and Clarissa Seiwynne. “Scandal Proof,” an original screen story, by Charles Kenyon, was directed by Edmund Moriirner. Tin* supporting programmes contains some ebanning views taken on (he coast of “Roekhound Brittany.” a. screaming Sunshine poniedv entitled “Masked .Marvel,'-' and the lale-t, “Fox News.” Seats may be reserved as uiual. 'Phone -ISO.