AMUSEMENTS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 30 April 1926, Page 11

AMUSEMENTS.

THEATRE ROYAL. “tfHE SUNSHINE ‘TRAIL.”-' A large race.,night audience greeted, Douglas Mac Lean at the Theatre Royal last evening in his; latest and' best picture date, '“T-ho-v Sunshine ' Trail,” which delighted all present. Sunset in the West. Golden- desert and flaming skies—purple sage, and snow-capped mountains. -Anyone tired of town life,. and wishing to enjoy the vast and solitary grandeur of : a worldat rest, and to see , a comedy-drama that has the funniest series of 'complications ever screened, will find it at the Theatre Royal, and liavo a refreshing, laugh in_ “The. Sunset Trail.” The “Sunshino Kid” was the best roper in the West—but when he came back to his own home everybody believed him dead, and he found his girl and fortune lassoed by someone else. Tough luck; but it does one good to see him come smiling through. This is a picture yvith just _ enough seriousness to make it interesting. Douglas MacLean is cast as a cowboy who does many stupid things in his endeavour to scatter sunshine. His efforts land him with a stolen baby, and a detective on each side of him, but lie captures, after a lot of breathless situations,, a band of bank robbers, and -then marries his sweetheart of 15 years ago. The stoiy centres around his endeavour to establish his identity, and to receive a fortune' left him by the parish parson. Needless to say, he docs both, and received a public welcome from the whole town into the bargain. Charming Edith Roberts liandlos the leading feminine role in her usual capable manner. Excellent supports are shown, comprising the latest “News,” “Urban Chats,” and a splendid nature study film entitled. “Hands and Feet,” and a screamingly funny comedy, “Buster’s Nightmare.” Colour was lent to the programme by the Royal Orchestra, to whose appropri ate programme of music was in no small measure due to the popularity the programme enjoyed.

AT THE GRAND. POPULAR BUCK JONES. Judging by the large house at the Grand Theatre last evening, it is evident that Buck Jones is losing none of his popularity. This cannot be wondered at, for as long as this great Wild AVest rider fills the leading role in pictures such as “Hearts and' Spurs,” which was his latest at the Grand Theatre last evening, picture lovers will continue to class him as their “idol of the West.” Buck Jones has appeared in many Western productions, and it seems to be his aim each time to spring some new surprise upon the public, and to exceed all his previous efforts. Last night’s offering was entitled “Hoarts _ and Spurs,” a very realistic and thrilling ’ story of the AVest. There was not a dull moment from start to fade-out, the picture being packed with thrills arid sensational happenings. Buck lives in the great outdoors and behaves like a true Westerner, and the action of the story moves so rapidly that the onlooker is literally whirled from ono exciting happening to another, so that when the end is reached he is glad of the opportunity to allow his taut nervous system to relax, though he would not willingly have missed one of the adventurous happenings. It is not by any means a one-man show, for playing opopsite Buck Jonos is Carol Lombard, who is supported by a host of other capable artists. The 'supporting programme was well up to expectations, with. 6uch fine entertainers as the “Fox News,” “My Own Carolina,” a variety film, and a mirthprovoking comedy, entitled “On The Go.” A most pleasing programme of incidental musical selections was provided by tho Grand. Orchestra, this cappirig off an altogether fine bill of fare. ..t" ' f ’ iinim.iiny,..,-— ■