AMUSEMENTS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18583, 2 June 1930, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS

“THE LONE STAR RANGER.” AT THE MAJESTIC. Stories from the pen of Zane Grey, famous writer of Western romances, have charmed fiction lovers throughout the world, but on Saturday night patrons of the Majestic Theatre were able to witness the thrills and magnificent settings about which the author has* woven the story of what is perhaps his most popular novel, “The- Lone Star Ranger.” This is the first occasion on which Zane Grey’s works have been reproduced in talkie form, and the result is something novel and highly successful in the way of picture entertainment. The principal parts have been entrusted to George O’Brien and Sue Carol and they axfi ably supported by a strong additional cast. O’Brien plays Buck Duane, a fugitive from the rangers, who has been blamed for crimes he has not committed, and who is hiding in the vast wastes of Arizona. He rescues a girl, Mary Aldridge, from a stage hold-up and becomes interested in her. It is disclosed that Mary’s uncle is the head of a band of rustlers and is known as Holt. Duane goes to his secret hideout, harassed by the constant pursuit of the rangers, where he finds their leader, Capt. McNally (Roy Stewart), and offers him a pardon from the state if he will go after the Holt gang. Buck meets Mary again and falls in love. Laramie, an honest rancher, comes to town because his cattle have been rustled. He tangles with Lawson, and is shot through the hand. Laramie departs and Buck 1 enters the saloon. He sees one of the stage coach robbers and places him under arrest. The judge and Lawson send Bowery Kid and his pal to the mountain camp. Buck overhears their plans to raid Laramie’s ranch that night. He rides hastily on but gets there too late. Laramie been murdered. Buck grimly follows their trail to the Aldridge house. He finds the guilty man at the party, and is forced to shoot him to save his own life. Mary reproaches him bitterly as a killer. He is trapped and unable to ride away. He takes refuge, by accident, in Mary’s room. The judge and his friends enter looking for Buck. Recognising the i Bowery Kid as one of the stage coach j robbers, Mary denounces him. The I judge sends them all away—and confesses to Mary that he is Holt. Buck now comes forward and tells the judge I that if his repentance is sincere, he will ; accompany him to Captain MacNally at i once to surrender. Holt agrees, but meanwhile Lawson and his men plan to rob the bank. A gun fight ensues in I which Lawson and Buck shoot it out. The bandit is killed, but Buck is badly wounded, and. in her emotion, Mary j runs to his side protesting her love for j him. “The Lone Star Ranger.” is full j of exciting encounters while the j romantic side has not been neglected, j Supporting features include Clark and j McCullough in a riotous comedy “Hired and Fired,” an English novelty singing ; and dancing number "Chelsea Nights,” j and a charming fantasy, “In a Music Shoppe.” NEW DOUBLE TALKIE PROGRAMME. THEATRE ROYAL TO-NIGHT. "Two Weeks Off,” the latest Dorothy Mackaill-Jack Mulhall talking comedy-romance from First National j —is one of the most hilarious and in- j

genious fun films in which the popular couple has appeared. It is coming to the Theatre Royal this evening, and then local friends of Miss Mackaill and Mulhall will be able to see their favourites in what is by long odds their biggest success. Deservedly so, for the play is by Kenyon Nicholson, author of “The Barker,” and it is filled with everything that goes to make entertainment. “Two Weeks Off” deals with a shop girl’s vacation, and into it is crammed every fun possibility, feast for tired eyes, and stimulant for the romantic imagination, from marathon dances at a beach re-sort-to a fight between our hero and a beach lifesaver!

Rin-Tin-Tin’s arrival is a red letter day for all the small fry, and the small fry includes several millions, who are not so small at that. Here the wonder dog is again in what has proved to J be the most sensational of all his pic- i tures, and that is saying a lot. He has j entirely new cast—new to him— to aid J him in “The Million Dollar Collar.” There is Matty Kemp, whose face was | known to American people long before he went on the screen. The romantic interest is seconded by the appearance of beautiful Evelyn Pierce, a “Wampas Baby Star.” Then there is the redoubtable Tommy Dugan, whose rough-neck work is so effective; and Philo McCullough, the well-known screen favourite, as well as Allen Cavin and Grover Liggon. The great dog appears first as the companion of a blind beggar, who, after robbing a jewellery store, hides the loot in Rinty’s collar and is whisked away to the country by accomplices in the deed. The young hero rescues Rinty from the car which has been catapulted over the edge of a cliff. Dressing himself in clothes found in the luggage, Bill and the dog trudge on, and at Pine Tree Lodge find the girl, who is to be the centre of the story. The hoodlums, noticing that the collar is missing from Rinty’s neck, give his rescuer the third degree. The boy now senses that the gems must be concealed in the heavy collar that he! has removed from Rinty’s neck. The j men search him, find the necklace, and are about to do away with him, when the girl unbolts the door, and Rinty, the avenger, breaks into the room. A matinee will be held to-morrow. “THE COLLEGE COQUETTE.” AT THE GRAND. Ruth Taylor, who plays the leading j feminine role in "The College Co- \ quette,” the Columbia all-talking picture coming to the Grand Theatre j to-night, became a luminary of the. screen through her remarkable inter-1 pretation of the little blonde golddigger, Lorelei, in the Anita Loos-John Emerson satire. “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.” In “The College Coquette” she heads a cast of such popular players as William Collier, junr., Jobyna Ralston and John Holland. Betty Forrester, peppy flapper, goes to Dex- j ter College, where she meets football j coach Harvey Porter. She falls in love ! with him at first sight. Although he J is greatly attracted to her, he pre-! tends indifference. Bettie’s chum and j room-mate is Dorrie Marlowe, a girl j totally inexperienced in the ways of, men. Dorrie falls in love with Tom, a heart-breaking, sophisticated sen-1 ior. Tom makes love to Dorri". who! becomes infatuated, little realising j that he is just stringing her along.

Betty, a natural born flirt, tries every means to make coach Porter. Her hopes are more than fulfilled, when, at the big college dance of the year coach Porter tells Betty he loves her. He proposes, and she accepts. Dorrie is asked to the party at Tom's apartment after the dance. She refuses to go at first, but, fearing to lose his love, she finally consents. When Betty gets home after the dance, and does not find Dorrie there, she goes after her, knowing that Dorrie is unable to take care of herself. She finds Dorrie, thoroughly intoxicated, trying to make love to Tom, who is fed-up on her sweetness. Dorrie flatly refuses to go home. Betty decides to try other tactics besides persuasion. She flirts with Tom, who immediately falls for her line, and ignores Dorrie. Dorrie, broken-hearted, goes home. Coach Porter, hearing of the party, rushes into the apartment. He leaves quickly, furious at his sweetheart’s infidelity. He decides never to see Betty again. Dorrie, lonely and brokenhearted, goes to Tom’s apartment, where she overhears Betty trying to get Tom to make up with her. Dorrie is stunned. She goes to the automatic elevator, opens the door and steps in, not realising that there is no car. She falls down the shaft and is killed. Betty, to protect her dead friend from scandal, takes the blame. She is expelled from college, but Tom, knowing the situation between Betty and Harvey, tells Harvey the truth. He comes to Betty, and begs forgiveness. “SAY BOY,” AT FAIRLIE. The Aorangi Hall was comfortably filled last Thursday night, when the Mackenzie Rugby Union presented the Black White Revue Company. The characters in the cast played their respective parts well. The comedians are deserving of special mention, their efforts keeping the audience amused throughout the evening. The Bon Bon ballet proved themselves warm favourites from their first appearance. The Company’s orchestra, under the baton of Mr D. C. Duske, added to the success of the performance.