ZANE GREY STORY AT CRYSTAL PALACE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17836, 3 May 1926, Page 7

ZANE GREY STORY AT CRYSTAL PALACE.

TOM MOORE AND FLO VIDOR APPEAR IN COMEDY.

For stories of the west no writer can approach Zane Grey, whose thrilling and romantic novels are read by a wide circle of admirers. The novelist himself considers his best work to be "Wild Horse Mesa.’' and this picture is coming to the Crystal Palace Theatre to-day. It is an absorbing tale of the Golden West, action mingling throughout with a human interest that creates an atmosphere of intense appeal. It is a different type of story from what this popular writer invariably turns out, there being an appreciable falling off in the “villain’’ element, although the indispensable “bad man” of the west is there to the best of his ability. From Russell, where Mr Grey was recently for the swordfishing, he wrote to the manager Paramount Exchange in Wellington, the following letter: —Dear Sir, I am glad indeed to learn that you are about to screen “Wild Horse Mesa.” I consider it one of my best works, and in bringing it to the screen Paramount have certainly made a fine picture. I spent a great deal of time with Mr Lucien Hubbard on the sets when the picture was being made, and I cannot speak too highly of his work as a director in adapting my story to the screen. The work of Jack Holt, Xoah - Beery and Billy Dove is fine. They portray the the characters of the story just as I them. I am sure that “Wild Horse Mesa” will prove a delight to the picture goers in Xew Zealand, and please accept my best wishes for its success. (Signed) Zane Grey.” The letter explains in the witer’s own words, that it is a particularly good piece of work, and it should meet with the instant popularity it undoubtedly deserves.

Also featured on the programme is a rollicking matrimonial comedy “The Trouble With Wives,” starring Florence Vidor and Tom Moore. This is as spicy as a French farce and as straight as the best American one. As a whole matrimonial bliss, its trials and tribulations, offer more possibilities for story material than any other

theme, and together with the shrewd acting and intelligent direction this sparkling comedy becomes one of the m,ost amusing and cynical pictures of the year. Miss Vidor as the wife is reserved and beautiful. Esther Ralston as the unwitting vamp is excellent and the acting of Tom Moore and Ford Sterling are gems of purest ray' serene. The Symphony Orchestra, under Mr A. Bunz, will play the following numbers: Overture “Maritana" (Wallace),

“Finlandia” (Sibelius), “Song of India" (Rimsky-Korsakov), “Prince Igor" (Borodin), “Last Waltz” (Oscar Strauss), entr'acte “The Rap'-»me Bass Player” (Lotter). soloist, M \V. Barsty. “Too Many Pals” (Dixon), “Poppy” (Samuels), “Cecilia" (Ruby). The box plans are at the Bristol Piano Coy., where seats may be reserved.