“ THE IRON HORSE ” COMES TO LIBERTY THEATRE ON MONDAY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17997, 6 November 1926, Page 6

“ THE IRON HORSE ” COMES TO LIBERTY THEATRE ON MONDAY.

SENSATIONAL DRAMA OF TRANS-CONTINENTAL RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION. Much interest has been manifested in the picture “ The Iron Horse,” which, opens at the Liberty Theatre on Monday. Based on a pionoer story, it has an instant appeal to a pioneer race, and the descendants of early Canterbury families will see in the characters of “The Iron Horse” the facsimiles, as it were, of some of the fathers and mothers of the province. In many, respects this picture is unique; certainly It stands alone in the field of sensational and spectacular drama achievement. As widely apart as are the poles asunder from society dramas and their incessant striving after emotional effect, is this production. Through its studied avoidance of lesser things and its admirable determination to keep to its lofty, impersonal plot, the picture commands the scholar's interest and respect. Kven if it told no great story it still would be supremely interesting, if onlv on account of this radical departure from the ethics of screen entertainment. Telling a healthy, outdoor story, reminiscent of all that is.best in literature, the picture never for an instant becomes banal. Unconsciously dramatic it is, the drama and excitement being the logical outcome of the story, never dragged in for the sake of ultarsensational effect. It appeeals to the emotions, as well as to that .which is sterner, and thus it combines in its de-

lightful entirety all that the modern j audience demands. There is a great combative interest in the story. Throughout the element of competition is of the keenest, as the first transcontinental railroad is laid across the States. Taking the rails through the jealously guarded lands of hostile savages. encountering untold dangers, battling with all the loosened forces of Nature, the heroic of voluntary exiles work their way, foot by foot out to the west, and the fact that another railroad gang is working against them, and the knowledge Of the reward that awaits the winners, gives a zest to the story that would be lacking were it merely the technical recording of- an engineering feat. In those brave and not far distant days America was very romantic. Before the almighty dollar came to rule everything, the golden halo of romance seemed to rest over that noble land, and so it is that, rugged and virile though “The Iron Horse undoubtedly is, it is also the old, old story of how two young hearts dared every sinister shadoiv to seek the realisation of their love. So there are two fine stories in the one, a picture no one can cavil at, a type of drama as clean a.nd pleasant and entertaining ns the brightest thing our individual favourite author has to offer us. The characters are numerous and are pJaj’ed by dSs- ' tinguished and experienced artists. The two principal roles are in the hands of Madge Bellamy and George O’Brien, and these two players by their work in this picture alone, deserve to be ranked with the great ones of screendonn. The Liberty Concert Orchestra, under Mr Ernest Jamieson, will play a special orchestral programme, including the following numbers: —Overture, “Light Cavalry” (Suppe): “The Marriage Mar- , ket” (Jacobi) ; “The Big Firm (Sutton) ; “ Poem ” (Bibish): “ Consolation (Liszt); “Geisha,” (Jones): ontracte, “Yearning” (Burke); light numbers, “ Some Other Bird,” “ There was Never a Pal Like You.” A special score for "The Iron I-lorsee ” will also be played. Box plans are at The Bristol Piano Company, where seats may be reserved.