QUEEN’S THEATRE SHOWS “THE IRON HORSE.”

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18062, 24 January 1927, Page 5

QUEEN’S THEATRE SHOWS “THE IRON HORSE.”

A PRODUCTION FAR ABOVE THE ORDINARY. Of all the film critics of New York, no one a opinions and criticisms are more valued that those of Martin Quinn of the New Y'ork "World.” Writing of ‘ The Iron Horse,” the Fox production to be presented at the Queen’s Theatre this week, he said; “ It is a big achievement,” and when one analyses these words as coming from a seasoned critic, they speak volumes for the picture under review. “ The Iron Horse ” is something far above the ordinary picture, superior to it not only in story and plot, but in direction, development and acting. It is wonderfully intelligent, oven m its moments of melodrama, an essential ingredient to so thrilling and captivating a. tale. It is intriguing, it is engrossing, even though it traces a, page of forgotten history. And if its drama so grips, its humour will delight, its romance will fascinate, its pathos will appeal. To construct a successful play it is supremely necessarv to employ these attributes, but there are some producers who think that a continent for a background, with the primeval savage for atmosphere, with the angry spoutings of Nature for sensationalism, could afford to dispense with the gentler aspects of life. But the producers of “ The Iron Horse ” have thought otherwise, and wisely, too. Though it is an heroic epic, a dedication, as it were, to the men and women who pioneered the first transcontinental railroad in America, it combines with its sterner stuff a deftness of touch, a lightness of comedy, together with a pleasant romance which balances evenly the entiro artistic construction. In such a story a dull moment is impossible. From the moment that the full significance of the plot is made manifest, the entire sympathy and. attention of the spectator are involved in its development, every sense alive to the merest detail, wholly given over to the de.light of watching what is, without doubt, the most entertaining story ever written for popular edification. Deeds of bravery and daring have always templed the figurative appetite of picture patrons, particularly when they are reproductions of events which occurred not. so long ago, and “The Iron Horse” is just, such a series of thrilling and courageous exploits, interspersed with the snatched romance, the fitful pathos, the spontaneous humour of a period when the human comedy was being played upon ari organ with the solemn stops out. It Is produced amid surroundings more grand than beautiful, adhering throughout to history and tradition. Heading the long and distinguished cast are George O’Brien and Madge Bellamy, two pla,.vers who give of their best in this picThe second film on the programme is “Shooting Straight,” a virile melodrama of the West, which is enhanced by some magnificent scenery. The box plans are at Webley’s, where seats may be reserved.