DOUGLAS FAIRBANKS HAS LEADING ROLE IN “THE GAUCHO.”

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18450, 28 April 1928, Page 10

DOUGLAS FAIRBANKS HAS LEADING ROLE IN “THE GAUCHO.”

Among a galaxy of really bright pictures, all produced by the same film actor-manager, “ The Gaucho ” is preeminent, a well-dressed picture with a fair enough piot, plenty of good, highpowered action, and the eternal love story thrown in for good measure. As “ The Gaucho ” himself, Douglas Fairbanks certainly performs the time-worn tricks and “ stunts,” smiles the same smile, and dispatches the same villain and rescues the same heroine as he has done for years past; “ The Gaucho” is built up on tradition. But for all that it is a wonderfully entertaining picture, set in a new location as far as films are concerned, featuring a new leading lady, and also presenting the most popular style of screen entertainment—romantic melodrama. “ The Gaucho ” opens a season at the Grand Theatre on Monday, the latest Fairbanks picture since “ The Black Pirate,” and a romance that compares more than favourably with “ The Three Musketeers ” and “ Robin Hood.” As are all Fairbanks productions, this picture is notable for its imposing sets, its material splendour, and the vast amount of roguery and corruption that is rampant among the “ villain’s ” element; for the virtue and sweetness that attends the heroine in her every action; for the gallantry of the Gaucho. The story is laid in South America, land of revolutions and devastating senoritas, two quantities that enter largely into the plot of ‘'The Gaucho.” A gaucho is some sort of rebel leader, painted in brave colours in this opus, a slayer of sinners, and a lover of ladies. Ipiagine the redoubtable “ Doug ” in so congenial a role. And there is Lupe Veley, a Mexican beauty who dances a tango most divinely, and sustains the Gaucho well in all his exploits. There are Gustav von Seyfferititz and Charlie Stevens, a couple of bad men who cause much fluttering of hearts among the audience. All in all, “ The Gaucho ” is a rattling good tale, well told and well acted. The Grand Orchestra will play an appropriate musical programme. The box plans are at The Bristol Piano Company, where seats may be reserved.