“ GUN GOSPEL,” WITH KEN MAYNARD AS STAR, AT CRYSTAL

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18451, 30 April 1928, Page 7

“ GUN GOSPEL,” WITH KEN MAYNARD AS STAR, AT CRYSTAL

All “ Western ” pictures have the came plot, the same series of allegedly exciting events, the same stereotyped hero and villain, and the same ending, villain in irons, and happy hero and heroine in a film embrace. But there has not vet risen a man brave enough tu affirm that “Gun Gospel ” is a Western picture fust as Ken Maynard has a different stvle from other outdoor specialists, just so are his pictures different. Tt is something to feature one of his pictures at such a theatre as Crystal Palace, but the management of that ho -sc is confident that the audiences usually given over to sophisticated comedy or light drama will appreciate such a diverting and absorbing storv as “ Gun Gospel.” Accordingly. “ Gun Gospel ” will be the main attraction at Crvstal Palace Theatre this week, ft is the best example of Ken Maynard’s originality, and shows him in a new light. It aiso shows the poor old Western in a light, for the gospel of the gun, hitherto preached from a movie pulpit, and by every movie speaker, is declaimed in this picture, and consequently wc have a very excellent outdoor picture, with originality stamped all over it. but, none the less amusing for all that. It goes at top pace all the time, and keeps its audience in high good humour from the fade-in till the fade-out. Ken Maynard and his horse Tarzan hold the

screen throughout, but Virginia Browne Faire, a good 'little trouper, lends pulchritude and grace to this go-getting, masculine drama.

“The Shamrock and the Rose” is the title of the second picture, not a political drama after Gladstone and Parnell, but another “ kosher ” comedy, this time the Cohens and the Kell}*s. These comedies are becoming as frequent as war comedies, but somehow their kindly, simple interest never wanes, and the delicious humour and touches of pathos in this picture are indication enough of their unfading popularity. Maurice Costello, the first star in motion pictures, plays a leading role.

The Symphony Orchestra, under Mr Alfred Bunz. plays the following musical programme :—Overture, “ Shamrock (Mvddleton). “Danny Boy” (Old Irish Air), “Where is My Meyer” (Bogate), “ Molloy’s Songs” (Molloy), “Suite Romanesque” (Besly), “Berceuse” (Gounod). “ May* Day Suite” (Travers), “Maid of Orleans” (Rawlinson), “Hustling Hinkler” (Gilbert). The box plans are at The Bristol Piano Company, where seats may be reserved.