ENTERTAINMENTS

Waikato Independent, Volume XXX, Issue 3202, 22 February 1930, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

“THE BLACK WATCH. 1 '

Kyber Pass, referred to at times as the back-door of India and more often as the Valley of Sudden Death, figures largely in "The Black Watch," whieft commences its season locally this afternoon at the grand matinee. In the screen visualisation of this production adopted fi’om Talbot Mundy's story, "The King of the Kyber Rifles," the Stella role is enacted by Victor MeLaglen, who, as the theme of the flint lias it, due to his prior ten years of service with the 42nd Highlanders, at the outbreak of the World War, is sent to the Kyber Pass on a secret mission for his Government. The nature of the mission is such that he cannot reveal it, in fact he has to make it appear to his brother officers that he has been transferred at hi 3 own request* \ This naturally brings him into disrepute with the officers and the men of his own regiment who believe that his departure is to escape actual lighting into which they are going immediately. He proves, however, to be the bravest of the brave under the most adverse circumstances form the basis of this highly interesting story of India, which is filmed entirely in dialogue. • , In India, Captain King (McLaglen) has to fight with the bewitching "Tasmani" (Byrna Lay), the seductive and enigmatic figure of a super-woman in whom he finds a perfect foil for his campaign. The plot then revolves round the two with the mysterious background of Asia to heighten their love duel. NEW ZEALAND TALKIES. The Fox Movietone-camera car that is at present in the Dominion has not been idle during the past two or, three months, as the patrons ef the theatres will be finding out for themselves before long, when the films taken ready for reproduction and release id New Zealand.

After visiting Muriwai Beach and filming in sight and sound Mr Norman (“Wizard) attempt to break more speed records, the camera ' car proceeded to Rotoma, where Maori life, including bathing, washing and cooking, was extensively filmed in sight and sound. The trout at Fairy Springs came next, the car going thence to Wairakei.

Arriving there they visited the Karapiti blow-hole and at night attempted with the aid of American flares to film in sight and sound this safety vent of th'e North Island. Later, aided by I'2 Maoris, they transferred all the equipment on to wooden stretchers and carried the gear down into the Geyser Valley. This was slow and laborious work, but the only efficient way into the valley. The following day was taken in filming the Dragon’s Mouth, when a wait of five hours had to be made for a good blow. Mr Paul HaUcc, the American sound expert, while pro-« ceeding round the geyser with one of the microphones, slipped into some hot mud and received a minor burn on the arm. The camera car is likely to be -in New Zealand for some time,, yet, during which time many other of the Dominion’s attractions will bo transferred to celluloid. . .