"THE FLAMING FRONTIER."

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18894, 8 January 1927, Page 9

"THE FLAMING FRONTIER."

AN EPIC OF THE WEST. GRAND THEATRE, MONDAY. "For far-off things and battles long ago. ' This quotation admirably and con* cisely sums up the nature o£ the film "The Flaming Frontier," which opens its season at the Grand Theatre on Monday. It is a story which is patterned after the highest type of adventure fiction, that which deals with the militant expression of patriotism, and has the added interest and superiority of being a page of actual history, a history that is \\L al! . tim . es dramatic and spirited. Anything ln the. mazes of antiquity holds a ' fascnation for the human mind, and en events which are only recentlv beyond uisi« the fancy. Thus it is that the events of "The Flaming Frontier" are not distasteful to the most exacting mod?mrV ♦ ? re bygone to bear the j n newness and originality—which sounds somewhat paradoxical, it is true. As ! a material production, this picture demands' some comment. Its settings are authentic ?hf! ! ». tn I,eiir {he mosl searching scrutiny; n-1/J I . °. nu to the days of the Ameri* -V-™ 00 0n ' atmosphere of gracious a,l( l . filing men pervades the piee, e\en m its quietest- moments. But. entrancing though this atmosphere is, the s nsational quality is the thing, and so we jee the producers having recourse, with cheerr!* ,?* re S Rr< l f° r startling originality and a iistic worth, we see them having recourse to sa\itgo Indians and determined whites, we nave fierce and sanguinary encounters and au the accepted trappings of the genuine Jnciian story. And the effect is magnificent. Jivcrybody secretly loves an Indian, warlike picture; there is magic in the very name; there is an indescribable thrill about its sombre tones. Not for nothing have ue, in our childhood days, shouted iu delight, 'Let's plav cowboys and Indians," for some reason, known only to the juvenile mind, the two being deadly enemies. Realising that a story featuring the noble savage would be assured of an enthusiastic reception everywhere, those responsible for the production have embodied in the picture all the elements beloved of eternal youth, drama and sensation, romance and pathos mingling to ensure the perfect entirety. There are episodes in I "Tho Flaming Frontier" which arc reproductions of actual history, a history that is essentially dramatic. With the dominant Anglo-Saxon pitted against tho lawless but stubborn Indian, the story of the nation must take a tense turn, and tho picture adheres wholly to facts. Thus it is that we have scholarly merits in conjunction with supreme entertainment, as well as tho compelling personality of Iloot Gibson in the leading role, an intelligent human role, with none of his old dash and tire lost thereby. The large cast includes many well-known stars, some of whom portray famous historical personages. Anno Cornwall plays the feminine lead with finish and grace. Tho Grand Quality Orchestra will be heard ut all evening sessions, and will perform special musical scores during the season. The box plans arc at Tho Bristol Piano Company, where seats may be reserved. <