AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20169, 23 February 1931, Page 4

AMUSEMENTS.

CRYSTAL PALACE. "TIJE BIG TRAIL.*' The battle of pioneers against the elements, against hostile natives, and against the machinations of evil men in their own camp is shown in striking form" in "The Big Trail," a Fox Movietone picture, which concerns itself with those who blazed a trail through Western America in search of a new home. The film is at the Crystal Palace. In every scene there is impressive action—at times so real that one is inclined to wonder how many people were really hurt during the making of the production 1 Fortunately the yelling Indians were only "extras." The most difficult country is negotiated. At times the waggons are sunk to the axles in mud, while the men, horses, ,and oxen flounder- about wildly. A particularly fine scene is the crossing of the Snake riyer, in Wyoming, a treacherous piece of water full of rushing currents and tearing boulders. Here, more than one waggon,is capsized and lost, with all contents and horses, while the passengors "find themselves forsaking acting for the moment and turning their whole attention to the real saving of lives. Another excellent shot is the encountering of a mighty cliff that has no trail down Its precipitous Bide. Waggons and stock are taken to the brink and let down slowly by rawhide and canvas slings and crude stanchions made from logs. The players make tlie descent by rope, hand over hand. In "The Big Trail" over 400 players take part and the action is spread out over seven States /They had to endure the blazing beat of -the Arizona desert and the biting cold of the Sacramento river, the sandstorms, snowstorms, and blizzards on tlip Teton Pass, more than 8000 ft' in the air. They had to experience, also, primitive livine conditions on location in Wyoming, with fresh meat, vegetables, and fruit obtainable Only at Focatello, Idaho, 100 niileß distant. The principals, John Wayne, Marguerite Churchill, El Brendel, and the others had to share the difficulties eqrially with the extras. . Bound up with the general narrative is an interesting love story. Breck Coloman, the male lead; is a boy born on the trail, who has spent a great-deal of tune with the Indian tribes by whom he is highly respected. His chief reason for joining the waggon train is his admiration for Ruth Cameron. When the train reaches the point where there is danger from savages, Coleman s wise counsel is palaver rather than fight. On many occasions he goes forward to meet advancing Indians, and each time an Indian brave comes out to meet him. How he brings the train to its destination, and foils the evil element makes an intriguing St °ln' addition the historical interest is exceedingly strong. For interest, whenever Coleman .rides forward to meet the savageß he does so in a zig-zag fashion, giving the impression that his mount is staggering. Actually, that course is a peace sign, and it U borne out by historical record. There are many other interesting point* which are informative a. well a. brimming over with amellent entertainment. \