INDIANS ON WARPATH

Evening Star, Issue 23687, 21 September 1940, Page 7

INDIANS ON WARPATH

‘ GERONIMO ’ AT EMPIRE ‘ Geronimo,’ the main feature on the Empire’s attractive double bill, started production as a modest effort, hut so thrilled its sponsors, even in the early stages, as to take on length and depth, and now comes to the screen as a sniperwestern containing enough Indians on the warpath to satisly the most exacting Western fan. But the film is more than a Western. It has a historical background and a magnitude of production which lifts it into a class of its own. and resounds to the credit ol Paul H. Sloane, writer of the story and director of the picture. Chief antagonists in the story are the Indian leader Geronimo, grimly played bv Chief Thunder Cloud, and a United States cavalry general, just as grimly played by Ralph Morgan. Official hero is a captain in the cavalry ably portrayed by Preston Foster, who gives heroic service only to meet his fate at the hands of the Indians. Andy Devino, as an army scout, has n rich assignment, and makes the most of his opportunities to add a touch of humour to a rather grim story. The story works up to the final capture of the renegade Geronimo, and a grand climax is reached as the Indian menace is removed and -a family feud, which lends the story its human interest, comes to an end. The romantic interest is not emphasised, but Ellen Drew shows to advantage in a role which does not offer her a great deal of scope. The winning of the AVest has lately proved a popular Hollywood theme, and budgets have not been spared in providing spectacle. ‘ Gcroniino ’ is among the top on this list. Emploving Preston Foster. Ellen Drew, Andy Devine. Gene Lockhart, William Henry, Chief Thunder Cloud. Ralph Morgan, Mariorie Gateson, Kitty Kelly, and hundreds of others, the story of the Apache Indian war lord has a thrill’ in every reel. Indians chase a’ wagofi a stage coach, an ammunition train, ranchers and settlers and the soldiers in return chase the Indians.