ON TOUR WITH THE PRINCE

Hokitika Guardian, 13 January 1921, Page 1

ON TOUR WITH THE PRINCE

iiNSPi kitin'tr Pictures

, LONDON, Nov. 26. After having ‘ at for an hour and a half looking at the film of the Prince of Wales's 50,000miie toilr ,as shotfn privately at the Alhambra on Monday, one came away saying, ‘‘lt is most fascinating, but it’s too short." The audience, which numbered 2000. seemed to consist of Olliver twists! The v all wanted ‘‘more’' ! All the guests were delighted, and there was much applause as the series of beautiful travel snapshots succeeded one another only too rapidly. The film slipuld delight picture audiences throughout the Empire, for every scene has a story to tell. The human aspect is prominent throughout and man v of the pictures will make people realise a little of the great strain that such a progress must inevitably have imposed oil the Prince; in sonic of them he does look a little weary. I lie educational side of the film will be of historic value for all time, and its amus jng scenes must everywhere be productive of merriment—especially t perhaps those showing the ceremony of Crossing the Line—,when all— including the Prince and some of his staff were at the mercy of Father Neptune and liis Court. After being lathered and shaved with a wooden razor, each victim is tilted backwards from bis ducking-stool into the bath, there to lie at the tender mercy of the "bears.” The furtive glances round of the Prince to see where fate is eventually to land him are very amusing. Indeed ,there are in man v of the films little sudden tricks of expression which convey more of what is passing through the mind of the chief actor than any pen could describe. In the pictures as, in person, the Prince lias the great gift of winning all hearts and there was real enthusiasm in the applause.

One picture that will please children of all ages is the spirited performance of the haka by some of the ship’s company after tlie v had been Initiated into its mysteries bv the Maoris; the performers are past-masters in mimicry, and so excellent was the performance that one began to wonder if they were not really Maoris. The arrival of the Renown at Auckland, with the crowds of motor-boats and sailing yachts out to meet her. makes a fine picture. More films were shown of the North Island than of the South, but the panorama of the Southern Alps will take a lot to beat it.

The welcomes everywhere by the overseas children will provide' a fund of interest to the children of this country and will impress them greatly; the perfect timing of their drill-movements has all excellent effect from the auditorium. These attractive representations of child-life make one realise the value of the Hon. Andrew Fisher’s suggestion, made before the tour started, that the Prime should see as much as possible of the children during Ins travels, for the memories which they formed would he long-lasting. There some grand views of the Rtmown shipping huge seas in the Australian Light and one does not wonder that the Prime will not forget that portion of the"voyage! Of course applause greets the charming menagerie and bird pictures the wallabies, the opossums the tortoises, and many weird kinds of birds; altogether, the ship’s officers and crew received 1000 parrots and 000 eannries during their trip, and with this knowledge no surprse is expressed at the suggeston made in the Kenowti that her name should be changed to H..M.S. Menagerie. The Prince of Wales does not care to seij himself as n film ‘‘stum” so he was not present at the matinee, though several members of Ids household were, including Sir Lionel Hulsey, Lieut,-Col. Sir E. M. Grigg, Lieut.-Commander Janion, Sid Godfrey Thomas, and many well-known in social and political circles. Instead, the Prince was out limiting with the West Norfolk Hounds, and possibly at the moment when the humour of the ducking-stool was at its height, the Koval actor was unluckily experiencing a ‘‘spill”, at Swalfham from which, however, he came up smiling, and was none Hip worse. The first forty minutes of the hunt were fast, and the fences were big and blind. There were twelve falls at the first fence, and many saddles were emptied during an excellent hunt. The Prince, who is known a so first-class rider to hounds, kept up with them despite the fact that he came down over a gate.

The film, which will shortly he on exhibition in numerous populous centres, is the work of Captain William Barker, who is to he congratulated ‘oil having made a unique nod artistic historic record. There are numerous charming charming scenic views and atmospheric effects, and it is amusing in some of the pictures to' see the official photographer, (Lieut. E. Brooks) flitting round busily with her camera. The Alhambra was suitably decorated for the occasion.