AMUSEMENTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 March 1926, Page 1

AMUSEMENTS.

EVERYBODYS PICTURES. " TIT 1C MYSTERY OF A RANSOM CAM TO-NIGHT. Wiu.'ii the Australian public have analysed the success of Arthur Shirley, and praised his ability as a screen star and producer, they will realise that, at last, Australia has taken its place in the groat moving picture industry of the world. "The Mystery of a Mansoil! C'ah,” will he shown at the i’rini ess Theatre to-night, ft was written by Fergus 11 nine some forty years ago. and is now in the 550th thousand edition. It is an Australian story, depicting every phase of life from the

-ot-ial standard to the lowest dregs oi tlte slums. Arthur Shirley, in adapting the novel for the screen, modernised it in every detail, ami now he presents a screen, version of "The Mystery of a. Ham am ('ah.” up to the aiinuie in every respect. Neither time

nor money was considered in the production of this picture. from thr

time the first scene was taken till the completion of the picture six months were occupied and approximately 20.(K!0 feet of lilm was exposed. The instructions issued hy the directors of Pyramid Pictures, I’ty.. IMd., to Air Shit lev were io create a feature film

Hut would show the world the ability of Australians to produce pictures equal to the world's best-. From the go.fldi] feet of film exposed have boon culled only the most perfect scenes to make this SOO;) feet picture of the highest ouality. As well ns being the star. Arthur Shirley also directed ‘'Tile Mystery of a Hansom Cab.” ami. in (■'loosing his east, he was careful to select the exact type necessary to bring to lilo on the screen, the characters as •described in the book. Consequently llie supporting east leaves nothing to lie desired. On Friday Nonna. Tnl-

uvnlge will Is' seen in her latest picture by First National eulitled ‘'The I mdy.” On Saturday next a Paramount special will be presented starring John Powers ami Marguerite do la Motto in ■' Flattery.” STEREOSCOPES. SENSATIONS at (OXF.Y is [.and. 70-NIGHT! 70-NIGHT! T!v ■ new motion picture departure <■! >i iv i.c, ; ik lilm-. has already become \ cry popular villi picture-goers. v.'iii cannot fail to be impros.-ed h;. the roali.-.iu which is imrodm-ii. At tlu> Opera House yesterday, Ihe management gave a private screening of a n v set of these novelty films, and it

is true to say that e\ -n more sensalienu! spectacles were witnessed than in the previous film. The new film deals with New York’s great amusement park. Coney Island, ami depicts various scenes in that vast wilderness of > utortaiimu nt. with so much reali m that ihe spectator is almost lorc"d to believe that if is possible to -:r;> out of the theatre on to one of the eludes or roundabouts. The first feature of the film is a clown wlm places a glass of liquor on a board which he pushes towards the audience. Further and further il stretches out until tlic spectator finds himself about to stretch out his hand io grasp the foaming beverage, when it suddenly disappears, end he lind.s himself confronted by a pair of writhing snakes, which stretch nut from the hands of a fair snake charmer into the heart of the theatre. Such .-cones are follow-

e I by a trip in a swiir-ing aeroplane, and. the spectator is forced to grip his seat fo prevent being thrown out. The audicinv is then eondueled to Hie “Chute the Pig” game. A number of youngsters are engaged throwing halls at targets; when the target is; lit a live pig is projected down a ( !;■:!-■ and to all ap; oaran;es Hies out into the centre of the then Ir. \ When this amusement becomes inclined to pall. Hi'* spectator is given the biggest thrill of all. namely a (rip on the huge switchback railway. One can fit calmly in one’s seat and obtain all the sensations of the switch hack. First romps the hurtling rush down the incline. up the other side, round a bend where on/.' is faced with a brick wall: but also as one shots one's eyes expecting to he struck by Hying mason-' ry, In, we are safely through it. Up and up another hill the whole theatre scorns to shoot. One moment there is nothing to ho seen hot the sky, the next the spectator seems to he rushing down towards the soothing park below. A house tabled ‘‘Dynamite” appears directly in front of the ear, only to vanish ns the descent eon tinnes. A policeman is standing o’ (he rails in the distance. Hie theatre seems to rudh towards him at ter:if!" speed; his hand is out- in front > ! . him. and as the ear approaches him comes nearer and nearer until the constable’s large and horny hand ’s thrust right in the spectator’s face, and the headlong rush through space comes to an end leaving the audience gasping. “Whew.” remarked one of yesterday's audience mopping: his brow. “I don’t think I’ll go on (ho scenic railway when r go to the Exhi bition next, week.’’ This film will lie screened at the Princess I heat-re this evening. “Life’s a jest and all things show it.”—Gay.

Still a summer cold or chill is no joke. The obvious remedy is, of course, Baxter's Lung Preserver. A short course of this rich and pcnetia/tive specific gives gratifying relief and speedily banishes the most chronic throat or chest ailments.

“Baxter’s” also possesses splendid tonic properties. No home should he without, a bottle of Baxter’s Lung Preserver in the family medicine chest. Obtainable at all chemists and stores. Generous-sized bottle 2s Gd.—Advt.