AMUSEMENTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 May 1929, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

EVERYBODYS PICTURES. DOUGLAS FAIRBANKS IN “THE GAUCHO ” TO-NIGHT. 'iae torrid breath of tlie pampas, dusky riders of the South American border, gold, combat, love, and daring! Douglas Fairbanks as “The Gaucho'” carries the spectator of this gripping . ‘United Artists production far from the highways of ordinary film fare. The picture opens at the Princess Theatre to-night and bids fair to establish itself ns one of the best Fairbanks plays. Doug appears as an outlaw Gaucho leader, head of a band of hard-riding bandits who occupy the mysterious shrine city under the very nose of the usurper of the 'country, The fortunes: of the bold adventurer are affected for good and ill by the lure of the maidens one a wild mountain girl, • the * other a saintly girl of the shrine. By the jealousy of the-former/the outlaw is betrayed into the clutches of the usurper and his ruthless commandante. Contaminated by, the touch of a, victim of “the - black doom,” the Gaucho leader is saved gnd healed by the shrine girl. But his band has been dismissed through the treachery’ of 'a lieutenant, and he is imprisoned, likewise the girl .of the shrine and her padre protector. ; Understanding the simple devotion of "the shrine girl, the madcap repents and rides to bring the Gfiuchos to the rescue of their captain. the latter digs his way out of his cell, and, joining the oncoming .horde, rescues the padre and the shrine girl from the s.caffold, stampeding a vast herd of steers which rout the forces of the .usurper. Doug has added to his repertoire of amazing stunts by the use of .the bolas,, familiar to horsemen of the South American plains. This missile consists of metal balls covered with rawhide and attached by thongs. It is swung about the head and thrown to entwine itself about its prey. Dangerous leaping. and riding feats are performed by the star, whose role throughput shows him at the peak of ‘his prowess and carries a charm equal to that of any of hip famed pictorial ‘Offerings. s.The photography of Douglas! Fair! ,o nks as The Gaucho marks jin fldvcncp j n the cinema art. Pano'rpjmc hennfv-and intimate detail are ! .j, n lulled with unusual 'skill by Tony G; " Gaudio, 'The scenes from -the; ''designs of the : supervising art dirpe:tor Carl : Oscar Dorg, are notable Tor ihoir Criginality as well as their majestic appeal. The settings are so realistic that their artificiality escapes detection, in the intense action of the play, but - the local colour supplied by pebns, townsfolk, venders and soldiers rtrrests the eye and the atmosphere of the" ensemble takes hold on the ima-

gination.. It A topical and comedy will also bo Shown and the usual prices will be charged to-night.