AMUSEMENTS.

Otaki Mail, Volume XXVIII, 1 October 1920, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

"THE RAINBOW TRAIL." TO-NIGHT. Those who saw "Riders of the Purple will have an opportunity of seeing the sequel. "The Rainbow Trail," to-night. It is a eery fine film, and must be seen to be appreciated The synopsis is as follows:—The story of "The Rainbow Trail" is. a continuation of "Riders of the Purple Sage." In the former novel, it will be remembered. John Lassiter, together with a woman, Jane Withersteen, and Fay Larkin, a child of three years, had been pursued by enemies into tin mountains. They hide in a valley which has only one entrance, aud whej Lassiter rolls a huge stouo into thb narrow crevice the three are lucked u; in the valley. "The Rainbow Trail" opens years later. The three are still entombed in the secret valley, living the lives of primitive people. The child. Fay, has grown to beautiful maidenhood. About this time John Shefford, a kinsman of the lost Lassiter, prompted by a vague legend told in the mountains, sets out in search of the lost, valley in the hope that hr may Rad Lassiter and the two women still alive. Meanwhile a landslide has made it possible to roach the top of the valley’s wall from the outside. Two of Lassiter’s enemies discover this, j and take the news to a man named j Wagoner, who escaped the rock which I Lassiter hurled into the canyon years'! before. Wagoner returns with his men j to the valley, and they affect an on- j trance by letting themselves down j from the top of the wall by means ot « ropes. The girl. Fay Larkin, is taken | out, but Lassiter and Jane Withersteen j are left prisoners in the valley-. I

Fay is-taken to a secret village by Wagoner, wTto intends to force her to become one of his plural wives; Ini’ before this can be consummated the village is raided by United States marshals, and the wives are arrested and brought to town to bd tried for polygamy. At llie trial Shefford. who is still pursuing his search for the lost valley, sees Fay and falls in love with her. He follows her back to the secret village; there he visits her house secretly at night, tells her of his lovi and learns her story and identity. They are about to fiec from the house together and go to the lost, valley to rescue Lassiter and Jane, when Wagoner euters and covers Shefford with his revolver. Shefford’s life is saved by an Indian friend who enters at that moment and stabs Wagoner in the back. Then the Indian rides away to warn the United States marsh abe Shefford ami Fay- start out for the lost valley, in the early morning Fay an.l Shefford reach the lost valley and rescue the two prisoners. Meanwhile the body of Wagoner has been dis covered by his friends, and. believing that Fay has killed him and tied to the lost valley, they set out in pursuit. They- encounter the party from the valley attempting to escape from the mountains and a light ensues. Wagoner’s friends arc getting the best of it when the United States marshals, led by the Indian, arrive and save the day.

The programme for to-morrow night is a long and varied one, and includes a stirring drama of nearly 5000 ft-, and a side-splitting comedy. A cartoon of an interesting nature, as well as a line gazette, will also be shown. LYRIC MUSICAL COMEDY CO„ OTAKI—MONDAY NIGHT. For originality in interpretation and discrimination in pleasing, one might search a long time to find a more gifted vocal coterie than the Lyric Costume Comedy Co., who will open for one night at the Theatre, Otaki, on Monday evening next. It is a conspicuous fact that in their offerings no one voice is ever permitted to obtrude from the chord, the result being a perfect harmony. Whenever they appear the Lyric Quartette win golden opinions for their admirable phrasing and inventive ability- in securing effects, and old and familiar songs lake on quite a new meaning under their finished control. The personnel consists of Messrs Arthur Ripley (first tenor), Herbert Richards (second tenor), J. W. Ryan (bass), and Alan McElwain (first bass).

Some delightful humorous touches are also conveyed in their singing of well-known ditties, and apart from the vocal efforts, there is a welcome comedy interpolation - by Mr McElwain, a favourite dispenser of mirth. He knows how to extract every ounce out of a good story, and he is a clever imitator as well. As straight-out vocalists, Messrs Ripley, Ryan and Richards have a large following of admirers, and encores are universally demanded. The supporting ladies, Miss Jessie Bartlett, Miss Evelyn Harvty, and Miss Doreen McClatchy, solo danseuse, are in every way competent to aid the quartette.