PRINCESS AND TIVOLI

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 103, 22 July 1927, Page 14

PRINCESS AND TIVOLI

TWO FINE PICTURES Jack Holt and Zane Grey, when they join forces, are about as satisfying a combination as the public could wish to see. All the thrills of human drama which the author instils into his stories are multiplied on the screen, while Jack Holt, undoubtedly the most natural of all Western stars, can be relied on to carry out his share of the shooting or cattle-rustling in fine style, with the usual romantic interludes. i?o the “Mysterious Rider.” which is the main feature at the Princess and Tivoli this session, and which is another production of this excellent team, is one of the most enjoyable and entertaining of all Western photo-plays shown in Auckland. The "Mysterious Rider” contains a generous measure of originality, an extremely rare quality in a story of this type. No longer is the grass-grown plot concerned with a wrongly-outlawed hero and “ornery” Mexicans gaily caparisoned in revolvers and other necessary accoutrements of a bandit. City financiers and crooked lawyers are the villains, and it is the business of the versatile Jack Holt to thwart them in their fell designs, which

of course he does, covering himself with glory in the process. Betty Jewel, as the financier’s daughter, helps him in his exploits, and they finally fade out to the distant chime of wedding bells. The action is quick and sustained throughout. The second attraction is the “Ice Flood,” a tale of the raw' Xorth Canadian backwoods, with George Irving as the leading figure. He captures the middle-weight boxing championship while at Oxford, and, on his return to America, finds plenty of scope for his pugilistic talents in his father’s logging camps. The “Ice Flood” is a tale of bootleggers, bullies, and Bolsheviks, with the romantic touch provided by Kitty Barlow* as the superintendent’s daughter. Fists, boots, and bullets fly around in profusion. The scene -.where the ice jam breaks and sweeps down on a tiny launch in midstream is a. remarkably realistic piece of work. Right up to the usual climax the interest is sustained and the action fast and varied.

- In addition to these two productions, Ophir Rees and her Melody Maids provide a pleasant half-hour’s entertainment. The popular “Mary Lu” and other airs are sung, w'hile the ensemble perform sundry dexterous evolutions and intricate steps in the background. Several duets, including the well-known “Heigh-ho, the Merry-oh!” are also rendered. Lighting effects add greatly to the delightful nature of the performance.

The orchestra work well together, and render a rather unusual overture entitled “The Song of the Wanderer.” They provide appropriate music throughout, and can always be relied on to supply the bass drum accompaniments deemed so necessary to falling trees and Wild West shooting frays. Supports include an International News Gazette.