STRAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 208, 22 November 1927, Page 17

STRAND

“THE TE KOOTI TRAIL” Again last night the Strand Theatre was filled with enthuisastic and delighted Aucklanders, who are crowding the theatre at every session in order to see Rudall Hayward’s famous epic of New Zealand history, “The Te Kooti Trail.” Dealing with a subject novel to overseas audiences and unfamiliar to even most New Zealanders, “The Te Kooti Trail” presents one of the most striking episodes in New Zealand’s history* containing many incidents of personal heroism and stirring fighting during the raids of Te Kooti, the greatest outlaw and military genius ever known, on the Mill Farm, Whakatane. The story of the raid on Whakatane Valley and the heroic defence is sufficiently real to stir even the most hardened picturegoer. Tanarahi’s ride to Fort Tauranga to bring aid is treated in a way . that makes it very dramatic, and it incidentally introduces some very fine bush scenery. Of the photography, too much cannot be said, for it is admirable, particularly the bush scenes. The greater part of the acting in the picture falls on Miss Tina Hunt ind Mr. .Patiti Warbrick, as Monika and Tanarahi, the lovers. Tina, the famous Rotorua beauty and heroine of “Rewi’s Last Stand,” gives a characterisation worthy of an experienced actress. Patiti Warbrick acts naturally and easily as the handsome young Maori lover of Monika. Equally notable and convincing are the portrayals of Te Pair! as Te Kooti, the fanatical individual 'who terrorised whites and Maoris alike, and Te Rangi-Hiroa, the bloodthirsty lieutenant of Te KoOti. Others in the cast are Billie Andreasson, Rev. Jasper Calder, Captain Redmond, Arthur Lord and Joe Tennant. Preceding the feature picture will be a special Maori prologue by Patiti Warbrick’s Te Kooti Haka Troupe, which includes two descendants of Te Kooti. Led by Patiti Warbrick, the troupe is seen in wild war songs and hakas. The Strand Symphony Orchestra, under Eve Bentley, renders a special appropriate musical programme and features many popular Maori melodies. “Martial Moments Medley” is specially featured as the overture. .A strong supporting programme is composed of a Strand Magazine, a Mabel Norman comedy and an enjoyable Aesop Fable.