“THE GAUCHO”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 382, 16 June 1928, Page 25

“THE GAUCHO ”

DOUGLAS FAIRBANKS'S ROMANCE

ATTRACTION FOR STRAND Douglas . Fairbanks pictures are fairly rare these (lays, and the initial Auckland showing of **The Gaucho" is awaited with considerable interest. It is to appear at the Strand when the run of “Mother Machree ” is completed. The star has selected South America for his locale on this occasion. “The Gaucho" is full of romance—a fitting setting for such an artist as Fairbanks.

Eve Southern appears as the lovely, mystical “girl of the miracle,” in contrast to whom is Lupe Velez, as the “girl of the mountain,” wild and impetuous and bent on capturing the Gaucho bandit himself —the role of Doug. Miss Velez, a Mexican, is a newcomer to the screen, but her fame has preceded her. Formerly in vamp roles, Miss Southern proves quite as alluring in her shrine character as in her less saintly portrayals. Sinister and cruel appears Gustav von Seyffertitz as the South American ursurper: His ruthless lieutenant is portrayed by Michael Vavitcli, who was formerly associated with Bailieff in “Chauve Souris.” A Montenegrin by birth, Vavitcli fought in the Russian army. He had been a well-known opera singer.

Charlie Stevens, the Apache Indian, who has appeared in all the Fairbanks pictures since Doug - , first entered films, is the Gaucho’s treacherous aide. Fred de Silva, Portuguese by birth, has the role of a drunken cavalry officer, charged with the arrest of the Gaucho. As the benign padre, Nigel de Brulier is again seen in clerical garb. Of all Hollywood’s actors he has portrayed the greatest number of important ecclesiastical parts, among which that of Cardinal Richelieu in “The Three Musketeers” is especially remembered. Carlotta Monti, who “danced her way to fame” from a Los Angeles high school, is a cafe dancer. A 1 MacQuarrie, one of the oldest Fairbanks actors, is a plague-stricken pauper hovering about the shrine extorting money from pilgrims. Large forces of soldiery and hundreds of pampas riders, and vast herds of cattle help to form a colourful background for one of the most picturesque and romantic of all Fairbanks productions.