COWBOYS AND “SIX-GUNS”

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1069, 5 September 1930, Page 15

COWBOYS AND “SIX-GUNS”

“LIGHT OF WESTERN STARS” SHOWING AT MAJESTIC The great open spaces of Texas ranch life, with its wild riding, quick - shooting cowboys, is the splendid setting of the Paramount picture, “The Light of the Western Stars,” which delighted a large audience at its Auckland premiere at the Majestic Theatre last evening. Adapted from the cver-popular Zane Grey novel of the same title, the production has not lost one bit of the fast-moving action, or the sparkling humour, skilfully interwoven into the romantic theme that made the book s*o popular, and, indeed, it is an entertainment that is wholly satisfying. The opening setting finds a group of roystering cowboys, tired of idling and drinking, baiting an exceedingly nervous Jewish itinerant tinware pedlar, in the bar of the town’s only centre of night-life. In a moment of drunken aberration, their leader, Dick Bailey, vows to marry the first woman he sees, arid a few minutes later he comes into contact with a young woman who has just stepped off the train. Me makes amorous intoxicated advances to the girl until he is sharked into sobriety on finding that she is the sister of Jim Hammond, his friend, who had been murdered a few weeks before by a mysterious assailant. His remorse for his conduct only enrages the girl, who, however, attended by : the Jew. enters her late brother’s j ranch. An unwelcome visitor that evening Sis Slack, a crooked cowboy, who has j the sheriff under his thumb. Bailey and his colleagues return to save the girl from her visitor, who claims to have bought the ranch. Bailey and [ his friends rob the sheriff’s safe, lindjing there evidence of Stack’s complicity in the murder. Swift action in retaliation is launched by Stack, whose ; posse attacks the ranch house, hut I just when the cause seems lost, Bailey stampedes the horses from the corrals, and cleverly captures Stack, to call off file attack. There is a riproaring hand-to-hand struggle between the pair after Stack signs a confession of murder of Hammond. The outcome of the combat is both gratfying and romantic. Always a popular actor, Richard Arlen proves his versatility in the cowboy role of Dick Bailey, which he plays with all the vim and vigour the part demands. He rides with exceptional skill, and pulls a six-shooter with the best of them. In the tender scenes with Mary Brian, his appearance and actions of a gauche cowboy very much in love are delightfully humorous. Winsome Mary Brian also scores heavily in her portrayal of Ruth Hammond. She imparts her striking personality into her role with marked success. and shows delightful ingenuousness and charm, that commands immediate admiration. The picture abounds with many bright interludes, responsibility lor which belongs largely to the whimsical Jew, Harry Green. His drolleries fall so naturally that laughing is irresistible. The other characters in the production are of an equally high standard, while the dialogue and scenes are particularly line. A fine selection of supports attends the feature picture.