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Taranaki Daily News, 22 November 1920, Page 6

\ ' "ON OUR SELECTION." The Empire Theatre was packed last Saturday evening when the initial presentation of the E. Carroll motionpicture adaptation of Steele Rudd's famous Australian bush story, "On Our Selection," provided immense entertainment for over two hours. It is nowadays almost an anachronism to draw comparisons between Australian and American film prodnciions regarding technical efficiency and photographic quality, which may be construed as encouraging to producers in the Commonwealth. Ilic Australian motion-picture has long since attained a degree of perfection tha't places it in the front rank of tlie world's best cinema works. "On Our Selection" has never been eclipsed | in technical and photographic excellence, and the story admirably lends itself to the silent enactment of the screen. The piece was filmed "011 the spot"; those Australians who were present on Saturday evening, and there were evidently many, could not but admire tlie I rue bush atmosphere which pervaded the comedy. The massive gum-trees frequently shown, the little slab house, the tiny selection wrested from the wilds by sinewy arms and indomitable hearts, were till so characteristic that the Rndd family appeared to actually live their parts. There is an abundance of irresistible humor that compelled roars of laughter, not humor of the slap-stick, laugh -at-any-priee order, but quite unstrained and natural. Vet underlying the story is a trace of pathos in the lives depicted; for there are the heartbreaking trials of the Kndd, family in facing the calamitous drought and destructive bush fire. Thus one's sympathies go out to those heroes and heroines in the interior of Australia to whom an apt tribute is paid in the words of the dedication: "To you who gave our country birth; to the memory of you whose names, whose giant enterprises, whose deeds of fortitude and daring were never engraved on tablet or tombstone." "On Our Selection" shows finally to-night, and it is a picture that will entertain and amuse the whole family circle. THE PEOPLE'S. LAST NIGHT OF EUGENE O'BRIEN. He was an artist—four women loved him—four women for whose smiles many men would have given half of their lives and' all their wealth. This man was poor, and yet. amid all the glamor of society and riches he sought the only woman who would not fall a victim to his charms He was "The Perfect Lover." The picture is a photoplay of unusual beauty, starring the distinguished player, Eugene O'Brien, and a notable cast which includes Martha Mansfield, Lucille Stewart, Marguerite Courtot, and Mary Boland'. It is a masterpiece picture of magnificent scenes and dressing, produced under the direction of Ralph Ince. The bill includes gazette, comedy, and Great Gamble No. ft, "Through Iron Doors." WM. FARNOI IN "THE LAST OF THE DUANES." Those who love to see William Farnum in Western character roles will have another opportunity at the People's Theatre, beginning to-morrow, when lie will be shown in his latest Fox photo-drama, "The Last of .the Duanes," a picturisation of the popular novel by Zane Grey. Buck Duane becomes a hunted man after lie kills a 1 cowboy who had repeatedly threatened his life. He "lone wolfs it," keeping away from civilisation and mixing with bands of desperadoes until his meeting with the girl whom he rescues. He gains a pardon through her, and by running down a band of outlaws. The picture is fraught, with stirring incidents and palpitating drama, according to report. "The Last of the Duanes" is a most realistic presentation of the days of border terrorism in Texas, and eerj tain scenes were filmed at risk of life and limb. It is the sequel to "The Lone Star Ranger."