AMUSEMENTS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, 15 May 1925, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

“THE TORNADO.’' A WONDERFUL PRODUCTION

Big in its dramatic values, and in its conception of tho spectacular, “The Tornado," tho Universal Jewel production, starring Houso Peters, wnich had its initial screening in the Theatre Royal last evening, is worthy of being classed as a special. Tho appeal of the picture lies in tho stupendous scenes depicting the fury of nature in storm and Hood. The scenes most thrilling are those resultant from a big log jam, which dams a storm-swollen river until the floochvatcrs threaten to sweep away a utile settlement. At tho same time there is an assault by hurricane. Another scene is tho battering down of a bridge, which collapses as a train is crossing, resulting in a tumultuous scene in which men and women are scon struggling madly for lifo in tho waters of the river. Peters plays the role of a man who seoks to deaden tho heart pain caused by what he believes to have been tho infidelity of the woman who had promised to he his wife when ho returned from tho Groat War. A stern, rclontless, grim figure of a man, he beeames known as “Tornado.” Ruth Clifford plays the part of the woman, and Richard Tucker pi ays her husband, _ who, it develops, was tho false friend who came back from Franco and told the woman the man she had promised to marry was dead. Supporting films include. the “Universal News,” and a smart comedy, “The Aggravation Kid.”

THE GRAND. “CAMEO KIRBY.”-

There are beautiful pictures, and there are pictures that hold the interest by their compelling plot. Rarely are the two elements combined as they were at the Grand Theatre last evening in “Cameo Kirby,” which -was greeted by a largo and appreciative house. The old South —the life of the aristocratic planters, in the days her fore the Civil War —is the environment of “Cameo Kirby,” which has as central figure a “square” gambler who matched his wits -with crooked members of liis ilk on tho Mississippi River steamboats. When a crooked gambler mulcts a rich planter of his bank-roll and plantation, Kirby wins hack the fortune by beating the gambler at liis own game, with the intention of returning to tho family of the planter what the crook had won. Before this restitution is made, however, many things happen to Kirby. He meets the girl, the daughter of the planter who had committed suicide after losing his fortune, and the threads of romance become entangled in a complexity of action which oustains interest at a high pitch until tho vory end of the picture. It would not be fair to reveal tho plot. Enough to say that John Gilbert enacts one of the best roles of his career. The supporting pictures include the ever popular Fox News, and a Sunshine comedy, “Spring Fever,” in which the sun shines all the way through, there being not one dull moment. The Grand Orchestra exhibited a pleasing programme of music.