STATE THEATRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 November 1939, Page 2

STATE THEATRE

AN OUTSTANDING PICTURE. The season of “The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle” at the State Theatre has been extended till tonight, so great has been the demand to see this outstanding picture. Starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, the topranking screen dancers of today, the picture is one that makes an appeal to all tastes, particularly to lovers of dancing. “RETURN OF THE CISCO KID.” It’s a good 10 years now since “The Cisco Kid” came to the screen in one of the first “talkies” made. “The Return of the Cisco Kid,” which will be shown ’ tomorrow afternoon and night at the State Theatre, shows that those 10 years have delt lightly with the gay Mexican bandit. Warner Baxter created Cisco, and still plays the part. He is as smiling, as sentimental, and as ruthless as ever. This time Mexico has proved too uncomfortable for Cisco and he has crossed the border into the United States. There he meets beautiful Lynn Bari and her irascible but lovable old uncle, seeking a ranch in which they have sunk all their capital. The rascally sheriff of the district knows that there is gold in that there ranch, and he swindles them out of their claim. When he hears of their plight, Cisco takes a hand. After a series of adventures which include a fire, fights and hold-ups, ahd a moonlit chase on horseback, with the tall spikes of the cactus forming a picturesque if slightly prickly background, the villain is foiled. Cisco does not,get the girl, but he goes back to Mexico with a heart which, if broken temporarily, is already showing every sign of recovery. Henry Hull gives an admirable portrayal of the elderly Southern gentleman with a predilection for whisky and a penchant for selling non-existent gold mines. Cesar Romero has a part and a make-up which are in direct contrast with anything he has yet attempted. He is Cisco’s righthand man, and is hard to recognise as such. A dirtier, greasier, more amiable bad man it would be hard to find. Altogether, “The Return of the Cisco Kid” carries on the tradition very well.