Mildura Cultivator (Vic. : 1888 - 1920), Wednesday 9 August 1911, page 8


SEarl's 'eaft'ograph Co. 'A GENTLEdAN OF THE ROAD.' Of all Austrr.lian bushrangers, oaot excspting Ned Kelly, the most picturesquie personaslity is that of Cap tain Starlighb," the hero of aRol Boldr-wood's famous romauce," Ro:bbery Under Arms." Though Captain Starlight was not known by this name i, real life, theb chearacters and all the incidents are tousded on fact. The hero of Boldrewood's story really existed in tho sixties, and, like Starlight, he was a man of good family, who, after quarrelling with the world, had taken to cattle duffing, He tobbed the rich, relieved the needy, and was most gallant to ladies-a nineteenth century Robin Hood, in short, for good b!ood, it will be rememb, red, ran in the veins of Euglaad's famous outlaw also, and he, too, was a gallant gentleman where the fair sex were concerned, though he was unfavorably known to the police of Richard Coar de Lion.. For the purposes of the' moving pictures the most striking scenes in the career of the bushranger were selected and no pains were spared by Spencer'e to make it a good representation, The character of Aileen Marston was taken by Miss Lily Dampier and that of Starlight by Mir Alfred Rolfe. The parts of Sir Ferdinand Morringer and of Sergeant Goring were played by two officials in the police force, who, as mostpeople will agree, would have made their mark at acting- had they not takes to the more prosaic busi ness of preserving the peace. Another remarkably good impersonation wae that of Warrigal, who is devoted to Starlight, sad who gets him out of all sorts of desperate situations. The get.up is so perfect and the acting so natural that tt is hardly fair. perhaps, to give the fact away that this particular Warrigal is not an aboriginal at all, but is a genuine white Australian. The story opens with a view of a typical bush homestead of the timethe residence of the Marstons. Here Starlight, as " Mr Beresford," protects Aileen Marston from the too strennous attentions of ai admirer, and in doing so he wins a regard jwhich afterwards ripens into a love that does not fail even when she learns that " Mr Boresford" is no other than the notorious Captain Starlight. A wonderfully realistic scene that follows later on is that of the race for the Turon Gold Cup. The troopers are hot on Star light's track. tie has entered Rainbow under the name of Darkie and his friends are instructed to back that great horse for all they can, But, like love, the course of true sport hardly ever does run smooth. At the last moment Starlight's jockey is found to be too intoxicated to ride. There is nothing to but for Starlight to mount Rainbow himself, troopers or no troopers. The race is a great one and Rainbow wine handsomely. The police have recognised their man and he and his friends have to ride for their very lives. The chase, like the race, is splendidly done. Starlight, always a hero, rides last to protect his party; at every opportunity he turns round in his saddle and bangs away at the troopers,who are following close behind They escape, as usual, but later on some of the party are captured nod held for execution. This is, however, avoided by the issue of a free pardon for Starlight and Dick for gallantry in prctecting Sir Ferdinand Morriager Crom brutal ill-usage by Moran, and closes wilth the early prospect of an early mar iage between Starlight and Aileeo. The pictures were shown on an usually large screen, which stretched from door to door across the stage sod also from floor to coiling. Some fine hush Ecesery was introduced, also some good moonlight effects. All were splendidly pres* nted. Other pictures shown on Mooday were An Original Palette," "The Cowboys to the Rescue," "Frolicsome Florrie," "An Arizona Romance" and Catelo's Childhood." All were exellent.