San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-08-27
AN AMERICAN EPIC
The Covered Wagon" at the Majestic
An Historical PhOtOdrama.

4 capacity audience viewed the ini-
tial showing of The Covered Wagon"
at the Majestic theatcr Sunday eve
ming sitting, literally spellbound,
through the screening of the two parts
OF this splendid perturbation Of Emer-
son Hough'S famous story in the Sat
urday Evening Post by the same name.
Superb acting. faultless photogra-
ply, wonderful effects and many other
features serve TO make The Covered
Wagon one of the very best screen
attractions that has ever been shown
in San Antonio.
BEAUTIFUL Lois Wilson is admirably
fitted for the role assigned her and j.
Warren Kerrigan, who returned to the
screen to take the lead in this produc-
ton after two years of inactivity,
plays his part with the same ability
that made him such name and ia
vorite as screen star.
These two leading characters are
given wonderful support by Ernest
florence. Charles Ogle. Ethel Wales,
Alan Hale, Tully Marshall, Guy Oil
yer and Johnny Fox. The acting OF
Terrence is especially worthy of note.
The cast Of 1000 people used in the
show includes 1000 Indians brought
from reservations in Wyoming, New
Mexico and other states.
The action of The Covered Wag-
on" opens at WeStport Landing, now
Kansas City, No. The time is 1913
10. When the great wagon train
starts it follows the famous Oregon
Trail until it reaches Green River
Junction in Wyoming. where n section
OF the pioneers. having heard ct the
gold strike in California, move south
westward to the gold fields. The orig
inal members of the train, undeterred
by the lure of gold and with firm
resolve to push on to Oregon to build
the Western Empire with the aid of
their plowS. turn nOrthwestwaru TO
the rich and fertile soil of Oregon.
The trials and tribulatious that be-
set the hardy pioneers as they trek
overland in their prairie Schooners are
cleverly mingled with an absorbing
story of love and intrigue. Every
possible degree of accuracy is used in
the perturbation and the story of adj
venture and romance of the plains is
one of the prettiest, with the historic
nj settings forming an interesting
background.
\ symphony orchestra. under the
direction of Orvillc l.. Mayhood, plays
splendidly arranged musical score
throughout the picture, adding ma
terially TO the effectiveness of the
scenes as they appear on the screen.
The only criticism against the orcnes-
ira is the loud playing of the cornet-
list, which is nerve racking TO those
sitting in the first fifteen or twenty
rows of seats. Although the loud
blasts of the cornet are meant TO bring
out more wildly the critical move
ments of the picture, the audience un-
doubtedly would prefer to see these
points rather than hear them.
The Covered Wagon" can undoubt-
edly be classed as Paramount's pre-
mer production. The skillful direc
ton of James Cruze is noticed in every
scene. The management OF the Ma
iestic is due highest commentator fol-
bringing attractions such as 9TH
Covered Wagon" 10 San Antonio al
it is the class of picture that interests
and pleases and teaches the thoughts
and ideals of that great, stauncl
American, Theodore Roosevelt, t
whom the picture is dedicated.