Boy's Cinema (1930-31)

Every Tuesday BOY'S CINEMA A fighting romance of the dangerous days following Mexico's ceding of California to the United States, when desperadoes infested the country. ~ ~" " and Mary Astor. Starring Richard Barthelmesff Don Francisco Comes Home. IN the year 1846, the people of Cali- fornia were in a disturbed and anxious situation. War had broken out between Mexiro and the United States, and California had been annexed liv the Americans. Bitter was the rhagrin of the proud Mexicans who had for so long ruled in California, and the louijh Anierioans who poured into the State to tal;e over the goveriuiient were fioarlily despised by the haughty dons. Mexico had been beaten in battle, but it was long befoie the Californiaris were reconciled to thoir new rulers. Don Mariano DeKino, owner of the great estate known as the Rancho de los Coyotes, had realised at length that there was no more ho))e of driving out the "gringos." as the Americans were called. The est»ite had been granted to the don'.s ancestors long years before by the King of Spain, and he did not wisti to run the risk of losing his lands by defying the invaders. So he submitted to the authority of the United States, though with anger and sorrow in his henrt. All was excitement one summer day on the Rancho de los Coyotes, for the old don's son was coming liome, after four years' absence in the city of Mexico, whither he had gone to complete his education. A man came riding wildly into the courtyard, shouting and waving his arms excitedly. "Ddii Francisco is coming!" he cried. "CiO round and call the servants," exclaimed Don Mariano, coming out h.istily. "Fetch all of them out liere." The man went off on his errand, aiul the old don turned to find his daughter Dolores, a beautiful dark- liiiicd young girl, standing beside him. "Francisco is coming," he said joy- fully, "and he'll be anxious to see his little sister." "Yes, father." replied Dolores with a smile; "and even more anxious to .see yor.—and someone else." "Rosita? Yes, so he will. But lie won't like the changes here," said Don Mariano, thinking bitterly of the com- ing of the Americans. "Still, wo won't think of the giingos now. We must give Francisco a royal welcome." A mile away Francisco Delfino was riding towards the ranch-house, accom- panied by Juan, an old servant of his father's, who had gone to Mexico to escort the young man home. "I'm glad to be back," said Fran- ci.sco to Juan. "Mexico is a great country, but California is home." Juan glanced at the tall young man with the keen face and piercing eyes who rode so joyfully at his side, and remembered that Francisco could have no idea of the completely changed con- ditions in California since the annexa- tion by the United States. "We don't feel that way since the gringos came," he remarl#ed slowly, "and so you'll find, Don Francisco." "I'm not thinking of the gringos now," replied F"rancisco. as they came in sight of the house. He roused his horse to a gallop, and soon drew rein in the courtyard, and dismounted to greet his father and sister. "Welcome home. Francisco!" ex- claimed Don Mariano. "Welcome, father! . Welcome, Dolores!" cried Francisco, embracing the old man affectionately, and then turning to kiss his sister. "How glad I am to be home again at last!" The servants pressed forward to greet the young master, and the old don ordered the field hands to bo called in, for lie had arranged a great "fiesta" that turn "I said (1 evening to <i-lel)rate tlie .sale re- of his son am glad you have come back." Don Mariano, when the servant, gone. "1 have been trying to manage the estate alone, but the task is getting too much for me now, espe cially since the gringos came." "i will manage, father," replied the young man. "You can sit and rest now. But you must tell me about thes« gringos and their ways. Have they been worrying you much?" "You'll hear quite enough of them soon." said his father: "but not to-day. To-day we are rejoicing over your re- turn, and I <lon't want to talk about unpleasant things on such a day as this." "Vei-y well, father." replied Fran cisco. "You shall tell me about tlic gringos to-morrow. Wo won't think about them to-day." Francisco was mistaken. Even on the joyful day of his return it proved to bo impossible to avoid the Americans, for Juan, the old servant, did .something that morning which brought the gringoi down upon them before the day wa.s out. Juan had gone to the kilihen. there to talk to Concha, the cook, a lady of very ample proportions. "Where's my wife. Concha?" asked Juan. "I Jiaven't seen lier about." Concha turned ni> her eyes, pursed her lips, shook her head, and then looked pityingly at Juan, but she did not speak. "What d'you mean?" demanded Juan angrily. "Where is she?" "You'd better ask the American sol diers—the gringos in the camp over to wards l/os Angeles. She's been very friendly with them since you went away," said Concha meaningly. Juan went out in a rage, and by ask- Oetober 17th, Ifrai.