ENTERTAINMENTS

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 28 October 1924, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS

THE SILVER SHEET SCORES. “EAST LYNNE”—LAST NIGHT. Last night’s rush to the Opera House exceeded even the highest expectations, and hundreds Avere turned aAvay long before the hour of screening arrived. The management regret any inconvenience that may have been caused by the rush, and advise disappointed ones to book early for to-night as the box plan is filling up rapidly. The modernised production i s a faithful reproduction of one of the greatest novels of the time, ( written bv one of the most famous noA’elists. The popularity of “East Lynne” has been phenomenal in its book form, and as a dramatic cinema it has no equal. The story opens up Avitli the murdering of the old . man Hallijohn by Frances Levison, and the guilt falls on Francis Hare, the coroner’s verdict being “Wilful Murder” against Richard Hare younger, who flees from justice; then—-but you had better see it yourself. It is a wonderful story, and not many eyes remain tearless during its unfolding. There is a Avonderful and most thrilling train smash, and exceptionally vivid is the scene Avliere Isabel fights for her honour; more poAverful acting is an impossibility, acknoAvledged by all who have seen it to be one of the big things on the screen—and backing up this opinion by the biggest opening ever accorded any. other production anyAvhere by the tremendous business being done daily, and by the unbounded enthusiasm such as has never been witnessed in any theatre. The story is tne thing Avhich is not just melodrama, but a masterpiece that sends its bittersweet story weeping, weeping into your hearts; a picture that Avill bring the laughter, the tears, the hot blood racing, as it has the master touch behind it —the famous director, Hug l ©. Ballin. If there is any woman, and there are thousands who thing it unAvoiiKiiily to tell her daughter about sox, she had better attend to it that the girl see’s “East Lynne,” Avhich is of vital importance, to the younger generation, and Avdiich because of the lack of parental courage makes the telling more necessary. There is also a very good Chaplin comedy on the same programme. GRAND THEATREr- TO-NIGHT. “THE HERO.” As a test for jaded emotions a glimpse of “The Hero,” the neAv Gasnier production seen here for the first time at the Grand Theatre last night, is cheerfully recommended. Anybody Avho can sit through the tremendous scene that comes as the climax of this unusual story Avithout finding chills coursing up and doAvn his spine is hopeless indeed. When this production, the initial success of Gilbert Emery, first made its appearance on the NeAv York stage, it was'' declared by critics to be “as tremendous as the limitations of the' stage AA r ould permit.” In the picture production these limitations haA'e been s\A'ept aAvay, with the result that a story such as heretofore has been unknown to the screen is unfolded to the beholder. The supporting programme includes a gem of a comedy entitled “Flying Finance.” EMPRESS PICTURES, MANAIA. TO-MORROW NIGHT. . So little need be said, and so much can be, about “The Prisoner of Zenda.” The story is established as on© of the great romantic tales of modern times —a story of the sort that can never be written again, for the Avar, for one thing has stamped out the picturesque, gaily uniformed little kingdoms of Europe, Avliere Sir Anthony Hope found his setting for the love story of Rudolf Rassendyl, the young Englishman who resembled so> closely the king of Ruritania, and of the Princess Flavia. It can never be Avritten again in nrint, but it can on the screen, as it has been in this case for Metro by Rex Ingram, director of ‘‘The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse,” “Conouerino; Power,” and “Turn to the Right,” with all his glamour and brilliance. “The Prisoner of Zenda” is romance embodied: love in the net of court intrigue, cries at night by the black moat about the castle, duels to the death in the dark dungeons of the citadel, the clatter of hoofs along roads white in the moonlight. The action is breathless, the excitement fairly stabs at yoAi. the suspense is tightened to concert pitch.

EMPRESS PICTURES, “EAST LYNNE” COMING. “East Lj’-nne,” which has been modernised and brought up to date, is drawing such croAvds everywhere that hundreds are turned away at every performance. This production is a distinctly different style of drama, a real out-of-the-ordinary attraction. At Everybody’s. Palmerston North, this picture broke the record, for it was seen by over 5000 peolpe there. At Auckland, in spite of a Aveek’s stormy Aveather, it was screened to packed houses, and not even standing room Avas available for the late coiners. At last night’s screening at the Opera House. Hawera. several hundreds were turned aAvav, the sale of tickets being stopped at 7.30 o’clock. This modernised version of “East Lynne,” which folloavs the no\ r el A'erv closely, is a Avoman’s picture that blazes with unforgettable dramatic surprises, which has aroused a greater and deeper debate than any other production on film or stage. The story deals Avith tlie battle of the sexes. It is a presentation of facts as they exist, but it is straightforAvard, and exposes the spreading evil. It’s a wonderful story is “East Lynne,” and not many eyes remain tearless during the unfolding of the story it tells so realistically. It is a picture to AA r eep over and praise for its perfect artistry. This picture Avill be screened by the Empress Pictures at Normanby to-morroAv (Wednesday) night, at OkaiaAva next Friday night, and at. Manaia next. Saturday, at the matinee and at night. On the same programme will be a Charlie Chaplin comedy.