ENTERTAINMENTS

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 31 December 1924, Page 10

ENTERTAINMENTS

OPERA HOUSE—TO-NIGHT

“SNOWY BAKER” IN “THE EMPIRE BUILDERS.”

“Snowy” Baker, the famous Australian athlete, who won the world’s applause by capturing,the individual honours of the Olympic - Games, the youthful amateur boxer who was one of the last opponents to - face the champion Fitzsimmons, the holder of - six world titles ,in as many different manly sports, known everywhere as an exponent of clean and strenous living, will be seen at the Opera .House to-night, in his latest American production “The Empire Builders.” “’The Empire Builders” tells a thrilling, dramatic and humorous story of West Africa to-day. Baker, always one of the screen’s most gallant heroes, rides bis famous horse “Boomerang, ” in inimitable style, performs some marvellous stunts, and ends by winning a tight with a heavier , opponent. Romance, adventure and comedy—the eternal triangle of. good entertainment—are pleasingly combined in “The Empire Builders.” The supporting programme includes a . Hal Roeh comedv “Heavy Seas,” two reels of hilarious mirth and the latest Rathe News and Review.

GRAND THEATRE—TO-NIGHT.

“ENVIRONMENT.’

That crime is largely the product of environment is powerfully demonstrated in the Fox picture which conies to the Grand Theatre to-night as an Irving Cumming’s production. The *story ig woven around a young girl, w r ho, while she remains in the city, is a criminal. But when circumstances take her away into the open spaces of the country, she becomes : a .changed woman and. soon love and peace transform her. It is a story which not only contains a healthy sample of progressive action and suspense- which is ever culminative, but it also carries'a message which will be appreciated by everyone equipped with imagination. And any spectator lacking imagination ha s no business seeing any photoplay. there is a fine spiritual quality which is deftly interwoven, with a charming romance. Yet the melodramatic inciclent balances each tender scene throughout. Included in the supportmg programme is an excellent two reel comedy “Up in the Air” an interesting Bcemc and News reel.

EMPRESS PICTURES MAN All TO-NIGHT.

“ROOKS OF VALPR.E.”

Ethel M. Dell’s popular novel, “The : .<c"-ks c-f \a:lnre,” has been picturfsed : t management of Empress hcr.tre, Manaia. have, been fortunate in 'securing it for screening te-nio-ht (- ew I ear’s Eve). It ig. a cleverly e-n-.rm.ted nlot concerning a French otimer s meeting with a voimg English girl, who- is yet too young to realise the depth of his affection. He fights a duel in defence'of the girl’* houonv cud for the first time in her life she thrills at tlm thought of his ir-ard i° r her. Circumstances part them, • ! later when they meet in-Eiml?- ’ the girl is quarried .to a friend of the ■cor. Comphca-tion.s ensue and t.lm ‘rei 01 ! T tuni n- to France, and is aricstod for selling the plans of n ,>•>+*- cut breech-block. His friend again comes to his rescue, realising that the scandal concerning his past is untrue: but the officer’s health is undermined i ,efiUlt ,7 his imnrisonment. and he. does not live to realise that honour has been restored to him. The neriormance commences at 8.30 sham o-night. Patrons are advised to bonk seats /at Lewin’s if they haw not already done so. °