ENTERTAINMENTS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 5 August 1925, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS.

TO-NIGHT—THE GRAND

TOM MIX IN “THE DEADWOOD COACH.”

In “The Deadwood Coach,” the William Fox production, all the action takes place in the midst of the gorgeous scenery of the Bad Lands, and it is probable that never before has this country been used as a location for a motion picture. Tony does some stellar work, too, as usual. Doris May is the leading lady. The picture will be shown to-night and to-morrow night at the Grand.

THE COCAINE HABIT.

PICTURE AT OPERA HOUSE

Perhaps in an endeavour to alleviate pain or worry, or from persuasion, or even from curiosity, a. man or woman first takes a drug. May lie it is morphia, opium, or cocaine. All lead towards the same place—oblivion. Soon the victims sink into a pitiful state of degradation, physically and morally. It is a great scourge-on any white country that the drug habit should have been allowed to extend, but it is common knowledge that legislation and strict vigilance have only in a small measure counteracted the evil of the habit. In New Zealand the course has not crept in so much, hut the film “Cocaine,” which will be shown at the Opera House to-night for the first-time, is of great interest, dealing as it does with an evil which is the talk of all white nations. In England, on the Continent and in America the cocaine habit is now more prevalent than opium smoking or morphine injecting. The habitual use of cocaine is of comparatively recent origin. All classes of people indulge in the habit and in all manner of environment. The theme of the story, told by the picture, the exposing of the traffic, is a grand on©. Shadows Pictures have not only mjadb a picture of intrinsic entertainment value, but also a picture which will be an eye-opener to social workers. Tli© climax is. a fine one, in which pathos is predominant. The story, briefly, concerns a daughter of a principal of a drug combine, who runs away from home because of her stern father. In London 1 ' she lives with Fanny, a cocaine addict, who takes her to a night club. There the girl takes her first inhalation of “snow.” How she is saved from the drug and how the combine is wrecked makes the story very, interesting. Hilda Bayley is the addict and she gives a brilliant characterisation, as do all th© remaining members of the cast. \