ENTERTAINMENTS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 15 December 1926, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS.

EMPRESS PICTURES, MANAIA. TO-MORROW (THURSDAY). When announcement was made that for. Colleen’s lavish production. “Irene,” sixty beautiful girls would be required for the big fashion parade, mere man was not equal to the task of selecting them, so Miss Moore herself was presuaded to do the choosing. The roll-up of girls was so great, however, that the little star was bewildered. The weeding-out process, however, narrowed the “possibles” down to one hundred and sixteen, from which number the required sixty were drawn. Patrons of the Empress Theatre will be able to gauge Miss Moore’s ability as a judge of beauty next Thursday, wheu “Irene” is due for screening. OPERA HOUSE TO-NIGHT. “WHEN THE DOOR OPENED.” “When the Door Opened,” the film version of the novel by James Oliver Curwood, produced by William Fox, openg*«to-night at the Opera House, and will be finally screened at the Grand Theatre to-morrow night (Thursday). Jacqueline Logan will appear in the leading feminine role as lovely Teresa de Fontenae, who has been reared by a cynical old grandfather in a huge chateau in the Canadian woods. She knows nothing of life outside her gloomy home —and Nothing of men at all. Walter MeGrail is the likeable Clive Grenfal who has left his past behind him and come to Canada to forget and start over again. He is distrustful of all humanity, particularly women, because of his experience, and is—he thinks—a fugitive from justice. There is plenty of action to hold the audience at high pitch. Added to this is a tender love story witli a totally unexpected ending. Supporting this picture is episode 2 of the serial “The Ace of Spades.” MURIEL STABR. RETURNS TO HAWERA IN “FRENCH LEAVE.” The Evening Post, Wellington, comments as follows on “French Leave,” which is to be presented at the Opera House next Tuesday: “The change to comedy at the Grand Opera. House on Monday evening gave Muriel Starr ar opportunity of demonstrating her histronie ability in exactly opposite roles. It was as Mdlle Juliette in the comedy ‘French Leave’ that she infected the house with her personal charm, for .the play gives her many opportunities. combining as it does good pungent dialogues with interesting if at times daring situations. Mdlle Juliette wrecks all the traditions of military discipline by visiting her husband at his billet at the front lines. The experience is rather a sad one for the officer commanding, who is as effectively wound round the little lady’s fingers as if he were merely a piece of knitting wool, whilst a junior officer is made more than ever ‘the silly ass’ most junior officers are credited with being. The comedy is capitally mounted, and tiie strong cast of international artists make the performance one of outstanding merit.” On Wednesday next Bayard Velliers' stirring detective drama “Within the Law” will be presented as a special farewell performance, when tnis distinguished actress will .be seen in the role of Alary Turner, a factory girl, who is sent to prison for an offence of which she is subsequently proved to be innocent, and who upon ner release becomes an associate of a gang of crooks. This being Aliss Starr’s last appearance in Hawera prior to her completing important engagements with J. C. Williamson in Australia, it may safely be predicted a crowded house will witness the farewell performanc of thi& popular actress. The box plan for these two brilliant plays opens at Aliss- Blake’s Opera House Confectionery next Friday at 9 a.m.