ENTERTAINMENTS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 5 July 1927, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS.

“BEAU GESTE.” OPERA HOUSE—TO-NIGHT. A gripping story of brotherly love is portrayed in a masterly fashion in the Paramount classic “Beau Geste, which commenced a three-night season at the Opera. House last evening, and which is undoubtedly one of the finest pictures which have been screened in Hawera for a considerable time. The picture is strikingly true to the story, of P. C. Wren, whose vivid pen paintings of the operations of the French Piegion in the Sahara have made him famous. . Unlike the majority of pictures, what is probably the most dramatic feature of the story is given in the opening scenes. The arrival of the reinforcements at the fortress which had been besieged by an attacking Arab force, only to find that the Arabs had retired unaware that all—but is it all P —of the defenders have died at their posts, and the subsequent destruction of the fortress by fire provides a mysterious atmosphere which is well sustained in the eonseauent explanatory, portions. The following scenes, depicting a quiet English country home in which a further mystery arises over the disappearance of a diamond, stand out in distinct contrast from the opening, hut the action soon changes to France, where the experiences of the three brothers as members of the Legion add both grim and humorous features to the production. Details of the siege which follow and the escape of the two brothers to avoid the dishonour of court-martial for the murder of a brutal sergeant-major who lias desecrated the body of the third provide exciting episodes, hut .serve to explain the mystery of the opening scones. How the elder of the trio makes the supreme sacrifice by leaving his brother . and mates in a sandstorm in order that they- might have a reasonable chance of escape from the desert provides* a sad interlude which serves to show the extent of brotherly love. The climax is most unusual, and shows the touch of a master. In the principal role Ronald Colman gives a good characterisation, and he is well supnorted by Neil Hamilton and Ralph Forbes. Other parts are well filled by Alice Joyce, Mary Brian, Norman Trevor, and Victor McLagblan. “Beau Geste’’ will be screened again to-night and to-morrow. GRAND THEATRE—TO-NIGHT. FINAL SCREENING. “THE WILD HORSE - STAMPEDE.’’ A plot, overflowing with action and suspense, mvstery, a wealth of beautiful pictorial “shots,’’ many interesting characterisations, with the thread of a love storv running through it all. make “The AVild Horse Stampede,” the Universal Blue-Streak Western, which will be finally screened at the Grand Theatre to-night (Tuesday), one of the most interesting nictures of its kind of the year. Jack Hoxie. Universal’s popular western hero, plays the starring role in the picture, and gets himself into and out of enough trouble to down a dozen heroes of less sturdy mould. Tlie supporting programme is excellent.