ENTERTAINMENTS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 29 November 1927, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE. “MARE NOSTRUM.” A DRAMA OF THE SEA. One of the most amazing sea stones ever picturised opened at the Opera House last night. Packed with thrills right through, and touching on a phase of modern, though barbaric, warfare, it is a picture well worth seeing. At a small Spanish town on the Mediterreanean coast lived a little lad,. Ulysses Terra gat, who, against the wishes of his father, who is a lawyer, determines to follow the calling of his seafaring uncle known locally as “The Triton,” and worship the sea goddess Amphritite. Ulysses, grown to manhood, and with a wife of his parents’ choosing and a son whom he dearly loves, invests his small fortune in a. freighting ship which lie- calls the “Mar© Nostrum.” Fearing his son’s life will he ruined unless he gives up the seafaring life, he has decided to sell the ship when he hears war has been declared between Austria, Germany and Russia. Reversing his decision to sell, he has no difficultv in securing frgight- for Naples, where while unloading is going on under the care of his mate he takes a- few days’ holiday. During a visit to the ruins of Pompeii he meets Freya. Talberg and Dr. Fidelmann, spies in the employ of the Austrian Government, and because of Froyals likeness to the goddess Amphritite he takes an instant liking, whiffh. eventually turns to love for her, and for the time being forgets all .about his ship. The ship, after lying idle in Naples for a fortnight, is taken home by the mate, who informs Ulysses’ wife and son of his whereabouts. His son, Easteban, thereupon decides to go to Naples and find his father and get him to return to his home. In the meantime Freya- confesses to Ulysses that she loves him but is a spy, and Ulysses, not thinking of \ the consequences, takes her to his heart and promises to do whatever she may ask him. Dr. Fidelmann, the master spy, listens to their conversation and is overjoyed, as they want Ulysses, who has an intimate knowledge of the Mediterranean, to take supplies to the German submarines working in that sea. This he agrees to do on the condition that the submarines arfe . not used against passenger boats. On returning to Naples again Ulysses learns that his lady love had gone and also that his- son has been there to find him, but failing has just left for his home on the s.s. Californian. - Ulysses immediately follows, and. while in midocean receives the terrible new® by wireless that the Californian has been torpedoed. On reaching the place where the boat went down the survivors were picked up, and Ulysses hears how his son met his death. Heartbroken, he lies ill for weeks at when he gets a message from Freya, who has been transferred there to be betrayed by her accomplices, begging him to come to her apartments. On arriving there he denounces her for the dreadful tragedy which lias befallen his boy, but on her assuring him that she had 1 no hand in it he is on the verge of forgiving her when ho sees a vision of hi® boy shaking his head. He therewith leaves her to the fate which they both know awaits her. Vowing vengeance on the submarines, Ulysses offered his ship to France, and she is refitted as an armed merchantman. The “Mare Nostrum” was torpedoed by a submarine, Hit just before she went under Ulysses trained a gun on the U boat and scored a hit which ended her career of destruction. Clinging to a spar as long as lie could, Ulysses was at last drawn down to a watery grave and to the arms of his beloved goddess Amphritite and Freya. This wonderful picture will be shown again to-night and to-morrow night.

GRAND THEATRE, TO-NIGHT. “SKY HIGH SAUNDERS.” Lovers of aeroplane pictures will have their full share of enjoyment in the Universal picture “Sky High Saunders,” which will be screened at the Grand Theatre to-night. A 1 Wilson, the celebrated stunt aviator, appears in the principal role, and Is supported by Elsie Tarron, Drank Rice, and many others. The story deals with the operations of a gang of d&sperate smugglers who contraband their wares by aeroplane. “Sky High Saunders,” a secret service agent and intrepid aviator, is on the track of the smugglers and brings down one of their planes. He discovers the pilot to be his twin brother, who is iiis image, and whom he thought was killed in the great war. With the double purpose of avenging his brother’s death and bringing the smugglers to justice, “Sky High” impersonates his brother and enters the smuggler stronghold. A series of thrilling escapades follow, including some remarkable feats in midair, and culminating in a climax that rounds off what is considered to be one of the most entertaining aeroplane pictures. The supporting programme will include a comedy and international news reel. “THE NAUGHTY WIFE,” The scenery for “The Naughy Wife” comedy arrived in Haw-era. yesterday and .i'S now' being erected at the Opera House, The settings are the most elaborate ever put on a local stage' while the play'itself is very amusing. The box plans are now open and, judging by the bookings, full houses- are assured.