ENTERTAINMENTS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 21 December 1927, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE, TO-NIGHT. “THE OAT AND THE CANARY” The management of the Opera. House will present to-night one of the most fascinating, thrilling .and interesting pictures “The Cat and the Canary,” which, adds another success to the list of Universal special productions, produced in the past year. The story was taken from the famous stage success of the same name, by John Willard It concerns the adventures of a group of six people, who are gathered together in an abandoned country mansion, at the hour of midnight. They had been brought there by the reading of a will left bv a wealthy recluse. The attorney reveals that the testament names Anuabelle West, played by Laura La Plante, as the chief legatee. Almost immediately after the content; iff the will have been disclosed, things begin to happen to those who had gathered in the spookly old mansion, which had been in the sole care of a negro, voodoo-worshipping mammy. Throughout the unfolding of the dramatic sequences of the photo-drama run all the elements of suspense, mysterious disappearances, murder and emotional climaxes. Laura La Plante is admirable as the harassed heroine and her supporting cast does splendid work. The other featured players are Arthur Edmund Oarew, Forrest Stan ley, Tally Marshall, Martha Mattox, Lucien Littlefield, George Siegmann, Flora Finch, Gertrude Astor, all of whom interpret their parts with finished dramatic artistry. The third series of “The Collegians” will be included in the programme. GRAND THEATRE, TO-NIGHT “DAME CHANCE” AND “THE COLLEGIANS.” William Fox presents at the Grand Theatre to-night the all-star photoplay “Dame Chance.” The story is written in the atmosphere of Now York stage life, which is merely used as a background against which is woven a tapestry qf romance. “Dame Chance’ ’is as poignant a love story as has reached the screen in many months, according to the pre-release comments. The story records the rise of Gail Vernon from a small-time stock company to stardom on Broadway. An unusual romance runs through the play which culminates in her finding happiness where she least expects it, learning to love the one man she should in reality despise. The cast contains unusual names whose artistry insures it is one of the exceptional pictures of the year. In the leading roles are Robert Frazer and Julanne Johnston, both of whom have appeared in many of the biggest pictures of the past year. Others in the cast include Mary Carr, Gertrude Astor and Lincoln Steelman. The supporting programme will include No. 3 series of “The Collegians,” comedy and Fox news.