ENTERTAINMENTS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 31 December 1927, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE. TO-NIGHT. ‘■GOD GAVE ME 20 CENTS.” Lois Moran as Mary; Lya de Putti, C'aS'Sip; Jack Mulhall, Steve; and AVilliam Collier, jnr., Barney; are said to contribute four splendid characterisations in Herbert Bren on’s current Paramount production, ‘‘God Gave Me Twenty Cents,” which will be .screened at the Opera House to-night. Those who read Dixie Wileon's Cosmopolitan Magazine story will remember it to be the talie of a sailor who married a charming young girl, seemingly “to live happily ever after” ; but whose plans were all upset by a former sweetheart who dared' him to gamble for love. She wanted to follow him aboard ship, and begged that he accept the decision rendered by the flipping of two coins. Both dimes spun, turned over, and displayed heads on top. Then, forgetting his newly-wed wife, he told this other woman to follow him to the dock. There — But you’ll never gui&ss what happens then. There is a. strong supoorting programme.

GRAND THEATRE TO-NIGHT. “EXIT SMILING. ’’ There is little of the glamour and romance of stage life revealed in “Exit Smiling,” the new picture, which will be finally screened at the Grand Theatre tonight. Rather docs it depict the every-day aspect of .an actor’s existence. This is done with delicious whimsicality, and in a seriocomic manner that often borders, on farce. As a result the production strikes a refreshingly original note. Undoubtedly the star performance is that of' Beat ice Lillie, who makes her first venture into film work in the role of the insignificant drudge of a travelling theatrical company. Iu private life, Miss Lillie is Lady Robert Peel, wife of a famous British peer, and is a prominent figure on the English musical comedy stage. Jack Bickford appears with herein “Exit Smiling,” which is a Mbtro-Goldwyn-iMayer production. The supporting programme include the serial ‘ ‘The Eirefighters. ’ ’ OPERA HOUSE—MONDAY. MADAME GITTA ALPAR. There should be a large audience at the Opera House on Monday evening, when Madame Gitta Alpar will make her first appearance before a. Hawera audience. Madame Alpar, an Hungarian mezzo-soprano, is touring New Zealand prior to returning to her native land. Her beautiful voice will be beard in gems from the operetta “Countess Maritza,” including the melodious “Come Gipsy.” Everywhere Madame Alpar has appeared in New Zealand her. singing hats aroused the greatest enthusiasm that could possibly be displayed to a concert artiste. Madame Alpar will appear at the Opera. House for two nights, and theatre-goers should take the opportunity of hearing her rich voice.

The picture portion of the. programme will comprise a picture as impressive as the vast uncharted snow regions of the north. It is “Back to God’s Country,” a dynamic tale of the north, from James Oliver Curwood’s everpopular novel of the same name, and has been made into a really spectacular production by Irvin Willat, who directed for Universal. The story might be likened to the snow country, full of surprises to the explorer travelling its smooth, sparkling surface. He ploughs through snow drifts, rises on knolls from where he can overlook the placid sea of snow, then to the top of a mountain range, whence he sees the boundless panorama of Nature’s mighty creation. Renee Adoree is effervescent in her role, which is both dramatic and gaily youthful. • This characterisation will win for her many more fans. Robert Frazer is handsome and manly in the male lead, and demonstrates his ability as a real actor.