ENTERTAINMENTS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 1 May 1928, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS.

GRAND THEATRE—TO-NIGHT. “THE THIRTEENTH JUROR.” Francis X. Bushman, who made such a remarkable ‘ ‘oome-back 5 3 as Messala in “Ben Hur,” gives an excellent performance as counsel for the defence m “The Thirteenth Juror,” the chief picture at the Grand Theatre to-night. This is a good story extremely well done, a little psychological in places, but never- too deep l for the average audience. It is strongly dramatic, with the suspence admirably sustained, and a climax of great power and brilliance. The title is derived from a fanciful conception of counsel’s conscience, the thirteenth juror, so often the decisive factor in great cases. At leas it was so in this case, and the struggle of the lawyer with himself, and his eventual triumph over jealousy and tragic love, forms as absorbing a plot as evei* the screen has witnessed. With Bushman is Anna. Q. Nilsson, supported bv Martha Mattox and Free Kelsey. • Tlie supporting programme include a comedy,' International and British News reel. OPERA HOUSE. COMMENCING WEDNESDAY NEXT. “MGNS.” In one respect “Mons,” which opens at the Opera House on Wednesday next, surpasses every other major episode of the War —it is a perfect dramatic whole. It began with jsiwyrase, suspense, and evjsn deep anxiety. Its menace grew till the entire Allied cause seamed to face destruction by this new Frankenstein monster. Then, when our men were at a,l but. >their last gasp came the marvellous stroke waion. turned the French and ourselves from, retreating into advancing Armies, and brought- relief and rejoicing to every .-ill.eel heart throughout the world. The British press from Land’s. End to John O’ Groats has proclaimed •■Mons” the picture of the century, flow faithfully it must interpret that strip endows epoch in our history to merit such undivided praise from those who might- well criticise it if they could. Their beloved private of the Army here graphically tells the story of the simple, heroic part he played,' and not a phase ■of hi,s life in or out of action an France has been overlooked ■ by the wonderful producer of this wonder picture. There will be a 'Special matinee for the school children on Thursday, commencing at 3.15 p.m. MO SCO VITCH TO-NIGHT.

GRIPPING MYSTERY PLAY. The appearance in Hawera of Maurice Mosoovitoli and the specially selected J. C- Williamson Company in Edgar Wallace’s great drama “The Ringer” to-night for one night only is eagerly awaited by a large section of the community. Moseovitch has already established a splendid reputation. He has given us many evidences of his capacity as an actor, whose versatility is undoubted and whose thoroughness has been proved over and over again. On his previous visit to these shores he created _ a wonderful impression, and, judging by the laudatory remarks passed on the dramas he. has" presented in Australia,* lie has risen ' to dramatic heights rarely reached by actors on this side of the. globe. - ' ‘‘The Ringer” is one of Edgar Wallace’s most gripping _ and. successful dramatic works. It is virile, skilfully constructed, and artistically presented. “The Ringer” is a mysterious character who seeks to extract his terrible toll from the unfortunate one who has roused his passion and his yindictiveness. He is a strange personalitv this Meister of Moseovitch — solicitor by day and burglar by night; loving his sister with the passion of a fanatic willing to rob, perhaps to murder, for her sake, a man of dual individuality with good and evil alternating in most perplexing manner. Moseovitch has made a splendid study of tins most difficult part. He has studied closely its varied characteristics, and the result is one of the most impressive presentations ever given on the dramatic stage. In one scene, where Meister is terror stricken by the presence of “The Ringer,” where his craven fear makes him anticipate, the fearful death he thinks is coming to him with the stealthy footsteps overhead indicating that his enemy is ever on the watch ready to strike, Moseovitch holds his audience spellbound.

The company supporting Moseovitch is a particularly strong one, including Nat Madison,' who has made a special study of the character of the exconvict; Ashton Jarry (Central Detective Inspector Bliss); Bertha Riccardo (Mary Lenley); Mary MacGregor (Cora Ann Milton); Reginald Newson (Divisional Detective —Inspector Wembury, D. 5.0., of Scotland Yard); Jack Dunne John Lenley); George Blunt (Station Sergeant Carter); and; a London actor of repute, Batric Curwen. Also playing important roles are Richard Webster, Kiore King (a .New Zealander who lias made rapid strides in the profession she has chosen),' Hal Percy and Leslie Donaghev, Herbert Leigh, Guy Hastings, and Carleton Stuart—one of the strongest dramatic combinations that has ever visited New Zealand.