ENTERTAINMENTS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 14 June 1928, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE. “THE MERRY WIDOW.” A good programme w;i,s shown at the Opera House last night. Tne main picture. “The Alerry Widow,” waits supported by smaller pictures, the first uemg a tale of the days of the gold rusii at Shotoveir. it showed tire rareat excitement of the long traps to tine gold country and there .staking claims by spade lengths and finding nuggets. The other short 'picture on the programme was “Miss _\ew Zealand's” doings in America. Tins was really interesting, as it showed the 68-acre studios and plant tor making pictures at Hollywood in Los Angeles. “Miss New Zealand” had a wonderful good time and met a. large number of well-known actors and actresses who were, “working” at that time in Hollywood. “The Merry Widow” is a picture of great merit. Mae Murray is the leading lady. Sally 'O’Hara, a. member ,of a troup of dancers which is stranded at a mountain village for a night. None of them can speak the language- 1 and an officer of the army, also spending the night in the village, conies co the rescue. John Gilbert.' a dashing young man. takes this part as Danilo, nephew of the king. He fails in love with Sally but is persuaded by liis family not to marry her, and she marries a wealthy banker out of spite, .but lie dies .ail hour cr so after the wedding. Sally goes to Paris, where she soon becomes .known as “The Merry Widow.’ Having plenty of money, she also has plenty of admiral's. Danilo comes into her life again, and in the end risks his life, as he imagines she will be happy then. But _• cc.es not die, and the misunderstanding is cleared up. The setting of thipicture is mamsli’.ou.s in parts, especially at the mountain village, where the scenery is. most unusual. The quaint buildings, with ducks and pigs and goats wandering about, is old-fashioned and is a great contrast to the modernness of “The Manhattan Follies,” the dancing t.roup who are stranded there. The Paris scenes are very gay, showing some of the leading night clubs. The fair-haired Mae Murray plays her part distinctively, and John Gilbert is seen at his best in this picture. Another clever character is the sneering aristocrat Crown Prince, who is assassinated in the end. He is the villian ot the picture. This programme will be repeated tonight. and intending patrons are reminded to book their seats. Box pan at Miss Blake’s.

GR AND THEATRE, TO-NIGHT

“A GENTLEMAN OF PARIS.”

To persons who know, appreciate and patronise good screen entertainment, the name of Adolphe Menjou means more than any other. In “A Gentleman of Paris,” now showing at the Grand Theatre, Menjou eclipses everything he has ever done on the screen. He is the same suave, debonair, immaculate, fastidious Menjou as always, but here he is in a story that for dramatic punch has seldom been excelled. There are many dramatic incidents, including the scene in the modiste’s, where Menjou discovers that his girl friend is the wife >f his valet. The scene at the card table, where a search of Menjou reveals tiie ace of hearts iu his sleeve. The collapse and confession of the valet when he hears the pistol shot. The scene where the valet shaves Menjou, knowing him, to foe the man who is involved with his wife. And a score of other big dramatic moments and sophisticated comedy scenes put over as only Menjou'can do them. There is a full supporting programme.

J. C. WILLIAMSON’S ROYAL COMIC OPERA COMPANY.

“The Student Prince” Is to be the production of the J. C. Williamson Royal Comic Opera Company’s season at the Opera House on Tuesday next. “The Student Prince” is a comic opera in four acts, with music by Sigmund Romberg and lyrics by Dorothy Donnelly. The play is said to be pleasing to the ear, the eye, and the intelligence. It is said to he the most lavishly staged production Williamson’s have shown here in recent years. The strong dramatic interest that delighted playgoers years ago in “Old Heidelberg” (from which the opera was taken), has been entirely preserved. The music is said to agree with the theme, and is largely choral in character.

Beppie de Vries, who scored such a remarkable success in this play and also in “Madame Pompadour”, is due to fulfil contracts on the continent, but she was persuaded to extend her engagement, so that Dominion playgoers will have the opportunity of seeing perhaps the most popular comic opera actress of recent years. Prominent artists with European reputations in the cast are James Liddy, Hedley Hall and Frank Webster. Others well known are Arthur Stigant, A dele Crane and Vera Spaull. A special attraction is the chorus of 40 singing students.