ENTERTAINMENTS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 24 July 1928, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE—TO-NIGHT.

“13 WASHINGTON SQUARE.”

Yes, sir, it’s a Rouse of mystery, a house of thrills, and a house of jaugiis. That’s “13 Washington Square,” the spooky, eerie film starring Jean Hersnolt and Alice Joyce, which opened last evening art the Opera House. Taken ail an all, “13 Washington Square” is as thoroughly entertaining as any picture which has played here for months. It has its serious moments, of course, and Jean Hersholt and Alice Joyce give two fine performances full of really human touches. Hersholt enacts the role of a kindly picture thief who tries to rob the house owned by Miss Joyce, who believes he is after her jewels. There’s a Young couple in love, very capably and sympathetically portrayed by George Lewis and Helen Foster. Lewis needs no introduction following his excellent work in “The Collegians.” Miss Foster is a newcomer, pretty, petite, and clever. A great many of the laughs are the result of Zasu Fitts’s adept pantomime. She is outstanding m every picture in which she appears. The entire supporting cast is excellent and Melville Brown’s direction is splendid. He wrings every laugh possible out of the situation. The photography is clever, and the picture 'as a whole' will delight young and old. Two news reels and comedy _ complete the programme, which will lie finally screened to-night.

OPERA HOUSE

COMMENCING TO-MORROW (WEDNESDAY). ‘THE PATENT LEATHER KID.”‘ Richard Barthelmess, who has not recently appeared in picture productions, gives a-.characterisation better than ’ anything he has done before in “The Latent Leather Kid,” which opens a tliree-night season at the Opera House to-morrow evening. This new picture, which is based on a story by Rupert Hughes, has been acclaimed for the remarkable realism and almost inspired .acting it contains. One reviewer commented on it as follows:-' “The story, which is .the most credible and convincing of any production dealing with the boxing arena and the war, has afforded Barthelmess a chance to show just how good he is. He lives the part of ‘The Patent Leather Kid, catching the spirit of the braggart, egotistic, hard-living, hard-loving young pugilist, while the acting of Molly O’Day as something not often seen on the screen. This attractive little player does some wonderful work in this production ; at one . moment a cheeky, provocative little gamin, at another the eternal woman sacrificing herself _ for love and the coward man she has given her brave little heart to. The war scenes are the most spectacular ever screened, not excepting the greatest war pictures of the past decade. The exploits of the Tank Corps are certain to impress everyone.” A second attraction on the same programme will be chapter 4 of “The Collegians.” The box plan for the season is now open at Miss Blake’s sweet shop.

“LA MASCOTTE” OPERA. ELTHAM AMATEURS TO VISIT HAWERA. On Monday next at the Opera House, Haw-era, the Elthianr Amateur Operatic and Musical Society will present the iheet-aet comic opera “La Masootte,” under the direction of Messrs Ca-rdston and Baxter. The Eiltham Society has in the -past been very happy in its choice- of productions and eminently successful in their presentations. In the -present instance- they have selected an opera which met with great success when produced bv the Auckland Operatic Society. With'the undoubted talent the Eith-am Society has at command amongst its members and with such capable producers in charge, it is assured that tlie roles of principals will be well cast while . there can be no doubt- that the chorus, which will be supported by an- augmented -orchestra, will acquit themselves with the distinction that has -marked their efforts in previous productions. Fortunately the happiest relations exist between the Hawera and Eitham musical 1 -societies, and the visitors will receive a cordial welcome from the local musical fraternity and- the- -general public. The opening performance of “La Maecott-e” takes place at Eiltham to-morrow night, and all the indications a-re for -past successes being excelled. The Hawera box plan -is now open.