ENTERTAINMENTS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 28 July 1928, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE, TO-NIGHT. “SQUARE CROOKS.” “Square Crooks,” describee! as a comedy drama of the underworld, will be screened at the Opera House, tonight. There is abundant comedy, with many tense situations, which give it variety. The .story is about, two former crooks, Eddie Elllison and Lan\ Scott, both of whom! are trying to go .straight. It is no fault of theirs that a dvinn friend of Larry’s steals a diamond ne eld ace and begs Larry to dispose of it and send the proceeds to his wife and family. Suspicion falls on the bays, as they have been discharged a day before the robbery. Complications set m when the jewels again are. stolen by -'b,, Ross, a c"Ook wanted for murder, lhe manner in which they unravel the mystery and capture Ross form the basis for a thrilling and emotional comedy drama . There is an excellent cast with Robert Armstrong as Eddie Ellison; Dorothy Appleby as Kay Ellison; _lns wife • Dorothy Divan, cute ond vivacious as Jane Brown, in love with Johnny Mack Brown, who enacts the .role of the other crook. There will be a full supporting programme-.

GRAND' THEATRE, TO-NIGHT. “QUALITY STREET.” Those who have seen Marion Davies in' her latest Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer starring vehicle “Quality Street” at the Grand Theatre, where it is now showing will agree that it is her greatest, screen achievement. Moreover, she has never looked lovelier. Adapted from the stage play by 'Sir Janies M. Barrie, ’“Quality Street” is an intensely human story of life in an English village m the early part of the last century, and the love of a oari for the young village _ doctor which the Napoleonic wair interrupts Tliere are no war scenes m the picture; a sub-title announces the passage of ten years, when the doctor (returns and starts his wooing all over again. The story is,an epic of Jove and laughter, a whirlpool of merriment, the unconscious humour of old maids and scandal. The author s sub-titles have succeeded in making life s troubles seem small things indeed beside a capacity to. laugh and love throughout the years. Conrad Nagel plays the role of the'doctor with the radiant spirits of a. healthy young man heartily in love. Helen Jerome Eddy and Flora Finch also appear, amongst other favourite players in a well-chosen supporting cast. Other hints of interest on the same programme are M-G-M News reel, N.Z. Scenic, comedy and serial, I lie Trail of the'Tiger., OPERA HOUSE. COMING TUESDAY NEXT. “SORRELL ANDI SON.” “Sorrell and Son,” the best selling novel which has been filmed by Herbert Brenon under the Joseph M. Schenck banner for United Artists; lias its locale in England. Therefore, it was in keeping with the spirit of the .story' that the director of “Peter p a h ” “Beau Geste” and other successes should .select British-born players for many of the important roles. Many or the scenes also were filmed in England. The film opens at the Opera House Tuesday next. The author, W arwick Deeping, is an Englishman and the story tells of the heart-breaking experiences of an English gentleman when he tries to gather up the broken thread's of his life after the War. Brenon made a trip to England to confer with Mr Deeping on the transferring of his novel to the screen, Mr Brenon being one of those rare souls in screenland who believes that the author of a literary masterpiece has certain fundamental rights in Ins creation winch should be respected. Brenon himself was born in Ireland and educated in England. The leading role, that ot “Sorrell,” is enacted by H; B. Warner, who was born in London. His father, Charles Wwas a celebrated English actor. H. H. Warner came to the United States in 1905 and at once made for himself an enviable place on the American stage. ' His wife Riita Stanwood, was on the stage before then marriage. Mr Warner is the father of two daughters, Joan and Lorraine, and a son, H. B. Warner, Jr. This latter fact is said to have added to the sympathetic portrayal he gives, as fc °rrell and Son” is a story of father-and-son love. Among the other leading players in “Sorrell and Son,” Anna Q. Nilsson was born in Sweden, NUs Aether originally hails from Norway, arid Alice Jovce, Carmel Myers, Louis Wolheim, Mary Nolan, Mickey Mcßan, Flobelle Fairbanks, Paul McAllwiter and Ann Hisle were born an the United States.

“LA 'MASOOTTE.”

Nothing quite' like the magnificent costumes to be worn in the production of “La Masootte,” to be produced at Hawera on Monday next, has been seen on the local stage; in fact, rarely on the proiessional stage lias such detail to period been so carefully woven together. This is characteristic of . the Auckland Amateur Operatic Society, from whom the Eltham Society have secured the wardrobe. It speaks volumes for the progressive spirit of the Eltham committee to be the first society to follow in the trail of such an important society as Auckland. Opening with Act 1, the stage is set to represent a typical French farm; in this act the dressing of the chorus is true to type, and the whole scene is a riot of gorgeous colouring. The arrival of the royal hunting party again 1 brightens the colour scheme. Act 2, a scene of grandeur m the handsome apart /nents of the king, must be seen to be appreciated. The setting of the act in (reams, helios, blues and golds has given the scenic artist an. opportunity to cl eate an atmosphere in keeping with the dignity of the magnificent French Courts.. Here..the curtain rises on a scene where twelve royal

pages, handsomely attired in doublets and tights, paired off in azure blues, scarlets, .and golds, and every colour desired ’ where «>rrect toning is necessary, tKe material used in making these costumes being of the best kind procurable. The arrival of the guests will delight all the fair sex of Taranaki, costume after costume arriving on the stage made or cades* Act 3 is the men’s chorus at its best. The producers state that the Eltham men’s chorus in “La Mascotte ’ will be up to the standard of “The Student Prince* , J The choral work has given Mr. Beeslv, the conductor, an opportunity to give of his best, and he has responded in a manner that does him, credit.