ENTERTAINMENTS.

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

ENTERTAINMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE TO-NIGHT,

“THE DAREDEVIL’S REWARD.”

“Daredevil’s Reward,” a Fox Films production starring Tom Mix, winch wilL be screened at the Opera House to-night, is a color!ill story of a Texas Ranger who is compelled to hold up •> stage in order to foil the efforts of a gang of bandits. Accused and betrayed by the girl whom he has grown to love, Mix staoes a smashing comeback anti proves to her his unquestionable honesty. In order to outwit the outlaws Mix assumes the role of a wandering quack doctor and with, the help or Sim Tweedy, his assistant, stages a medicine show in order to get into the good graces of a gang. The lovely face of Ena Powell throws Tom of his guard, and he unwittingly extracts the wrong tooth from one oi his patients. Forced to flee for their lives, Tom and Sim wreck moist of the town in trying to escape the wrath of the victim and his friends. The story is brought to a smashing climax with the disclosure of liimselt as one of the dreaded rangers and the capture of the outlaws. The cast includes Natalie Joyce, Lawforcl Davidson, Billy Bletcher and Harrv Cording. Gene Fordo directed the production. There is an excellent supporting programme which includes Fox News, Fox Variety, Fox Comedy aiul N.Z. scenic. I The box plan for to-night is at Miss Blake’s sweet shop.

GRAND THEATRE TO-NIGHT

‘ WEST POINT” AND THE “VANISHING RIDER.”

“West Point,” William Haines’ latest starring veliic-le, cannot fail to evoke great- enthusiasm at the Grand Theatre’ where it is now playingfi. because it is such a complete change from the ordinary run of screen entertainment. As Metro-Goidwyn-Mayei have produced it with the famous West Point Academy for its actual background, under the directorship of Edward Sedgwick, it is a slice of real life. William Haines plays the role of the average young man going through college preparatory to stepping on to the highways oi the world, His bravado unci swollenheaded lie ss lead him to endless trouble, so that a touch of drama develops side by siae . with thrills and romance. The story is unfolded with irresistible interest to a sensational conclusion, when Haines saves his side, in one of the international lly-fanious “Army v. Navy” football matches. Youth, love, adventure, heartthrobs sophistication, hot-headed impetuosity—all that is typical of Youth to-day is thrillingly revealed m this Unique picture. Joan Crawford figures prominently in the story, and her per-fomance is so fine that “West, Point; can be described as a William Haines and Joan Crawford triumph. The supporting pro-ru-amme includes chapter 1 of. the Universal serial “The Vanishing Rider, news reel and comedy.

FILM TESTS AT THE OPERA

HOUSE MONDAY NEXT

Hawera residents will have an opportunity of seeing a real film production, For the last week Mr. Lee Hill, of Sydney, has been making arrangeincuts for the* picture production “Helen of Hawera.” On the stage Monday evening tests will be taken of Hawera’s screen aspirants. Mr. Hill wishes it to be known, that these tests are absolutely genuine; he will not make any person do what they do not wish. This is a great opportunity for any person wishing to become a him star in the production “Helen of Hawera,” which will be made as soon as the leads are picked. There will also be a full supporting picture programme the feature being Hoot Gibson in ‘lhe Elvin" Cowboy.” The leads for the production of “Helen of Hawera 5 5 will be chosen by ballot on the evening ot the screen tests. For further inlormation apply to the manager of the Opera House.

“RIGOLETTO.”

SYNOPSIS OF THE OPERA

Verdi’s “Rigoletto” was first produced in Venice on March 11, 1851. The theme is taken from Victor Hugo’s “Le Roi S‘amuse,” the text being written by Piave. . The opera deals with Rigoletto, the hunchback jester to the Duke of Mantua;. In the fmst act the scene is laid in the, ducal palace, where the Duke of Mantua sings of his conquests, and the fact that all women are fair to him. Monterone enters. His daughter has been betrayed by the duke with the help of Rigoletto, and he curses the seducer. Then comes the scene- between Rigoletto and Sparaficul, bravo and assassin, .wherein the hunchback, in reply to- his .offer to work for pay, sings “Pari sismo (“We Are Equal”). Rigoletto seeks out his daughter to make sure of her safety, following Monterone’s curse. He, has kept her in a convent to protect her from the duke, -and she knows nothing of Rigoletto’s real character. But the duke has found Gilda., and their love is mutual. The courtiers, egged on by Monterone, and assisted by Rigoletto, who thinks, the prey, is someone else, abducts . Gilda, .singing the chorus “Zitti Zitti.” This closes tlie act.

In act two the duke in In’s palace mourns the loss of Gilda, whom he, cannot find. The aria “Parnii veder lo lagrime” (“Each Tear That Fall”) is a. description of wliat he believes to lie the sufferings of his. loved one,. As he finishes the courtiers enter to tell him they have locked Gilda in the duke’s apartment. While the .courtiers jeer at Rigoletto, Gilda suddenly enters and confesses everything. Risoletto swears vengeance in spite of the pleading' of Gilda, who loves the cluke.

He hires Sparaficule to kill the duke, j and the assassin lures the duke to a lonely inn. The duke meets Maddalena, Sparaficule’s sister, and makes love to her. Sparaficule has arranged to stab the duke as he enters the inn, but Maddalena, infatuated with the duke, persuades her father to spare him and kill whoever enters the_ hut instead. Gil da hears the quarrel between the two, and, being in male attire, enters. She is stabbed! . by Sparaficule, who puts the body in a. sack and delivers it- to the gloating R.igolctto. Then the duke’s voice is heard, and the jester opens the sack to see whose body it is. _ He finds his daughter, who dies in his arms blessing him and loving the duke. With a cry Rigoletto says, “At last the curse hath crushed me.” and falls across the dead' body of his daughter, the victim of the duke’s perfidy.