ENTERTAINMENTS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 10 November 1928, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE. ; ELECTION RESULTS. The management of the Opera House and Grand Theatre have made special arrangements for the screening of all election results at both theatres on Wednesday next, November 14. Already there is a heavy demand for reserves and intending patrons are well advised to book their seats at once and be. sure of a seat. The theatre will be kept open until midnight, as the polling booths do not close until an hour later this election. The box plan for the Opera House i s at Miss Blake’s confectionery and the Grand Theatre box plan is at Gibbes’ Sweet Shop, next Grand Theatre. OPERA HOUSE, TO-NIGHT. “A GIRL IN EVERY PORT.” “A 'Girl in Every Port” is the intriguing and colourful title of Howard Hawks’ new Fox picture, with Victor McLaglen in the featured nolo, which will be screened at the Opera House to-night. As the name would signify, it is a story of the sea and the adventures of a rollicking, roving sailor, whose affairs with the ladies are the talk of his ship. There are a number of episodes, one in each of the ports in the most picturesque corners of the world. 'There is an entirely new cast in each episode, with the exception, of course, of McLaglen and his shadow, Robert Armstrong, who follows him around on his adventures. In some ports he fares better than in others, with two leading ladies to charm. The idea is novel and original, the story picturesque, the character ideally suited to McLaglen and the picture of the type which -Hawks handles so well. Marie Casajuna, the little Spanish beauty .whom Eox brought from Barcelona, to embark on a motion picture career, is the girl in the first episode, which is laid in the 'romantic atmosphere of Buenos Aires. Francis McDonald has the other character role. “A Girl is Every Port” is recommended more especially for adult audiences. The supporting programme includes Fox News, two comedies and N.Z. scenic. The box plan is at Miss Blake’s. GRAND THEATRE, TO-NIGHT. “BRINGING UP FATHER,” The latest co-starring comedy for Marie Dressier and Polly Moran, ( ‘ Bringing Up Father,’ ’ which screens to-night at the Grand Theatre, is one of the very finest comedies this critic has ever reviewed. Replete with every funny situation known to domestic—and screen—science, and also every possible humorous situation likely _to arise between sisters-in-law. “Bringing Up Father” is .guaranteed to make you laugh heartily in 'spite of income tax, overdue bills, and other ills that human , flesh is heir to. Although the new picture is funny right from the .first scene, and never lets up hoi- a moment, the fun grows furiously when Mrs Jiggs decides to hold a “'coming out” party for her daughter Ellen, towards whom a young nobleman has indicated more than a brotherly Interest, Mrs Jiggs asks her brother-in-law to be the butler. When the sparks die down, the request is complied with for Ellen’s sake. Then the fun starts. Jiggs Himself, always a corn-beef-and-eabbage man, eventually threatens .to commit suicide. The picture ends in a,gale of laughs, ■ and has just the right amount of delicate love interest and human appeal to place it in a class by .itself. An added attraction on to-night’s programme is 'Chapter one .of the new serial “The Haunted Island.” The orchestra will be in attendance. “THE GIRL FRIEND.” J. C. WILLIAMSON MUSICAL COMEDY. There is much dancing and sweet melody in the J. C. Williamson musical comedy “The Girl Friend,” which is t-o be staged at the Opera House, Hawera, for one night only on Monday, November 19. A London musical comedy favourite in Annie Croft plays the lead in the production* She made an instantaneous hit in Australia-, and one critic says' “When Annie Croft smiles, the whole world smiles too.” The company supporting her includes Reginald Sharland. a lading man from the principal London theatres;, as is also Leo Franklyn, who has made a. great hit in the part that has, m London, made George Gee famous. Other well-known people in the east are Gus Bluett, May Beatty, and her daughter -Bunny, James Hughes (last here with “Rose. Marie”). Billie Lockwood, Marv Righv, Jack Dunne. Winnie Tate, Leslie Donaghey, and together with the popular chorus and ballet of Australian youth and beauty make au offering that should appeal t-o all theatregoers. “The. Girl Friend” was a great success in Australia, and one- critic said “Is gaity chasing after Rose Marie, records.” He goes on to sav “The Girl Friend” deserves well of playgoers for enabling them to make the acquaintance of Annie Croft. So often do . imported musical comedy stars fall disappointingly short of the encomiums of theatre managers that we approach them for the first time full of misgivings. Saturday’s premiere at the Theatre Royal' was a pleasant surprise. “The Girl Friend” has given us a leading lady with a- pretty voice, excellently controlled. Accompanying the voice is a natural charm. The Australian public- will want to keep Annie Croft for a long while, and you cannot blame them.” - “The Girl Friend” is a musical play that swings. along at a great pace, with many a diverting side issue from the main plat, which hinges on a lover who 'realistically misses a train in the .first beautiful .scene. • Such charming little diversions as pyjamadad girls listening to the intimate j detail of a sweet lady’s lore affair and cmaint goings on in a railway station find a gorgeous climax iu a swell gnrdeu of a swell hotel. The box plans open on- Friday next at Miss Blake’s Opera House Confectionery.