ENTERTAINMENTS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 6 December 1928, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE. ‘ ‘ SUNRISE ’’ SCREENED. The Opera House was crowded last evening when the screen-play e c Sunrise” was shown for the first time locally. This picture eame with a big reputation ready-made, and the fact that Janet Gaynor, who made such a favourable impression in “Seventh Heaven,” was the feminine star added to the anticipations of patrons. The picture was produced on a vast scale, and it was difficult to believe that the street scenes were merely Hollywood “sets.” Whether ,the story merited such an expensive setting is a matter of opinion, but evidently the director of the plav thought so. The 'representations of Coney Island were also full of interest and some of the scenes on the river were beautiful and _ others were impressive on account of their realism. The story was slight and not convincing to last nig'lit ’s audience at least. Aparently an effort had been made by the director to 'revive through Janet Gaynor the Mae Marsh type of “wistfulness,” w’hieh was exploited so thoroughly in the days of G. W. Griffiths, but the attempt did not succeed. The fault was not the actresses nor that of George O’Brien, the leading man, both of whom are first-rate artists, but was due to over-emphasis by the director. _ To-night, “Sunrise” will be screened at the Grand Theatre.

The “Janet G-aynor” competition has been cancelled by the management of the Opera House. OPEIRA HOUSE. OPERA HOUSE. TO-NIGHT. “THE' SUNSET LEGION.” “The Sunset Legion,” starring Fred Thomson, commences a two-night season at the Opera House to-night. It is a snappy "Western done with some neu twists. It doesn’t take in as much scenery as some of its predecessors, butit has a closely knit story that centres around interesting characters. It moves swiftly. It has enough action to satisfy the most ran id Western fan. but at the Lsame time it has a human story with a love interest which develops logically and dramatically. A strong supporting programme will include Topical News reels, cartoon and comedy.