ENTERTAINMENTS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 1 February 1929, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS.

OPERA ROUSE. FINALLY TONIGHT. “THE GOLDEN CLOWN.” A worth while production that certainly should not be missed is ‘.‘The Golden down,” which features ,two well-known Continental artistes, Gosta Eliman and Karina Bell, is an age-old story of the tragedy behind the motley. It tells of a clown, who, by sheer merit rises to the top of his profession. Then his. wife is dazzled by a scheming rogue to whom she falls a victim. The clown still goes on with his clowning, his antics causing audiences to double up with laughter, little dreaming of tlie tragedy behind the mask. He resorts to drink to drown his sorrows, gradually sinking lower and lower down the scale until finally lie becomes a drink-sodden performer in a third-rale circus.

The climax that follows is both original and surprising, showing how the clown is brought back to happiness and realisation of his worth by a child. Gosta Ekman’s portrayal of the clown is superb, probably the finest acting seen on the films for a. long time. Ekman excels John Barrymore as to profile and Lon Chaney as to make-up, while his acting approximates to that of Conrad Veidt and Emil Jannings. The box plan is at Miss Blake’s sweet shop. GRAND THEATRE—TO-NIGHT. DIAMOND HANDCUFFS.” The romantic histories of famous diamonds, from the time of the fabled Golcondai to the modern Hope diamond, with its trail of mystery, intrigue and drama, have reached what might be called a screen culmination in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s “Diamond Handcuffs,”, which will be shown at the Grand Theatre to-night. In “Diamon Handcuffs” the story is grimly complete, as a famous gem is first seen being taken from the bowels of the earth by a perspiring Kaffir, who hides it in a self-inflicted wound in liis leg; later he hands the gem to his half-east© sweetheai't, and then drops dead at her feet. After this dramatic incident tlie priceless but sinister stone is followed as it travels through glittering society to the underworld, always bringing tragedy, until fate obliterates it at last and brings love to two young souls with the same dramatic stroke.

In the three distinct episodes which comprise this unique, lavishly produced attraction,. Eleanor Boardman brilliantly heads a big cast of established screen favorites. Opposite Miss Boardman, Lawrence Gray does exceedingly well. Conrad Nagel, Gwen Lee, Lena Malena, Sam Hardy, John Roche and George Cooper are others who give excellent performances. The serial, “The Scarlet Arrow” will also be included in the programme