ENTERTAINMENTS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 21 March 1929, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE. HAROLD LLOYD IN “SPEEDY.” At the Opera. House last evening a' large audience witnessed the initial screening in Hawera of the Paramount picture “"Speedy,” featuring the comedy king, Harold; Lloyd. This famous actor was the overseer in this production, and it can be said that, in liis efforts to make “Speedy” a success, he was amply repaid, for this picture is generously conceded to be his best yet. Apart from the intensely .humorous situations presented, there is woven in this picture a- plot which provides plenty of thrill's. The story is set in New York, and at one stage where Harold Lloyd, as “Speedy” Swift, endeavours to make a iiviiig at taxi driving, the spectator is sitting on edge and wondering when the smash will come, as he drives recklessly through, the city streets. At another stage, when “Speedy” takes liis girl to Coney Lsland for a day’s outing, the niirth-provoking .situations which happen there are alone worth seeing, and many a picture could have been based on those -scenes ai’one. When “Speedy” overhears a plot to ruin liis girl’s grandfather things begin to move in real earnest. The old man was in charge of ’an old-fashioned horse-drawn street car, and was told that -so long as his car ran to schedule ere track was his own. A railway syndicate desired to put an up-to-date service through, but the old mail was stubborn and desired one price, his •own. The syndicate was determined to own the track at any cost, and hired a. gang to capture the car with the- idea that, if the time-table were not strictly adhered to. t-lie owner would lose liis hold. At night time the street car was used for the traders of that district as a kind of diub room, and upon “Speedy” informing them that they were likely to lose the old, haunt, much bad feeling was expressed l and a resolution to light the gang was agreed upon. When the miniature war did eventuate and thegang was routed, there was a scene that"made the whole audience rock with laughter. The car was stolen at night, however, but, by a faithful dog’s action it was traced, and- “Speedy,” with an ingenious method, delivered the -street car to the base on time. The thribs given in that return journey will still ho fresh in the minds of last night’s audience, and “Speedy’’ well earned and deserved his name. The “New Greater Collegians’ ’ is also -shown on the same- programme, together with" a news and comedy. This programme will be shown again this evening. GRAND THEATRE. “THE STREET OF SIN.” After several weeks of debate and suggestion, paramdunt studio executives fina&ly decided upon “The Street of Sin” as the most appropriate title for Emil J armings ’second!, production, which had been tentatively titled “Hitring lor Heaven.” The announcement of the new uaime was made by B. J*. Schulberg associate producer, who declared it. to be an ideal title for the Jaiinings’ vehicle. ••The Street, of Sin ’ presents- the star as a ruffian ruler of the London slums, east of Limeibo-use. Known as “Sledgehammer Bill,” he becomes famous as a- terror until he meets a Salvation Army lassie and 1 is transformed into -a welfare worker through love. “The Street of Sin” is said to bo Jannings’is greatest, even greater than “Variety.” “The- Last Laugh,” •Passion.” or “The Way ot AM Flesh. ,la-nnings’» -roi'e is a powerful one, To-morrow night a- complete change of programme will be presented.