ENTERTAINMENTS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 15 August 1929, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE; TO-NIGHT. ‘THE 1 MAN WHO LAUGHS.” An enthralling story ol' an amazing love, set against a background of rare splendour, is “The Man Who Laughs,” which opened last nightj at the Hawera Opera House. This Universal superproduction, co-starring Mary Phiibin and Conrad Veidt, was directed by Paul Leni, Continental screen genius. A love story as beautiufl and as sweet as anything ever captured for the enjoyment of audiences lias been built with clever hands into this Victor Hugo story, following closely the action of the novel. The story concerns a little blind girl and her love for Gwynplaine, a clown maimed in his youth by a fiendish surgeon who carved a perpetual grin on him. The story has a startling and daring denouement. Miss Phiibin has never appeared more beautiful nor played her role with greater emotional iinesso than in “The Man Who Laughs.” Conrad Yeidt’s marvellous performance will doubtless place him at the head of character actors, even though this is but the third American, vehicle for this European favourite. “The Man Who Laughs” will be screened again tonight and to-morrow night.

GRAND THEATRE TO-NIGHT. “OUR DANCING DAUGHTERS.” “Our Dancing Daughters,” showing for the last time at the Grand Theatre to-night, heralded its fame far and wide. Joan Crawford lias the starring role with Nils Asther, Anita Page, Johnny Mack Brown, Dorothy Sebastian, and other favourites in the cast. This startling glimpse into the lives of three very modern young women who choose different paths to happiness is by far the most unusual screen presentation given to an enthusiastic motion picture public for many years. And in unfolding this daring tale, the clever hand of the director, Harry Beaumont, reaches into the homes of these girls and brings forth the parents to be judged for the misadventures of the jazz-age children. A fine .selection of short features are also shown in support.