ENTERTAINMENTS

Hawera Star, Volume L, 20 February 1931, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

OPERA HOUSE “TALKIES”. “RAFFLES’. ”, FINAL EXPLOIT Grouched over a. safe' in a silent jewellery shop late at night, a man in evening dress quickly manipulates the combination. The safe swings open )a nd a hand scoops up the glittering , contents. Once more debonair Raffles, the “Amateur Cracksman,” lias succeeded. Such is one of the intriguing opening scenes of the United Artists sound-picture version of probably the (most entertaining of the stories written by Mi- Ei. W. Hornung concerning the exploits of the daring “Raffles.” 1 The picture delighted a Jai’go audience at the Hawera, Opera House last I evening and. will be repeated finally to--night. Jt reveals the gay -figure of the lovable crook at hi® last and greatest crime in which the conflicting emotions of the Jove of a woman urging him to redemption and the appeal of a. life-long friengl for whom the crime seems necessary present even the resourceful “Raffles” with a. terribly vexatioins prob-lan. Ronald Colman, who was seen recently in “Bulldog Drummond,” plays the leading role and presents to perl faction the devil-may-care, cracksman | at home in any company, whoso dasli « and ingenuity earns the affectionate admiration even of the dour sleuth .Inspector McKenzie from Scotland Yard with whom “Raffles” wages a thrilling battle of wits. Kay Francis, as the girl, is a radiant personality with a remarkably pleasing voice, while other outstanding players who make their 'respective characters of great appeal 1 are David Torrence, as the detective inspector; Alison Skip-worth, as Lady Melrose; and Frederick Ken*, as the traditional Lord of advanced years of age.

The supports include a, remarkable “spotlight” in which Ailex Morrison, an American golf professional, gives practical demonstrations and advice, which should prove highly beneficial to all lovers of that game.

OPERA HOUSE “TALKIES.”

CHEVALIER— I TO-MORROW. Maurice Chevalier stars in his third Paramount picture at the Opera House Hawera, to-morrow at 2 p.m., commencing it® season of three nights and one matinee. He sings a number of new songs in his own irrepressible style, and carries the play through many stirring] comedy and romance scenes. Claudette Colbert, herself French-born, plays the leading feminine vole. She lias been a Broadway favourite for several years, having gone to New York from Paris in her early ’teens. _ “The Big Pond” is based on mi original! Broadway comedy-drama by George Middleton and A. Ei. Thomas, veteran playwrights. Hobart Henley, who directed “The Lady Lies” and “Roadhouse Nights” was the director of “The Big Pond.” Also showing is a special film, of the Hawke’s Bay disaster. Plans for the season are at M iss Blake’s, ’phone 2713.

GRAND THEATRE! “TALKIES.”

TO-NIGHT’S CHANGE.

Gus Van and Joe Sahenck, wellknown vaudeville headliners, will make their first all-talking feature picture appearance to-night, at the Grand Theatre in Metro-Go] dwyn-M ayer ’ s “They .Learned About AVomen.” The stars will be supported by a- large cast beaded by Bessie Love, and including Mary Doran. J. O. Nugent. Benny Rubin, Tom Dugan, Eddie Gribbon and Francis B. Bushman, Jr. Among the songs sung throughout the picture in Pullman cars, under shower baths, on the stage in hotel lobbies and on the baseball field are “Ain’t You Baby?”, “He’s That Kind of a Pal,” “Ten

Little Mamais,” “Partners,” “I’m an Old Fashioned Guy,” “Does My Baby?”, and “Dougherty.” Bessie Love sings “I’ve Got a Man of My Own,” while the featured number is a love ballad called, “There- Will Never be Another Mary.” With Jack Conway and Sam Wood directing, the group went to- work and from all reports turned out one- of the- most amusing and entertaining all-talking pictures of the year.