ENTERTAINMENTS.

Hawera Star, Volume LI, 20 June 1931, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE HAWERA. CHARLIE CHAPLIN IN “CITY LIGHTS. ’ ’ “City Lights,” Charles Chaplin’s film was, given another enthusiasticreception at the Opera House Hawera last evening. It will he shown to-night and l finally on Monday at matinee and evening screenings. “City Lights,” Chaplin himself describes as a romantic comedy in pantomime.' Tio the public, he is the same tragic little tramp with the typical Chaplin appeal and he is the same uproarious comic whose gags seem to he, without equal in the world of the cinema. Alwavs an individualist, Chaplin has made* “City Lights” without the sound of 41*single human voice, though sound is used with striking effect. “City Lights” opens with a typical comedy scene in which Chaplin is found sleeping in the arms of a statue when it is unveiled. The speakers addressing the crowd are mimicked by squawking orchestration, perfectly synchronised with the lip movements of the talkers. Romance comes into Charlies life when he meets a blind flower girl, who hearing a limousine door close, thinks ho has just, left his car. Sensing the situation. Chaplin allows the deception to exist by parting with his last dime for a flower. . The masquerade goes on. The girl knows Chaplin only by touch. “When she becomes ill be goes, to work as a street cleaner, tries boxing in. which the referee becomes the loser, becomes ai home companion to an eccentric millionaire through wholse bounty he raises money so the girl can undergo an eye operation. Virginia Cherrill, a newcomer, who plays the blind girl, gives a , remarkably well-poised and convincing performance. Harry Myers is superb as the tippling Croesus. Reserve at Miss Blake’s.

GRAND THEATRE, DOUBLE STAR ATTRACTION. ' “LAST OF THE DUANES.” George O’Brien portrays the character of “Buck Duane,” the only surviving member of the lighting Duanes in “East of the Duanes,” Fox Movietone all talking romance of the .Southwest, which shows at the Grand Theatre, Hawera, to-night and finally Monday.. The story which was adapted from Zane Grey’s widely read romance of the old Southwest deals with the stirring adventures of a youthful and handsome outlaw, whose only offence was killing the man who shot his fqther. He meets and falls in lot e with a beautiful and 'innocent girl whom he rescues from a hand of cattle rustlers and later through the girls intervention, is restored to good standing in the eyes of the law and his fellow men. ‘ Lucile Brown, who makes her talKin<T picture debut in this film, having recently- deserted the New York stage, where ‘she starred with Richard Bennett, enacts the leading feminine role.

“SOUP TO NUTS.” Comedy based on. the situations of everyday life, and a love story that might have been enacted between the you no- covi pie next door, featiues Rube Goldberg’s contribution to screen mirth, “Soup to Nuts,” Fox Movietone which is to show at the Grand Theatre to-night and finally Monday. Ted Healv and his inimitable gang of Racketeers head the imposing hst o fun makers which includes such veil known audible screen players as Frances McCoy, Charles Wmnmgei, Stanlev Smith. The story unfolds with the efforts of an enterprising young man to win the love of a gill whose uncle’s business had G' oll brought to min through neglect. Complications arise when the girl learns that the bov is taking over the, business through the fact that his father is the chief creditor.