TALKIE ATTRACTIONS

Hawera Star, Volume LII, 20 February 1933, Page 2

TALKIE ATTRACTIONS

OPERA HOUSE. . ‘LOOKING ON THE' BRIGHT SIDE’ In the “good old days” before fire board regulations came into operation “standing .room only” would have been displayed outside a theatre filled to capacity as was the case with the Opera House, Hawera, on 'Saturday night.. The attraction which packed the building was an Elstree masterpiece featuring Gracie Fields, that inimitable Lancashire 'lassie who. has sung and danced her way into the hearts of all who love British comedy in a setting of tuneful melody. As a manicurist in a fashionable salon Gracie Fields sings a song composed by a young hairdresser in the same establishment, and this, song, “Looking on the Bright Side,” .sets film on the road to fortune. The success, however, goes to his head, and he completely forgets Ihe girl whose singing has enabled him to put his songs over. Commissioned to write some new and catchy tunes for a forthcoming production, he is carried .away by the charms of another girl, only to be turned down by her when the irate producer cancels the contract because the songs arc not forthcoming. Disillusioned, he returns to the manicurist, who decides to assist him by singing his. songs in the new production herself. An immediate success is, of course, scored by Gracie, who does not forget to give all the credit" to the young composer as she receives congratulations. A final scene of reconciliation brings about a happy ending to the story which has enabled some catchy tunes to be put across. 'Grade Fields puts all her vivacity and infectious humour into the singing of such numbers as “Looking on the Bright Side,” “He’s Dead but He "Won’t Lie Down,” and “You’re More than the "Whole World to Me,” while “After To-night We Say Good-bye” is another which will prove popular. Bliss Fields dominates the production, but she is ably supported by Julian ■Rose, Richard Dolman and Wyn. Richards, the first-named being responsible for some clever “gagging” as the Jewish producer. The personality of Don Bradman was. evident in “llo.w I Play Cricket,” in .which this brilliant batsman demonstrated how the various strokes in cricket should be made. It was a popular subject with the audience. Frank Hurley’s “Jewel of the Pacific” •gave some entrancing glimpses of a ■South iSea Paradise.

A special Oinesound news reel depicts scenes of the third cricket test, including the accidents to Woodfull and 'Oldfield. 'Scenes taken on board the Southern Cross during the flight across the Tasman and 'the landing at New Plymouth are also shown. “Looking on the Bright Side” will he presented in Hawera to-night, tomorrow and on "Wednesday evenings and at matinees daily at 2 p.in.

GRAND THEATRE. “THE CONQUERING HORDE.” Thrills and excitement in abundance, augmented by a proportion of romance are provided in “The Conquering Horde,” the Paramount picture starring Richard Arlen, which shows at the Grand Theatre to-night. Emerson Hough, its author, was the writer of “The Covered Wagon.” Paramount spared no effort to make this historically true story come to vibrant life on the talking screen. Extensive research, painstaking care in photography, and prolonged activities in the picturesque Western locations were devoted to the work. Fay Wray is seen as the proprietress of one of the most desirable ranch properties in Northwest Texas. She has a fine and large herd of battle, but she cannot convert them into cash because there is no way of getting them to the rich Eastern markets. Into this situation comes Arlen, her childhood sweetheart. Arlien volunteers to lead her herd across a trail which he is familiar with, taking the cattle to- Abilene, Kansas, the nearest railroad ‘point. .An episode of the “Detective Lloyd” serial is also shown.

“THE MAD GENIUS.”

To remodel a human being is. a difficult and dangerous business —yet so to do is the blazing and fanatical ambition of Tsarakov —the central character in the amazing screen story “The Bind Genius”, in which John Barrymore is starred by Warner Bros., and which comes to the Grand Theatre on Thursday for a matinee and evening screenings'and will he shown finally at tlie Opera House on Friday. Bli-. Barrymore rev|els (in the part. Having turned definitely to character roles," that of Tsarakov, so -ho s'ays, offers him the opportunity of a lifetime. “The Blad Genius” is the strangely melodramatic life story or ail impresario of the Russian Imperial Ballet —played against darkly colourful Euiopemi backgrounds. Blarian Blarsh plays- the leading role opposite_ Barrymore—with Donald, Cqolc. Charles' Butterworth, Lu/> Alborni and Carmel Blyers and many others. Blicliaol Curtiz directed.