THE PICTURE HOUSES

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVIII, Issue 202, 9 August 1928, Page 9

THE PICTURE HOUSES

MUNICIPAL.

The call to arms! We have read much recently of the horrors of war, but there is that something ingrained in human nature which makes us respond to the bugle call and roll of drums. And the other call we all know and respond to is love of woman, no matter where or how we find her! These are the reasons which filled the Hastings Municipal Theatie last evening to witness the screening of “Seventh Heaven,” that wonderful, moving tale of love and sacrifice and patriotism, for which Frank Borzage chose Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell to play heroine and hero. It is a wonderfully simple little story, but an amazingly thrilling one in places. Set in a Parisian background for the most part—not the City of Palaces we imagine it to be, but the drab setting of streets and mean dwellings which few tourists ever seethe Paris of yesterday (before the Great War) and of to-day, where two humble human beings live and learn to love each other, undeterred by difficulties or poverty, or the bitter anger of another woman. The great beauty of this picture is its humanity, the sense that just such incidents as it depicts might happen to any one of the onlookers—the lover, a sewer rat, and his sweetheart, happv together in their garret, learning to know a new world and see it beautiful through the mists of love beyond telling. And then the call to war, and their glorious pledge of faith given to each other. Truly a great picture, wonderfully told and directed by a master hand; one that will do everyone good to witness, its pathos never too great to bear and brightened by many touches of humour. Only to-night and to-morrow can “Seventh Heaven’’ be shown in Hastings, and intending patrons would do well to reserve at Pratt’s. COSY DE LUXE.

William Haines, star of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's “Brown of Harvard,” “Spring Fever” and “West Point,” scores another distinct triumph in “The Smart Set.” The game of polo, hitherto brought to the screen for atmospheric “bits” only—its attendants, environment and devotees—form a highly colourful background for a ripping comedy romance with a delectable touch of flashing drama. Now showing at the Cosy Theatre. “The Smart Set” shows William Haines as Tommy Van Buren, scion of a wealthy family, who toils not, but who rides a pony with a mallet in his hand in particularly thrilling fashion, and who at the same time is considered most eligible by many lovely young Indies. The attentions they pay Tommy lead to many highly entertaining incidents, while Haines himself adds great amusement to this attempted conquest by his hophisticated reception of the charmers. However, he finally fads in love with a proud and beautiful girl who holds herself aloof from him. until he disgraces himself when, with typical feminine variability, she takes pity on him. After sundry complications, and at the end of an exciting polo championship, she decides to reform Tommy for good. “The Smart Set” is entertainment of the highest quality. All who see it will immense Iv enjoy the .story, the acting, and the particularly fine, almost lavish production.