ENTERTAINMENTS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 6 January 1923, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

_*_ , , , OPERA HOUSE, TO-NIGHT.

"SONNY.'' Sonny! A plaint that has fallen from the lips of sacrificing motherhood since the world was born.. The one word epitomizes the theme of the First National attraction, "Sonny," starring Ricnard Barthelmess, that wili_be seen to-night at the Opera House. Simple, sincere, genuine, Dick has never done anything more •human in its quite emotional appeal than this gripping drama of motherless manhood. Even "Tol'able David," with its compelling genuineness, must bow to the humanity of "Sonny.'' If you can stand a real throb and accept, an inspiration from a powerful story of an everyday character, you'll simply love "Sonny," which finds its climax in the solution of such a situation. Wonderful double exposure which reveals two men, identical in every detail of appearand standing side by side>. shaking hands and exchanging equipment is a striking token of the progressive photography emanating from the camera. The picture was adapted by Frances Marion from George, Hobart's stage play, and directed by Henry King. To-night will be the final opportunity of, seeing the great humati drama. Prices remain as usual.

OPERA HOUSE—MONDAY AND TUESDAY.

SPECIAL MATINEE TUESDAY AT 2 P.MBased on Alexandre Dumas' worldfamous story, which deals with the history of France in the early 17th *eutury, the photo-play embodies all of the romantic adventure iniected into that romantic tale, "The Tfiiree Musketeers," by the celebrated French author. Produced on a scale of grandeur and magnificence, 12,000 feet in length, "The Three Musketeers" ranks as ar.veritable giant;in the film world. An indescribable wealth of detail and a, faithful reproduction of the main incidents of the famous story result in a particularly satisfying and complete picture. The Sydney Morning Herald says: "The screen version of Alexandre Dumas' famous story, "The Three Musketeers," is a very fine picture, and shows the agile and versatile Douglas ! Fairbanks entirely at home in a new type of role for him. but one for which j his talents peculiarly fit him—that of the fiery and gallant D'Artagnan. The incidents of the story are visualized in the picture with rematrkable faithfulness to the original, and are connected with sufficient detail to create a very complete film play, and one that makes an immediate appeal to the imagination. The big audience followed with breathless interest the working out of the many thrilling situations occurring in the plot, and were highly appreciative of the merits of the production." A powerful cast has been selected to | .support Douglas Fairbanks, and this is absolutely necessary, as no star, no matter how exceptionally talented, could hope to carry the success of such a film on his own shoulders. This picture will be presented at the Opera. House for a season of two nights and one matinee, only.' The plan is now open at •EveTybcdvY Sweet Store; and patrons are strongly advised to* book.

GRAND THEATRE TO-NIGHT

FINAL SCREENING OF "THE TROUPER." I "The Trouper" follows "Second ' Hand Rose,;' in establishing Gladys j Walton as an exponent of emotional- ' ism m simple roles, a star who can | get across" her emotions with remarkable distinctness. - Having classified her many times as a "fascinating | star of flapper romances," th«g critics must confess surprise at this sudden ' revelation of her, true ability "The Trouper" is the Universal attraction at | the Grand Theatje to-night for the last i time. The story is a burlesque of barn-storming road companies that arrive in small American towns without money and leave them the same way, and the director, author and most of the supporting players have had wide stage experience. Not all is burlesque. Into sequences of comedy flash sudden emotional scenes that contrast strikingly with the burlesque. Miss Walton's role as an overworked, neglected wardrobe slavey is full of pathos,, with lightning touches of humour here and there. Prices remain as usuaO j