ENTERTAINMENTS.

Waikato Times, Volume 113, Issue 18944, 15 May 1933, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS.

“SMILIN’ THROUGH.” NORMA SHEARER CHARMS. AT THE STRAND THEATRE. The story of “Smilin’ Through,” the charming romance unfolded at the Strand Theatre on Saturday, Is that of a man who cannot forget the memory of tragedy when the fulfilment of his love is blighted on ills wedding day. Fifty years afterwards the son of the man who' caused his bitterness returns and falls in love with the niece of the girl whom this man has loved. Out of the bitterness an his heart he at first endeavours to keep the young lovers apart, and only when the spirit of his departed one warns him of the harm he is causing does he relent. There are poignant moments of partings and enduring suffering by the young lovers when they are separated by the call of war, but the radiant personality of Norma Shearer supplies a colour and charm to the scenes which delight the audience. Norma Shearer returns tW the screen as a changed personality, and wins more hearts with her charming and romantic acting than she has ever done in her more sophisticated performances. In a dual role, as Moonyeen Clare, and, later, as Moonyeen’s sister’s child, Kathleen, she lives through the loves and sadnesses of two ages in a spirit cf unaffected and romantic sincerity. There is a depth of beauty about the lives she portrays that cannot fail to appeal. The old-world settings and dresses are artistically in keeping with the earlier period of the play, and Norma Shearer is just as beautifully gowned when the threads of the story a-e continued during the years of the war.

An able cast has been selected. Frederic March plays opposite Miss Shearer in both generations of the story, cast as Jeremy Wayne and later as Kenneth, the former's son. Leslie Howard plays Sir John Cartaret, the lover of Moonyeen and the guardian of Kathleen, and 0. P. Heggie is in the role' of Dr. Owen, his lifelong friend. Ralph Forbes also has a prominent role.

The supporting programme inoluded a thrilling exhibition of trapeze work by the Flying Codonas and some interesting Gazettes. THEATRE ROYAL. The return of the great Australian comedy-d"ama, “On Our Selection,” to the Theatre Royal to-day should prove popular. As a book and as a play, “On Our Selection” was tremendously successful, and the talkie version, bringing the characters to life on the screen, is even more satisfying. The story deals with the comedy, drama and romance of life on an Aust”alian station, and the interest of the audience is maintained throughout. Mr Edmund Duggan, as Dad, plays the role In which he appeared for-several years on the stage, and gives a splendid, mellow performanc. Mr Fred Macdonald, as Dave, Is the outback yokel to the life, and the rest of the characters are equally well portrayed. The supporting programme contains much to interest and entertain. OIVIC THEATRE. With three-quarters of its scenes •made at sea on a Pacific liner, especially chartered and turned into a “floating studio” for the production of “One Way Passage,” the picture costarring William Powell and Kay Francis establishes a new record for realism, even in these days of ultrarealistic motion pictures. For an entire week, the S.S. Galawaii with Its officers and crew, cruised about the waters of the Pacific at the behest of Director Tay Garnett and his company, who' had the big ocean liner entirely to themselves for the enacting of the thrilling incidents that make up the unusual story. Once the steamer, aboard which the drama is played, leaves Hong IKong for San Francisco the romanoe that enmeshes the two principal characters —played by Mr Powell and Miss Francis' —is bounded only by the immensity of the heavens above and the vastness of the ocean beneath. ROXY THEATRE. Una Merkel, as the heroine of “The Secret Witness,” runs into’ some dangerous situations tin her daring efforts to untangle the plot that is convicting an innocent boy of murder. Not satisfied with the findings of [he police, she follows a hunch of her own—and finds the Secret Witness. William Collier, Jnr., Zasu Pitts and ■others are seen in support of Miss Merkel.

“The Guilty Generation,’’ a second attraction, sets forth daringly the tragic situation of Innocent members cf a family suffering through the guilt of others.